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Our July-August issue of Optik celebrates the diversity of Canadian eyewear designers and their unique style. We take an in-depth look at one of the most challenging aspects of running an independent practice in smaller cities and towns – recruiting great staff. Wendy Buchanan discusses the importance of hiring a competent dispensary manager, and favourite Kid’s frames are also featured.
EssilorLuxottica has acquired Kibbutz Shamir’s remaining 50% stake in ophthalmic lens technology company Shamir Optical Industry Ltd. in a deal estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. There is no available public press release from either company.
EssilorLuxoticca will now have 100% ownership of Shamir Optical. Before merging with Luxoticca, Essilor acquired a 50% stake in the company in 2011 for $130 million.
In a published letter by Shamir management to foreign opticians it was said that the acquisition is an, “Amazing milestone for Shamir optics because now we can take advantage of unique opportunities to strengthen complementary distribution networks, well-known brands, and our leading optical products and solutions, which will allow Shamir to lead the market with swift commercial decisions, and rapid service and response to the market’s needs. This decision is the logical step that continues our longstanding partnership with EssilorLuxottica. It allows us to continue to strengthen the cooperation between our commercial and R&D teams in order to leverage areas of excellence and to continue to expand Shamir’s presence in the market and accelerate the launching of innovative products and solutions for the benefit of our customers and consumers. At present there is no change in our routine activities and procedures.”
Shamir optical was founded in 1972 and today operates in 23 countries through 18 international optical laboratories and has over 2,500 employees. In 2005, the company began trading on Nasdaq but was delisted after Essilor acquired its 50% stake in 2011.
Shamir had been ranked among the world’s top ten Progressive lens manufacturers and has enjoyed a reputation for innovative lens design.
Shamir Optical CEO Yagen Moshe will continue to lead the company and he will report directly to EssilorLuxottica CEO Francesco Milleri. Shamir Optical will also remain a separate brand with development and manufacturing remaining at Kibbutz Shamir in the Upper Galilee.
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IRIS the Visual Group announces the partnership of Dr. Branwen Phillips, Optometrist in their location in Qualicum Beach, BC.
The Qualicum Beach IRIS location #626 has been a longstanding success on Vancouver Island for over 22 years, with the previous IRIS partner, the late Dr. Gerald Trees.
Dr. Branwen Phillips was born and raised on Vancouver Island. A passion for biological science took her eventually into Optometry and she graduated from the University of Waterloo in 2007. In an event hosted by IRIS while she was at school, she once wrote that her career goal was to become a partner at an IRIS location. Fifteen years later that dream has come true.
The new IRIS partnership consists of co-ownership of shares in a BC registered corporation that holds the assets of the Qualicum Beach location only and operates as IRIS Optometrists Opticians. Dr. Phillips will receive dividends based on the profit of her location only and participate in the appreciation in value of her shares as it grows.
Dr. Phillips looks forward to the next phase of her career as an IRIS partner with her well established team who prides itself on professionalism, fun and starting the day by cracking only the funniest ‘dad jokes’.
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The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have partnered to form a global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative designed to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye etiology and prevalence, diagnosis, and practical management. Dry eye disease is a chronic, painful condition that impacts 1.4 billion people worldwide, with reports of increased occurrence aligning with notable factors such as increasing use of technology, environmental triggers, and an aging population.
WCO President Peter Hendicott MAppSc, PhD said, “We are excited to partner with Alcon in supporting the education of optometrists globally about practical measures to better address dry eye, a condition that without proper diagnosis and treatment can lead to ocular surface disease. July is Dry Eye Awareness Month—the ideal launching point for this year-long program. By raising the conversation around dry eye, the eye care community can collectively improve outcomes from a condition that can significantly affect people’s vision and lives.”
The WCO and Alcon dry eye disease initiative will feature the collected insights of several world-renowned opinion leaders, and a simplification of the latest research covering different aspects of dry eye disease. Each will include related, easy-to-implement educational materials.
“The impact of dry eye on quality of life is comparable to other disabling conditions, and even mild to moderate dry eye can reduce quality of life,” said Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, Global Head, Professional Affairs for Alcon. “We’ve joined forces with the World Council of Optometry to bring the leading experts in the field and the latest science to the forefront. We’re excited to help more optometrists access the latest data and world-class faculty so that more patients who suffer from dry eye disease find treatment and relief.”
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/worldcouncilopt/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/alcon/
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New research from Dr. Richard Kramer (University California, Berkley https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-kramer-1a982b65/ ) shows a potential way to improve vision in individuals who have retinal degeneration using the drug disulfiram (Antabuse) which is used to treat alcoholism.
When photoreceptor cells die, as they do in many types of retinal degeneration, they release a chemical compound which is converted into retinoic acid. Dr. Kramer previously showed that high levels of retinoic acid lead to constant “background noise” which makes
it hard for the optic nerve and brain to react to real light signals.
In a study, published in the journal Science Advances, Dr. Kramer’s team used disulfiram, to reduce retinoic acid levels in a mouse model of RP. They found that mice with RP had better visual responses after treatment with disulfiram.
Based on these results, the team wants to launch a small clinical trial to see if this drug would have the same impact in patients. This treatment is not likely to reduce the progression of retinal degeneration, however, it might help people maximize the vision
they have left.
While the results seem promising another study published in eLife by Harvard Medical School researchers suggests that the role of retinoic acid in vision may be more complicated. This study found that reducing retinoic acid led to reduced cone photoreceptor cell survival.
Taken together, these studies show that retinoic acid may play multiple and potentially conflicting roles in retinal degeneration and vision loss. More work will be important to better understand this complexity.
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Transitions Optical in Canada has announced a new consumer contest in partnership with Golf Canada. The Transitions “Keep Your Eyes on the Ball” contest gives Canadian consumers the chance to enter to win over $5,000 in prizes, including a pair of Transitions lenses and a golf trip for four to Kananaskis in Alberta.
Consumers can simply enter the contest now through August 28, 2022 by completing the entry form at https://buff.ly/3vzGsbp. The winner will be drawn at random from the contest participants and announced on Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
“Golf is a great match for Transitions, especially since lighting conditions vary greatly on the golf course at all times of day,” said Arnaud Rajchenbach, marketing and sales manager, Transitions Optical Canada. “Whether in direct sunlight or shadows from trees, golf fans and amateur players alike appreciate Transitions ability to seamlessly adapt their level of tint to provide the best protection for comfort and enhanced vision on and off the course. We will also be able to share this with consumers at our Transitions booth during the CP Women PGA Golf Tournament in Ottawa, where visitors will be able to try the 12 Transitions lens colours, ask all their questions about Transitions lenses, and receive customized advice on Transitions.”
The winner of the contest will receive a gift certificate to the optical clinic of their choice that offers Transitions lenses to redeem for their prize pair. The trip to Kananaskis in Alberta includes airfare for four from a major Canadian airport to the golf destination, accommodations, a rental car if necessary, and two rounds of golf.
ECPs can visit Kananaskismagicalexperience.com for more information.
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Nikon Optical Canada announces that Transitions XTRActive New Generation and Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses will be available as of July 18th. By combining Nikon state-of-the art designs with innovative Transitions technology, patients have an optimal visual experience and increased level of satisfaction while generating more sales and future sales for clinics.
Transitions XTRActive New Generation and Transitions XTRActive Polarized feature a 35% faster fade back time compared to previous generations. They are ideal for patients who frequently move from indoors to outdoors and are looking for an optical solution that perfectly matches their dynamic lifestyles.
· Transitions XTRActive New Generation lenses protect against bright lights, provide 100% UVA and UVB protection, offer blue light protection and is the darkest photochromic lens in hot temperatures and in the car.
· Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses are specially designed for very bright light and reflective glare exposure. They become extra dark and polarized at the same time when they are activated outdoors. Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses do not activate indoors, neither for darkness nor for polarization. As a result, the wearer can use their digital devices without having to worry about a polarized lens blocking their view of the screen and still receive the benefit of Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses.
Available in Nikon progressives SeeMax™ Ultimate, Presio Power Infinite and Presio Inspire, Nikon single vision lenses SeeMax™ Infinite and NL ViewFit, and with SeeCoat™Next, HCC ICE and H coatings.
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