Transitions Optical Stops In New Orleans With National 'Sightseeing' City Tour To Announce The City's Top 10 Sights To See And Raise Awareness About The Importance Of Healthy, Enhanced Vision

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the final stop on its 2012 Sightseeing City Tour, Transitions Optical, along with EyeMed Vision Care, today announces the Top 10 Sights to See in New Orleans, and brings an exciting, interactive experience area aimed at educating attendees at the AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo about the role of proper eye care and eyewear in seeing all of the 'sights' around you – whether on vacation or in your own backyard.

Transitions Optical, in conjunction with national travel expert and National Geographic best-selling author, Marybeth Bond, identified the Top 25 Sights to See in New Orleans and encouraged New Orleans-area residents and tourists to vote on which of those made up the Top 10.

The Top 10 Sights to See in New Orleans are The French Quarter, French Market, the Audubon Zoo, the Superdome, Cafe du Monde, Jackson Square, Preservation Hall, New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, City Park, and National World War II Museum.

The on-site experience that Transitions Optical and EyeMed will have at the AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo will invite event attendees to celebrate sight by offering the opportunity to have their photos taken at a kiosk against the scenic, New Orleans-themed background of their choice; the chance to win prizes including the Ultimate Sightseeing Dream Vacation to the Galapagos Islands; giveaways with healthy vision and sightseeing tips, and much more.

"Being here in New Orleans, along with our partner EyeMed Vision Care, and through identifying the Top 10 Sights to See, we hope to raise awareness about the importance of healthy, enhanced vision as it relates to 'sightseeing' in everyday life,"  said Dan McLean, marketing manager, communications, Transitions Optical.

Marybeth Bond – who is also known as "The Gutsy Traveler" and has been to more than 90 countries – will be visiting the Top 10 Sights to See in New Orleans, documenting her experience at these locations and sharing how healthy vision has impacted her own travels. Marybeth will also host a presentation at the AARP national event, focused on travel inspiration and sightseeing in everyday life, and will appear at the Transitions Optical and EyeMed booth for a meet and greet and to sign copies of the latest edition of her book, Gutsy Women.

"From my travels around the world, I've experienced irreversible damage to my eyesight from not wearing proper eyewear," said Marybeth Bond. "Now, I am sure to always bring proper eyewear with me and get regular, comprehensive eye exams – so that I can see my best to enjoy the sights, whether I am on the road or at home."

In addition, while on-site at the AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo, EyeMed Vision Care will be distributing coupon offers to event attendees and providing additional information about how to take care of your eyes.

"Partnering with Transitions Optical to bring its sightseeing campaign to New Orleans is an exciting opportunity for us," said Jim Wright, vice president of strategic accounts, EyeMed Vision Care. "We look forward to truly engaging with the AARP event attendees, and commemorating the event by providing them with special offers on Transitions^® lenses through EyeMed Vision Care."

Thousands of people have already learned more about the connection between healthy, enhanced vision and sightseeing at City Tour stops in Miami, Dallas, Seattle, and Chicago; the tour concludes at this stop in New Orleans.

To learn more about enhanced vision and to enter the Sight of the Day Photo Contest, visit www.seemoresights.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 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, visit Transitions.com or contact Transitions Optical Customer Service at (800) 848-1506 (United States) or (877) 254-2590 (Canada).

About EyeMed Vision Care

Mason, Ohio-based EyeMed Vision Care is one of the nation's leading vision benefits organizations with more than 32 million funded members through 8,600 employers and healthcare companies across the United States. In addition, EyeMed supports vision discount programs for some of the nation's largest membership and managed care organizations, reaching over 100 million discount members.

Innovation, choice and convenience drives EyeMed's commitment to eye health and vision wellness as it works with its plan sponsors to incorporate vision as part of an overall healthcare benefits program. EyeMed members have access to thousands of private practice and retail-affiliated doctors and dispensing locations nationwide.

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.