Transitions Optical gathered over 80 industry professionals for a one-of-a-kind learning train the trainer event—Transitions^® The Studio—on November 8, 2022, at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario. During the invitation-only event, attendees from industry experts took a deeper dive into the Transitions^® lens portfolio of products, discussed effective professional and patient education strategies, and how to incorporate valuable business-building skills into practice.

Isabelle Tremblay, director of sales and marketing, Transitions, and Martin Lespérance, professional trainer and keynote speaker, welcomed attendees and introduced them to Transitions The Studio. Next, Transitions Change Agent Dr. Danielle Gordon kicked off the morning session with a course on fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the Canadian optical industry.

Chris King, senior global marketing manager and Roxana Dreger, marketing manager, education, concluded Tuesday morning’s session with an “Unlock Your Potential with the Transitions portfolio” workshop to share tips and tricks on how to boost confidence when speaking to consumers about Transitions products. 

The afternoon ramped up with guest speaker ‘The Unstoppable Tracy Schmitt,’ award winning leader in business, honored humanitarian, decorated athlete and best-selling author. In her presentation, Tracy shared how to overcome various obstacles with determination and motivation.

In the next session, Christine Zeggil, National Key Account Executive, Canada, and Dayle Whitecross, Transitions ambassador and Eye Style influencer led the course, “Activating Trends,” where they discussed insights into consumer behavior and ways to integrate best practices into online and in-store activations and displays.

Dr. Kiran Ramesh then shared insights into “How to Put it into Practice,” taking participants through a workshop reviewing ways to integrate professional and educational strategies to elevate career growth and success.

The final course of the afternoon was titled “Build your Transitions Plan,” where Chris King outlined how to set, maintain, and achieve attainable business and training goals.

The event concluded with a cocktail reception followed by a fashion show presented by Indigenous design house Ay Lelum, run by sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good. Following the show, dinner was served with entertainment from The Supersonic Hearts Band.

“The Transitions Studio event hosted a unique community of trainers, sales representatives and eyecare professionals that are passionate about educating others on the vision, light protection and style benefits of Transitions lenses in any light,” said Arnaud Rajchenbach, marketing and sales manager, Transitions Optical in Canada. “It was inspiring to see the collaboration between the professionals in the room and the excitement we generated together.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

Bausch + Lomb announced the Canadian launch of Biotrue Advanced Multi-Purpose Solution. The new contact lens solution, which was launched as Biotrue Hydration Plus in the United States in June 2022, is formulated to provide more moisture on lenses and deliver advanced cleaning and disinfection.

“Biotrue Advanced builds upon our original Biotrue®. Biotrue Advanced is designed to meet the needs of patients who depend on their contact lenses for the majority of the day. In fact, one-third of contact lens wearers experience contact lens dryness,” said Geoff Brodkorb, Business Unit Head, Consumer Healthcare and Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb Canada. “This new, innovative multi-purpose solution provides contact lens wearers with advanced comfort and allows them to experience more moisture on their lenses for up to 12 hours, as compared to the original Biotrue.”

Biotrue Advanced contains 25% more hyaluronan (HA), a moisturizer found naturally in tears that envelops the lenses in a moisture-rich cushion, as compared to the original Biotrue. The new solution also contains a combination of ingredients inspired by the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s DEWS II report. These ingredients include potassium, an electrolyte which plays an important role in preserving balance of the ocular surface, as well as erythritol, an antioxidant which protects HA against free radicals. Biotrue Advanced is the only contact lens solution that includes HA, erythritol and potassium.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Launched in 2013, SILMO ISTANBUL – the second-largest business gathering of the SILMO Family – has demonstrated its relevance and leadership for professionals in Turkey and throughout Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa.

Held on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, SILMO ISTANBUL welcomed both local manufacturers and a number of international companies of the optical and eyewear industry. Optical and sunglasses frames from every market segment, glasses lenses, contact lenses, ophthalmic devices and accessories, eye measuring and diagnostic instruments, treatment devices, equipment and tools for workshops and laboratories, machines, and services, the entire sector was present.

From November 17 to 20, 700 brands enjoyed a convivial, first-rate business setting as they welcomed the 11,912 visitors in attendance (+14% compared to 2021), including 9,745 from Turkey and 2,167 from 80 other countries.

This dynamic edition demonstrates the role that Istanbul now plays on the roster of major international optical and eyewear trade shows.

Next year, SILMO ISTANBUL will celebrate its 10^th anniversary. The event promises to be all the more exceptional as it will be held throughout 25,000 m² of renovated infrastructures at the Istanbul Expo Center/Yeşilköy. Enough to accommodate a greater number of exhibitors, provide professionals with improved convenience, and offer new services.

Save the date: November 23-26, 2023 at the Istanbul Expo Center.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Inspired by fine watches and jewelry, Silhouette has designed a very special pair of premium eyewear. The Momentum Aurum is rimless and impressively enhances the temple of the Momentum bestseller. The carefully hand-polished, 23-carat gold-plated, high-gloss surface is luxurious and particularly eye-catching.

Distributed by COS: canadianoptical.com

The pandemic has reshaped consumer behaviour and more people turned to online shopping. Digital health solutions can be harnessed to better serve patients. In this context, New Look Vision Group commissioned the Université de Montréal (UdeM) School of Optometry to conduct a comparative study which unveiled that New Look Vision Group’s app, powered by Topology, is the leading technology-supported purchasing method online.

Topology dramatically improves the quality of digital eye care services, especially when it comes to purchasing prescription glasses. The results uncovered in the UdeM study are astounding, and reveal that the respondents, when they received their glasses, judged them to be comparable to what is found in store.

The study performed in 2021, which surveyed 30 people over 50 years old to test the generally more complex progressive prescriptions, compares the way three online eyewear retailers technology-based services (New Look powered by Topology and two major online eyewear retailers) fair against the UdeM School of Optometry store.

Topology is a technology that uses the latest advances in 3D facial scanning and augmented reality to enable customers to take the necessary ultra-precise measurements needed to produce high-quality glasses. The research parameters primarily included the accuracy of the measurement, fitting and comfort upon delivery, and overall satisfaction. 

“I am extremely pleased that an independent study confirms that New Look’s app, which was conceived from a partnership with Topology, is the most accurate on the market. This represents years in the making and extensive testing to bring this possibility to the market during a time when the world can really benefit from an option like this”, says Jean-Michel Maltais, Senior Vice President Omnichannel, New Look Vision Group. 

The findings from the study uncover positive advancements in online prescription eyewear purchasing and identify Topology as a leading tool. Notable highlights include: 

• The quality of Topology’s measurements – namely pupillary half-distances and ocular height – is comparable to the measurements taken in person by UdeM eye care professionals. 
• Topology is the only technology that takes measurements for the production of personalized lenses (requiring a greater number of accurate measurements) when buying online.
• Topology’s measurements are more accurate, allowing for clearer vision compared to two major online eyewear retailers.
• Topology was ranked higher than the two other major online eyewear retailers by eye care professionals for frame adjustments to fit the wearer. In fact, with Topology, a personalized adjustment is made before shipping. New Look Vision Group is the only retailer to offer this service.
• Overall, customers who use Topology technology to purchase prescription glasses online can benefit from an experience that is close to an in-person purchase in store. 

“This new technology from Topology represents a significant advance in the industry, compared to the traditional model of buying glasses online. The basic parameters allowing the production of quality progressive glasses are comparable to those obtained in-store. It is also likely that the higher visual comfort provided by Topology, compared to the other online retailers evaluated, is due to its ability to take measurements for the production of personalized lenses. This technology presents online eyewear shoppers with numerous advantages compared to what existed before and performs better on many levels,’’ mentions Nicolas Fontaine, Optometrist and University lecturer and researcher at the Optometry School of Université de Montréal.

New Look Vision Group’s app powered by Topology is available from its banners New Look, IRIS and Greiche & Scaff. 

The full study will be published at a later date. In the meantime, a summary can be found here.

Click HERE for the full press release.