LOW VISION BOOK OFFERS SUPPORT RP (Retinitis Pigmentosa) International founder Helen Harris has published her autobiography, How to Survive Losing Vision. After Harris and two out of her three sons were diagnosed with RP 40 years ago, she embarked on a mission to find a cure for blindness. The book offers her personal experiences, support, and tips for anyone managing and overcoming progressive blindness due to retinal disease. The book is available at authorhouse.com.
Says Harris: “I wrote this book because I wished that someone had been able to give me this information and support when I was losing my own vision. It’s my own way of piercing the darkness and letting the visually impaired know that they are not alone.”
Harris founded RP International to raise awareness and funds for medical advancements for the visually impaired. She commissioned the first medical book written exclusively about RP, and she has been responsible for enlisting contributions, approximating $325 million for research and treatment for RP and other degenerative eye diseases.
L’AMY AMERICA ANNOUNCES HOLIDAY CHARITY PROGRAM L’Amy America’s “Help the World to See a Better Tomorrow, TODAY” program allows eyecare professionals to participate in donating to those in need. From the day participants begin until New Year’s Day, one frame will be donated to charity on behalf of the company’s participating customers for every L’Amy America frame sold from the optician to the consumer. Frames will be given to a number of charities, including Lions Club International, New Eyes for the Needy, Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity (VOSH), and Eyewear for Kids. For more information, contact Alex Rotundo, at 800-USA-LAMY, ext. 201 or alex.rotundo@lamyamerica.com.
QUICK-SHIP RESOURCE AVAILABLE FROM INTERSTATE OPTICAL CO., INC. Setting up a complete optical dispensary no longer takes months with Interstate Optical’s Dispensary Express. The displays in this Web-based, quick-ship resource are pre-constructed, ready to ship, and easy to install.
The dispensary collection includes wall displays, mirrors, rotators, shelving units, base cabinets, and fitting tables, all available in a choice of finishes and laminates. The displays feature contemporary aluminum display rods available in both locking and non-locking versions. Display rods are also available separately for direct wall mounting or for do-it-yourself display applications.
ANIMATED ECP ANNOUNCES HOYA DISTORTION-FREE OPTICS Animated character Dr. Graham helped the HOYA Free-Form Company launch HOYA’s Distortion-Free Optics. Dr. Graham is a female character speaking from the eyecare professional’s (ECP) perspective and joins animated Professor Murray in educating patients.
In her inaugural 2-minute 15-second video, Dr. Graham explains how Distortion-Free Optics integrates four key components – lens materials, design, treatment, and the Avantek mounting system. This is the first system that is completely stress-free to preserve the precision optics of the HOYA Free-Form lenses. In addition to eliminating the need for obstructive screws, wires, or rims, the Avantek Mounting System offers superior durability in comparison to drill mounts.
ECPs are welcome share the video with their patients by reposting the link from HOYA’s FaceBook page to their own Facebook page. The video of Dr. Graham’s announcement can also be seen on HOYA’s YouTube channel.
OWA SPONSORS WEBINAR WORKSHOP ON USING TWITTER Join the Optical Women’s Association on Wednesday, December 7, at 12PM EDT for a professional development webinar workshop: Making Twitter a Meaningful Tool for Your Business.
Cathy Ives and Shirley Platzer-Stocks from TheOpticalVisionSite.com, joined the social media platform Twitter in its infancy when they began blogging three years ago. Since then, Twitter has grown exponentially. Ives and Platzer-Stocks, also known as @Optigirls on Twitter, have learned how to best use Twitter to impact business. Experienced Tweeters and beginners alike will learn practical information from a basic introduction to how to Tweet, Twitter etiquette, and best practices.
Advance registration is required. Registration is free for OWA members; non-members pay $35. Telephone and Internet connection are needed. Visit the OWA Web site for more information.
