[bc]ESSILOR ANNOUNCES 2003-2004 VARILUX® STUDENT GRANT AWARDS PROGRAM[/bc]
Vision Expo West, Las Vegas - (September 18, 2003) – Essilor of America, Inc. (EOA), as part of its commitment to optometric education, is announcing its 16th annual Varilux® Student Grant Awards. Open to third and fourth year optometry students in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, the Varilux® Student Grant Awards recognize excellence through insightful case studies written by the students.

“Students are encouraged to check with their schools regarding internal deadlines for submission of their case reports,” said Rodney Tahran O.D., F.A.A.O., vice-president of professional relations and clinical affairs for Essilor. “And now is a great time to start maximizing patient satisfaction in the clinic by fitting all presbyopes with Varilux® advanced technology.”

Entries for the national award should be postmarked by April 1, 2004 and should include a case study in 2,000 words or less describing a patient’s fit with Varilux® lenses. Judges will select the winning entry based on criteria such as dispensing skills, application of Varilux® lenses to the patient’s needs, analysis of the care, and analysis of the lens design and lens performance.

The student with the winning case report at each school will receive $1,000, double previous years’ awards, plus an entry into the national judging. The national award winner and faculty advisor will each receive an all expense paid trip for two to the joint meeting of the American Optometry Association (AOA) and American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) to be held in Orlando, Florida in June, 2004. The winner and faculty advisor will also be honored guests at the event’s popular Optometry Super Bowl.

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