For six-year-old Justin, success in school has not come easily. Significant vision impairment hampered his earlier efforts to succeed. For children like him the classroom is especially challenging.

Thanks to an Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) funded project, implemented by See Better.Learn Better Jamaica, Justin underwent an in-school vision screening – his first — offered twice yearly by See Better.

He now has prescription eyeglasses that will be updated annually through his primary school years if necessary, and access to annual exams and follow-up care. And, it’s offered at no cost thanks in part to donors who give so generously to OGS in support of the organization’s mission to end preventable blindness and impaired vision throughout the world.

Learn more about Justin’s story.

For more related articles, go to www.optiknow.ca/?s=OGS&post_type=post

For the second year in a row, in a special giving-back initiative, Eschenbach Optik of America sponsored two visually impaired students to attend the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCVIS). The SCIVIS camp was held from October 1-5, 2023 at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL and was a 4-day/night educational adventure for those visually impaired students who had the opportunity to attend.

Throughout the week, students were immersed in astronaut training techniques using equipment adapted from NASA’s actual astronaut program. They learned about space hardware, experienced space flight simulations such as a 1/6^th Gravity Chair and a multi-axis trainer, conducted a spaceflight mission, and performed an underwater scuba build, all while learning about aerospace career opportunities. It was also a special opportunity for them to work together with other students who had similar visual challenges and overcome those challenges together, as a team.

Eschenbach’s scholarship winners not only had their tuition paid in full, but they also received a care package that included an Eschenbach Smartlux® Digital portable video magnifier they could use at camp and keep for themselves afterwards.

The student winners this year were Kelsey K. from Smithfield, UT who attended the Space Academy program and Coy dale D. from Hope Hull, AL who attended the Advanced Space Academy program, each of which completed their space mission successfully!

Upon completion of the camp, one of our scholarship winners reflected upon how transformational her experience was:

“Thank you for this amazing sponsorship! It was so much fun at Space Camp with all the things I got to try and do and all the crazy experiences I had, it was so exciting and challenging!” – Kelsey K.

Learn more about the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students at http://www.scivis.org.

Click HERE for the full press release.

For more related articles on Optik NOW, click HERE.

The Vision Council and RX, the joint organizers of Vision Expo, have announced the return of NOW by Vision Expo. The dynamic display and awards program will make its latest appearance at Vision Expo East 2024, taking place March 14-17 at the Javits Center in New York City. This year’s edition promises to expand upon the successes of years past, showcasing a broad array of eyewear designs that illustrate the latest trends in colours, materials, and styles across the industry.

“Against the vibrant backdrop of the city, and in celebration of nearly four decades of Vision Expo in New York, we are excited to amplify NOW by Vision Expo for 2024 and encourage all eyewear exhibitors to participate in this fantastic showcase,” said Fran Pennella, Vice President of Vision Expo at RX. “Back by popular demand, NOW by Vision Expo will spotlight some of our industry’s most eye-catching frame designs, on display for all show attendees to experience.”

Submissions

All Vision Expo East eyewear exhibitors are welcome to participate in NOW by Vision Expo by submitting one product per brand and/or collection that they believe best encapsulates the 2024 themes.

The themes for Vision Expo East 2024 are as follows:

• NOW loves NYC NOSTALGIA – commemorating nearly 40 years of Vision Expo with archives or vintage-inspired frames.
• NOW loves NYC FASHION – featuring high fashion eyewear accessories, from runways to NYC activewear.
• NOW loves PEACH FUZZ – highlighting the 2024 Pantone Color of the Year.
• NOW loves EARTH – showcasing innovation, new technology & materials.
• NOW loves LOVE – featuring independent WOW and the jewelry of the eyes.

The NOW Advisory Committee

To be considered for inclusion in NOW by Vision Expo, eyewear companies must be exhibitors of Vision Expo East 2024 and must complete a short submission form by February 1, 2024. The final selection of products will be made by the NOW Advisory Committee composed of renowned industry leaders, including:

• Dr. Harbir Sian, OD, Host, The 2020 Podcast
• Alicia Hartman, OD, Founder, People of Barbados
• Rama Valentin, Managing Partner, Atelier Mira
• Dr. Jennifer Tsai, OD, Line of Sight
• Lanard C. Atkins, Board of Directors, ABO-NCLE and Lead Optical Consultant, Timeless EYEdentity
• Wendy Salle, Chief Merchandising Officer, New Look Vision Group

“The new committee members for the 2024 NOW awards each represent a unique facet of our industry,” said Nico Roseillier, Founder, Designer and Creative Strategist of UN-TI-TLED Creative Agency, and Director and Founder of NOW by Vision Expo. “I am beyond excited for another spectacular demonstration of design and creativity by the industry’s finest, as well as the second edition of the NOW by Vision Expo Awards ceremony.”

Categories

On Friday, March 15, the NOW Advisory Committee will present the 2024 NOW Awards at The Bridge, Vision Expo East’s main stage. All participants of NOW by Vision Expo will be automatically considered for the NOW Awards. The Awards ceremony will include a panel discussion featuring the NOW Advisory Committee, a champagne toast, and award presentations to winners in the following categories:

• NOW Best Sunglass Award
• NOW Best Optical Award
• NOW Optical Achievement Award
• NOW People’s Choice Award

Interested exhibitors are asked to submit company name, brand name, product name, booth number, the theme that aligns with their product submission, image samples and contact information here by February 1, 2024.

Participation in NOW by Vision Expo is free for all companies exhibiting at Vision Expo East, and the NOW Awards is free for all Vision Expo East attendees to attend. For details on the application process, click here.

For any inquiries about submitting your application, contact Suzanne Krauss at skrauss@thevisioncouncil.org.

Vision Expo East 2024 will take place at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City from March 14-17, 2024.

Source: Vision Expo