Transitions Optical Partners With Visionworks And Grammy And CMA Award Winning Music Artist Darius Rucker To Bring Healthy, Enhanced Vision To Hundreds Of Phoenix Area Students In-Need

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Oct. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Transitions Optical, along with brand ambassador and Transitions^® adaptive lenses™ wearer Darius Rucker and industry partner Visionworks^®, provided free vision screenings to hundreds of students at Longview Elementary in Phoenix, Ariz. in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of healthy, enhanced vision and its connection to success both in and out of the classroom. Rucker, who has worn prescription eyeglasses for years, shared his own story with Longview students about how vision has impacted not only his ability to read and play music, but also how it has affected his overall career and personal life.

"Joining Transitions Optical and Visionworks at Longview was such a cool experience for me.  Kids should never get left behind in the classroom just because they can't see clearly," said Darius Rucker. "Whether I'm in the studio, on the road or at home with my family, vision and the ability to see my best is such an important part of my life.  I've been wearing Transitions lenses for years. They're just a great fit for me, because they automatically change from clear to dark, which keeps my eyes comfortable no matter where I go."

According to the American Public Health Association, one in four children has an undetected vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn -- a statistic that was surpassed by the population at Longview, as more than one-third of the students required vision correction. For those students, vouchers for a free pair of glasses fitted with Transitions adaptive lenses, redeemable at local Visionworks stores, were provided. 

"Because 80 percent of learning is visual, we at Transitions Optical are committed to raising awareness about the importance of regular eye exams and the benefits of corrective eyewear, especially among children and families," said Patience Cook, associate director, North America marketing, Transitions Optical. "Along with Darius Rucker and our partner Visionworks, we hope to truly underscore the importance of proper eyecare and eyewear – and encourage everyone to experience Transitions lenses that continuously filter outdoor light and block 100% UV – no matter their age or where they are."

In addition, students were invited to receive a brand new book to take home from Bess the Book Bus, a mobile literacy outreach program. Transitions Optical is currently sponsoring Bess the Book Bus' national tour, "Success is in Sight," which will reach more than 25,000 kids in 35 states this year.

"Being here with Transitions Optical and Darius Rucker has been a wonderful opportunity for us to impact hundreds of children in-need and get them ready to continue the school year seeing their very best," said Jim Eisen, president of Visionworks and Co-CEO of HVHC. "We're passionate about educating people about eye health and are looking forward to having Longview students and their families visit our local stores to choose their new eyewear."

Following the event at Longview, Rucker went on to take the stage at the Arizona State Fair.

To learn more about Transitions lenses and find an eye doctor near you, visit www.transitions.com.

About Transitions Optical, Inc.

Transitions Optical is the leading provider of plastic photochromic (adaptive) lenses to optical manufacturers worldwide. Having been the first to successfully manufacture and commercialize plastic adaptive lenses in 1990, and as a result of its relentless investment in research and development and technology, Transitions Optical offers a wide variety of products, setting new standards of advanced performance to provide ever increasing visual comfort and UV protection.

Product leadership, consumer focus, and operational excellence have made the Transitions^® brand one of the most recognized consumer brands in optics.

Transitions Optical has been awarded the Gallup Great Workplace Award for 2013 for the fifth consecutive year.

For more information about the company and Transitions lenses, visit www.transitions.com.

About Visionworks

Visionworks (formerly Eye Care Centers of America, Inc.) is a leading provider of eye care services with more than 640 optical retail stores in 40 states and the District of Columbia. Visionworks is committed to providing their customers with an excellent shopping experience and high quality products and services with the best value and selection in the industry. All stores offer designer and exclusive brand frames, lenses, sunglasses and accessories along with leading technology in vision correction. Comprehensive service offerings include contact lens dispensing, in-store labs which provide one-hour service on many 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.

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