One of the first bits of news they shared was the appointment of Andrea Saia as CEO of CIBA VISION. Prior to her appointment, Andrea was COO of CIBA VISION and has held several global positions of increasing responsibility within the company. Andrea succeeds Michael Kehoe, who has decided to pursue outside career opportunities. 

Saia has been with CIBA VISION approximately six years. During this time she has held five positions with the company, including her new role as CEO. Her career at CIBA began as the marketing head, followed by the Global Lens Franchise head and then, Saia was transferred to Europe to head the European / African division of the company. In 2007, the company offered her the newly created position of COO "knowing that it was going to be for a short period of time, until we got our house fixed," said Saia.

Saia is originally from Ohio, but now calls Chicago home (she is a die-hard Cubs fan). She attended Miami (of Ohio) University followed by Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management where she did her graduate work. The bulk of her professional career history has been on the marketing side of consumer products companies, such as Proctor & Gamble, Unilever and most recently as Senior VP, Product Manager and GM for Revlon in NYC.

Besides a new CEO, CIBA VISION also recently introduced its new corporate identity which includes a new logo and a new purpose statement – "Shared Passion for Healthy Vision and Better Life" – which is intended to communicate the high level of dedication CIBA VISION shares with eye care professionals to improving vision and in turn, improving lives. According to CIBA, the new corporate identity reflects the company's renewed commitment to being leaders in the eye care field. 

CIBA VISION cites as evidence of the positive momentum its multi-million dollar investment made to upgrade its Global Supply Chain processes and facilities to further ensure manufacturing quality and consistency as well as more reliable product supply. Investments in manufacturing innovation have also led to a new level of comfort and consistency for CIBA VISION's O2OPTIX and NIGHT & DAY silicone hydrogel lenses, said company officials.

"Our new corporate identity reflects the image and personality that we have already established with eye care professionals, but also represents our vision for the future of CIBA VISION," said Richard E. Weisbarth, O.D. F.A.A.O. and Vice President, Global Head, Professional Development and Partnerships for CIBA VISION. "We are proud of our history and the progress we have made, and yet remain committed to continuously raising our game – to ensure that we not only satisfy, but truly partner with eye care professionals to delight consumers with innovative products."

CIBA VISION will phase in the new logo on product packaging and other materials throughout 2008, with full transition to the new logo on its product line expected by the end of 2009. With the updated logo, the CIBA VISION name will appear even more prominently on product packaging, and on professional marketing materials.

To better partner with and support eye care professionals in bringing the benefits that these new products offer to their patients, CIBA VISION is also increasing its investment in programs to educate professionals on enhancing the patient experience and improving the business performance of their practices. 

As part of this commitment, CIBA VISION has launched an innovative, comprehensive global professional education initiative called the CIBA VISION Academy for Eyecare Excellence (CV Academy). The CV Academy will help ECPs stay current with the latest clinical aspects of contact lenses and lens care, manage the business side of their practices, communicate effectively with patients and prescribe vision correction solutions that best meet patients' lifestyle and eye health needs.

Weisbarth added, "We believe this means not only offering innovative products, but also focusing our efforts on providing differentiated educational programs. The launch of the Academy for Eyecare Excellence allows CIBA VISION to maximize our support of ECPs around the world, helping them achieve success in both their clinical and business goals." 

Programs will target ECPs operating in diverse practice settings and at different stages in their career, and will share "best practices" of highly successful ECPs. Also, to increase the number of ECPs who can benefit from the CV Academy and to help ensure continual learning, outreach will occur in a variety of formats, such as seminars, publications, research reports, web sites and regular electronic communications. ECPs throughout the world can access the educational offerings of the CV Academy by visiting the www.cvacademy.com web site, which will be launched in early March. 

CIBA VISION and Essilor of America announced the launch of a one-of-a-kind optometric educational initiative: the First Practice Academy™ (FPA). The FPA is the first and only training program designed for independent optometrists who have been private practice owners for three years or less. Kicking off in June 2008, the FPA will provide new optometric business owners with strategies and tools to enhance their patients' experience to achieve financial success and gain competitive advantage. 

"New independent start-ups often struggle during their first few years of ownership because they feel overwhelmed by the business and financial requirements of running a practice," said Weisbarth. "The First Practice Academy allows new owners to develop the necessary skills to better serve their patients' needs, enhance success, and to differentiate their optometric practices in today's competitive environment."

"The American Optometric Association applauds CIBA VISION and Essilor of America's commitment to supporting optometrists during their critical formative years," said Peter H. Kehoe, O.D., F.A.A.O., AOA president-elect. "We consider such programs vital to the success of new O.D.s who have chosen to pursue private practice."

New optometric private practice owners interested in learning more about the First Practice Academy can contact their CIBA VISION or Essilor of America sales representatives.

But wait, there's more: CIBA VISION introduced the AIR OPTIX brand name in the U.S., as well as a recommended monthly replacement schedule to help improve patient compliance. Moving forward, new products and product improvements to CIBA VISION's family of high oxygen transmissible silicone hydrogel contact lenses will be introduced under the AIR OPTIX brand name, and with a monthly replacement schedule. 

In keeping with the above announcement, CIBA VISION introduces AIR OPTIX™ for ASTIGMATISM to the US market. According to the company, AIR OPTIX for ASTIGMATISM is an innovative silicone hydrogel lens that provides outstanding performance and excellent stability, achieving 95 percent first lens fit success, and the highest oxygen transmissibility of any available soft toric lens. AIR OPTIX for ASTIGMATISM will roll out to U.S. eye care professionals over the next several months. Contact your CIBA rep to get information on available parameters and availability dates in your area.