Transitions Optical Brings Importance Of Healthy, Enhanced Vision Into Focus By Taking National 'Sightseeing' City Tour To Chicago And Announcing The City's Top 10 Sights To See

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- To kick-off the next stop on its 2012 Sightseeing City Tour, Transitions Optical, along with Visionworks, today announces the Top 10 Sights to See in Chicago, and brings an exciting, interactive experience area aimed at educating consumers of all ages 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 – to Taste of Chicago, July 11 – 15.

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

After receiving nearly 2,000 votes, the Top 10 Sights to See in Chicago are Millennium Park, Navy Pier, Shedd Aquarium, Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Art Institute of Chicago, Skydeck Chicago, Wrigley Field, 900 North Michigan Shops, Buckingham Fountain, and Lincoln Park Zoo.

Transitions Optical's on-site experience will invite event attendees to celebrate sight by offering the opportunity to have their photos taken at a kiosk against the scenic, Chicago-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.

"Participating in Taste of Chicago and highlighting the Top 10 Sights to See in the city provide relevant opportunities to raise awareness about healthy, enhanced vision and the role it plays in 'sightseeing,'" said Dan McLean, marketing manager, communications, Transitions Optical. "Throughout the festival this week, we hope to remind people to take care of their eyes so they can enjoy all of the 'sights' in their lives, whether traveling or at home."

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 Chicago, documenting her experience at these locations and sharing how healthy vision has impacted her own travels.

"Having traveled around the world, I know how important it is to take care of your eyes," said Marybeth Bond. "Without proper eye care and eyewear, your ability to see and enjoy the sights – whether you are on the road, in Chicago, or in your own backyard – can be affected."

Joining Transitions Optical on-site at Taste of Chicago is Visionworks, offering complimentary vision screenings to children and adult attendees as well as distributing coupon offers.

"With more than 30 Visionworks stores in the Chicago area, we are thrilled to be a part of this exciting event with Transitions Optical" said Joseph Plott, director of merchandising, Visionworks of America, Inc. "To commemorate the event, we will be providing a special offer on Transitions® lenses to Taste attendees and hope to provide free vision screenings to more than 500 members of the Chicago area community."

The Food Network's Chef Robert Irvine, host of Restaurant: Impossible, will join Transitions Optical and Visionworks at Taste of Chicago on Sunday, July 15, to discuss the relationship between a nutritious diet and healthy eyesight and to share his own stories about the importance of healthy, enhanced vision in his own life and career. Chef Irvine will also be available for autograph signings and photos with Taste of Chicago attendees on-site at the Transitions adaptive lenses tent.

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

To find out when the Sightseeing City Tour will be near you, to vote and 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).

SOURCE Transitions Optical