As we are putting this issue together, we have been focusing on presenting a current take and the latest statistics on the all-important ophthalmic laboratory sector of the business. We’ve brought you exclusive and interesting new info to help shape the view into one of the country’s leading, fastest growing companies in the U.S. in our Newsmaker report. And we are bringing you new info about what events and new products to expect at this month’s Vision Expo in Las Vegas.

But nothing could prepare any of us, and I’m sure, all of you, for the scale of nature’s fury late last month in the form of #Harvey, the massive, unprecedented hurricane that has brought such misery to southeast Texas and other adjacent areas. Just today, I spotted a Tweet from the National Weather Service which put #Harvey in perspective. “So much rain has fallen, we’ve had to update the color charts on our graphics in order to effectively map it.”

Many thousands of folks are suffering tremendous loss and hardship and the scope of what they’ve been dealing with has transformed their lives. At the same time, we know that the entire optical profession, retail, lab and supplier community is reaching out with support, empathy and dollars to help them as best as they can.

Everything is about perspective, business or personal, cultural or political. How you see it, and from where you see it and the combination of facts, images, emotion and data that you bring to a situation is what shapes a view, a goal, a philosophy.

It’s been heartening to hear about how people are rising up to cope with such change. And how colleagues from around the country and around the world are helping out. There are many ways the optical industry can work together. Old ideas can be reshaped; new approaches welcomed.

It’s a matter of being willing to see various perspectives.

maxelrad@jobson.com