WestGroupe, an industry leader offering a premium selection of international brands catering to a more discerning eyewear customer, is the latest industry partner to support Think About Your Eyes, a national public awareness campaign aimed at educating consumers on the benefits of vision health. With this new addition, the Think About Your Eyes campaign continues its industry expansion, which now includes 18 Leadership Partner organizations.
The growth of the Think About Your Eyes campaign, an industry initiative presented by The Vision Council and the American Optometric Association, reflects the increasing importance of getting an annual comprehensive eye exam.
“At WestGroupe, we are dedicated to defining future standards in the optical business by developing, creating and supporting innovative products and services,” said WestGroupe’s President, Michael Suliteanu. “It is in support of that mission that we have partnered with the Think About Your Eyes campaign. It is essential that we continue to spread the message of comprehensive eye exams, and we’re thrilled to join other industry leaders in making annual eye exams a standard part of people’s lives.”
“We are thrilled to include WestGroupe as the newest partner organization for the Think About Your Eyes campaign,” said Dave Plogmann, managing director of Think About Your Eyes. “The industry response to this campaign has been building, and the support of WestGroupe, and our other partner organizations, further reinforces the importance of consumer eye health and the dedication from the industry’s leaders.”
Since the campaign’s national launch, eye exams have increased 5.2 percent, leading to an additional 9.1 million annual eye exams and the diagnosis of more than 1 million previously undiagnosed eye diseases.
The Think About Your Eyes campaign has also recently expanded its practice locator with multiple state optometric associations enrolling every active, practicing member. These 11 states include Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Rhode Island,South Dakota, Texas, Washington and West Virginia. These additions significantly increase the number of doctors listed on the Think About Your Eyes online practice locator, and improve consumer access to eyecare providers and vision care. With the addition of approximately 3,900 members of these state associations, the total number of doctor listings on the locator has reached over 8,900.
The Think About Your Eyes initiative employs national television, radio, print and online/digital advertising to share educational and motivational messages about eye disease, eye strain, children’s vision and how regular eye exams can positively affect overall health. The campaign is designed to encourage consumers to learn more and schedule an eye exam by visiting thinkaboutyoureyes.com. The site, which has received more than 1.4 million visitors, features a comprehensive practice locator tool where visitors can easily find local Think About Your Eyes eye care providers.
For general campaign inquiries, or for industry members interested in becoming official Think About Your Eyes partners, please contact Dave Plogmann, managing director of Think About Your Eyes, at dplogmann@thinkaboutyoureyes.com.