Year With Transitions

As the year comes to a close and the holidays approach, Transitions Optical is "wrapping" up 2008 and looking for new ways to bring the gift of healthy sight to you and your patients in the new year.  In this issue of Healthy InSights, you'll find updates on Transitions Optical's partnerships, education and outreach programs, as well as the latest information on exciting new initiatives from Transitions in 2009.

Transitions is now promoting the message of healthy sight around the globe with the new Healthy Sight Institute, launched in October at SILMO.  This year has been a busy one for the Transitions® Healthy Sight for Life Fund, helping to bring the message of healthy sight to consumers of all ages through a variety of programs.

You'll also find the latest news about Transitions Optical's official marketing partnership with the PGA TOUR, and learn how you can leverage the partnership in your own practice through new POS materials now available.

To recognize excellence in marketing, sales and business practices in the past year, Transitions Optical is honored to announce the three finalists for its Lab of the Year award! Find out which labs got a deserving nomination for this prestigious award, to be given at Transitions Academy in 2009.

Finally, to add even more excitement to Transitions Academy, Transitions is announcing that Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Steve Winter, will be joining us as a special guest. Read on to find out more about his work and why he wears Transitions® lenses.

As always, thank you for reading.  If there is something you'd like to read more about, e-mail us at healthyinsights@transitions.com.


Transitions Launches Healthy Sight Institute at SILMO

New Initiative Dedicated to the Protection and Preservation of Healthy Sight Worldwide

This year's SILMO international exhibition served as the perfect platform for Transitions to unveil the Healthy Sight Institute – an educational and learning resource for health and vision care professionals worldwide. The launch event was one of the highest-attended media events in Transitions Optical's history.

Supported by Transitions Optical, the Healthy Sight Institute is guided by a Global Steering Committee of more than 25 health and eyecare professionals, and is dedicated to the preservation of healthy sight for all people. The launch announcement and press event were hosted by Bette Zaret, senior vice president, global marketing, and featured keynote speaker Sheila Johnson, renowned businesswoman and philanthropist, who will serve as Healthy Sight Ambassador for the institute.

In its first phase, the Healthy Sight Institute will serve as a dynamic knowledge center for professionals in the form of an online resource center (www.healthysightinstitute.org), making available a comprehensive range of preventive eye health and vision care information and resources focusing on the relationship between healthy sight and overall wellness.

Over time, a number of key and current global issues affecting healthy sight will be advocated through public health and grass roots initiatives. Initially, the Healthy Sight Institute will place special emphasis on issues affecting the higher-risk groups of women and children.

Immediately following the press event, several Healthy Sight Institute Steering Committee members participated in a panel discussion on this topic. Titled "Global Health Needs of Women and Children," the roundtable sought to draw on the participants' expertise to identify both the factors that put women and children at higher risk for various eye conditions and diseases and necessary conditions to influence positive change.

Participants in the roundtable discussion included Robert Chappell, OBE, MPhil, DSc(hon), FCOptom; Joseph Colin, MD, PhD; Pier Enrico Gallenga, MD, PhD; John Marshall, PhD, FRCPath; Kovin Naidoo, OD, MPH; Susan Stenson, MD, FACS; and Jeffrey L. Weaver, OD, MBS, MS, FAAO.

To access the Healthy Sight Institute's educational resources or find out more about the Healthy Sight Institute, visit www.healthysightinstitute.org.

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Transitions® Healthy Sight for Life Fund Continues Support

Dedication to Preserving Healthy Sight Rewarded

Our commitment to supporting those in the pursuit of eye health has never been stronger. In 2008, the Transitions® Healthy Sight for Life Fund awarded scholarships to opticianry and optometry students, as well as Community Grants to four organizations to help fund their efforts and dedication to healthy sight.

The opticianry and optometry students awarded scholarships all proved to demonstrate an integrated approach to eye care through creative projects ranging from Power Point presentations to a music video. The scholarship program continues in 2009, so encourage any students you know to apply and keep an eye out for next year’s winners!

In 2008, Community Grants were awarded to these worthy groups: See the Difference Vision Program, the Essilor Vision Foundation Adopt-a-School program, The Coalition to Prevent Sports Eye Injuries and Orbis. Proposals for grants are accepted year-round, so look for more ways you can support healthy sight in 2009.

For more information on the Transitions Healthy Sight for Life Fund, including the scholarship program and community grants, visit www.HealthySightforLife.org.

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What's New with Transitions and the PGA TOUR

A Toast, Trip, and New Tools Help Grow Partnership

Transitions is expanding its support for the PGA TOUR in 2008 and gearing up for the first Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight in March 2009 with a special event, a trip giveaway, and new golf POS materials that you can leverage in your practice.

In November, 25 Nationwide Tour players were awarded 2009 PGA TOUR cards following the Nationwide Tour Championship. As the PGA TOUR's newest official marketing partner, Transitions hosted a celebratory toast and post-card ceremony party to honor the players for their achievement.

"Through our partnership with the PGA TOUR, we're excited to continue to educate consumers about ensuring healthy sight. We salute these 25 players for living their vision by earning their PGA TOUR cards and hope that they continue their success at the next level," said Dave Cole, managing director of the Americas, Australia and New Zealand, Transitions.

To help you leverage this partnership and educate your patients on the importance of healthy sight both on and off the course, Transitions has now developed golf POS materials available through its Web site. The materials – including a series of posters, an educational brochure, a customizable postcard and downloadable interactive widget – fall under Transitions Optical's broad-reaching consumer education program, Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game.

Celebrating the success of the official marketing partnership and the designation of Transitions® lenses as the official eyewear of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, Transitions awarded a trip to one lucky eyecare professional at Vision Expo West. Congratulations to Kylie Hilliard, O.D., winner of a trip for two to the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla., home of the Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight. The trip includes airfare, accommodations and a round of golf or spa service.

The Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight tees off March 16-22. For more information, visit www.Transitions.com/golf.

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2008 Transitions Lab of the Year Finalists Announced

Winner Will Receive Prestigious Award at 2009 Transitions Academy

Congratulations to the three finalists for the Transitions 2008 Independent Lab of the Year award: Balester Optical, Optical Prescription Laboratory, and Soderberg Ophthalmic Services. The winner will be announced at a recognition ceremony during the 13th annual Transitions Academy on Jan. 27.

All three of these labs should be applauded for the successes they have had in 2008. All have implemented creative marketing strategies, achieved growth in sales of Transitions® lenses, remained dedicated to educating staff and customers and demonstrated an overall commitment to Transitions Optical's products and programs.

The Independent Lab of the Year title has been awarded annually since 1991 and is presented to a Transitions Optical STAR Lab that has made a significant commitment to growing its business with Transitions lenses. We are honored to support the past and future Independent Lab of the Year winners as they continue to uphold their standards of excellence and implement new business practices.

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Steve Winter Named Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Photographer "Lives His Vision," Earns Award

National Geographic photographer Steve Winter – featured in Transitions Optical's print and digital advertising campaign this year – has been voted Wildlife Photographer of the Year for 2008, a prestigious title given by the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Winter earned the honor with his photo of a snow leopard in the June issue of National Geographic Magazine. His award-winning work is now on display at the Natural History Museum in the U.K. through April 26.

As a featured photographer in Transitions Optical's largest advertising campaign ever in 2008, Winter helped to reinforce the importance of healthy sight and optimal vision. The ads demonstrated how wearing Transitions® lenses protected his eyes and helped him to "live his vision" as a wildlife photographer.

In addition to his exhibit at the Natural History Museum, Winter will be touring in Detroit with the Detroit Zoological Society from Dec. 1 through April 26. He will also be a special guest at Transitions Academy, Jan. 25-28.

Transitions would like to congratulate Steve Winter on his outstanding achievement. To see him in Transitions Optical's 2008 advertising campaign, click here.

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