Archive for January, 2011

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Ophthalmic Council serves profession

January 25, 2011

 As the face of health care changes, the AOA is working to ensure optometry’s inclusion. However, the voice of AOA members is not the only one to be heard. Patients and industry have a stake in the transformation as well. Harmony in the navigation of the future is a must to truly further the profession.

The AOA and its strongest industry supporters, the Ophthalmic Council™, look forward to collaborating during this time of transition to ensure that you are able to thrive and succeed with access to the tools and information essential to your practice. Read the rest of this entry ?

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CooperVision announces young athlete grant funding

January 25, 2011

CooperVision announced the second round of winners of $25,000 in Gear Up Grant funding. The Gear Up Grant program was established as part of the company’s Contact Sports initiative, which continues to help young athletes and teams across North America get the athletic equipment they need to succeed, while promoting the importance of eye health. Read the rest of this entry ?

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Marchon3D™ issued patent for curved 3D lens technology

January 25, 2011

Marchon3D™ announced that the United States Patent and Trademark office issued U.S. patent 7,854,506 for its curved M3D™ 3D lenses. Specifically, the patent protects the invention of curved lenses configured to decode three-dimensional content.

Marchon3D, a division of Marchon Eyewear, one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of quality eyewear, is using the patented M3D technology to roll out several lines of cutting-edge, passive 3D eyewear for use in movie theaters, 3D gaming consoles and passive 3D televisions and computers.

The patent is directed to the curved lenses as well as the assembled frames and also the method of manufacturing the curved lenses.  Read the rest of this entry ?

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Essilor’s e-commerce site celebrates more than 600 online stores

January 25, 2011

 Essilor of America, the nation’s leading manufacturer of optical lenses, has built more than 600 online optical stores for independent eye care professionals (ECPs) to date through its e-commerce initiative, MyOnlineOptical. The service has experienced a steady increase since its launch last spring, growing at a rate of approximately 100 ECPs per month.

With U.S. retail e-commerce projected to grow at a rate of 11.5 percent in 2011 (according to benchmark data from the U.S. Census Bureau), Essilor anticipates the growth rate of MyOnlineOptical to remain constant throughout 2011. Read the rest of this entry ?

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Optometry’s Meeting® to feature stand-up entertainment next June

January 21, 2011

Wayne Brady

The 2011 Optometry’s Meeting® headliners will include a keynote speaker who stands up and makes a difference and two stand-up comedians guaranteed to make attendees laugh.

The Opening General Session, sponsored by Essilor, on Thursday, June 16 will feature Erin Brockovich.

The Presidential Celebration, sponsored by Hoya, on Saturday, June 18 will feature Wayne Brady and Kathleen Madigan.

It’s been 10 years since Julia Roberts starred in the Oscar-winning “Erin Brockovich.”

The film turned an unknown legal researcher into a 20th-century icon by showcasing how her dogged persistence was the impelling force behind the largest medical settlement lawsuit in history. Read the rest of this entry ?

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Honoring our own: ODs in the armed forces

January 21, 2011

I typically fly out of Nashville most of the time to take trips on behalf of the AOA. Because it’s closest to my home in Benton, Ky., I’m there quite frequently. When traveling, I always go by the military base in Fort Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Airborne. I see a lot of soldiers deploying to Afghanistan, Iraq and places all over the country and world.

On the way back from one such trip, as I was coming off the jet bridge to enter into the terminal, I heard a lot of clapping and cheering. My first thought was that there must be a country-western singer in town because typically you see a lot of country-western entertainers come through the Nashville airport. As I entered the terminal, to my surprise and pleasure, I witnessed a great sight. About 15 soldiers had returned from deployment and were walking down the middle of the terminal. As they walked, people stood up and clapped for them and shouted “USA!” and “God Bless America!” People clapped for them for about 10 minutes or more as they proceeded out of the terminal. Read the rest of this entry ?

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Career in optometry a top pick by U.S. News and World Report

January 21, 2011

U.S. News and World Report once again listed optometrist as one of the 50 Best Careers of 2011, citing the likelihood of strong growth over the next decade.

“The American population is quickly becoming more elderly,” according to U.S. News and World Report. “So demand for visual aids is expected to grow considerably. But eye-care technology is improving as well, allowing each optometrist to care for more patients. Still, the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects more than 24 percent growth, or 8,500 new jobs, for the profession through 2018.”

The article rated optometrists highly in terms of money, upward mobility, activity level, stress level, and education and preparation. Read the rest of this entry ?

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AOA expresses condolences for Kansas Rep. Morrison

January 21, 2011

Shortly after his re-election, Kansas State Representative Jim Morrison, O.D., passed away while undergoing treatment for a heart condition.

Rep. Morrison entered the Kansas Legislature as a representative of the 121st District in 1992 and he continued his optometric practice on weekends, often seeing as many patients as he had previously done during weekdays.

Rep. Morrison was re-elected in November to his 10th term.

The AOA expresses its deepest condolences to all who knew and worked with Dr. Morrison.

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AOA recognized among 10-year NQF members

January 21, 2011

The AOA was recognized as a 10-year member of the National Quality Forum (NQF) in October. 

The NQF was established in 1999 by a coalition of public and private-sector leaders in response to the recommendation of the Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry, which concluded that an organization was needed to promote and ensure patient protections and health care quality through measurement and public reporting.

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), under the federal Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, awarded a contract to the NQF to help establish a portfolio of quality and efficiency measures that will allow the federal government to more clearly see how and whether health care spending is achieving the best results for patients and taxpayers.

Additional information can be found at www.NQF.org.

Posted in Eye on Washington | Leave a Comment »

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Treasury Dept. releases guidance for small business health care tax credit

January 21, 2011

Earlier last month, the Obama administration released additional guidance on small business tax credits authorized under the health care overhaul law, hoping that the new information would make it easier for optometrists and other employers to apply for the new tax credit for providing workers with health insurance.

Administration officials have estimated that about 4 million small businesses could qualify for the credit, which pays up to 35 percent of premium costs for those eligible. The credit is available for businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees whose average salaries are below $50,000 per year. The employer must pay at least 50 percent of the insurance premium cost.

For tax years 2010 to 2013, the maximum credit is 35 percent of premiums paid by eligible employers and 25 percent of premiums paid by eligible employers that are tax-exempt organizations. The maximum credit goes to smaller employers –– those with 10 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees –– paying annual average wages of $25,000 or less. Read the rest of this entry ?

Posted in Eye on Washington | Leave a Comment »

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