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CHILDREN’S SUNGLASSES MAKER SHARES ITS VISION FOR HEALTHY EYES

Frubi Shades® “Protect Their Eyes Campaign” Puts Children’s Vision Before Corporate Profit

Phoenix, AZ (March 22, 2007) – When ophthalmologist Dr. Gary Hall, Sr. and his business partner, entrepreneur and inventor Renee Resler, met on an airplane and came up with the concept for Frubi Shades for children on a napkin on the plane, money wasn't their motivation. Hall already had a thriving medical practice and Resler had her own successful business. Rather, it was because they recognized that children's eyes were unknowingly being exposed to dangerous levels of harmful sun rays that no amount of future doctoring might be able to repair.

“Eyes can get sunburned,” explains Hall, “Sunshine has been linked to cataracts, macular degeneration and other serious eye diseases and can burn the cornea. The damage starts early and is cumulative. Not to mention that just as a bright sun bothers us adults, children don’t like the brightness, either!”

In an effort to create early eye disease prevention in babies – something that no other ophthalmologist had ever done on a wide scale – Dr. Hall and Resler together invented Frubi shades, award-winning sunglasses that babies and toddler will actually wear because they are so comfortable. Not to mention that they’re adorable.

"When the idea for Frubi Shades started developing in my mind, sun protection was foremost but total eye protection was a key element. Unlike hard frames our patented, soft protective frames offer additional safety for little ones when they are outdoors playing," says Resler a grandmother of 5.

Frubi Shades currently sell in a variety of outlets including Buy Buy Baby, The Right Start, Target.com as well as specialty gift and baby shops, pharmacies and optical stores in the US and abroad. They have garnered many awards, and the praises of parents, doctors and media nationwide. However, because not everyone is aware of or can necessarily afford to purchase sunglasses for their children, Dr. Hall and Resler have created the “Protect Their Eyes Campaign,” a national awareness movement with the goal of informing the public about the sun’s damaging rays and the importance of babies and children wearing high quality eye protection.

According to Dr. Hall, the eye is at least 10 times more sensitive to the harmful sun’s rays than the skin is. A baby’s retina is 70% more exposed to UV than adults’ eyes. Frubi’s makers are so dedicated to the prevention of serious eye diseases caused by the sun that to date, Frubi has given away more than 7,000 pairs of Frubi shades to support its Protect Their Eyes Campaign. Their mission: start children when they are young with this beneficial habit of wearing sunglasses and they will learn to protect their eyes for the rest of their lives.

In addition to giving Frubi shades to organizations like Kids Wish Network, Sunwise, Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and S.L.E. Lupus Foundation, the company has donated 900 pairs of Frubis to The Gary Hall Jr. Foundation. The Foundation supports the prevention of complications of diabetes in children who cannot afford insulin or monitors by providing the necessary equipment. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in young Americans. Gary Hall Jr. is the son of Dr. Hall, and despite having type I diabetes, was the winner of 10 Olympic swimming medals.

Frubi Shades provide maximum sun protection, safety and affordability. Parents can buy one pair for just $14.95. Selecting frame color for an adorable toddler is a matter of personality, as Frubi Shades come in cool, designer styles like purple checks or turquoise with purple polka dots. Can’t decide? Try the solid colors of pink, purple, turquoise, yellow or green.

What exactly is a Frubi?

Frubi stands for FRame coverage, Ultra violet, Blue light and Infrared. The combination of the wrap-around styling and the lens also protects against harmful blue light and infrared. Frubi Shades are rated with an eye protection factor (EPF) of 99.5 out of 100, the highest yet recorded in the sunglass industry. And they’re made of polycarbonate so they are the safest lens made.

It’s nice to know that there is a company with the compassion, commitment and vision to rise initially above its own self-interest and donate their product to further their cause even before they have made a profit. It’s time we all worked together to make everyone aware of the damaging effects of the sun on our eyes. Support the Protect Their Eyes Campaign and help spread the word.