EyeCare Professional Magazine May 2011 Issue

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COLORFUL SUMMER EYEWEAR / PAGE 6 SAVE MONEY ON FRAME RETURNS / PAGE 14 May 2011 • Volume 5, Issue 41 • www.ECPmag.com

THE BEST RX SPORT PROGRAM JUST GOT BETTER… ANNOUNCING RUDY’S 1-YEAR RX LENS REPLACEMENT GUARANTEE Covers scratching, pitting and chipping with patient co-pay

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Contact Rudy Project Customer Service at 888.860.7597 - hit 2 or your Rudy Rep today for complete details! www.rudyprojectusa.com | info@rudyprojectusa.com

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®

Crizal is talking to your patients now on national TV

Ordinary lens

Crizal lens

Tune in! Contact your 21st Century Sales Consultant or visit crizalusa.com 21st Century Optics - family owned and operated for over 43 years Our continued goal is to offer you and your patients the best eye products available, such as Crizal® no glare coating.

Crizal is now available at 21st Century!

Call Today! (800) 221-4170 21st Century Optics 47-00 33rd. St. Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 392-2310 or (800) 221-4170 53 Brown Ave. Springfield, NJ 07081 (973) 379-2020 or (800) 526-4942 ©2011 Essilor of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Unless indicated otherwise, all trademarks are the property of Essilor International and/or its subsidiaries.

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MAY 2011

EYECAREPROFESSIONAL

Vol. 5 Issue 41

Features 6

Courtesy of JeeVice

Contents

Magazine

THE COLORS OF SUMMER Brighten up your patients summer with cool and colorful eyewear and sunwear.

by ECP Staff

14

FRAME RETURNS Stay on top of those inevitable frame returns before the costs come back to haunt you.

7

by Laura Miller

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10 THOUGHTS ON PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Listing ten maxims that the successful practice manager should incorporate into their management style.

by Anthony Record, RDO

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21ST CENTURY LEADERSHIP Optical managers face many hurdles in effectively handling the modern, diverse workplace.

by Warren McDonald, PhD

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HIRING TEMPS Now is the time of year to consider hiring temps to handle your irregular summer schedules.

by Judy Canty, ABO/NCLE

42

A MEDAL OF FREEDOM WINNER Dr. Tom Little was killed while helping poor Afghans and has since been awarded the highest civilian recognition possible.

by Elmer Friedman, OD

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On The Cover: RUDY PROJECT USA www.rudyprojectusa.com info@rudyprojectusa.com

Departments EDITOR/VIEW .....................................................................................................4 MOBILE OPTICIAN .........................................................................................18 INDUSTRY PROFILE........................................................................................22 MOVERS AND SHAKERS.................................................................................24 THROUGH THE LENS .....................................................................................36 ADVERTISER INDEX .......................................................................................46 INDUSTRY QUICK ACCESS............................................................................47 LAST LOOK .......................................................................................................50

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EYECAREPROFESSIONAL

Editor / view

Magazine

by Jeff Smith

Keeping Track of your Eyes recently heard about an exciting new product that could make the computer mouse a thing of the past. A Swedish technology company is developing a device that allows users to control computers by sight. Tobbii Technology says their new eye-tracking device uses eyeballs rather than a mouse to move cursors on a computer screen, meaning that users can scroll down a website or play a video game with just a look.

I

About ten years ago, company co-founder John Elvesjö was a 21-year-old Swedish engineering student who began experimenting with an infrared sensor to track movement. He had gotten the device to follow two coins he tossed in the air, and when he turned it around to look at it, he noticed something surprising. The sensor began following the movement of his eyes.

His discovery could change the way we interact with computers. It will let users do many of the things they now do with a mouse, just by looking at the screen. Stare at a folder to open it. Read to the bottom of a page of an email, and the program skips to the next. Aim your videogame gun without twitching your trigger finger.

The device directs infrared light, similar to a TV remote control’s, at the user’s eyes and captures reflections that shift with the user’s gaze. Software then pinpoints where the user is looking within 2 mm.

Eye tracking isn’t a new idea. For years scientists have used equipment made by Tobii and others for neurological research; disabled people use it to type messages by looking at on-screen keys. It is also used to test children who may be suffering from autism; autistic children often cannot verbalize, but the technology can be used to determine if they understand a given word by registering if they look at an image representing the word in question.

But the technology has been awkward and expensive, it often requires elaborate headgear to keep the camera pointed at the eye, and prices start in the thousands of dollars. Elvesjö’s team was able to design a device that’s small enough and hopefully cheap enough for everyday use. The new eye tracker is a little larger than a Snickers bar, doesn’t require headgear, and snaps below the screen of a laptop or a desktop computer.

In March, computer maker Lenovo demonstrated a prototype laptop with built-in Tobii technology. However, the company claims the product is very much still in the development phase and needs to improved upon and made cheaper before it can be brought to market, hopefully within the next two years. Let’s hope they also figure out how to make the infrared laser track the eyes of users who are wearing AR coated lenses. But even though there is some uncertainty with this product, it certainly feels like the future.

Publisher/Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Smith Production/Graphics Manager. . . . . . . . . . . Bruce S. Drob Director, Advertising Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . Lynnette Grande Contributing Writers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Judy Canty, Dee Carew, , Timothy Coronis, Gary Fore, Elmer Friedman, Lindsey Getz, Ginny Johnson, Jim Magay, Warren McDonald, Anthony Record, Jason Smith, Carrie Wilson Technical Editor . . . . . . . . Brian A. Thomas, P.h.D, ABOM Internet Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Terry Adler Opinions expressed in editorial submissions contributed to EyeCare Professional Magazine, ECP™ are those of the individual writers exclusively and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of EyeCare Professional Magazine, ECP™ its staff, its advertisers, or its readership. EyeCare Professional Magazine, ECP™ assume no responsibility toward independently contributed editorial submissions or any typographical errors, mistakes, misprints, or missing information within advertising copy.

ADVERTISING & SALES (215) 355-6444 • (800) 914-4322 lgrande@ECPmag.com

EDITORIAL OFFICES 111 E. Pennsylvania Blvd.

Feasterville, PA 19053 (215) 355-6444 • Fax (215) 355-7618 www.ECPmag.com editor@ECPmag.com EyeCare Professional Magazine, ECP™ is published monthly

by OptiCourier, Ltd. Delivered by Third Class Mail Volume 5 Number 40 TrademarkSM 1994 by OptiCourier, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

No part of this magazine may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the publisher.

OptiCourier, Ltd. makes no warranty of any kind, either expressed, or implied, with regard to the material contained herein.

OptiCourier, Ltd. is not responsible for any errors and omissions, typographical, clerical and otherwise. The possibility of errors does exist with respect to anything printed herein.

It shall not be construed that OptiCourier, Ltd. endorses, promotes, subsidizes, advocates or is an agent or representative for any of the products, services or individuals in this publication.

Purpose: EyeCare Professional Magazine, ECP™ is a publication dedicated to providing information and resources affecting the financial well-being of the Optical Professional both professionally and personally. It is committed to introducing a wide array of product and service vendors, national and regional, and the myriad cost savings and benefits they offer.

For Back Issues and Reprints contact Jeff Smith, Publisher at 800-914-4322 or by Email: jeff@ECPmag.com Copyright © 2011 by OptiCourier Ltd. All Rights Reserved

For Subscription Changes, email: admin@ecpmag.com

4 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

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www.Nassau247.com ©2011 Essilor of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Unless indicated otherwise, all trademarks are the property of Essilor International and/or its subsidiaries.

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1. Trevi Coliseum Eyewear Clark 770 frames are constructed of the highest quality materials and feature the newest Mazzucchelli acetate colors. The spring temples feature decorative metal inlays. Available in Lilac (shown), Pink and Cognac, backed by a two year warranty. Sold exclusively in North America by National Lens. www.national-lens.com 1

2. 9five

2

Seen here is the clear colorway of the Major aviator frame. The frame consists of transparent plastic frame with a sky blue gradient lens. This hand constructed frame is 100 percent premium acetate and uses CR-39 lenses.

9fivesite.com

3. Kaenon SQUEEZE was designed for petite to mid-sized female faces.

It offers smooth and subtle surfaces combined with thin and flexible temples for comfortable, easy-to-wear full coverage with our patented SR-91 polarized lenses in an 8-base wrap, for the woman who wants to exude a sense of style with understated elegance. www.kaenon.com

3

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4. Jee Vice Honeysuckle, seen by many as the color for 2011, is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going. Jee Vice is pleased to announce the arrival of the “Idol” highlighted here in shades of this color, described as Fuchsia. This stylish, iconic eyewear is designed just for women with our comfort, our moods and outfits in mind. www.jeevice.com

5

5. Costa Maya salmon/white crystal with copper 580P lens: Wrap shape sunglass style in bold salmon/white crystal frame color. Features no-slip nose pads and sturdy spring hinges for comfort fit. www.costadelmar.com

4

6. Morel Koali Vanille – transparency in all its beauty. Vanilla is the pretty and delicate flower of the plant that lies behind this new Koali concept. Characterized by a bold, graphic and fluid temple, the frame suddenly becomes more jewel-like in its refinement and subtlety— thanks to the use of several different materials. www.morel-france.com

6

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Lafont

theo

Patterns, colors, shapes, the Lafont style is the expression of the very Parisian “Art de vivre.” Lafont’s “Femme Toujours” collection combines stainless steel patterns and acetates in color combinations that truly compliment each other. This work on colors is a continued search and development process which allows Lafont to bring a new color theme for each collection. www.lafontusa.com

A good way to describe the new eye-witness collection would be “grunge in the year 2011 with a stylish nod to the sixties.”

The 9 models are seemingly “broken and repaired” – available in 8 colors, from basic black to vivid pink. The feature of the eye-witness collection is asymmetry and this collection is no exception. The models show asymmetry as it should be. www.theo.be

Arnette

ZIGGY by Cendrine O.

The High Beam (AN4148) is a large wrap sunglass with angular lines that fits a wide variety of face types. It features a toric shield lens, flexible nylon frame, mold-injected hinges, and metal logo plaques on the temples. A fashion-forward style with an aggressive edge, it draws design inspiration from classic sports cars and comes with polarized lenses on select colorways. www.arnette.com

OWP These new models feature a type of acetate that was exclusively designed for our collection. Four different colors created solely for OWP, give each front piece, temple and temple tip an unmistakable uniqueness. The first 500 ordered frames will each be delivered with a bracelet made of the same unique material. The perfect gift for exclusive tastes. www.owp.de

ZIG Eyewear by Cendrine O. celebrates the vibrant colors of spring with model Ziggy 1086. Available in three color choices (burgundy/fuschia, black/turquoise, red/black), this spirited, feminine frame is constructed of stainless steel and embellished with inlaid epoxy. www.zig-eyewear.com

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Signet Armorlite Releases KODAK Precise® PB Progressive Lenses

The award-winning KODAK Precise® and Precise Short Progressive Lenses are now available from Signet Armorlite in digitally-created full backside progressives with a wide field of view. Digital surfacing allows for greater prescription accuracy, as compared to a cast progressive, by directly adding the design onto the back surface of a semi-finished single vision lens, placing it closer to the eye.

Both of the newly released KODAK Precise PB Progressive and the KODAK Precise Short PB Progressive Lenses are created using Vision First Design™, a proprietary technology that directly controls the surface power at virtually every point on the lens. The result is a smooth power increase across the entire lens, top to bottom.

According to the company, KODAK Precise PB Progressive Lens wearers will likely notice that each viewing area works together to provide a more natural-feeling wearing experience. To accomplish this, the wide near zone is placed to promote natural head and eye movement. The intermediate zone transitions smoothly to allow clear mid-range vision, while the distance area is spacious and clear. An added benefit is that the smooth progression of power across the lens reduces the swim effect, making it virtually unnoticeable by most wearers for fast, easy adaptation. And these lenses come with the advantage of the highly recognizable Kodak brand name that has been known for generations for quality, reliability and innovation.

The KODAK Precise PB Progressive Lenses are available in a wide selection of materials that include standard resin, polycarbonate, high index and several Transitions® Lens choices. www.signetarmorlite.com

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Face à Face

In a spirit stemming from the ‘60s, here is MOONS and its irresistible Glam-Style. Two superimposed sheets of acetate open up like the wings of a butterfly. This original sculpture gives breadth to the volumes and a sophisticated touch. www.faceaface-paris.com

Velvet Eyewear

This slightly edgy cat eye style, “Joie,” is hand made in Italy.

The frames are a smooth fit, rich color, and a tiny bit more “cat.” The lenses offer 100% UV protection and optical quality for clear, distortion free vision. Beautiful metal inlays add a touch of “Velvet.” www.velveteyewear.com

Mykita Hilco

The Leader Rx Sunglasses styles feature 8-base wraparound styling with the processing ease and optics of standard Rx lens mounting – optical performance that’s superior to both 8-base Rx sunglasses and eyewear with “fit behind” optical inserts. The line includes eight styles, each supplied with plano polycarbonate sun lenses in standard Rx adapters; over-molded temples; deluxe carrying case; cleaning cloth; and sport strap. www.hilco.com

Rudy Project Jazz Crystal Pink – New in 2011 – Modern Vintage. Bright colors and vintage lines characterize the Jazz, Rudy Project eyewear that can be worn in every occasion, attracting compliments from friends and passersby. Retro-lovers that want to stand out will find the Crystal Pink irresistible. www.rudyprojectusa.com

VIOLETTA, the first design collaboration in the LITE collection, boasts a bold form and an unusual color combination.

The first frame features fine gold rims enveloping the teardrop-oval lenses, which have a subtle green glow in the upper half and transcend to a rosé color above the cheekbones. In the second version, likewise made of light stainless steel, the blue-to-cognac color scheme is complemented by a matt-silver frame. www.mykita.com

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Distributed by

SEIKO Optical Products of America www.seikoeyewear.com

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Revolution Eyewear

Charmant Group

Revolution Eyewear launches The Beatles “Yellow Submarine Collection!” Gary Martin C.E.O, states the sun collection of 10 colorful styles will feature incredible signature artwork from the celebrated film, which will also be re-released this spring. www.revolutioneyewear.com

ET17304 – Strongly defined frame in intoxicating color shades, this women’s line of optical eyewear dares to be flamboyant. Offset by style, this sharp little number in red melts into a slightly bleached undertone. Available in colors: Red, Black, Brown, Purple, in size: 51-16-130. www.charmant-usa.com

Marchon

Silhouette

EP120S - This vintage inspired oval shape features distinctive Emilio Pucci prints using a foil transfer around the perimeter of the frame. The gradient lenses compliment this beautiful metal frame with soft temple tips. www.marchon.com

The new Flashlights collection is truly on trend with a vibrant color pallet inspired by the rich colors of nature.

The six models are crafted with vibrant, contrasting colors designed to complement one another. The temples are made from the extraordinary, patented SPX material and have a beautifully outlined area on each temple. www.silhouette.com

Fatheadz Lighten up your summer with a semi rimless style called the JD from Fatheadz Eyewear. Fatheadz Eyewear is the only eyewear company making stylish frames for people having trouble fitting into average sized glasses. This is the perfect frame to look and feel good this summer. www.fatheadz.com

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The Fashionable ECP Laura Miller

Getting Framed

by Costly Returns Here are some tips to make you an expert on returns.

1. Keep your return rate low. For every frame you return it could cost you anywhere from $4.00 to $13.00 in shipping and reprocessing fees. Therefore, try to wait until you have several to return in order to save on your shipping costs.

With few exceptions, do not trade out frames because you are bored with your board. Instead, try merchandising to create a fresh look. The rule of thumb is to wait at least six months to a year before you decide to return the frame just because it is a “dog.” You should also beware of representatives wanting to make large trade-outs (especially at the end of the month), just so they can make their quotas! Only “trade out” frames if they are discontinued, defective or just hanging out for way too long without any patient interest.

You may be innocent of the fact that your returned frames cost you more in terms of time and money than you ever figured.

More significantly, your vendor may apply reduced credits to your account without your knowledge. Because of additional costs on all sides – your frame representative, the frame company and most importantly, you – it is necessary to make an effort to keep returns down. Still, the reality is that frames are returned or exchanged all too often. Frames stay on your board for what seems like ages, frames get discontinued and sadly, frames just break. Since returns are inevitable, you need to control the costs of your retuned frames. Knowing the return policy of every vendor that sells to you is a must! What you don’t know can hurt you, especially your bank account.

2. Have a return policy on hand for each vendor. Be certain it’s available in print and easy to locate. If the company doesn't have an official one, then have your representative write you one and have him/her sign it. You will have the policy easily located if questions/errors arise when you are reading your credit statements and most often, they do.

3. Look for extra charges. Always read your credit statement and make sure the credit and cost are equal, unless noted in the return policy. If you continually want to “trade out” frames, some representatives, at their discrepancy, might add a small processing fee. You can decide whether this is fair practice. The important thing, as always, is to keep communication open and avoid any misunderstandings that could cut into your profits.

4. Very Important – know the length of time you can keep a frame. Before adding a line, ask your representative how long you will get full credit for returns. A lot of companies only give you six months to a year before the credit starts to depreciate; sometimes as much as half. Your rep should easily know their return guidelines. Ensure your rep makes a future appointment within these guidelines so you can get your full credit if frames need to be returned.

Continued on page 16

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5. Ask about return ratios. Some companies will make you buy two or even three frames for every one you exchange.

That is not generally a fair practice; it is just a way for the company to add more of their product to your boards. You need to be almost 100% certain of the success of the line if they don’t offer you a one-for-one exchange. With so many lines out there, it may be easier to find a similar line that has an even exchange policy. Heaven knows, frames copy each other all too often. (“Didn’t I just see that frame?”)

Competition is fierce and companies are ready to make you a deal.

6. Ask about cases or any other misgiving that may not give you full credit. Most companies do require you to send back cases. You need to make sure there are no markings or stickers on the frames so they can be restocked. If you are too busy, ask your frame rep to this for you. A good frame rep wants to make you happy so he/she will clean the frames, box the frames and put them in cases. He/she will even tape the box and add a shipping label. The reps generally are not allowed to take the frames out of the office, so you will have to go to post office or call a carrier.

7. If there are changes in the return policy, you need to know immediately. If the economy gets slower, heaven forbid, frame companies might change their return policies to create bigger profits. If they change it without informing you, then it might be time to drop the line and/or the company. Insist at staying notified of changes and work with companies that are upfront and honest.

8. Ask if you can exchange lines within a company. If one line isn’t selling for you, another one within the same company might work better. Even if you have to change your representative to get a particular line, go for it!

Most companies will allow this; you just have to ask and be persistent. Of course, no frame representative wants to lose

16 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

your business but it is in the best interest of the frame company to keep your account. Reps are sometimes relied upon to make the ultimate sacrifice – losing an account to a counterpart.

Warranties are another important factor in dealing with returns. Be certain you know your vendors’ warranty policy. Some of the budget frame companies do not have warranties and you may want to buy two of each frame to ensure that a broken frame can be repaired or replaced if you are promising your patients warranties. Your credibility is a must. Most companies offer a year or two and some have life-time warranties. If a frame has a manufacturing defect, the company should be able to offer you a replacement for the broken piece or a new frame, at no charge.

If the frames continue to have quality issues, your return rate will obviously rise. You should take a frame off your board if it continues to have issues in quality. Reevaluate the company if several frames continue to be defective.

Finally, If a company cannot stand by their warranty, you might want to reconsider doing business with them.

The Post Script: Doctors, frame representatives, frame companies and optical shops all share one goal; to make the most profit. Paying attention to returns and warranties helps us all to achieve this goal. Returns are expensive; try to keep them low and stay knowledgeable. A warranty that doesn’t hold up will make you look shady and dishonest to your patients. Frame companies also seek reliability and trustworthiness. It’s the only way they will keep your business and expand to others.

Timing and location are age-old ingredients for success in sales and service, however, the rep is the facilitator! Open communication with your rep will work to ensure that common goal – profit! ■

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The Easiest Company To Do Business With

Since its founding in 1955, Younger Optics has been dedicated to serving its customers by being the “Easiest Company to Do Business With.�

This philosophy guides our company every day, whether through unique product developments, personalized customer care, or just making sure that the people you deal with today will be the same ones you look to for answers tomorrow.

Visit www.youngeroptics.com or call 1-310 -783 -1533

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The Mobile Optician Ginny Johnson, LDO, ABOC

Take a Chance on These If your practice growth centers around buts, fears, and naysayers then your practice needs a “but” ectomy. Start this procedure today and stop harming your bottom line. Try putting a “but” ectomy bulletin board up and write down each naysayer’s concern on a 3x5 index card. Use one card per concern. Pin the cards up and allow others to write rebuttal ideas they believe will work to eliminate those concerns. Take a vote and put some of the ideas in motion. A “but” ectomy is a serious procedure so please don’t waste your time on gassy comments.

Ba ba ba ba baa, ba ba ba ba baa Honey nothing’s free Take a chance on these

Aim for a staff environment where there are no secrets. Keep strong open lines of communication. Encourage creativity in staff at all levels and reward it. Take time today to try this belly laugh exercise. Get everyone in the office together and form a circle with your backsides toward the center. A designated leader starts to belly laugh as hard and loud as possible. Then in no particular order everyone in the circle joins in. Hopefully laughing is in your mission statement. You know you have done an outstanding job when patients comment on how they wish their workplace was as much fun as yours.

Gonna do our very best and it ain’t no lie Come on put these to the test and don’t waste time (take a chance, take a chance, take a chance on these) Are you ready to take risks, jump over hurdles and break through those brick and mortar walls to advance your practice to the next level?

The time is now. No more over-analysis paralysis where decisions don’t exist. When we detach from the present and wait for next week, or next month, or look into next year, it stunts the now practice growth.

But we should wait...

But we don’t have enough...

Try adding a frame line to your inventory that sets you apart from the norm. Ask for split billing options if necessary. Wear the brand yourself. Know the story line behind the brand and let your excitement be obvious. Accept credit cards with instant approval that are exclusive to healthcare. This gives your patient the option of a no interest payment plan if the balance is paid off during the allotted time.

Host a trunk show with your lens of choice sales rep and fashion forward frame reps. Pick a theme and decorate accordingly.

Spread the word on social media networks. Offer special discounts on trunk show day. Design flyers and hand them out to patients and businesses in the area. Have giveaways that will peak the guest’s interest. Food and beverages may vary depending on the time of the event.

But what if...

But there’s no way...

But no one wants...

But, but, but...

Sign up to be a clinical site for a local medical administration college intern. Intern programs allow students to work in your practice to earn the workplace credits they are required to have.

They usually work 20-40 hours a week under the supervision of Continued on page 20

18 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

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KOUTURE: “True Accessible Luxury Eyewear”

practice management. It’s refreshing to have someone eager to help out wherever you need them to. Liability insurance during their five week stay is normally handled through the college. You might end up putting them on your payroll when their internship is up.

Go more PayPerLe$$ today.

Save some trees and labor by printing less. If your staff is waiting in line at the copier to make a zillion copies of their handwritten work, then you’ve taken retro pay too far. The staff is being paid 2011 wages while the office technology mimics the 1980’s. Hiring a professional service to convert your paper charts to electronic records will free your staff up to take care of more patients instead of paper central. Your practice will be more efficient and there will be more paper money in the practice’s bank account which can easily be converted over to your staff ’s account.

KOUTURE is a spinoff of the French word, “couture,” which is infamously known in the business of designing, making, and selling highly fashionable, usually custommade clothing.

The Trinidad born creative director of KOUTURE, Nelissa Dass-Claveria, interpreted the word and concept with a different twist (by means of the letter “K”) to personify her philosophy in design which is also concrete in her creative “Double K” emblem.

The brand “KOUTURE” embodies and transcends her attitude of providing the very best quality materials, fashionable aesthetics, and value to its enthusiasts. She used three different concepts to address her brand’s inspiration, in keeping with the origin of the name.

These concepts are as follows: Haute – French meaning “high.” It is used in combination with the word “Couture” in fashion.

KOUTURE uses it to define their premier family of products that bares some of the most sophisticated components such as Austrian Crystals and Hand Made Layered Acetates.

Prêt – French meaning “ready.” It is used in combination with the words “à-Porter” in fashion. KOUTURE uses it to define its’ stylish family of products, with clean and bold aesthetics by the use of engraving and inlays.

Sportif – French meaning “sport or active attitude.”

This word is used to identify the family of products which addresses a more casual and active lifestyle, this sub-collection fondly uses a combination of basic and bold colors for instance red, white and yellow on black. www.kouture.com 20 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

You can expect some PayPerLe$$ growth spurts as well as growing pains when you introduce new technology to the practice. Established patients might give you some feedback if asked for information that seems redundant to them. If having a new practice management system (PMS) is not the answer they want to hear then smile and tell them that your doctor requires their information since you have PMS. That should work. Make sure that your website has the option for patients to print out their paperwork prior to their appointment.

Try a patient messaging communication system that integrates with your PMS. These services are HIPAA ready, easy to use and cost effective. You can personalize text messages, emails and newsletters to send out to all of your patients that wish to be contacted this way. Patients can send a text message to confirm or cancel appointments and receive a text message when their eyewear or contact lenses are ready. The service also provides marketing promotional tools, patient surveys and tracks and acknowledges patient birthdays. Within the first fifteen minutes of going live with the service our practice had a patient call that had received a text message letting him know he was past due for an eye exam and he booked an appointment. Instant results.

Dispensing technology for today’s practice can be more than a black Sharpie pen and PD stick. State of the art dispensing equipment will take your practice over the top. Try a measuring system that allows you every parameter possible needed to fit the most sophisticated lenses. Imagine the growth potential when you are able to show your patient how thick their lenses will be or how no-glare lenses look on their eyewear before they even order them. This equipment is not a replacement for your priceless optician.

If you aim for nothing, you will surely get it. Take a chance and teach your patients the happy dance. ■

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ClearVision Unveils Fashion Blog Eyewearista

GELLensCleaner A Revolutionary NEW concept in lens cleaning designed to work on HYDROPHOBIC lens coatings!

Introducing... California Accessories’ CalClear GELLensCleaner º California Accessories has developed a proprietary gel cleaner formula that is specifically designed for safe and highly effective cleaning of today’s lenses featuring sophisticated coatings such as hydrophobic AR.

º Traditional lens cleaners run off of most

ClearVision Optical will serve up a weekly fare of fashion on Facebook with the launch of The Eyewearista.

“The Eyewearista will showcase ClearVision collections through current style and fashion trends via a Facebook channel,” says Sheila Haile, ClearVision’s Manager of Marketing & Creative Services. “Our goal is to engage our customers on social media and networking, as well as increase sales by promoting our brands and products with weekly postings.”

Content for the blog will be based on current fashion styles, new releases, celebrity affiliations, catwalk trends and more. The Eyewearista will run blogs through Facebook every Friday and engage in a dialogue with the industry on trends and styles.

Visuals will also be posted to represent these looks.

In addition, there will be an opportunity to submit one-on-one questions.

Available only on Facebook and only to ECPs who “like” ClearVision on Facebook, The Eyewearista will work to generate conversation through a social medium, as well as provide an opportunity for ClearVision to blog. In addition, The Eyewearista will help to establish and generate a following with customers, prospects and fans.

For more information, go to www.cvoptical.com or “like” ClearVision on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clearvisionoptical

lenses especially those with hydrophobic coatings. CalClear Gel’s viscous formula does not run like a liquid. Spray it and it stays on the lens! The result is more cleaning agent on the lens surface while cleaning.There is less mess, less effort and more effective cleaning.

º C alClear Gel Lens Cleaner is more efficient and cost effective because it uses up to 30% less liquid during an average cleaning.

The result is sparkling, super clear lenses every time!

Adheres BETTER to lenses and doesn’t run like most cleaners!

AVAILABLE IN: 1 oz spray 8 oz spray 1oz cleaning kit with micro fiber cleaning cloth

CALIFORNIA ACCESSORIES For more information or to order please call

California Accessories at 800.523.5567

Colts Approved

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INTER VIEW

with PIXEL OPTICS The world’s first electronic spectacle lens,

emPower!™

Clay Musslewhite

EYECARE PROFESSIONAL’S PAUL DIGIOVANNI SPEAKING WITH CLAY MUSSLEWHITE, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, PIXELOPTICS. EyeCare Professional: How was the concept for the emPower! technology developed?

Clay Musslewhite: The concept was developed by the work of scientists from around the world, working in a number of disciplines (optics, chemistry, electronics, just to name a few.) The genesis of the idea came from the work of our President and CEO, Ron Blum. Initially the idea was to create a computer monitor that adjusted to correct the display to match your prescription. The idea was to not have to wear glasses while looking at the computer. This technology required a CRT monitor (prior to the flat-screen monitors that are common today). Once it was apparent that flat-screen monitors were on their way out, the project was abandoned because the technology required the depth and size of the older style monitors. The next thought was “how can we put that same technology directly into the eyeglasses.” That started the development path for emPower!.

ECP: Please provide a brief overview of how the emPower! electronic eyewear works.

CM: emPower! is an optical system that combines a liquid crystal electronic reading zone that is embedded inside the lens, with a free-form partial progressive surface applied to the back of the lens.

When the electronic reading zone is OFF, the wearer has wide and uninterrupted distance vision as well

as mid-range vision (mid-range supplied by the free-form partial progress power.) When the electronic reading zone is ON, the wearer has distance, mid-range and near vision.

The wearer controls their vision. When they want the reading power, they can have it. When it's not needed, they make it go away.

There are 3 modes of operation – Manual ON, Manual OFF and Automatic. Manual ON and OFF are activated by touching the right temple of the frame and toggling the electronic reading zone on and off.

The Automatic mode is activated by swiping the right temple. This activates the micro-accelerometer that is in the electronic module. The microaccelerometer senses the head posture of the wearer. When the wearer tilts their head down to read, the electronic reading zone turns ON and then OFF again when the wearer looks back up.

This is all controlled by a module that is located in the temple of the frame. This is the “electronic brains” of the eyewear as well as the power source.

The module contains the rechargeable battery.

As stated, the battery is rechargeable. One overnight charge will give the wearer 2 to 3 days of typical use.

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ECP: How many frame styles are in collection?

CM: Initially our North American frame partner, Aspex, will introduce 12 different styles.

ECP: What color options are available?

CM: There will be a minimum of 3 colors for each style, providing 36 choices for consumers.

CM: We expect that emPower! will be available across the United States within 6 months.

ECP: emPower! is such a high tech product, what type of technical assistance will be provided to answer questions regarding the dispensing and marketing of this product?

CM: The lenses are made from 1.67 high index plastic.

CM: The initial support will come from their authorized emPower! laboratory. They will be trained to handle the majority of questions that will arise.

PixelOptics will also provide each eye care professional with an account manager that is accessible by phone to solve virtually any problem.

ECP: Is PixelOptics distributing the eyewear directly or are your partnering with a distributor?

ECP: What is the recommended average retail cost for this product?

CM: PixelOptics is committed to selling emPower! through traditional channels of distribution for our industry. As of today, we have signed 10 different laboratories around the country. We have plans of signing a total of 18 to 20 laboratories by the end of 2011.

CM: Our market research indicates that $1,250 is the appropriate retail price. This price is for lens, frames, anti-reflective coating and charger.

ECP: How will eye care retailers purchase emPower! lenses?

CM: There will be a variety of promotional tools available to the retailer (patient brochures, counter cards, dispensing mats, etc). The center-piece will be a frame display and demo center. This display will showcase all 36 frames as well as provide a video monitor to explain emPower! as well as a “demonstrator” that shows the functionality of emPower! ■

ECP: What material are the lenses made out of?

CM: Eye care professionals should contact their local Aspex Eyewear sales representative to begin the dealership agreement process. Once that’s complete, retailers will order emPower! just as they would their other eyewear through an authorized emPower! distributor.

ECP: The product is scheduled to roll out in the Southeastern part of the US. When will it be available to other parts of the country?

ECP: What type of POP is available to help optical retailers sell a high tech product such as this?

Mr. Clay Musslewhite has worked in the eye care industry for over 15 years, most recently as Marketing Director for HOYA Vision Care, North America, and prior to that, as Product Manager for Essilor of America.

Mr. Musslewhite has extensive experience in new product introductions in the spectacle lens category, as well as channel marketing and sales. He was instrumental in orchestrating the launch of HoyaLux ID and HoyaLux ID Lifestyle free-form progressive lenses as well as Nulux ep bi-aspheric single vision lenses from HOYA and Crizal Alizé anti-reflective coating from Essilor.

Paul DiGiovanni, LDO, is a practicing optician who resides in New Jersey.

Semi-rimless men’s frame with nylon temples from Aspex Eyewear

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Movers

AND

Shakers

Transitions Optical

Alimera Sciences

Transitions Optical, Inc. has announced that Alex Louw will take on the expanded role of director, Lens Manufacturing and Trade Sales in addition to his current responsibilities as director, National Retail and Canada. He will Alex Louw report to general manager, Brian Hauser, former director of Lens Manufacturing and Trade Sales. Louw joined Transitions in 2003 as Business Director, Middle East and Africa and then moved to Retail Marketing Manager, EMEA in Paris.

Alimera Sciences, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that specializes in the research, development and commercialization of prescription ophthalmic pharmaceuticals, announced that Dr. Glen Bradley has joined its Board of Dr. Glen Bradley Directors and the Audit Committee of the Board. Dr. Bradley, a consultant and advisor for ophthalmic and non-ophthalmic medical device companies, replaces Dr. Anders D. Hove, who has resigned as a member of the Board of Directors. Bryce Youngren, a current member of the Board, has replaced Dr. Hove as a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board.

Costa Costa sunglasses recently added Johnathan Weikum, optical sales manager, and Jacqueline Arnold, optician, to its growing Rx division.

Prior to joining Costa, Weikum worked as an optician and optical manager for 1st Eye Johnathan Weikum Care, and as a project manager for American Airlines AAdvantage.

Jacqueline Arnold

Serving as Costa’s in-house optician, Arnold will not only fill sun lens prescriptions, but also ensure quality control processes run smoothly between the company and ECPs. Previously, she has worked with companies like Sears Optical, Opti-World and Pearle Vision.

Ora Ora, Inc. announced that Larry Amdahl has joined its team as the Director of Clinical Operations for Dry Eye. In his new role, Larry will be responsible for overseeing both the Larry Amdahl tactical execution of clinical programs and the planning and process evolution of Ora’s Dry Eye Operations group. Prior to joining Ora, Larry was most recently Director of Clinical Affairs for Dow Pharmaceutical Sciences.

TearScience Privately-held medical device company TearScience, Inc. announced that it has appointed Jeff O’Hara vice president of sales for North America. In this role, O’Hara will direct the company’s U.S. and Canadian sales and cusJeff O’Hara tomer service organizations. O’Hara has more than 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, having served as VP of sales for Lumenis and managing director of U.S. sales for Solta Medical.

24 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

Orange 21 Orange 21 Inc., maker of the Spy Optic, O’Neil, Margaritaville and Melodies by MJB brands, has announced the appointment of Carol Montgomery as CEO, the promotion of current Orange 21 vice president of marketing, Michael Marckx, to president, and the appointment of Michael Angel as interim CFO.

Eyefly.com Bluefly, Inc., a leading online retailer of designer fashion clothing and accessories, has named Beth Grad to the position of general manager of their soon-to-launch, online eyewear site Eyefly.com. Grad has been general manager of Eyefly LLC since January 2011 and in this role is responsible for all aspects of the product including: sales, marketing, business development, site development and operations.

Will be Missed...

Dr. Carl Kupfer, who served as director of the National Eye Institute for 30 years, died on April 7 after a long illness. He was 83. Dr. Kupfer was appointed the first director of NEI in 1970 after the Institute was established by Dr. Carl Kupfer Congress. He was also director of the Fogarty International Center at NIH in 1988. In his time at NEI, Dr. Kupfer served under six NIH directors and six U.S. presidents.

He witnessed the NEI budget grow from $24 million in 1970 to more than $450 million in 2000.

Dr. Kupfer is predeceased by his wife, Muriel “Kim” Isolde Kaiser-Kupfer, MD, a former chief of the NEI Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch. He is survived by his children Charles and Sarah, and grandchildren.

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Managing Optician Anthony Record, ABO/NCLE, RDO

10 Thoughts on Practice Management AFTER MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS as the thing that this publication is named for – an eye care professional – and more than twenty-five years in management positions, I have received and given a lot of advice. Take it with a grain of salt, or take it to heart, but here is what I believe: 1. Crap Flows Downhill. I know you’ve heard it before, and I know it sounds a bit snarky, but there is a lot of truth and wisdom in those three small words. If you have real problems in a practice, organization, or even in a family, keep looking up and you’ll discover from where it is originating. Of course, we could put a more positive spin on things and say that good things flow downhill too: honesty, diligence, hard work, professionalism, and integrity.

2. Leaders Aren’t Liked, They’re Respected. Far too many practice managers make their decisions through the filter in their mind that says, “But if I do this, they’re not going to like me.” If the action you are thinking of taking is unpopular, you are probably right. In that moment, you would not be liked. But rest assured, if you are honest, fair, professional, and most importantly consistent, you will be trusted and respected. And the longer you conduct yourself in that manner, guess what? Maybe they will eventually like you too!

3. You Can’t Lead Unless You Like Yourself. It all comes down to self-esteem. I’m certainly no expert in selfesteem, but in my mind it all comes down to this: You can’t make people change. You can’t make people do anything. All you can ever do is conduct yourself in a certain way – lead in a certain way – and hope that staff members follow your lead. If the overall vibe you give off is that you do not like or respect yourself, why would anyone ever be inclined to follow your lead? Answer: They won’t.

26 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

4. You Can’t Change Other People. Enough said.

5. You Can (and Must) Share Information. I’m sure most of you have heard the old adage that “Information is power.” True enough. But if you want to be an effective practice manager, the saying should be amended to “Information is power, but the sharing of information is power times ten.” Have you ever worked for a boss who was really stingy with information? You’re on a need-toknow basis, and by God you don’t need to know much!

Why are they that way? In my experience, that boss thinks that information is a source of his or her power.

They are usually wrong. The hoarding of information will never be the reason for your longevity or success as a manager, but it might be the reason for your demise.

Share as much good, solid, work-related information with your employees as you can. Not only does that empower your staff to do a more effective job, it will pay off huge dividends for you as well.

6. Most People Will Not Change Until They Feel Uncomfortable. That’s right, UNcomfortable. Far too many people think for that aphorism to be true the word “uncomfortable” should be changed to something like comfortable, or respected, or secure. No! May I humbly suggest to you that the real reason people in work groups do not make positive changes in their behavior or attitude is because nothing bad ever happens to them. In other words, there is never really any real consequence to them for not changing their behavior. Ironically, sometimes to effect a positive change in an individual and/or a work group, the leader has to shake things up a little bit, and make people feel just a tad uncomfortable.

7. Whatever You Focus On Is Going To Get Better Those of you who are familiar with my writing, know that I am not a Pollyanna, or everything’s-coming-up-roses guy.

Still, the truth and wisdom of this saying seems selfevident; to me it just makes sense. If you really work to improve something, eventually it has to get better. Not overnight, and not maybe without some hard work, but if you work to improve something, eventually it will improve.

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8. Whatever Behavior You Accept Is Your Fault. To a certain degree. And I don’t care if the “unacceptable behavior” is coming from an employee, a peer, the doctor, or even your boss. If there is something going on in the office that is a constant source of stress and strife, and you go home and complain to your wife or husband about it...and you lose sleep over it...but then you go back to work day in and day out and make no effort to try to “fix” it, in some weird way I’d say you must not think it’s all that bad.

9. You Are Judged By Your Least Effective Employee.

Scary, huh? If you don’t think that you are judged by your least effective employee, ask yourself this question: When’s the last time your boss called you into his or her office and said something like this to you: “Hey, I just wanted to thank you. You do such a fabulous job supervising, Bob and Mary, and Alex, and Debbie – you do such a good job, I just wanted to say thanks!” As opposed to the last time they called you into the office and something like, “You know, you’ve really got to do something about crazy Jeff...you have to fix Jeff.” You see, sadly, they take for granted the wonderful job you do with and the good results you get from Bob, Mary, Alex, and Debbie, and they judge you on the one – that one employee who would drive anyone crazy – who gives you a hard time.

If nothing else, thinking about this one ought to motivate you to try to rid yourself of the “Jeff ” in your world.

10. Leadership is the Ability To Communicate a Person’s Worth and Potential So Clearly That He Comes To See It In Himself. Those words were spoken by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, the author of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in a training session I attended in Kansas City, Kansas, a few years ago. I’d like to think that this is how I felt about my employees in the latter years of being an active manager, and I’d like to pass it on and share it with you. For what it’s worth, I think what Dr. Covey said is also a pretty good description of what it means to be a good parent – to communicate your child’s worth and potential so that they come to see it themselves. Powerful words. ■

Progressivelenses.com MAY 2011 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL| 27

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Nova Optical Announces Onsite Digital Surfacing Capabilites

NOVA Optical has taken delivery of three Satisloh Orbit digital generators. This expansion into onsite digital surfacing has been a long time coming, and was implemented after a through analysis of job mix and the consideration of financial impact.

Though Nova Optical has traditionally been a value player in the laboratory marketplace; over the last two years, digitally surfaced progressives have continued to increase as a portion of total progressive jobs ordered.

Due to the slower delivery times, caused by outsourcing these digital lenses, the decision was made to implement onsite digital at Nova. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once the Orbit generators are implemented and integrated, our customers will receive quicker turn-around and jewel-like quality from not only our digital progressives, but also on traditional progressives. We expect to be fully operational and begin processing Varilux and Essilor brand digital progressives orders onsite no later than May 17, 2011,â&#x20AC;? said General Manager Brian Ziegler.

About Nova Optical: Located in Orangeburg, NY, Nova is the flagship laboratory of the Nassau Vision Group.

Nova carries the widest selection of manufactures (including Varilux, Kodak, Essilor, Shamir, AO/SOLA, Younger), at the best value. With in-house Crizal, your AR coated uncuts are expedited back to the practice and to the patient. In addition to the Crizal family of coatings, Nassau laboratories also offer Synergy Crystal; a value priced Super-Hydrophobic AR that has best in class hydrophobic properties, with a price that is 40% less than comparable coatings. www.nassau247.com

28 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL |MAY 2011

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Davis Vision Partners with Seiko to Offer Free-form Progressives Davis Vision is partnering with Seiko Optical to add free-form progressive lenses to its product mix.

The vision benefits provider has selected Seiko as a primary supplier for its new Ultra free-form progressive lens product offerings.

“We selected Seiko because of its pioneering leadership in the marketplace, proven track record of Laboratory Management Systems (LMS) integration, and their global knowledge and expertise in implementing and supporting free-form installations,” said Michael O’Connor, senior vice president of operations. “Utilizing Seiko, Davis Vision will be able to offer members and network providers a new category of progressive lens products that incorporate the most advanced designs and technologies available, providing them with the best the optical industry has to offer.”

“We are extremely pleased to be selected as a premier free-form supplier for Davis Vision. It is a perfect fit for both organizations. Seiko’s patented back surface designs are changing the way people view progressive lenses, and Davis Vision’s state-of-the-art laboratory network will be able to offer this advanced technology to their clients and members.”

Seiko Optical USA currently markets its free-form products through independent optical laboratories, which includes over 30 manufacturing partners and 20 distributing partners. Its product line includes free-form double aspheric single-vision lenses and a complete line of patented-design free-form progressive lenses.

For more information, go to www.davisvision.com and www.seikoeyewear.com

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The 21st Century Optician Warren G. McDonald, PhD Professor of Health Administration Reeves School of Business / Methodist University

Learning to Lead: Management and Leadership in the Contemporary Organization

Evaluating Different Perspectives?

Diversity is a good thing, in that it provides us with opportunities to learn about each other, but that can also present significant concerns for management. We must understand what motivates our employees, and to do that we need to learn what makes them tick. Is it salary, or could it be a well-placed pat on the back...recognition for a job well done?

Diversity Defined?

THE OPTICAL WORLD is continually changing.

Today’s optical organizations are comparatively larger than the small, independent practices of the past, and mom-and-pop solo practices are slowly declining.

On top of that, corporate, as well as private practices now face a different, more diverse workforce then ever before, so it is imperative that people who own, or hold management roles understand the importance of not only managing but leading the organization to be successful in the contemporary climate.

Often when we discuss diversity, folks assume we are talking about race, and it is far more than that. Generally speaking, it includes gender, ethnicity, age, and other variables important for managers and leaders to recognize. We all know there are gender differences in the workforce today, because we see it. In the optical world, there are more women entering the profession than men. In the past, the field was clearly dominated by men. Diversity is also easily recognized in the ethnic and cultural makeup of the workforce today. Also important is the age differences we must face, and that may be as difficult as any. Let’s take a closer look at these issues.

Gender Differences

Management versus Leadership Robbins and Coulter (2007) define management as “coordinating and overseeing the work of others so that their activities are completed efficiently and effectively.” In brief, making sure someone does what you ask them to do. Leadership, according to the same authors, is described as “the process of influencing a group to achieve goals,” a somewhat different perspective. In today’s organizational climate, and in particular in health care organizations of all types, the owner/manager must be a leader as well. Understanding what motivates this diverse workforce is important for success in today’s environment.

Some years back I was a volunteer soccer coach at a high school.

Our boys and girls teams were highly successful, despite the rather questionable fellow they had coaching them! One day, I was asked to step in for the girls’ coach who needed to tend to a family illness. I was pleased to do so, and knew all the young ladies and their families. My very first practice I used the same strategies I had with the boys, and my next door neighbor’s daughter made a rather egregious error, for which I chastised her immediately. I was shocked when she began to cry uncontrollably. I did not understand what happened, but upon reflection and some research, I learned to speak more softly Continued on page 32

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next time, and that the first rule in coaching young ladies is to show them you care about them as individuals and treat them respectfully. Above all, do not embarrass them in front of the group! While my boys were used to my chastising them for a mistake, the girls did not relate to that at all, and I changed my approach the next time.

With over 50% of the eye care workforce female today, learning how to effectively motivate women is important. When I first went to Opticianry School, my class had 2 females out of the 20 students who started the program. Now, most of the classes are female. The bottom line is this, men no longer dominate the optical world, and optometry is the same. The lesson is not that you shouldn’t yell at the “girls,” but that all professional colleagues need to be treated as such, and effective communication must be free of any gender influence. Again respect is a key word.

Age Differences Wow, you talk about differences in strategies, managing the millennial generation and managing the Baby Boomers in the same organization can be a real challenge. I happen to be a Baby Boomer, or someone born between the years 1946 and 1964. My generation is known for idealism, self-focus optimism and involvement. We wanted to work hard, and get paid. We grew up with President Kennedy, the cold war, and television. The Generation X population, born between 1965 and 1977, grew up with President Clinton, the Iran hostage crisis, MTV, and Aids. They are motivated by enjoyment of life and want to balance work and personal life. Often referred to as the millennial generation, Generation Y grew up with President George W. Bush, the Internet, and is technologically savvy. They want flexibility, choice and meaningful experiences and work.

They ask why, and appreciate diversity.

DIVERSITY: Includes gender, ethnicity, age, and other variables important for managers and leaders to recognize.

Cultural Differences Today, you may be working with people from a variety of backgrounds and not even know it. My city (Fayetteville, North Carolina) is one of the most diverse communities on the planet, due to Fort Bragg, the nations’ most populous military base.

It is located right outside the city limit, and will soon be annexed by the city. We have 85 recorded cultures here, and to be able to work with this variety of backgrounds can be both a blessing and a curse. Melding all those different perspectives together without public unrest can be difficult. The workplace is the same and policies and procedures need to be designed to allow for cultural differences.

An example occurred a few years back that stuck with me. A man, who happened to be Muslim, was fired from his job after 9/11. He was born in the United States and lived here all his life, but was blamed for what happened on that tragic day because of his faith. He won a lawsuit for wrongful termination, and was awarded significant back pay and other monetary concessions from the company. Another recent case centered upon race. A woman, who happened to be Caucasian, was married to an African-American man. The boss was unaware of that and was notorious for telling degrading racial jokes. The woman finally had enough and sued, winning a substantial settlement.

You never know who you are talking to and it is best to keep things like that out of the work environment. Cultural and ethnic differences are found in every city, and we need to recognize that the folks we manage may be somewhat different from us, and respect those differences.

32 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL |MAY 2011

All of the generations want something different from work and to effectively motivate them all simultaneously one must understand their differences. It is important to provide a variety of incentives that may be motivators across the generational boundaries. Just giving someone a raise may not positively affect Generation Y, but may work well with the Boomers.

Generation X may prefer time off versus a raise. All-in-all, respecting those differences can provide significant rewards for your organization, so take the time to learn more about what motivates your staff. It will pay dividends in the long run. And remember, a simple informal recognition of a job well done can be a positive motivator for all generations.

Conclusion You can clearly see that we face hurdles in successfully managing in today’s healthcare environment. Organizations must be cognizant of the makeup of their workforce and develop policies and procedures to address diversity. At the same time and even more important than policies, is the fact that those who manage must understand that Gen X and Gen Y may not be as easily “managed” as previous generations. Leadership plays a significant role in “influencing” folks from those generations to effectively reach organizational goals. Just telling someone today to do it because I am the boss is ineffective and will certainly be a source of constant turnover. You may have noticed a key word intertwined throughout this article, respect.

Respecting the differences in the generations, cultures and genders is our key to managing and leading successful organizations of the future.

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DISTINCTIVELY DIFFERENT

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Dispensing Optician Judy Canty, ABO/NCLE

To Temp or Not To Temp The end of May signals the beginning of the vacation season and possibly the beginning of the annual struggle to keep an office running smoothly with fewer people and erratic schedules.

YOU MAY BE TOYING with the idea of hiring “temps” or temporary employees to cover those staff members who are on vacation and you won’t be the only one looking for that perfect temporary employee. According to the American Staffing Association, 2.6 million temporary workers were employed from July through September 2010. That is an increase of 24.9% over the same period the year before and a daily average of 8.1%, rivaling the statistics of the early 1990’s.

“During the past 12 months, staffing firms have added over a half million new jobs to the economy,” says ASA president and chief executive officer Richard Wahlquist. “Demand for temporary and contract help is expected to remain strong as businesses turn to flexible work force solutions to help them improve efficiency and productivity while adjusting to changing economic conditions.”

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of temporary staffing.

Pros: • Allows your practice to adjust more easily and quickly to temporary staffing shortfalls, like vacations, illness, maternity or paternity leave or a sudden departure. It also covers other temporary demands such as seasonal demands or special projects.

• Maintains staffing flexibility. Many of today’s workers place great value on the availability of flexible scheduling and it usually results in a more efficient and productive work environment.

34 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

• Allows an employer to evaluate a staff member without a commitment. Todays’ workers are looking for more than just a J-O-B, many are looking for the right job with the right employer in the right environment. This is especially true of the skilled technical staff required in a professional office. So while you like the idea of vetting a potential new hire, keep in mind that you and your practice are also being scrutinized for suitability.

• Can save both time and money. Hiring a temporary staff member is often less expensive than a permanent one, primarily because no benefit costs are incurred.

Additionally, should you choose to work with a temporary hiring agency, the agency becomes the employer, bearing the responsibility for screening, testing and hiring, payroll expenses and paperwork, including taxes and

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unemployment and workers compensation insurance and any other employee benefits they may wish to provide.

• Temporary staff members can provide specialized skills and work experiences for critical projects and temporary positions requiring a specific skill set such as Certified Ophthalmic Technicians, Certified Para-Optometrics or Certified/Licensed Opticians.

• Allows you to create a “pool” of reliable and knowledgeable part-time or on-call employees.

Cons: • Regardless of skill level or past experience, temporary staff members will still need a certain amount of time to learn the specific systems and procedures that direct your office work flow.

• Morale issues can arise when temporary staff members are working alongside permanent staff for extended lengths of time, most noticeably when pay scales and benefits are disparate.

• Recent court decisions have highlighted the fact that employers must be careful how they contract temporary staff. There should be no misunderstanding of the status of the employee and their lack of eligibility for benefits.

Just as importantly, you must treat your temporary staff members with the same respect and care that you would for your permanent staff.

There is the assumption on the part of many employers that temporary staffers are less reliable than permanent employees.

True or false?

According to Jon Broschak, Assistant Professor of Organizational Behavior at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign, “On average, these temporary workers displayed better performance relative to goals compared to their full-time counterparts.” For those temps later hired as full-time employees, Broschak reported that “they continued to become better workers after becoming permanent.”

Should you choose to use a temp agency, spend some time finding the one that meets your particular staffing needs. Define

those needs and then match them to the agency. You’re often better off relying on the services offered by an agency than relying on the recommendation of another staff member.

Almost all of us have made the mistake of hiring a favorite staff member’s cousin or nephew and paid for it in aggravation and hurt feelings. Leave the hiring process, especially for temporary staffers, for the pros.

Another alternative is the permanent “on-call” staff member.

Usually a former employee or an experienced professional who wants to work on a limited basis and has the flexibility to accommodate your office needs.

If your office has more than one location, you may want to hire a “floater,” someone who is cross-trained and can move easily and comfortably between locations as needed. Some employees like the idea of different locations on different days and some don’t. If you’re hiring a “floater” make sure that everyone understands and accepts the reality of not having a permanent home-base.

The perfect time to begin preparing for the vacation season is now, when things are running smoothly and vacations are still in the planning stage. You have time to decide what positions are most critical to the efficiency of your business and begin interviewing either potential temporary staff or the agencies that can provide these services for you. Hang up that wall-sized calendar for the summer and begin filling in scheduled vacations, holidays and planned leaves of absence. You’ll have a much better idea of where your staffing levels are most affected and have the time to plan, to cross-train and to make every effort to keep your practice operating efficiently regardless of who’s not there. And, one last piece of advice...don’t forget that you get a vacation as well, so plan accordingly. Before you know it, back-to-school season will be upon us. You and your staff deserve an organized vacation season. ■ Talent alone won’t make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: ‘Are you ready?’ JOHNNY CARSON

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Through the Lens Carrie Wilson, BS, LDO, ABOM, NCLE-AC

Adapting to the Situation ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS AN ECP SHOULD BE AWARE OF IS WHAT FACTORS MAY CAUSE ADAPTATION ISSUES TO OCCUR.

misshapen. The more cylinder correction or axis changes that occur within the lens, the greater the likelihood that patient will need an adaptation period.

Multifocal Lenses

Most patients will be able to put on their glasses and be fine, but there are those who will require an extra amount of time and care to see as well as possible. It will be helpful to know when the extra adaptation time is more likely to occur and plan for it.

The ECP can help the patient through the adjustment process through both understanding and sufficient explanation of the changes that are occurring to the patient.

How prescriptions change images Plus Lenses Used to correct hyperopia, or farsightedness and presbyopia, plus lenses are two prisms placed base to base. By placing the prisms base to base, the images viewed by the patient are magnified and therefore appear closer.

Minus Lenses Myopia, or nearsightedness, is corrected by placing two prisms apex to apex in front of the eye. This causes the images in the eye to appear smaller and farther away. These spherical lenses, along with spherical plus lenses, are the easiest lenses to adapt to.

Sphero-Cylinder Lenses A sphero-cylinder lens is a more complicated lens and used to correct a prescription with astigmatism. They are usually made by grinding a spherical curve on the front of the spectacle lens and a toric, or cylindrical curve, on the back of the lens. The toric curve creates two principle meridians on the lens 90 degrees apart. Because of this, the power of the lens changes as the eye looks around the lens. As a result, the lens may cause a â&#x20AC;&#x153;swimmyâ&#x20AC;? feeling and images may appear slanted and slightly

Multifocal lenses are traditionally progressives, lined bifocals or lined trifocals. Although it can be seen in prescriptions for younger individuals to help with focusing problems, it is more commonly seen in individuals known as presbyopes.

Presbyopes are individuals, usually over the age of forty, who have lost some of the ability to accommodate. Accommodation is the process in which the crystalline lens changes its shape to allow the eye to easily change focus for a variety of distances.

Multifocal lenses, especially the lined types, can cause an abrupt image jump. Multifocals may also cause a vertical imbalance in a patient that has good visual acuity as well as anisometropia, or a power difference in the 90 degree meridian that causes a prismatic imbalance between each eye. Progressives exhibit distortion along the sides of the corridor of the progressive.

The higher the add power the higher the distortion.

Unwanted Prism As discussed earlier, lenses are prisms placed together. The point at which the two prisms meet is the optical center. This is the point where the light entering the lens is not refracted or deviated. In order for the patient to see properly, the optical center must be placed in the proper position. Horizontally, this placement is placed at the pupillary distance. Vertically, this measurement is called the OC (optical center) height and should be placed along the optical axis. The optical axis is not in front of the pupil. The rule of thumb for OC height is to place the measurement 1 mm below the pupil for every 2 degrees of pantoscopic tilt in the frame. Since most frames are worn by the patient with 10 to 12 degrees of pantoscopic tilt, an average OC height would be 5 to 6 mm below the pupil. When these measurements are inaccurate, the patient experiences Continued on page 38

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WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT ISN’T IN THE BOX.

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T H E

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unwanted prism along with changes in their prescription powers and/or axis.

amount of pantoscopic tilt can cause the patient to experience blurred vision and eye strain.

Unwanted prism is a major reason why a patient has trouble adapting to his or her new lenses. When the pupillary distance is off the effect is excessive Base In or Base Out prism. The patient will experience a slanting feeling when wearing their glasses. An image will appear high toward the prism base and low toward the prism apex. When the OC height is wrong the result is excessive Base Down or Base Up prism. Unwanted Base Up prism will give the wearer the feeling of walking down hill, of standing at the top of a hill, and vertical objects will seem shorter. Excessive Base Down prism wearers will feel as if he or she is at the bottom of a bowl, or will experience a feeling of walking uphill and vertical objects will appear taller.

• The frame should have the proper face form wrap. This allows the frame to follow the natural curve of the face and enables the patient to have a wider field of view in the distance through increased peripheral vision. For every 1 mm of decentration the frame should have two degrees of face form.

Adjust the frame If the frame is crooked, too tight or too loose, the optical center will not follow the optical axis and the patient’s vision will be off. Proper adjustment is crucial both at the time of fitting and at the time of dispensing. It does not matter how much time was taken in the exam room or in measuring for the lens if the frame does not fit properly. Make sure that the weight is distributed properly along the fitting triangle of the bridge of the nose and the top of the ears. Ensure that the frame front is level and is placed at a good vertex distance from the eye – close to the lashes whenever possible. Vertex is especially important because a minus lens that sits too far away from the eye loses perceived power, and a plus lens that sits too far away from the eye exhibits an increase in perceived power. Adjustment to the temple and along the temple bend will keep the lenses stable in relation to the optical axis. Also, make certain that the pantoscopic tilt is proper for the OC height.

• A close fitting vertex distance is important to prevent vision distortion. A proper vertex distance not only allows the patient to get the full benefit of the width of the lens corridors, but it is of extreme importance to patients who have prescriptions in the higher ranges. Changes in vertex distance change the effective power of the lens. The temples should be angled properly and well fitted at the temple bend and behind the ear – without touching the head forward of the ears.

By pre-adjusting the frame, any fitting problems will be discovered early on and prevent the lens from being placed in an ill fitting frame. It will also minimize any fitting height errors that may result from measuring a pair of glasses that are fitting uneven, too tight or loose or exhibiting an “X” ing problem.

Taking the Fitting Height for a Progressive Lens Eye care professionals should position themselves in front of the patient at eye level. Have the patient look off into the distance and with a marking pen, dot the center of the patient’s pupil. Remove the glasses and draw a one inch straight line across the dot. Next, have the patient put the glasses back on to verify where the fitting height is.

Always adjust the frame prior to taking the lens measurements.

Adjustments should be made just like they would be at dispensing. First, have the patient place the glasses on his or her face in the position in which it is normally worn. Now, look at the patient and observe how the frame fits. A proper fitting frame should have the following characteristics, if not make the necessary adjustments.

The patient should be looking through the line. Now ask the patient to walk around the dispensary and then resume sitting.

Observe the patient’s posture and stance in relation to the fitting height. Adjust the fitting height if necessary. Always verify the fitting height in this manner, even if you have the previous fitting height, because a patient’s posture and stance may have changed since the previous fitting. Another accurate technique is to hold a penlight at your eye level and have the patient look at your open eye. Dot the lens at the corneal reflection caused by the penlight. This technique works great for patients with very dark colored irises.

• The nose pads should lay flat against the bridge of the nose, exhibiting the proper splay, frontal and vertical angles to prevent digging or pinching on the delicate skin of the nose and inner eye.

One should note that a patient will normally have an uneven fitting height. Make sure that the uneven height is ordered. If it is not, the patient may exhibit distorted vision in each eye. This could be the result of:

• The frame front should have a pantoscopic tilt between eight and twelve degrees, assuming the eye is sitting 4 to 6 mm above the datum line. Tilt changes the effective sphere, cylinder and axis of prescriptions, and an excessive

• one eye looking through the intermediate portion of the lens corridor while viewing the distance if both fitting heights are placed at the height of the higher eye

Taking the Measurements Frame Adjustment

Continued on page 40 38 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

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• one eye not reaching maximum add power if the fitting heights are set to the height of the lower eye • uneven MRP causing a prism imbalance that may cause a problem when converging to near Pupillary Distance Monocular PDs should always be taken when fitting a patient with a progressive lens or when a patient is prescribed a power in the higher range. The preferred way to measure the PD is using a corneal reflection pupilometer. This is the preferred method because they help eliminate parallax errors; they work very well on very dark irises, and are known for the accuracy of their measurements. The first step is to adjust the working distance dial to the distance setting which is infinity. Sitting across from the patient, place the pupilometer on the patient’s nose with the forehead bar centered against the forehead. Ask the patient to look into the light and then move the paddle to the center position so both eyes are viewable. Move the hairline to bisect the corneal reflex of each eye. The monocular PD is then displayed on the top of the pupilometer. If the patient displays a phoria, then use the paddle switch to occlude one eye at a time in order to get accurate results. Even with a phoria, if one eye is occluded the brain will force the eye to take up fixation.

40 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

To verify that this measurement is accurate, the machine should be calibrated at least weekly. In order to verify accuracy, you should set the PD to 32/32 and place a ruler against the hairlines. The measurement should be 64. If it is, then the calibration is complete. If it is incorrect, note the difference, measure again at 29/29 and 35/35. If the pupilometer is off the same amount in each case, remember to adjust the measurements taken to correct them until the pupilometer can be sent for calibration. If there is no consistency, stop using the pupilometer and send if off for repair.

If the pupilometer is unavailable, the ECP can measure the PD by measuring it using a ruler and a penlight source. This technique takes practice to gain accuracy.

Conclusion Adapting to glasses is normal. Although every ECP loves the patient that puts on a new pair of glasses and can see everything perfect, this cannot happen in every instance. However, by providing a thorough understanding to all parties, proper measurements, and patience, the adaptation process can run much smoother for both the patient and ECP. ■ With contributions from Brian A. Thomas, P.h.D, ABOM

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Second Glance Elmer Friedman, OD

Little and his team had parked their Land Rovers, since the terrain they needed to cross was impossible for the vehicles to negotiate. They subsequently hiked for hours with pack horses over a 16,000 foot mountain pass to reach remote mountain villages where they had been invited to provide care. Upon returning to the Land Rovers, they were ambushed as they were attempting to cross a rain swollen river and were killed.

A Taliban spokesman said the foreigners were killed because they were “spying for the Americans and preaching Christianity.” Robbery was the additional theory that was considered. Officials maintain that the organization is a non profit Christian organization but does not distribute bibles or proselytize. The charity said, “We hope it will not stop our work that benefits over a quarter of a million Afghans each year.”

TOM LITTLE Endures as Medal of Freedom Winner TOM LITTLE was an optometrist from Delmar, N.Y. who was killed in Afghanistan while providing vision and other humanitarian services to poor Afghans. He was honored by president Barrack Obama with the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian recognition a person can receive for contributions to our nation’s security or national interest. Dr. Little was 61 years old and an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady, N.Y. He was murdered by the Taliban on Aug. 5, 2010 with nine other members of a medical team that had been providing eye care in Nuristan Province, 160 miles north of Kabul. The team was composed of six Americans, one German, one Briton and two Afghans involved in a three week mission. In accordance with his wishes he was buried in the British cemetery in Kabul.

He leaves behind his wife, Libby, and three daughters. The couple, high school sweethearts at Ichabod Crane High School in Valatie, N.Y., lived and worked together in Afghanistan for 33 years, as important workers for the National Organization of Ophthalmic Rehabilitation Eye Care Program.

Little oversaw three 40 bed hospitals in Kabul and two other important cities and also three smaller 10 bed clinics. He had been expelled by the Taliban government in Aug. 2001 as a suspect involved with eight Christian aid workers for allegedly trying to convert Afghans to Christianity. He returned to Afghanistan after the Taliban government was toppled in Nov. 2001 by the U.S backed forces. Several members of the medical team were women. Observers who knew Dr. Tom felt a sense of defeat when they heard that he had been killed. He had escaped kidnappings, rocket attacks and fire fights so many times that it didn’t seem possible that his life would end in such a manner.

There was still so much work to be done in Afghanistan. He was just one man, yet the country lost much hope because of his passing.

Dr. Little was the son of an ophthalmologist. He studied optics at Tufts University and worked as an optician. He was familiar with basic testing techniques and how to fit spectacles. These skills came in handy when his wife, Libby and their two daughters moved to Afghanistan in the 1970s to work with an international Christian aid agency. They thought that they would serve for a couple of years and return home to N.Y. A friend, Henry Heintz, revealed in the Albany Times Union, “They had no idea that it would dominate the rest of their lives.

No matter what regime was in power, they allowed him to return because they knew that Tom loved the people and served their practical needs.” He began working for the National Organization for Ophthalmic Rehabilitation (NOOR) Eye Hospital in Kabul, where he worked for about 30 years. NOOR Continued on page 44

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operates about a dozen eye centers throughout the country and each year cares for roughly 225,000 Afghanis and provides surgery for more than 14,000 patients. Libby has been teaching at an international school in Kabul. One of his daughters, Nelika, is following in the family footsteps, working for an NGO that helped to oversee elections in 2005 as the country attempts to move toward a more democratic society. Tom returned to the U.S. in 2006 to receive an official optometry degree from the New England College of Optometry.

He was considered by many to be the best authority on eye care in Afghanistan. Tom enrolled in the college’s Advanced Standing International Program, which affords an optometry degree in two years to foreign educated eye professionals or to those who work as eye care providers overseas. Dr. Little wanted to train others in Afghanistan and establish an infrastructure of clinics and eye doctors. He was considered “irreplaceable.”

Libby kept her composure while reminiscing about her husband. She remarked, “We had 40 wonderful years, serving together all those years, doing what we thought we should do.

And that’s enough for a life.”

When Libby spoke from the podium at the memorial service she voiced, “We honor God’s unique call on Tom’s life skills and energy. We believe, with Tom, that there are some things in life worth dying for.” His friend Harry Heintz spoke of his memories of Tom. He stated, “Tom had an angular, athletic frame. His hair was a sandy reddish color flecked with gray. He had an ‘aw shucks’ manner,” said Mr. Heintz. “He looked like an adult version of one of Mark Twain’s Mississippi boys. He was a serious man with a ready smile.

His demeanor was quiet and shy.

He didn’t seek the spotlight, but when he spoke it was always worth hearing. He worked best when the spotlight was on the needy eyes of another human being. Tom wore spectacles and was known for his dry sense of humor. He loved to hike and run, pushing himself harder with each step.”

Dr. Little and his wife, Libby, raised three daughters in Afghanistan during the Russian occupation of the country and Mr. Heintz added, “We once ate at Dr. Tom Little with his wife Libby in 2001. subsequent civil war. A story is a restaurant operated by Afghans. told that the family hid in their When the server came to our basement while the Taliban ruled the country. But Dr. Little table, Tom looked up and spoke to him in his own language. continued to provide eye care to the Afghan people even after a A smile broke across the man’s face. He had a relative in Kabul rocket demolished one of the NOOR hospitals where he who was a doctor. Tom knew his relative. I listened in awe even worked. In a 2004 interview, Tom recounted family picnics that though I could not understand a word they were saying.” ended with attempted Taliban kidnappings. This is what Afghanistan has come to be; a land where civilian human aid No matter what Afghan regime was in power they allowed Dr. workers can’t be guaranteed safety. A Times Union news report Little to return because they knew he loved the people and states, “This is unspeakably hostile terrain where the most served their practical needs. Little didn’t hand out Bibles or inhuman forces of extremism and intolerance compete for the religious pamphlets there. He never acted on a political agenda dishonor of having slaughtered the innocent.” Secretary of nor imposed his own culture upon them. The only banner he State, Hillary Clinton commented, “They were unarmed. They raised was the flag of unconditional love, unending good deeds were not being paid for their services. They had traveled to this and cross cultural friendship. Mr. Heintz notes, “That flag still distant part of the world because they wanted to help people in flies, though it is blood stained.” need.”

There is hope, however, in the inspiration that Tom and the More than 900 people congregated at the Loudonville other victims leave behind. The lives they led, served as an Community Church in N.Y. to honor Tom Little. The church example, with service, humility, respect and courage as a course supported his work financially and emotionally, as well. One to be emulated. None who met them would forget them. If, one of the church attendees was Dr. Tom Hale, a medical relief day, stability and peace return to Afghanistan, their quiet worker, who told the crowd, “Dr. Little’s death was not in vain. decades of groundwork will have played no small part. ■ This was not a waste. But it is an enormous loss. Many of us are angry.” Libby Little revealed that her husband had recently become involved in a program to eradicate preventable blindness by the year 2020. Despite the difficult circumstances, 44 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

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48

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46 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

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41

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WEB SITE

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PHONE #

Nellerk Contact Lens Cases

49

607-748-2166

—

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28

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31

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Optogenics

29

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45

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Tech-Optics

47

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40

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X-Cel Optical

37

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Vision Systems

47

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Younger Optics

17

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ADVANTICA has combined its vision-plan business with two Missouri-based dental benefits companies—Essex Dental Benefits and Bridgeport Dental Services—under the Advantica name.

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Richard Sanchez, founder and president/CEO of the former Advantica Eyecare (which changed its name to Advantica a year ago), is the new umbrella company’s president, responsible for overseeing “development and implementation of the overall growth strategies to guide the new company,” an announcement said. Sanchez is also president of the National Association of Vision Care Plans.

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Last Look Jim Magay, RDO

Vision Expo Diary What a week it was (March 16th to 21st).

I’m sure none of us will ever forget watching the tragedy in Japan unfold. It almost made the events in Libya and across the Middle East seem trivial by comparison.

As I begin this article, we are getting ready to drive to New York for an early Vision Expo. Going to be chilly – I like it when it is held later in April when the magnolia trees are in bloom around town. Oh well, all the more reason to hunker down in the beautiful Barclay Bar and Lounge with a classic Manhattan.

This is certainly the year of the web and social media in the optical world, many articles in other optical journals (yes, there are two or three) have been referring minute by minute to Facebook and Twitter updates about everything from hot cocktail parties, the Empire State Building lit up green for St. Patrick’s Day, to notes from buyers rushing down to spend their budgets and attempting to win the premium of the year – an iPad! We are going to get an early start Saturday AM (good intentions...). Hope to be walking into the show around 10:00 AM to spend a good, productive day on the floor, More later...

So I get to the Show at 12:30 – not quite as early a start as I would have liked – totally disoriented with the new arrangement but with the able assistance of cheerful guides stationed around the place, it wasn’t difficult to figure it out. (My favorite shoeshine guy was nowhere to be found – always like to get a show update – he usually knows what really is going on.) I visited the Galleria and underground for several hours before venturing upstairs – next year I’m going to bring a Segway or roller blades to get around!

50 | EYECAREPROFESSIONAL | MAY 2011

Hilco’s Bill D’Angelo fitting Jeff Smith

Charmant’s Dennis Davis and ECP’s Publisher

The great thing about Vision Expo is bumping into old friends around every corner like the gang from Aspex, the folks at Tura, the Hilco guys, (Rich White from Zeiss seemed to be everywhere). Innovations abound at Vision Expo – did you try emPower! at Pixel Optics? Just about every European frame designer worth his salt had a version of screwless hinges on display, we looked at Eco-Lite LED lighting, (bright, cool running and lower electric bills), great new progressive lens designs, lens coatings, everything electronic, and – oh yes, walked around with our publisher Jeff Smith looking for new nose pads (his frame was killing him, a pit stop at the Hilco booth took care of that).

A nice visit with Jeff and VP Dennis Davis over at Charmant – 5 year warranty on all products — and really spiffy new frames!

Well – on the social side that evening (after swearing I was going to relax at my hotel), I found a terrific little Bistro called Matisse (two guys formerly from Les Halles own it) over at 924 2nd Avenue. Good music, food, and friendly ambience, a nice neighborhood feel to it.

Looking forward to my next trip to the big city! ■

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Corning and SunSensors are registered trademark of Corning Inc, Corning, NY - CopyrightŠ 2011 Corning Incorporated.All rights reserved

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