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Bausch + Lomb Receives Health Canada Approval for Soothe® Antibiotic Drops

Soothe Dry Eye Therapy - from B+L

Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced Health Canada has approved Soothe Antibiotic Drops, an over-the-counter drop to treat external infections of the eye and ear, such as bacterial conjunctivitis (pink eye) and swimmer’s ear1.

“There is growing demand for over-the-counter products that effectively address common eye and ear infections. Soothe Antibiotic Drops will provide Canadian consumers with a new convenient and effective option.”

John Ferris, executive vice president, Consumer, Bausch + Lomb

Soothe Antibiotic Drops are approved for use by adults and children* six years of age and older. Building on the company’s Soothe brand of dry eye and allergy products, the drops will be packaged in a convenient 10 mL easy-squeeze bottle and located in the eye care aisle at most major Canadian retailers starting in June 2025.

“Soothe Antibiotic Drops offer consumers and clinicians a single treatment option that is conveniently available over the counter without a prescription. Once available, it will be a valuable addition to a pharmacist’s toolkit.”

Dharmesh Vaghela, Bsc., pharmacist, Mississauga, Ontario

References:

1 Always read and follow the label to know if this product is right for you.
*A doctor should be consulted prior to use of the drops in children.


Click HERE for the press release.

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Morel SARAH: A Sophisticated Combination Model

Voila September-October 2024 Morel Sarah

This season, Morel offers us the SARAH concept, combining a luminous acetate circle that fits perfectly into a stainless-steel structure. The play of colours on the trendy shape of the SARAH2 style gives it a sophistication specific to the French designer house.

Distributed by Morel Canada: morel-france.com

About Morel:

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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Registration for THE Myopia Meeting in Markham, Greater Toronto Is Open

THE Myopia Meeting Markham 2024

Based on its past success and popularity, THE Myopia Meeting is returning to Canada for a full-day event in Markham, located in the Greater Toronto area, on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Registration is now open. THE Myopia Meeting provides attendees the opportunity to focus on myopia management with a full day of COPE continuing education courses presented by experts in the field, as well as intermittent manufacturer clinical reviews and networking opportunities.

THE Myopia Meeting will be held at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre. Registration is $50 USD ($80 CAD) and includes lunch, refreshment breaks, four hours of live COPE education workshops and one COPE Credit for an online COPE CE course from CRO (Clinical & Refractive Optometry) to use at a later time.

Speakers for the event will include:

  • Dwight Akerman, OD, MBA, FAAO, FIACLE, FBCLA, on “New Developments in Myopia Management”

  • Debbie Jones, FCOptom, FAAO, FBCLA, on “Myopia Management: When to Start, How to Evaluate Success and When to Stop”

  • Vishakha Thakrar, OD, FAAO, FSLS, on “Myopia Control Glasses: The Game Changer in Myopia Management”

  • Wes McCann, OD, MBA, on “The Business of Myopia Control”

THE Myopia Meeting is organized by Review of Myopia Management and is sponsored by leaders in the field of myopia management, including Hoya Vision Care, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Visioneering Technologies Inc. (VTI) and Ocumetra.

Registration is open online here. An overview of last year’s event in Toronto is available online here.

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Otto Acquires Sightly, Bringing Together Two Innovative Forces in Eye Care Technology

Otto logo

Otto Optical Systems Inc. (“Otto”), the leading provider of e-commerce and patient relationship management solutions for eye care professionals, today announced its acquisition of Sightly, an e-commerce platform specializing in the optical industry. The combination of these two pioneering companies marks a monumental moment for the industry, creating a unified platform that will drive growth, streamline operations, and enhance the overall patient experience for eye care clinics across North America.

Transforming Eye Care in the Digital Age

Founded in 2020, Otto has quickly become the go-to solution for eye care professionals looking to stay competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace. Otto’s platform empowers clinics by integrating everything from automated product fulfillment to patient communication, allowing them to capture more sales and build stronger relationships with their patients.

By joining forces with Sightly, Otto is extending its reach and capabilities, combining its innovative approach with Sightly’s established network of clients. This acquisition signals a major step forward in Otto’s mission to support eye care practices of all sizes thrive in the digital age.

“Our acquisition of Sightly isn’t just about growth for Otto – it’s about creating more value for our customers and improving patient care,” said Alex McIntosh, CEO of Otto. “Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the eye care industry, providing clinics with cutting-edge tools and technologies that are designed to reduce administrative burden and improve patient outcomes.”

What This Means for Eye Care Providers

With this acquisition, Sightly users will transition to Otto’s fully integrated platform. The move is designed to be seamless, allowing clinics to continue their operations without disruption while benefiting from the advanced features of Otto’s technology, such as:

  • A custom branded online store, purpose-built for eyecare.
  • Automated patient engagement tools, including refill reminders and easy reordering.
  • Integrated supplier order fulfilment, cutting down on administrative work for clinics.
  • Full drop-shipping support for a wide range of eye care products, including contact lenses, eye drops, vitamins, and more.
  • Automated vendor rebates, streamlined price quotations, competitor pricing analysis, and more.

By consolidating their services into Otto’s robust system, clinics will be able to provide a better patient experience, increase revenue through proactive sales capture, and free up valuable staff time. Additionally, patients will enjoy a seamless online shopping experience, with easy access to the products they need from their trusted eye care provider.

A New Era for Digital Eye Care

The acquisition comes at a time when the eyecare industry is undergoing significant change, with increasing demand for digital solutions that simplify clinic workflows and improve patient outcomes. Otto has been a major force in this evolution, offering a one-of-a-kind platform that helps clinics stay competitive against large online retailers while maintaining a personal touch in patient care.

Otto is trusted by several hundred eye care practices across Canada and the US, including some of the largest volume clinics on the continent. The company has been instrumental in helping practices recapture tens of millions of dollars in lost sales and saving thousands of hours of staff time through automation.

With Sightly now part of the Otto family, even more clinics will have access to these transformative tools, leveling the playing field and ensuring that independent eye care practices can compete with the biggest names in the industry.

For more information, visit www.ottooptics.io or contact hello@ottooptics.io.

Click HERE for the press release.

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Robotic Radiation Treatment May Help Treat Wet AMD

Fighting Blindness Canada

A new study, published in The Lancet, suggests that a one-time radiation therapy may reduce the number of anti-VEGF injections needed for wet AMD.

Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels in the retina grow abnormally. The vessels can leak fluid and blood into the eye causing vision loss. Currently the standard treatment for wet AMD is injections of anti-VEGF medicine into the eye. These treatments can slow or stop the growth of blood vessels. However, injections must be taken every few months or even every month which can be a burden for patients.

In this UK-based study, a special robotic system was developed to deliver radiation very precisely to small areas of abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. The trial involved more than 400 patients and researchers found that over a 96-week period, patients who received one radiation treatment required about a quarter fewer injections than patients who didn’t receive radiation.

The results from this study are promising and may provide a way to reduce burden associated with anti-VEGF injections. However, the study did have a few limitations. Patients in this trial received a type of anti-VEGF called ranibizumab (Lucentis) and it isn’t clear that the same benefit will be seen for patients who are taking newer anti-VEGFs which are longer lasting and already have a reduced injection frequency. More follow-up is also needed to ensure that the radiation doesn’t have any long-term side effects.

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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