The Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) is launching a new educational video which will help Opticians across Canada navigate between the organisations they depend on more easily.

This short video shows the difference between provincial regulatory bodies, who are there to protect the public in areas such as standards of practice, ethics and investigating complaints, and associations, which are there to protect and advocate for Licensed Opticians. Indeed, the Opticians Association of Canada includes with its membership personal professional liability insurance coverage and online continuing education for no additional charge.

More educational content on the topic will be available soon.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Aiming to further accelerate the growth of multifocal contact lens prescribing, the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has published guidance from three experts to help eye care professionals embrace the trend.

Issue 69 of Contact Lens Update is dedicated to evidence-based perspectives on multifocal fitting, visual performance, and patient satisfaction. It also includes a new patient-facing communication tool for in office and online use by practices. The latest edition and all past issues are available for free at ContactLensUpdate.com.

“A deeper understanding of multifocal contact lens advancements improves confidence among eye care professionals. In turn, that allows them to deliver better care for their presbyopic patients,” said CORE Head of Clinical Research Jill Woods. “This issue of Contact Lens Update demonstrates that with the right approach, consistent success is achievable.”

Marc Schulze, CORE Senior Clinical Scientist, authors the opening editorial. He shares clinical pearls that will help practitioners maximize their fitting success, such as using online tools and the appropriate fitting guides for specific lenses.  

The feature article from Jennifer Fogt, Associate Clinical Professor at the Ohio State University College of Optometry, discusses the results of her study examining a comparison of the visual performance between multifocal contact lenses and progressive addition spectacles. The study found that multifocal contact lenses provide functional vision performance equal to progressive addition spectacle wear.

Sarah Guthrie, CORE Senior Research Scientist, shares insights from her poster first presented at the American Academy of Optometry annual meeting. This study explored the correlation between vision and satisfaction with multifocal contact lenses, linking that to the desire to continue wear.

Included in this issue is a CORE-produced patient facing handout that clearly and succinctly presents the benefits of multifocal contact lenses. This no cost resource can be used in the exam lane, for patient follow-up communications, as well as on practice websites and social media accounts.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Bausch + Lomb and Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF), a national non-profit organization with the vision of curing glaucoma, announced the U.S. launch of ‘Screen, Protect, Cure,’ a campaign designed to provide educational resources and raise awareness of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, during Glaucoma Awareness Month.

“We are proud to collaborate with Glaucoma Research Foundation to provide critical information about this serious eye disease and underline the negative toll it can have if left untreated,” said Christina Ackermann, president, Ophthalmic Pharmaceuticals, Bausch + Lomb. “Glaucoma can affect individuals of all ages and only half of those affected are aware they have it, so it’s important that we share risk factors, how to get tested and what treatment options are available. Through ‘Screen, Protect, Cure,’ we hope to help support patients in every step of their treatment journey.”

During the month of January, Glaucoma Awareness Month, Bausch + Lomb and GRF will share educational resources to educate individuals who may be at risk for glaucoma and empower them to take an informed and active role in their eye health. The campaign also features a fundraising challenge that will match every dollar raised up to $20,000 in support of GRF research for a potential cure for glaucoma.

“Glaucoma Awareness Month provides a great opportunity to share information about this sight-threatening disease and remind people there are steps they can take to help preserve their vision,” said Thomas M. Brunner, president & CEO, GRF. “Visiting an eye care provider on an annual basis and paying attention to visual function are the best things someone can do to avoid the irreversible damage from glaucoma. Although there is currently no cure, our fight to prevent visual disability is ongoing, and we are grateful for the collaboration of organizations, such as Bausch + Lomb, who share this commitment with us.”

Learn more at glaucoma.org/screen-protect-cure.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Designed in Montréal, this collection reflects this UNIque and colourful city, which is the inspiration behind the brand.

A UNIfied frame, easily recognizable by its vibrant colours and charming shapes, is designed to frame people’s true colours and help them display their individuality, encourage self-expression, and, ultimately, celebrate their UNIqueness. 

We believe in the power of the individual and in the strength in numbers. It is by sharing ideas, experiences, and creativity that we will be able to abolish borders and build a UNIted world.

UNIfied… to see farther

Click to see the brand book

Learn More HERE.

Source: Lanctôt Optical

This past fall, in a special giving-back initiative, Eschenbach Optik of America sponsored two visually impaired students to attend the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCVIS). The SCIVIS camp was held in September 2022 at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL and was a 5-day/night educational adventure for those students who had the opportunity to attend.

Throughout the week, students were immersed in astronaut training techniques using equipment adapted from NASA’s actual astronaut program. They learned about space hardware, experienced space flight simulations such as a 1/6^th Gravity Chair, and conducted a spaceflight mission, all while learning about aerospace career opportunities. They even got to speak live with a NASA astronaut on the International Space Station!

Eschenbach’s sponsored students not only had their tuition paid in full, but they also received a care package that included a video magnifier they could use at camp and keep for themselves afterwards. The scholarship winners were Joey P. from Cheyenne, WY (8^th Grade) and Samuel F. from Tiffin, OH (10^th grade).

Due to the impact the space camp has on visually impaired students, Eschenbach has decided to again sponsor two students in 2023. Information about Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students can be found HERE.

Click HERE for the full press release.