Civil rights pioneer and optometrist James Allen DeClue, Sr., 87, passed away in St. Louis in November. Upon graduating from Illinois College of Optometry, Dr. DeClue became the first male African-American optometrist in the state of Missouri. Eventually he opened Eye & Vision Care, Ltd., in Normandy, Mo., and maintained his practice for more than 28 years until it closed in August 2008. Over the years, he held various leadership positions in the civil rights community as well as the world of optometry.

Older adults with glaucoma are at increased risk of falls resulting in injury, according to a study in the November issue of Optometry and Vision Science. The researchers followed 71 older adults (average age 74) with glaucoma for one year. Overall, 44% of the patients fell at least once, including a 31% rate of falls that resulted in injury. The study authors reported that the risk for a fall is particularly high for patients whose downward (inferior) field of view is affected by glaucoma. Assessing inferior visual field loss in patients with glaucoma could help identify a high-risk group who can then be targeted for interventions to prevent falls, the authors concluded.

Jim McGrann has been named president of VSP Vision Care, effective January 1, 2012. He succeeds current president Gary Brooks, who is retiring after 33 years with the company. Mr. McGrann most recently served as VSP Global Chief Technology Officer, a role he will continue in the interim, and Chief Executive Officer for Eyefinity. He joined VSP Global in 2008.