When it comes to the five senses, Canadians place the highest value on their vision, but almost half are still forgoing their regular eye exams, according to the findings of a new national survey commissioned by FYidoctors and conducted by Maru Public Opinion.

The survey, released as part of an awareness campaign for Vision Health Month in May, asked questions running the gamut on eye health, with fresh new findings on a range of eye-related topics, including what’s keeping Canadians from visiting their optometrists, screen time habits, as well as what their organ donation plans likely won’t include.

According to the survey findings, vision ranks as the most important sense Canadians say they would never want to lose entirely. Eighty-three percent of respondents ranked their eyesight at the top, followed by hearing (8%); taste (4%); touch (3%); and smell (2%). Despite the overwhelming votes for vision, however, a significant crowd of Canadians (42%), admit they ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ seek out their optometrist to get their eyes examined, while the rest (58%), make the appointment at least once every two years.

“With May being Vision Health Month, it’s an important reminder for Canadians to book  their regular eye exam,” says Dr. Alan Ulsifer, Chair and CEO of FYidoctors. “The results of this survey point clearly to the fact that Canadians place high value on their eye health, but not enough are taking the proper steps to maintaining it.”

The survey also found reasons cited for not booking an eye exam include self-diagnosed lack of need, general procrastination or lack of time and not enough insurance coverage. One in ten Canadians, typically those aged 18-34, admit to never getting their eyes checked, while a third (33%) of respondents say they visit their O.D. only occasionally every few years. Those least likely to book a visit live in the Prairies (51%), followed by Quebec (46%); BC (43%); Ontario (41%), Atlantic Canada (40%); and Alberta (35%).

Additionally, the survey also found that:

Screen-time is still a long time: Almost 7 in 10 Canadians are eyeing their screens for six or more hours a day. One in 5 are watching a screen 10-15+ hours a day. That equals 3,650 hours or 152 days each year.

• Those Canadians most likely to be scanning their screens for 10+ hours a day (21%), they are most likely to be the youngest (18-34; 33%), followed by their middle aged (35-54; 24%) and oldest (55+; 11%), and are more likely to be women (23%) than men (19%).
• By region, the top screen watchers can be found in: Manitoba / Saskatchewan / Ontario (24%); Alberta (21%), Quebec (20%), British Columbia (19%), and

Atlantic Canada (15%)

Optics Intact: Of the following body parts: Eyes, Heart, Lungs, Liver, Kidneys they would not want to donate when they pass, Canadians ranked Eyes at the top spot. Ranked in order: Eyes (35%); Heart (22%); Lungs (12%); Liver (9%); and Kidneys (8%). Gen X ranked eyes #1 at a higher rate than any other generation not wanting to donate them, followed by Millennials (37%); Boomers (32%); and Gen Z (28%).

On a No-name basis: A significant group of Canadians surveyed (43%) admit not even knowing their optometrist’s name (those who do, are most likely to be the eldest Canadians, ages 55+)

Sight-Specific Driving: Almost 3 in 10 drivers (27%) who require prescription glasses behind the wheel say they don’t always wear them.

“Whether it’s providing advice about how blue light affects their eyes when viewing screens, or the fact that eye exams can help detect other diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, or even brain tumors, it’s important to take that time with your optometrist,” says Dr. Ulsifer. “The best way to stay on top of eye health is booking a comprehensive exam appointment — we think Canadians should all agree on that.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

The independent and international brand, GIGI Studios, based in Spain will be going direct to Canadian ECPs starting May 5. 

The company has an extensive global presence, operating in over 50 countries with a team of over 150 employees.

In a press release, GIGI Studios cites the importance of the Canadian market. “It is an important and mature step for the company in the midst of its international expansion, Canada joins the group of 18 markets that the brand operates directly, including the USA through its subsidiary in Miami.”

The company’s objective is to offer the best service to all its optical clients, including best-in-class collection availability, faster service times, extending the warranty coverage, and ensuring an excellent after sales service.

GIGI Studios also wishes to support its customers by ensuring that all branding tools are at their disposal, providing access to its powerful B2B platform developed for opticians.

The brand is pursuing its goal to position as a leading global brand and wants Canada to be included in the development plans, investing in strengthening the positioning and brand awareness in this market.

Current and prospective clients are asked to contact the company by email at canada@gigistudios.com 

Please see the full Press release attached.

Bausch + Lomb released its annual Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting the Company’s ongoing commitment to implement sustainable business practices and initiatives that support its stakeholders’ well-being.

“Integrating environmental sustainability, social impact and corporate governance into our daily operations and business strategy has been a fundamental priority at Bausch + Lomb for many years,” said Brent Saunders, chairman and CEO, Bausch + Lomb. “The dynamic and evolving nature of ESG presents several opportunities for improvement and growth, and we are proud to continue each year to build upon our ESG commitments.”

The Bausch + Lomb 2022 ESG report highlights the Company’s continued efforts to drive sustainable growth, foster innovation and create value for all stakeholders.

Key accomplishments highlighted in the 2022 ESG report include:

• Collecting more than 58 million units, or 356,000 pounds, of used contact lens, eye care and lens care materials through our ONE by ONE and Biotrue® Eye Care recycling programs since 2016;
• Reducing 800 tons of CO₂e (carbon dioxide emissions) per year at our Rochester facility since installing a solar panel array;
• Completing more than 8,500 hours of cybersecurity training by our employees;
• Exceeding the Company’s Board diversity goal of 30 percent with 40 percent board diversity.

Click HERE for the full press release.

The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has received the Public Education Award from the Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO), which honors members for outstanding contributions in public education and awareness campaigns and activities.

CORE was specifically recognized for promoting eye health and safety, including providing scientifically-sound information to consumers during the pandemic and efforts to slow the progression of myopia through myopia control methods.

“The real heroes behind this honor are the people of CORE, practitioners with whom we partner, and sponsors who have contributed to our professional and public education platforms over the past several decades. It’s wonderful to see their work and the impact acknowledged,” said Lyndon Jones, CORE’s director.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, CORE led the world’s first global response to misinformation about contact lens wear, setting the entire industry on a path to recovery. In only 30 days, CORE replaced falsehoods with facts for both consumers and eye care professionals, with its guidance appearing in more than 6,000 media outlets across 55 countries.

Months later, CORE was instrumental in raising practitioner and public awareness of mask-associated dry eye. Through a series of papers and columns, easy-to-grasp infographics, and media interviews in more than 2,500 news outlets on six continents, the initiative drove global understanding of the cause and simple actions to mitigate onset. In tandem, CORE collaborated with The Conversation Canada to publish a story about not neglecting eye care as the pandemic continued—reaching millions of consumers in Canada, the U.S., and English- and French-speaking overseas countries.

More recently, CORE pivoted from pandemic-related public education to two of the most discussed topics in eye health—childhood myopia and dry eye. CORE’s work helped inform parents and encouraged them to seek comprehensive eye exams for their children. Additionally, the CORE team helped bring attention to the challenge through employers, who in many cases are positioned to influence action through benefits plans. On the dry eye front, CORE collaborated again with The Conversation to share information and discuss the crucial role of optometrists in helping deliver sustained relief.

In any given year, CORE delivers countless in-person and virtual lectures, papers and posters, and produces a bi-monthly, 60,000-subscriber Contact Lens Update magazine—all of which contribute to furthering the practice of optometry worldwide.

The Ontario Association of Optometrists represents over 1,700 optometrists across the province. It is dedicated to helping members provide the highest standard of eye health and vision care for Ontarians while driving the profession of optometry forward.

Click HERE for the full press release.