SAN ANTONIO—The Eye Care Centers of America chain, a subsidiary of Highmark’s HVHC Group since August 2006, saw its net income climb to $25.2 million last year, up from $10.8 million in 2006, according to the company’s recently released annual report.

Sales through the 411 stores ECCA operated as of the end of December were $477.8 million, vs. $437.7 million the prior year. Comparable-store sales increased by 5.7 percent last year. The chain opened 25 new locations and closed one existing store during 2007; plans call for adding another 25 units annually in each of 2008 and 2009, the annual report indicated. ECCA’s focus in terms of expanding new markets will be the Chicago area, due to get 10 new stores this year and five in 2009.

The company continues to increases its synergies with sister HVHC divisions Davis Vision and Viva International. The ECCA annual report said the chain collected $13.4 million in managed-vision reimbursements from Davis last year, $7.1 million of that through Davis Vision’s participation in the new Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program. Managed vision contributed 30 percent of ECCA’s total optical sales in 2007.

The HVHC divisions are also leveraging the synergies of their combined buying power, according to the annual report; the group as a whole is expected to save $8 million in product purchasing during 2008 and 2009 through such synergies, the report indicated.