By Jillian Urcelay

1  ESSILOR VISION FOUNDATION has renewed its partnership with Walman Optical to continue Walman’s Kids with a Vision program throughout 2020. For every pair of digitally surfaced lenses treated with non-glare treatment produced by Walman Optical labs and purchased by participating eyecare professionals through Dec. 31, Walman Optical will donate $5.00 to EVF.

2  THELIOS has launched its B2B online platform MyThelios in North America. With this B2B platform, Thelios partners will have the opportunity to digitally explore the brand Maisons’ collections and manage their account in an elegant, frictionless shopping environment.

3  LINDA FARROW has given 10 percent of its online sales to the NHS Charities COVID-19 Urgent Appeal for the months of March and April.

4  The 50th Edition of MIDO has been rescheduled to take place on Feb. 6 to 8 in 2021.

5  BLENDERS EYEWEAR has repurposed a portion of its manufacturing to make safety goggles for health workers in light of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The company will donate 10,000 goggles to Southern California hospitals in San Diego and Los Angeles. It is also donating 5 percent of its April sales to Direct Relief and partnering with them to provide an additional 20,000 pairs of goggles to other high-need regions in the U.S.

6  WALMAN and its family of optical companies have launched ASK WALMAN, a complimentary and confidential information and resource helpline intended to help independent eyecare practices during this uncertain time regarding COVID-19.

7  SMITH from Safilo has joined the Goggles for Docs movement to provide ski goggles to health care workers who currently have no eyewear protection while treating patients.

8  REVO has announced its participation with BRANDS x BETTER, a coalition of brands who are fostering stability in a time of crisis by giving back to those most affected by COVID-19, supporting their employees during these uncertain times and promoting conscious consumer spending to keep the economy functioning.

9  LUXOTTICA GROUP has donated 8,000 pairs of protective eyewear and 100,000 medical masks to hospitals in New York, California, Atlanta and Cincinnati.

10  CLEARVISION OPTICAL, in an effort to support the eyecare community amid the COVID-19 pandemic, has launched a digital resource center on the company’s website and is issuing a rallying call to unite eyecare professionals together as a community.