Divisions and Secured Content
The Vision Council maintains several operating divisions to address common interests among members. Members may choose one "home" division and are welcome to participate in other divisions' activities. Operating divisions of The Vision Council provide guidance, education programs, marketing materials, research and advocacy outreach to address common interests among members.
Each division has a dedicated area on the website that contains links to agendas and meeting minutes from past Vision Expo, division, committee and Executive Summit meetings as well as pertinent guidelines and reports. These pages are secured and for members only. If you are a member and would like to view these pages, please login.
Eyewear & Accessories
The Eyewear & Accessories Division promotes eyewear as a fashion accessory, supports manufacturing standards and regulations, and advances industry benchmarking.
Companies that typically join this division: Companies that design, manufacture and distribute ophthalmic frames and accessories.
Contact: Mitch Barkley, Eyewear & Accessories Division Liaison
To visit the E&A Division Secured Content Page, click here.
Lens, Lab & Lens Processing Technology
The Lens, Lab and Lens Processing Technology Division provides information, publications, education, and programs to help members operate and improve their businesses and lab operations. This Division monitors and develops standards and regulations, reviews lens-specific manufacturing issues, creates industry-accepted compliance procedures, and educates eyecare professionals and consumers about lens technologies.
Companies that typically join this division: Lens manufacturers and designers, optical laboratories, ophthalmic instrument manufacturers, optical equipment manufacturers and lens testing laboratories.
Contact: Michael Vitale, Vice President; Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs
To visit the Lens, Lab, & Lens Processing Technology Division Secured Content Page, click here.
Retail
The Retail Division focuses on the unique business needs of optical retailers, providing government and regulatory guidance and delivering consumer insights and specialized market data to help members improve their businesses. Companies that typically join this division:
Companies that provide vision care services and sell optical products in-store and/or online, including prescription and non-prescription products.
Contact: David Pierson, Strategic Advisor
To visit the Retail Secured Content Page, click here.
Contact Lens
The Contact Lens Division focuses on the unique business needs of contact lens manufacturers, providing government and regulatory guidance and delivering consumer insights and specialized market data to help members improve their businesses.
Companies that typically join this division: Companies that design, manufacture, and distribute contact lenses and contact lens care products.
Contact: Michael Vitale, Vice President; Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs
To visit the Contact Lens Division Secured Content Page, click here.
Over the Counter (formerly Sunglass & Reader)
The Over the Counter Division promotes the fashion and function of non-prescription products, including sunglasses and reading glasses. By recognizing the unique nature of how these products are marketed to consumers, the Division provides guidance on industry standards and regulations to support the manufacturing, sale and distribution of non-prescription products.
Companies that typically join this division: Companies that design and manufacture non-prescription sunglasses, readers and other optical related products.
Contact: Michael Vitale, Vice President; Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs
To visit the Over the Counter Secured Content Page, click here.
Healthcare
The Healthcare Division focuses on supporting industry growth for wellness and accessibility devices, disease management, low vision and pharmaceuticals.
Companies that typically join this division: Pharmaceuticals, telehealth, wellness and accessibility device manufacturers, low vision device manufacturers, disease management companies, managed vision care and vision insurance plan providers.
Contact: Michael Vitale, Vice President; Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs
To visit the Healthcare Secured Content Page, click here.
Technology
The Technology Division identifies the challenges and opportunities technology advancements present for the future of the optical industry, with focus areas including smart devices, audiology, 3D printing, robotic fulfillment, and AI/AR.
Companies that typically join this division: Wearables and smart eyewear devices, virtual reality/augmented reality (VR/AR) device manufacturers and software developers, practice management software (PMS) and lab management software (LMS) companies, optical business management companies, robotic fulfillment, hearing aid manufacturers, 3D printing and artificial intelligence developers.
Contact: Michael Vitale, Vice President; Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs
To visit the Technology Division Secured Content Page, click here.
Supplier/Other
Not all member companies fit into a specific division and often companies can belong to many different divisions. If you have questions about joining as a supplier or partner, please contact Michael Vitale.
Be Part of the Vision
New members of The Vision Council will select the industry division that most reflects their company function, where they will be able to network with members of the industry in similar fields, attend meetings and help set priorities for The Vision Council’s future initiatives and programming. Members can participate in meetings and access resources from any division relevant to the scope of their operations and can further engage by joining a committee or task force, eventually progressing to volunteer leadership positions including The Vision Council’s Board of Directors.