BALESTER, OPTICAL PRESCRIPTION LAB AND SODERBERG NAMED FINALISTS FOR 2008 TRANSITIONS LAB OF THE YEAR AWARD
Winner to be Announced at the 13th Annual Transitions Academy in January
PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Dec. 15, 2008 – Transitions Optical, Inc. has announced the three finalists for the 2008 Transitions Lab of the Year Award. Balester Optical, Optical Prescription Lab and Soderberg Ophthalmic Services have been recognized for their year-long dedication to growing their businesses with Transitions® lenses. The winner will be announced on Jan. 27 during the 13th Annual Transitions Academy at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Orlando Fla.

The Transitions Lab of the Year title has been awarded annually since 1991 and is presented to a Transitions Optical STAR Lab that has made a significant commitment to growing its business with Transitions. All three finalists have met the criteria of implementing creative marketing strategies; achieving solid percentage growth in volume and Transitions lenses market share mix; dedication to educating its staff and customers; and showing an overall commitment to Transitions products and programs.
“The Transitions brand is only as strong as our partners, and we are so grateful to have some of the best and brightest that the optical industry has to offer on our team,” said Brian Hauser, director, lens manufacturer and trade channel sales, Transitions. “While there can only be one Lab of the Year, all of our partners are deserving of recognition. We congratulate the finalists and thank them for their continued support.”

Transitions Lab of the Year Finalists
A past winner of the Transitions Lab of the Year award, Balester Optical is an independent, family-owned, full-service optical laboratory located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The lab prides itself for its commitment to provide its customers with all of today’s major brands and technologies in-house, unbiased product information, practice management education and support with an emphasis on excellent customer service. For more information, visit www.balester.com.

A three-time consecutive finalist for the Transitions Lab of the Year Award, Optical Prescription Lab is a family-run lab headquartered in Pelham, Ala. that provides premium optical products to Eyecare professionals throughout the southeast. Optical Prescription Lab remains dedicated to the independent eyecare professional, and all of its personnel undergo continuous education, training and review to ensure their customers’ needs are met. For more information, visit www.opticalprescriptionlab.com.

A two-time Transitions Lab of the Year, Soderberg’s focus is on providing quality products and services to eyecare specialists. Based in Minneapolis, Minn., Soderberg maintains 13 locations, providing eyewear products, manufacturing contact lenses, distributing refractive and diagnostic instruments, as well as designing innovative industrial eyewear programs. For more information, visit www.SOSeyes.com.

Past Transitions Lab of the Year winners in the United States include: Soderberg Ophthalmic Services (2007), Toledo Optical (2006), Diversified Ophthalmics (2005), Jorgenson Optical Supply (2004), Toledo Optical (2003), 21st Century Optics (2002), Soderberg Ophthalmic Services (2001), Midland Optical (2000), McLeod Optical (1999), Balester Optical
(1998), Walman Optical (1997), Three Rivers Optical (1996), Duffens Optical (1995), Benedict Optical (1994), Southern Optical (1993), Optical Supply, Inc. (1992) and W.O.S. (1991).