Transitions Optical and Davis Vision Join the American Diabetes Association to Offer Free Vision Screenings During the ADA Expo in New York City

NEW YORK, March 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Transitions Optical, Inc. in  partnership with Davis Vision optical retail stores, will join the American Diabetes Association (ADA) in New York City to educate and motivate consumers to visit an eyecare professional regularly for comprehensive eye exams that help with the early detection of diabetes and the development of certain vision conditions. Transitions Optical and Davis Vision will offer free vision screenings during the ADA Expo on Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in booth #431 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Transitions Optical is committed to supporting the ADA and helping to raise awareness about the impact diabetes can have on the eyes. 

"We are thrilled to partner with the ADA to help educate consumers about the importance of taking care of their eyes and bodies. It is important to consider eye health as part of overall health and wellness," said Manuel Solis, multicultural marketing manager, Transitions Optical. "Therefore, we invite the New York City community to visit the Transitions Optical booth at the ADA Expo this Saturday to learn about proper eye care and eyewear."

Diabetes is a silent enemy and over 90 percent of severe vision loss and blindness are caused by a serious vision condition called diabetic retinopathy. This can be identified and addressed early on based on the changes that occur in the eye that are visible during a comprehensive eye exam from an eye doctor. Diabetes can be caused by family heritage, age, ethnicity, obesity, habits and lifestyles.

A study commissioned by Transitions Optical found that both the incidence and prevalence of diabetes are higher in certain ethnic groups, such as African Americans and Hispanics, as compared to the general population. Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is 70 percent higher in African Americans versus Caucasians and 1 in 10 Hispanics has diabetes, which is 3 times the rate of the general population.

"By offering ADA Expo attendees free vision screenings, we're able to help detect potential vision conditions," said Celina Burns, President of Davis Vision.  "Those who fail the screenings are encouraged to visit their local eyecare professional to receive a comprehensive eye exam and find out more about eyewear options, including adaptive lenses, such as Transitions® lenses." 

"Transitions adaptive lenses automatically change from clear indoors and at night to dark outdoors when exposed to UV rays to help minimize distracting glare and block 100 percent of harmful UV rays," Solis added.

Expo attendees will also have the chance to win prizes, courtesy of Transitions Optical, when they visit booth 431 during the event. 

For more information about the connection between vision and diabetes visit http://www.healthysightforlife.org/results.aspx and to find an eyecare professional near you, visit www.Transitions.com

About Transitions Optical, Inc.

Transitions Optical is a joint venture of PPG Industries, Inc. and Essilor International.  The first to successfully commercialize a plastic photochromic (or adaptive) lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of adaptive lenses to optical manufacturers worldwide.  Transitions Optical offers the most advanced adaptive technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names – setting a new standard of advanced performance, enhancing visual quality, and providing more visual comfort and eye protection than ever before.

The Transitions family of everyday adaptive eyewear includes Transitions^® lenses, which remain clear indoors and automatically darken outdoors in changing light conditions; Transitions^® XTRActive^® lenses which maintain a comfortable hint of tint indoors and reach superior darkness outdoors; and the revolutionary Transitions^® Vantage™ lenses, the first and only adaptive eyeglass lenses to both darken and polarize outdoors, so that your vision is noticeably crisper with enhanced contrast and sharpness.

All products in the Transitions family of adaptive eyewear block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays – helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes – so you can see better in the future as well.

For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, visit http://en-us.transitions.com/ or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).

About Visionworks

Visionworks (formerly Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.) is a leading provider of eye care services with more than 580 optical retail stores in 40 states and the District of Columbia through 11 store names, including Davis Vision stores, that are leaders in eye care service in each of their respective markets. Visionworks is committed to providing their customers with an excellent shopping experience and high quality products and service with the best value and selection in the industry. All of their stores offer designer and exclusive brand frames, lenses, sunglasses and accessories along with leading technology in vision correction. Our comprehensive service offerings include contact lens dispensing, in-store labs which provide one-hour service on most prescriptions at nearly all locations and doctors of optometry at or next to every store. Visionworks is a wholly owned subsidiary of HVHC, Inc. For more information about Visionworks, visit www.visionworks.com.

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.