Spectacle Eyeworks Inc., the Canadian design house, announces that they were the recipient of a prestigious accolade at the inaugural NOW awards at the recent Vision Expo East 2024 in New York City. “Best Optical Style of 2024 by an Independent Brand” was won for their stunning new style “Shan”, from the infamous Pussy Galore collection, a line inspired and adapted from the authentic cat-eye styles of the 50s and 60s.
Shan epitomizes Spring awakening, with its subtle yet intricate flora etching décor adding an undeniable essence of sensual femininity. This creation epitomizes the true heart and origin of what the Pussy Galore collection set out to be at its very inception.
“I am humbled and grateful to be honoured, especially as an independent designer. I’ve spent a large part of my life dedicated to this industry and have witnessed the ups and downs, ebbs and flows over the years but in staying true to whatever inspires me, I have been given the gift of longevity and loyalty from my client partners. I love faces and the nuances of creating styles that enhance the appearance in some way, shape or form. Being publicly recognized for my passion is always a welcome bonus!”
Mehran Baghaie, Operations Director and Chief Designer, Spectacle Eyeworks
WestGroupe has announced a generous donation of $15,000 and ongoing partnership to support the transformative efforts of the Waterloo Eye Institute (WEI). This contribution highlights WestGroupe’s commitment to advancing eye care and promoting accessibility to vision services across Canada.
The Waterloo Eye Institute is a visionary project aimed at revolutionizing eye and vision care, clinical education and research at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science. It will result in 68,000 square feet of new and renovated space that will enhance patient care, expand research facilities and improve accessibility for patients onsite and, through the new Teleoptometry Centre, in remote and underserved areas.
The Waterloo Eye Institute is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of optometrists. Through its clinical education and training programs, the WEI encourages innovation and equips aspiring optometrists with the skills and knowledge needed to provide best-practice eye and vision care to all.
“We are thrilled to support the groundbreaking work of the Waterloo Eye Institute. At WestGroupe, we believe in the power of innovation and accessibility in eye care. By contributing to the Waterloo Eye Institute, we are investing in a brighter future for patients across Canada.”
Michael Suliteanu, President of WestGroupe
“The WEI will be a national resource for our profession. It will offer us a chance to train and collaborate with optometrists from around the world as well as help us reach underserved and marginalized communities that are often at greatest risk of vision problems. We are truly grateful for the partnership we have developed with WestGroupe, which will help us achieve our ambitious vision to create the WEI.”
Dr. Stanley Woo, director, Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science
The $15,000 donation from WestGroupe will play a crucial role in advancing the mission of the Waterloo Eye Institute and bringing its vision to life. This contribution highlights WestGroupe’s ongoing commitment to making a meaningful impact in the field of eye care and aligns with its core values of innovation, excellence and accessibility.
Discover the ZOOM BOX, which consists of a display containing one model of reading glasses, available in 12 colours, featuring the unique design signature of the Morel House and unparalleled quality. These frames come with premounted magnifying lenses with a diopter correction ranging from +1.5 to +2.5, covering the full spectrum of early presbyopia. Equipped with blue light filter, they also allow the wearer to enhance visual comfort by preventing dryness, eye fatigue, and headaches.
Family-owned, independent and responsible, the company strives to transmit the authenticity of its expertise while developing a strong international distribution network. Today, we are present in over 90 countries!
Today, more than ever, MOREL is proud of our past and resolutely turned towards our future. Our sincere desire for improvement lies close to our hearts and has led us to embrace an environmentally and socially responsible initiative. MOREL strives to become a company that is committed to addressing the major global issues of our time.
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The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon are extending their education initiative to advance global, evidence-based dry eye disease education, which has garnered widespread exposure and interest over the past two years. Dry eye disease is a chronic, painful condition that impacts 1.4 billion people worldwide,[1] with reports of increased occurrence aligning with notable factors such as increasing use of technology, environmental triggers, and an aging population.[2]
As part of the renewed collaboration, an update to the existing WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel is now available. This practical tool is designed to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye disease diagnosis and practical management. Now expanded to include content surrounding diet / dietary supplements, in-office and complex treatments, the latest version provides multifaceted, evidence-based knowledge that can be used in nearly all eye care environments.
A dedicated website at dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info includes a series of dry eye webinars recorded with world-renowned opinion leaders and also provides a robust collection of resources that can be used in clinical and educational settings.
“Extending our partnership with Alcon supports 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. This year, we are planning more collaboration with university educators to increase access to the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel and related educational resources for future generations of eye care professionals.”
Dr. Sandra Block, O.D., M. Ed., MPH, FAAO, FCOV, President, World Council of Optometry
“We are all becoming more aware of the growing incidence and impact of dry eye on our patients. Within the last year, we have seen publications further clarifying some of the issues contributing to this rise¾from digital device use to social and environmental factors,” said Carla Mack, OD, MBA, FAAO, FBCLA, Head, Global and U.S. Professional Education and Development for Alcon.
“We are proud to extend our ongoing partnership with the World Council of Optometry, reinforcing our commitment to helping make dry eye more understandable for both eye care professionals and patients. The ultimate goal is to empower optometrists to engage in conversations about this multi-factorial condition and educate on management options for their patients experiencing dry eye symptoms.”
More information on the updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel and other activities planned for the second year of the partnership will be posted to www.worldcouncilofoptometry.info and to the initiative’s dedicated website at dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info.
With eye health and enhancing the lives of each patient at the forefront of FYihealth group’s values, Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and Chair of FYihealth group describes 2024 as a time for “growth and further establishing our position in the eye care industry.”
FYihealth group has collected notable achievements and recognitions, making it a very attractive and unique Canadian-based workplace. FYihealth group has been recognized for the following:
2023 Canada’s Best Managed Companies Award
Dr. Michael Kaplan and Dr. Frédéric Marchand Best Managed Companies 2024
FYihealth group has been recognized for its 5th year in a row by receiving a 2023 Canada’s Best Managed Companies Award, maintaining its Gold Standard status. Established in 1993 by Deloitte, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is the country’s leading business awards program, recognizing the excellence in private, Canadian-owned companies with revenues of $50 million or greater. Through an independent evaluation process, recipients are recognized based on overall business performance and sustained growth, as well as the efforts of the entire organization in addition to the financials.
Canada’s Best Executives 2024
Nancy Morison Canada’s Best Executive 2024
Nancy Morison, Vice President of FYihealth group’s very own Ophthalmic Laboratory based in Delta, BC, was recognized as one of Canada’s Best Executives 2024by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business. This recognition celebrates the unsung executives who move their companies forward. Since 2017, Morison has been known for improving employee engagement and showing authenticity in the workplace. She takes the time to chat with each team member at the lab and brings their concerns to the table, living FYihealth group’s belief in servant- leadership.
2024 Best Workplaces™ in Canada
FYihealth group ranked #41 in the 2024 Best Workplaces™ in Canada for companies with over one thousand employees. A recognition derived from its certification for the 2023 Great Place to Work®.
FYihealth group for Great Place to Work®
“Getting feedback from our team members that we have high trust, and they think we are a great place to work is incredibly rewarding! So proud to be named as one of Canadas top 50 best places to work!”
Meriya Dyble, Vice President of People & Culture, FYihealth group
Great Place to Work® is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures; providing the benchmarks and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures.
“We have seen a lot of great success and accomplishments from the entire organization this year, and we’re not even halfway through. I am so proud of how far we’ve grown from a group of just twelve optometrists, to over 350 clinics across Canada. I am deeply humbled and honoured that we could build a company that can receive these amazing achievements which could not have been possible without the hard work and dedication from our team members.”
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists says optimizing optometric scope of practice is key to improving access to safe, timely eye care across Canada.
Warby Parker has launched Warby Parker Sport, a new performance eyewear category featuring sport-focused frames and polarized lenses for active lifestyles.
Alcon and ARVO are continuing their partnership on the 2026 Eye Pitch event, which will showcase early- and mid-stage innovations in eye and vision research at the ARVO Annual Meeting.
