Ida (SS1048) is a retro revival frame with a modern twist. Featuring a flat brow that subtly rounds towards the bottom of the frame with a unique blend of bold acetate and refined titanium, it is both eye-catching and effortless. Available in Black Tortoise, Blue Gold, and Rosewood.
Established in 1961, WestGroupe is family operated with over 60 years of industry insight. Our mission has always been to provide unique and superior quality eyewear for the fashion-focused consumer. We are driven by our customer commitment to excellent service and exceptional product. WestGroupe is dedicated to defining future standards in the optical business by developing, creating, and supporting innovative products and services that allows our customers to succeed. WestGroupe offers a premium selection of globally recognized proprietary eyewear brands including KLiiK denmark, FYSH, EVATIK, Superflex® and OTP.
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Simple, cost-effective eye health interventions could unlock nearly half a trillion dollars in global economic gains annually, according to new research unveiled during the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The findings estimate that scaling up 6 priority interventions would generate $447 billion in economic returns each year, create 22 million new jobs, and free 304 million people from unpaid caregiving responsibilities—impacts that ripple across education, employment, and health systems.
Six Priority Eye Health Actions
The report outlines six areas governments can prioritize to reduce avoidable vision loss:
Early detection through school, community, and workplace screenings
On-the-spot distribution of reading glasses following screenings
Workforce expansion through training and technology
Boosting surgical productivity with streamlined workflows
Removing barriers such as cost, stigma, and distance
Improving cataract surgery outcomes with biometry and stronger post-op care standards
A $7.1 billion investment by 2030 could recoup $199 billion. Sustained investment beyond that horizon could fully eliminate vision impairment, generating lasting social and economic benefits.
Call to Action at the UN
Speaking at the high-level meeting, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne urged world leaders to develop national eye health roadmaps ahead of the 2026 Global Summit for Eye Health.
“Unlike some difficult and complex policy issues, eye health already has solutions that are affordable and implementable. What is needed now is action,” he said.
IAPB CEO Peter Holland emphasized that vision loss is a universal challenge too often sidelined in development agendas: “Eye health is one of the most powerful ways governments can build stronger economies. Ahead of the Global Summit, we must integrate eye care into national health and economic strategies.”
Experts from Seva Foundation and The Fred Hollows Foundation echoed the findings, calling eye health one of the most cost-effective global health investments available.
The full Value of Vision report and data are available via the IAPB Vision Atlas.
New research from the University of Toronto suggests a possible link between long-term use of GLP-1 drugs (e.g. Ozempic and Wegovy) and a slightly higher risk of developing wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). While some previous studies have found no connection or even a protective effect, this new study found that people with type 2 diabetes who were on GLP-1 medications for over 18 months were more likely to develop wet AMD, with the risk increasing the longer they were on the drug.
However, the actual chance of developing the disease remains very low: about 2 out of every 1,000 people taking GLP-1 drugs developed wet AMD, compared to 1 out of every 1,000 who weren’t taking the drugs.
About Fighting Blindness Canada
Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is the largest charitable funder of vision research in Canada.
Over our 49-year history, FBC has contributed critical funding for the development of sight-saving treatments and cures for blinding eye diseases. By raising and stewarding funds, FBC is helping drive forward research that supports our goal of understanding why vision loss occurs, how it can be slowed and how sight can be restored.
We are an invaluable resource for individuals and families impacted by blindness, providing accurate eye health information through our website and educational events, as well as engaging with government and other stakeholders to advance better vision health policies.
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Retirement isn’t just a destination—it’s a journey that requires thoughtful planning, especially in today’s evolving economic landscape. With Canadians living longer and facing financial uncertainties, it’s crucial to ensure your retirement plan is robust and adaptable.
Envisioning Your Dream Years
Optometry is a wonderful profession that permits doctors to own their own practices and commercial properties as well as structuring a flexible work life. Whether or not you choose to keep one foot in the door, chances are you also dream of traveling the world, volunteering, and spending quality time with family.
Take a moment to vividly imagine your ideal retirement. What does it look like? What activities bring you joy? Creating a detailed picture of your dream years helps in crafting a retirement plan that aligns with your aspirations.
Understanding the Risks
Longevity Risk: The 2025 average Canadian life expectancy is pegged at 83.26 years for women and 79.12 years for men. This means your retirement could span decades, requiring a sustainable income stream.
Market Volatility: Fluctuating markets can impact your investment returns. Without a strategy to manage these ups and downs during the withdrawal stage, your retirement funds may not last as long as needed.
Inflation Risk: In the last 5 years alone, Canada’s inflation rate has ranged from a high of 6.8% in 2022 to a low of 0.7% in 2020. This erodes purchasing power over time, making it essential to plan for rising costs.
Mitigating the Risks
Inflation-Proofing: Assume a reasonable inflation rate in your projections to ensure your income keeps pace with rising costs.
Diversified Asset Allocation: A mix of cash, bonds, and equities can provide growth opportunities while reducing risk.
Strategic Withdrawal Plan: Establish a strategy that allows you to withdraw from stable assets during market downturns, preserving your equity investments for future growth.
Insulating your Savings
The new system of creating lifelong cash flow involves insulating you from the need to sell equities during a market dip. Implementing a strategic asset allocation is key, ensuring you have 5-7 years of income needs covered with cash and bond holdings.
Historically, equity markets have recovered within five years, allowing you to replenish your cash and bond reserves when conditions improve.
Today, more than ever, it’s essential to build in growth opportunities in order to ensure your money lasts.
Conclusion
Retirement should be a time to enjoy life, not a period of financial stress. By understanding the risks and implementing strategies to mitigate them, you can create a retirement plan that supports your dreams and provides peace of mind.
Working with a Certified Financial Planner® can ensure that your retirement aspirations are met in a way that provides you with more joy and laughter.
Sources:
Statista.com
Statistics Canada
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Rationale for wearing contact lenses varies by generation, as does the appeal of technology and feature advancements, according to new research from Contact Lens Institute™ (CLI). The data are being presented during the 2025 American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting, which has drawn thousands of eye care professionals, educators, scientists, and manufacturers to Boston this week.
“It’s clear that contact lens wearing motivations can differ by age. Understanding what influences Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X should help the eye care community better attract new contact lens patients and more effectively retain current patients through targeted communication and education,” said Stan Rogaski, CLI’s executive director.
The findings represent the latest installment of CLI’s See Tomorrow initiative, complementing insights shared in September surrounding generational wearing patterns. They are derived from a CLI-commissioned survey of 1,308 vision corrected respondents in the U.S. and Canada during July and August 2025 across three generations: Gen Z (ages 15-28), Millennials (ages 29-44), and Gen X (ages 45-60).
Reasons for Contact Lens Wear
Current contact lens users (n=443) were presented with 12 well-established reasons for wear, asking them to select all that applied. Gen Z indicated personal appearance (52%), freedom from glasses (47%), and a lack of visual obstruction (40%) as their top three factors. Millennials favored personal appearance (50%), followed by freedom from glasses (48%), better comfort (48%), and ease of use (48%). Gen X weighed in with freedom from glasses (54%), a lack of visual obstruction (53%), and better comfort (41%).
Of particular note were Gen Z-to-Millennial gaps in better comfort (-10%; Z: 38%, M: 48%) and ease of use (-13%; Z: 35%, M: 48%). Given recent CLI data revealing that eight percent more Millennials wear contact lenses than Gen Z, there appears to be opportunity to discuss and emphasize these upsides with younger patients to drive adoption and decrease dropout.
And while some clinicians may believe that patients choose their corrective device based on visual acuity, all three generations ranked optimal vision in the middle of the pack (Z: 34%, M: 30%, X: 29%). This suggests that highlighting contact lens lifestyle benefits while also reinforcing their optical advantages may promote uptake and retention.
Younger Generations More Inspired by Contact Lens Advancements
All survey participants (n=1,308) were asked to indicate their interest in eight broad categories of contact lens advancements. With limited exception, Gen Z and Millennials responses of being “extremely” or “very” interested were similar, favoring UV absorption/protection (Z: 52%, M: 55%), reusable contact lenses (Z: 49%, M: 50%), torics (Z: 49%, M: 49%), and contact lenses designed for digital device use (Z: 47%, M: 49%).
Conversely, Gen X responses were more muted, with percentages lower by double digits compared to the younger generations. Even when queried about multifocal contact lenses for presbyopia, 36% of Gen X reported being extremely or very interested (their highest-ranked category, tied with UV absorption) versus 41% of Millennials. This implies the need for continued outreach to Gen X about the latest generation of multifocal designs, plus the opportunity to begin discussions earlier with Millennials about presbyopia and multifocal advantages.
The difference between Gen Z and Millennial interest in reusable contact lenses (Z: 49%, M: 50%) contrasted with daily disposable / 1 day lens interest (Z: 35%, M: 41%) is also notable, possibly resulting from new category entrants, the prevalence of daily prescribing in the U.S. and Canada that makes the modality expected, and even economic considerations.
“Our See Tomorrow consumer research continued to be unique, and we have been encouraged by its growing use across optometry, ophthalmology, opticianry, and academia since 2021. The data shared at Academy and Vision Expo West are only portions of what we discovered about generational perceptions—more of which will be published in a comprehensive report later this year,” said Rogaski.
ZEISS introduces Light 2 progressive and digital lenses—easy to adapt, mid-price, and designed for modern visual demands. New upselling options for ECPs.
The World Council of Optometry announces its 2025 election results and new leadership appointments, shaping the next phase of global optometric advocacy.
The WEI Conference returns November 7–9, 2025 at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites with over 20 hours of COPE-accredited CE, the Woodruff and Bobier Distinguished Lectures, a strong speaker lineup, and a trade show featuring 30+ exhibitors — including VuePoint IDS at Booth #311.
ZEISS introduces Light 2 progressive and digital lenses—easy to adapt, mid-price, and designed for modern visual demands. New upselling options for ECPs.
The World Council of Optometry announces its 2025 election results and new leadership appointments, shaping the next phase of global optometric advocacy.
The WEI Conference returns November 7–9, 2025 at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites with over 20 hours of COPE-accredited CE, the Woodruff and Bobier Distinguished Lectures, a strong speaker lineup, and a trade show featuring 30+ exhibitors — including VuePoint IDS at Booth #311.
ZEISS introduces Light 2 progressive and digital lenses—easy to adapt, mid-price, and designed for modern visual demands. New upselling options for ECPs.
The World Council of Optometry announces its 2025 election results and new leadership appointments, shaping the next phase of global optometric advocacy.
The WEI Conference returns November 7–9, 2025 at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites with over 20 hours of COPE-accredited CE, the Woodruff and Bobier Distinguished Lectures, a strong speaker lineup, and a trade show featuring 30+ exhibitors — including VuePoint IDS at Booth #311.
ZEISS introduces Light 2 progressive and digital lenses—easy to adapt, mid-price, and designed for modern visual demands. New upselling options for ECPs.
The World Council of Optometry announces its 2025 election results and new leadership appointments, shaping the next phase of global optometric advocacy.
The WEI Conference returns November 7–9, 2025 at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites with over 20 hours of COPE-accredited CE, the Woodruff and Bobier Distinguished Lectures, a strong speaker lineup, and a trade show featuring 30+ exhibitors — including VuePoint IDS at Booth #311.
