Transitions Optical Announces Partnership With 'Bess the Book Bus' for Second Year of Bringing Literacy and Healthy Vision to Children in Need

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Based on the success of partnering with mobile literacy unit Bess the Book Bus on a nationwide tour in 2010, Transitions Optical is announcing a second year of this partnership in 2011.  Through the partnership, Transitions will continue as the lead sponsor of the Book Bus' national tour, which will bring free books to children in need at schools, shelters and after-school programs in underserved communities across the country.

With help from Transitions in 2010, Bess the Book Bus founder Jennifer Frances drove Bess around the country, distributing more than 65,000 books to more than 10,000 underprivileged children in 37 states, while educating children, parents and teachers about the important connection between healthy vision and reading and learning.

"I am thrilled to have Transitions return as the lead sponsor of 'Success is in Sight,' the Bess the Book Bus 2011 multi-city tour," said Frances.  "Throughout the past year, I have witnessed first-hand the tremendous effects that vision problems can have on children's education and self-esteem.  Transitions' mission of connecting vision and literacy aligns so well with the outreach I do through Bess, and with Transitions' continued support, it is my goal to reach even more children than ever before to instill in them a lifelong love of reading."

As part of the 2011 partnership, Transitions will also participate on-site in key events alongside the Book Bus by providing free eyecare and eyewear to children in need.  Bringing its 40-foot, state-of-the-art mobile eyecare clinic named "Eyenstein," which was created as a joint venture with VSP® Vision Care, to several events throughout the year, Transitions will provide free comprehensive eye exams and new eyewear fitted with Transitions® lenses to children who require prescription eyeglasses right onboard the clinic.

In 2010, the VSP doctors onboard Eyenstein completed exams for more than 700 children across the country.  With a surprising 64 percent of those children ultimately requiring prescription eyewear, the Clinic provided more than 400 pairs of glasses fitted with Transitions lenses.

"With one in four children having an undetected vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn, raising awareness among families about the importance of regular, comprehensive eye exams is critical, especially for children," said Dan McLean, communications specialist, Transitions Optical.  "We are excited to continue our partnership with Bess the Book Bus and look forward to continuing to make a strong impact by bringing books and healthy vision to underserved communities across the country."

Bess the Book Bus will kick off its 2011 tour in March at the Transitions Championship, a PGA TOUR® event in the Tampa Bay area, where the Book Bus has appeared for the past two years as part of the tournament's "Youth Wellness Days."  Frances plans to continue the tour throughout the summer and fall, driving the Book Bus to communities ranging from New York City to the Gulf Coast.

To learn more about Transitions and its partnership with Bess the Book Bus, visit www.transitions.com or www.bessthebookbus.org.

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 lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers worldwide.  Transitions Optical offers the most advanced photochromic technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names.

Transitions® lenses are the ideal everyday choice for healthy sight.  They are clear indoors and at night.  Outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change.  Transitions lenses provide visual comfort, and enhance visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast, helping you to see better today.  Transitions lenses block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays – helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes – so you can see better tomorrow as well.

For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, the first to earn the American Optometric Association's Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbers/Blockers, visit Transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).

About Bess the Book Bus

Founded solely by Frances in 2004, Bess the Book Bus began visiting schools, shelters and after-school programs in the Tampa area to distribute children's books and host readings for underprivileged children.  Since then, Frances' efforts have expanded, servicing more than 200 children and adults in need each week to promote literacy.  Frances gives nearly 50,000 new books each year to schools, community centers and shelters, with 2010 being the record year, distributing more than 65,000 books.  Her program continues to grow as Frances prepares for her third multi-city tour across the country.  For more information about the program, visit www.bessthebookbus.org.

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.