Transitions Optical And MLB Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. Hit A Homerun By Making Healthy, Enhanced Vision A Reality For Hundreds Of Children In-Need

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- After teaming up for a series of events – which recently concluded in the Baltimore area – aimed at raising awareness about the importance of healthy, enhanced vision and its connection to success on the field and in and out of the classroom, Transitions Optical and MLB Hall of Famer and baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr., along with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, have made healthy vision a reality for hundreds of children in-need across the country.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130827/NE69681)

"Vision has been critical in my career and personal life," said Cal Ripken, Jr. "Last year when I noticed changes in my vision and went to the eye doctor who recommended Transitions lenses, I came to appreciate the ability to see clearly but now also truly understand what enhanced vision in any light really means. Whether I'm on the field working with the Cal, Sr. Foundation and the kids we serve, in the office or in the broadcast booth, Transitions lenses have made a difference in my life and in the way I see the world – even in the brightest glare. Being a Transitions lenses wearer and partnering with Transitions Optical, I've become passionate about spreading the word – especially to children and families across the country about how important it is to take care of your eyes and the difference that care will make in a child's future."

Hundreds of children from Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCA centers in cities including Baltimore, Houston and Tampa, Fla. received visits from Transitions Optical and industry partner VSP^® Vision Care's 40-foot long mobile eyecare clinic nicknamed "Eyenstein," onboard which the children received comprehensive eye exams conducted by local VSP optometrists, and if prescription eyeglasses were required, chose a brand new pair of eyeglass frames fitted with Transitions^® adaptive lenses™. For any children not seen on the mobile clinic, vouchers for free eyewear fitted with Transitions lenses, redeemable at local VSP eye doctor locations, were provided.

Approximately one-third of the children examined required prescription eyewear, which is even more than the American Public Health Association average statistic – that one in four children has an undiagnosed vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn.

In addition, Cal Ripken, Jr. led baseball clinics at each event with multiple skills stations to demonstrate how healthy, enhanced vision impacts performance on the field. Ripken, who was recognized throughout his career for having good eyesight, recently noticed his vision changing and the need for his first pair of eyeglasses. Now as a Transitions lenses wearer and brand ambassador for Transitions Optical's "Official Sponsor of Sightseeing™" program, he is helping to spread the message about the importance of taking care of your eyes and the positive impact that seeing clearly can make in everyday life.

"It is one of Transitions Optical's central missions to reduce the statistic that one in four children has an undetected vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn," said Brian Hauser, general manager, U.S. and Canada, Transitions Optical. "Along with our industry partners, we've been providing free eyecare services to children and families in-need for years, to not only diagnose and correct any vision problems, but to enhance their vision with Transitions brand lenses. And having Cal Ripken, Jr. join us in that effort has allowed us to make an even broader impact across the country."

Participating children also received free, brand new books from Transitions Optical's partner, Bess the Book Bus, a mobile literacy outreach organization which travels to underserved schools and community centers nationwide distributing books to encourage a love of reading.   The books handed out at these specific events included Hothead – a children's book written by Cal Ripken, Jr. as part of "Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars" series – which focuses on teaching life lessons through stories about sports. During the visit, the children and their families also learned more about eye health through lesson plans provided by Transitions Optical as part of its "Eye Didn't Know That!" program, which serves as a resource for parents, teachers and students to understand the importance of regular, comprehensive eye exams and taking care of your eyes.

Beyond working together to provide these eyecare services, Transitions Optical participated as a partner in the Cal Ripken World Series, August 9 – 18 in Aberdeen, Md., to further highlight the connection between healthy, quality vision and sports performance.

To learn more about the partnership between Transitions Optical, Cal Ripken, Jr. and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, visit Transitions.com or www.ripkenfoundation.org.

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 (or adaptive) lens in 1990, today the company is a leading provider of adaptive lenses to optical manufacturers worldwide.  Transitions Optical offers the most advanced adaptive technology in the widest selection of lens designs, materials and brand names – setting a new standard of advanced performance, enhancing visual quality, and providing more visual comfort and eye protection than ever before.

The Transitions family of everyday adaptive eyewear includes Original Transitions^® adaptive lenses™, which remain clear indoors and automatically darken outdoors in changing light conditions; Transitions^® XTRActive^® lenses which maintain a comfortable hint of tint indoors and reach superior darkness outdoors; and the revolutionary Transitions^® Vantage™ lenses, the first and only adaptive eyeglass lenses to both darken and polarize outdoors, so that your vision is noticeably crisper with enhanced contrast and sharpness.

All products in the Transitions family of adaptive eyewear block 100 percent of harmful UVA and UVB rays – helping to protect the health and wellness of your eyes – so you can see better in the future 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).

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.