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Eye Health Survey Uncovers Canadians’ Concerns About Recent Symptoms Affecting Their Eyes & Vision

Canadian Ophthalmological Society

In time for Vision Health Month this May, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) has released a new survey to assess Canadians’ awareness, understanding, and concerns around eye and vision health.

Canadians’ Familiarity with Eye Diseases

Of the four leading eye diseases affecting vision, cataracts and glaucoma are still the most commonly known among Canadians. Two-thirds (65%) of survey respondents are familiar with cataracts – a slight increase from 62% in 2022, and more than half (53%) are familiar with glaucoma – up from 47% in 2022.

However, more education on other eye diseases is needed. Less than half (41%) are familiar with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), despite being one of the leading causes of vision loss for people over the age of 55 which affects approximately 2.5 million Canadians. Fewer (25%) are familiar with diabetic retinopathy, which can affect those living with diabetes.

“As Canadians become increasingly familiar with the four major eye diseases, there is a need for continued education to encourage proactive care. While the survey reveals increased awareness, it also highlights significant concerns and alarming symptoms experienced by Canadians over the past two years, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive eye health education and regular eye exams.”

Dr. Phil Hooper, president, Canadian Ophthalmological Society

Eye Health Concerns and Symptoms Affecting Canadians’ Eyes and Vision

When it comes to their eye health, the majority of Canadians (81%) are concerned or have experienced at least one factor when it comes to their eyes and vision. Among the top three are too much screen time; exposure to sun/UV rays; and environmental factors, such as wildfire smoke and pollution. Canadians in BC and Alberta are directionally more concerned with environmental factors than those in the East.

COS survey table

In the past 2 years, 71% of Canadians have experienced one or more symptoms around their eyes or their vision, with screen time being the leading factor to their symptoms:

  • Dry, itchy and irritated eyes due to screen time (34%)
  • Headaches / eye strain due to screen time (30%)
  • Sensitivity to light (29%)
  • Blurry vision (27%)
  • Excessive tearing or watery eyes (26%)
  • Seeing halos around lights (17%)
  • Redness or swelling of the eyes (16%)

Advancing Eye Health Through Innovations

Regarding innovations in eye health that Canadians would like to see more of, better access to eye care (51%) and more effective treatments for eye diseases (48%) top the list, while nearly 4 in 10 (37%) would like to see less invasive treatments for eye diseases. Few Canadians want the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a more efficient way to detect vision/eye problems and eye diseases (19%) and virtual eye exams (18%).

To learn more about the four major eye diseases and get information on overall eye health, visit seethepossibilities.ca.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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Marcolin: Exclusive Licensing Agreement Signed with K-WAY®

Marcolin and K-Way

Marcolin and K-Way®, French brand born in 1965 – currently owned by Turin-based group BasicNet – and known worldwide for its revolutionary rain jackets, announce they have signed an exclusive licensing agreement for the design, production, and worldwide distribution of K-Way® brand sunglasses, optical frames, ski goggles and eyewear for kids.

The partnership, officially beginning on January 1, 2025, will last 6 years, until December 31, 2030. The new agreement and resulting collaboration with a brand that has always perfectly combined a sports spirit with a fashion attitude, will allow Marcolin to further expand its license portfolio and reinforce its presence in the lifestyle segment.

The K-Way® SS25 eyewear collections – the first to be produced by Marcolin – will be presented in early 2025 to then become available worldwide by distribution through a network of selected stores.

Click HERE for the press release.

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ARVO 2024: Studies Reinforce Confidence in CooperVision Myopia Management Interventions & Explore Contact Lens Comfort

CooperVision

CooperVision is calling attention to three studies accepted for presentation during the ARVO 2024 Annual Meeting, which is expected to attract thousands of researchers, ophthalmologists, optometrists, educators, and students to Seattle from May 5-9, 2024. As part of a broad scientific program at the conference, the company is showcasing findings related to the long-term wear of its MiSight® 1 day contact lens, use of its Paragon CRT Dual Axis® orthokeratology contact lens, and corneal immune cell variations in contact lens wearers that may impact comfort.

“Our presence at ARVO has grown over the past decade, reflecting our expanding commitment to eye care professionals through an evidence-based portfolio. This year’s scientific program exemplifies several aspects of our post-market and pre-commercial research alike, with the intent of expanding confidence in current products while innovating for the future.”

Francis Erard, Vice President of Research and Development, CooperVision 

Long-term impact of daily disposable hydrogel soft contact lens wear on corneal endothelium in children (Lam H, Jones S, Logan N) explored the long term impact of contact lens wear on corneal endothelium and corneal morphological characteristics in children who had taken part in the MiSight® 1 day clinical study.* This investigator-initiated study continued to follow 20 participants—now aged in their late teens and early 20s—who successfully participated in the landmark study for 10 years at the Aston University (UK) site.

Non-contact specular biomicroscope imaging of the central corneal endothelium allowed for contiguous cell analysis across multiple parameters, including endothelial cell density, average cell area, coefficient of variation of cell area, percentage of hexagonal cells, and central corneal thickness. The researchers determined that when compared to an age-matched group of non-contact lens wearers, long term, full-time wear of their daily disposable contact lenses had no impact on the corneal endothelium.

Incidence of adverse events during 12 months of orthokeratology overnight lens wear (Voltz K, et al.) evaluated the performance of Paragon CRT Dual Axis® (CRT-E) contact lenses across four sites in China, building on past clinical trials for the widely prescribed product. 177 subjects aged 8-43 years whose eyes exhibited -0.50 to -4.00 DS myopic refractive error, up to -1.50 DC of astigmatism, and no corneal abnormality, used the test lens for one year, with eight post-fitting follow-up examinations that assessed visual acuity, refraction, and lens condition.

No serious or significant ocular adverse events were reported. The low incidence of observed mild device-related ocular adverse events—all of which were resolved—affirmed the safety of Paragon CRT Dual Axis® among myopic Chinese children and adults.

Diurnal changes in corneal dendritic cell density and morphology in symptomatic and asymptomatic contact lens wearers (Ng A, et al.) examined the variation of corneal immune cells with and without contact lens wear over a period of eight hours (from morning to evening), aiming to better understand how such dendritic immune cells can affect contact lens comfort. At least five non-overlapping sequence scans using non-invasive confocal microscopy were taken at the central and inferior cornea of 10 symptomatic and 10 asymptomatic hydrogel and silicone hydrogel habitual contact lens wearers.

Immune cells were elevated in the morning compared to the evening, irrespective of lens wear or lack thereof. Subtle differences in dendritic cell density and structure between symptomatic and asymptomatic participants suggest possible variations in ocular response to contact lens wear based on symptom status. The study also demonstrated the feasibility of corneal imaging over contact lenses, which could simplify monitoring of immune cells during lens wear.

The ARVO Annual Meeting draws approximately 10,000 vision scientists and ophthalmic professionals every year, spanning retina, cornea, glaucoma, retinal cell biology, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, dry eye, basic research, and clinical private practice. For more information on the 2024 event, visit https://www.arvo.org/annual-meeting/.

* U.S. Indications for Use: MiSight® 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with ≤ 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal.

U.S. Indications for Use: Rigid Gas Permeable Paragon CRT Dual Axis® Contact Lenses (paflufocon D) for Corneal Refractive Therapy are indicated for use in the reduction of myopic refractive error in non-diseased eyes. The lenses are indicated for overnight wear in a Corneal Refractive Therapy fitting program for the temporary reduction of myopia up to 6.00 diopters in eyes with astigmatism up to 1.75 diopters. The lenses may be disinfected using only a chemical disinfection system.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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Safilo Signs Perpetual License Agreement for David Beckham Eyewear

Safilo Group

Safilo Group has signed a perpetual license agreement with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), for David Beckham Eyewear, which substitutes the previous contract expiring at the end of 2030. Under the new agreement, Safilo will continue to oversee the entire value chain, including the design process creatively led by David Beckham, through to its production and global distribution.

Safilo Spring Summer 2024 DB Eyewear Campaign
Safilo Spring Summer 2024 DB Eyewear Campaign

Following an announcement in 2019, David Beckham unveiled his first Eyewear by David Beckham collection in 2020 – a new eyewear brand designed by Beckham in collaboration with the Safilo Group, and available to buy worldwide. Inspired by his many years as a global style icon, David Beckham collaborated closely with the Safilo design team to create a comprehensive collection of sunglasses and optical frames. The collections, of which two have been released each year (Spring/Summer & Fall/Winter) are created with craftsmanship, high-quality materials, subtle design, and distinctive details.

The timeless designs are infused with effortless British sophistication and stylish silhouettes with refined details including the distinctive ‘Talisman’. This iconic Talisman detail draws inspiration from the wings of a bird – symbolizing power, protection and freedom, and is visible from the front and the side of the eyewear, alongside a DB monogram lasered on the lens.

We started 2024 with significant news on our licensed portfolio, with the early renewal of some of our most important partnerships. This new agreement now marks another milestone within our strategy. By transforming David Beckham into a perpetual license, we secure another cornerstone of our portfolio with one of the most successful eyewear brands of recent years. Since the beginning of our fruitful collaboration in 2019, we have always offered our customer and final consumers high-quality collections, which have grown the Eyewear by David Beckham collection to become a top male brand in the global premium segment and a great force in Safilo’s digital universe thanks to David’s global audience. We will continue to work together to further maximize the brand awareness and its global penetration.

Angelo Trocchia, CEO, Safilo Group

“I continue to look forward to more years of creation and innovation with the fantastic team at Safilo. I am so proud of what we have achieved since our first Eyewear by David Beckham collection in 2020, which is down to the hard work and collaboration with a brilliant and creative team. While continuing to focus on developing standout styles, I am excited to see where we will take the business in the future.”

David Beckham

Click HERE for the full press release.

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HOYA Vision Care Canada Announces MiYOSMART® Chameleon Patient Program Results and Promotion for Sun Lenses

Hoya Vision Care Canada logo

HOYA Vision Care Canada announced the results of its Early Experience Program, a post-marketing survey focused on patients’ experience with MiYOSMART® Chameleon photochromic lenses. HOYA also announced a promotion for eye care providers to order Chameleon and MiYOSMART® Sunbird polarized lenses for the same price as the company’s clear MiYOSMART lenses.

The Early Experience Program was designed to answer eye care professionals’ and parents’ questions surrounding MiYOSMART Chameleon photochromic lenses and gain insights into the patients’ habits and behaviours. The data focused on adaptation and tolerability in patients of different ages and ethnicities, satisfaction and compliance, and outdoor behaviour.

The study revealed that MiYOSMART Chameleon spectacle lenses provided swift adaptation, with nearly 80% of users adjusting within a day, including teenagers matching younger children’s adaptability. Regardless of experience, all Chameleon wearers expressed satisfaction with visual performance indoors and outdoors and were comfortable with the lenses fading back to clear, regardless of location. At the 3-month mark, 98% of wearers reported overall satisfaction, bolstering eye care professionals’ confidence in recommending the solution to young patients.

Additionally, data from HOYA Vision Care indicated that MiYOSMART Chameleon wearers reported a significant wearing time, averaging 12 hours per day on weekdays, even during outdoor activities, eliminating the need to switch lenses. This extended wearing duration promises enhanced myopia management efficacy in children by potentially maximizing treatment effectiveness over time.

“HOYA understands the importance of UV protection and comfort in bright sunlight for your young patients. Supported by the results from our Early Experience Program, we highly recommend MiYOSMART Sun Solutions as the ideal way to offer complete sun protection, comfort, and myopia management for young myopic patients. MiYOSMART Sun lenses were designed with children in mind to mitigate many of the common concerns families may have. We are proud to offer industry-leading products that offer comfort and high-quality visual performance.”

Kim Kochendorfer, RO, Professional Affairs Manager, HOYA Vision Care Canada

In addition, from May 1 through December 31, 2024, HOYA Vision Care Canada is offering both MiYOSMART Chameleon and Sunbird lenses to ECPs at the same price point as MiYOSMART Clear.

To learn more about the promotion and HOYA’s suite of MiYOSMART lenses, visit online and speak to a HOYA Territory Manager.

*MiYOSMART spectacle lenses have not been approved for use in the management of myopia in all countries, including the U.S., and are not currently available for sale in all countries, including the U.S.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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