fbpx

Hard Times for Independent Optometrists

In a recent article in Le Soleil, a daily newspaper in Quebec, the optometrist Lucie Laurin sounds the alarm on the plight of independent optometrists.

In Quebec, about one office per week is absorbed by a large optical chain.  Eye exams have been  traditionally financed by the sale of products, but online sales disrupt this dynamic. As more and more customers leave with their prescriptions and buy on the Internet, independent optometrists struggle to be profitable and end up selling their office.

Dr. Laurin also believes that chains neglect certain aspects of eye health and make profiling patients (selectively choose patients), discarding those that require additional time, such as the elderly. Le Soleil reports that the situation has also concerned the Minister of Justice of Quebec, Stéphanie Vallée, who  is considering amending the Professional Code to better protect patients.

Source: http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/actualites/sante/201605/18/01-4983026-les-optometristes-quebecois-avales-par-les-grandes-chaines.php

 

Featured Posts

CooperVision

Innovative Sustainability Partnership Celebrates Far-Reaching Impacts on People + Planet

The multi-continent program—in collaboration with Plastic Bank®, eye care professionals, and contact lens wearers—has now prevented the equivalent of more than half a billion plastic bottles from entering the world’s oceans.

Learn More
CSI Dry eye software

CSI Dry Eye Software Announces Ken Barbet as New Chief Executive Officer

CSI Dry Eye Software, the first-of-its-kind dry eye management platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science, announces the appointment of Ken Barbet as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Read more
Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)

CORE Names Its “Top 10 of 2024” Scientific Papers

CORE reveals its Top 10 scientific papers of 2024, covering innovations in drug-releasing lenses, myopia control, scleral lenses for dry eye, and global contact lens trends. See the full list online.

Read more
March-April Optik 2025 Sustainability in Sight article

Sustainability in Sight: Green Frames, Lenses, and Best Practices

From Italy to Canada, discover the brands making sustainability more than a trend in eyewear—from renewable acetate to zero-waste contact lens programs.

Read more
Voila March-April Optik 2025 AYA CETANGI

Buffalo Spirit Meets Modern Vision: AYA Optical x Lakota Artist Yellowhawk

AYA Optical proudly introduces Cetangi, the latest eyewear style featuring Jim Yellowhawk’s White Buffalo design.

Read more
CooperVision

Innovative Sustainability Partnership Celebrates Far-Reaching Impacts on People + Planet

The multi-continent program—in collaboration with Plastic Bank®, eye care professionals, and contact lens wearers—has now prevented the equivalent of more than half a billion plastic bottles from entering the world’s oceans.

Learn More
CSI Dry eye software

CSI Dry Eye Software Announces Ken Barbet as New Chief Executive Officer

CSI Dry Eye Software, the first-of-its-kind dry eye management platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science, announces the appointment of Ken Barbet as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Read More
Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)

CORE Names Its “Top 10 of 2024” Scientific Papers

CORE reveals its Top 10 scientific papers of 2024, covering innovations in drug-releasing lenses, myopia control, scleral lenses for dry eye, and global contact lens trends. See the full list online.

Read More
March-April Optik 2025 Sustainability in Sight article

Sustainability in Sight: Green Frames, Lenses, and Best Practices

From Italy to Canada, discover the brands making sustainability more than a trend in eyewear—from renewable acetate to zero-waste contact lens programs.

Read More
Voila March-April Optik 2025 AYA CETANGI

Buffalo Spirit Meets Modern Vision: AYA Optical x Lakota Artist Yellowhawk

AYA Optical proudly introduces Cetangi, the latest eyewear style featuring Jim Yellowhawk’s White Buffalo design.

Read More
CooperVision

Innovative Sustainability Partnership Celebrates Far-Reaching Impacts on People + Planet

The multi-continent program—in collaboration with Plastic Bank®, eye care professionals, and contact lens wearers—has now prevented the equivalent of more than half a billion plastic bottles from entering the world’s oceans.

Learn More
CSI Dry eye software

CSI Dry Eye Software Announces Ken Barbet as New Chief Executive Officer

CSI Dry Eye Software, the first-of-its-kind dry eye management platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science, announces the appointment of Ken Barbet as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Read more
Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)

CORE Names Its “Top 10 of 2024” Scientific Papers

CORE reveals its Top 10 scientific papers of 2024, covering innovations in drug-releasing lenses, myopia control, scleral lenses for dry eye, and global contact lens trends. See the full list online.

Read more
March-April Optik 2025 Sustainability in Sight article

Sustainability in Sight: Green Frames, Lenses, and Best Practices

From Italy to Canada, discover the brands making sustainability more than a trend in eyewear—from renewable acetate to zero-waste contact lens programs.

Read more
Voila March-April Optik 2025 AYA CETANGI

Buffalo Spirit Meets Modern Vision: AYA Optical x Lakota Artist Yellowhawk

AYA Optical proudly introduces Cetangi, the latest eyewear style featuring Jim Yellowhawk’s White Buffalo design.

Read more
CooperVision

Innovative Sustainability Partnership Celebrates Far-Reaching Impacts on People + Planet

The multi-continent program—in collaboration with Plastic Bank®, eye care professionals, and contact lens wearers—has now prevented the equivalent of more than half a billion plastic bottles from entering the world’s oceans.

Learn More
CSI Dry eye software

CSI Dry Eye Software Announces Ken Barbet as New Chief Executive Officer

CSI Dry Eye Software, the first-of-its-kind dry eye management platform powered by artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and data science, announces the appointment of Ken Barbet as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Read more
Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE)

CORE Names Its “Top 10 of 2024” Scientific Papers

CORE reveals its Top 10 scientific papers of 2024, covering innovations in drug-releasing lenses, myopia control, scleral lenses for dry eye, and global contact lens trends. See the full list online.

Read more
March-April Optik 2025 Sustainability in Sight article

Sustainability in Sight: Green Frames, Lenses, and Best Practices

From Italy to Canada, discover the brands making sustainability more than a trend in eyewear—from renewable acetate to zero-waste contact lens programs.

Read more
Voila March-April Optik 2025 AYA CETANGI

Buffalo Spirit Meets Modern Vision: AYA Optical x Lakota Artist Yellowhawk

AYA Optical proudly introduces Cetangi, the latest eyewear style featuring Jim Yellowhawk’s White Buffalo design.

Read more