Canada is marking September as the first annual Inherited Retinal Disease Awareness Month, resulting from advocacy efforts by Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) to Health Canada to recognize individuals living with genetic conditions that lead to vision loss. Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are caused by a specific genetic mutation or mutations that impact how retinal cells work and survive which impact vision.

“Researchers have found more than 300 genes that cause IRDs, which cause damage to the retina in the back of the eye and ultimately lead to vision loss, either at birth or later in life,” explains Doug Earle, President and CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC). “However, research is constantly changing the outcomes for people living with these conditions. There are new treatments that can slow down, stop or even reverse the progression of disease, giving people immense hope of a future without blindness.”

FBC commissioned Deliotte Access Economics to deliver “IRD Counts” in 2020 that identified the annual socio-economic impact of IRDs in Canada as $1.6 billion. Over 80% of the impact is borne by families living with IRDs.

Although there are differences between IRDs, they all result in vision loss due to retinal damage in the back of the eye. Among the more than 20 types of IRDs include retinitis pigmentosa, Stargardt disease, Usher syndrome, and Leber congenital amaurosis. Genetic testing may help pinpoint which mutation causes an IRD and can provide important information as more clinical trials and treatments are developed.

As part of IRD Awareness Month, FBC is inviting Canadians to participate in the following:

• Join FBC’s Facebook Live on IRDs with Dr. Rob Koenekoop, Paediatric Ophthalmologist at Montreal Children’s Hospital on Friday, September 23 at 12:30 pm EDT
• Attend FBC’s “Gene Agnostic Therapies” View Point webinar on Thursday, September 22, 3 pm EDT
• Attend FBC’s in-person View Point Toronto all-day event on Sunday, October 2, 2022 Register here
• Download FBC’s IRD Awareness Month social media toolkit and use #FBCIRDMonth to join the online conversation
• Visit FBC’s genetic testing webpage for information on how to get tested for an IRD

Click HERE for the full press release.

Today, Dragon, a proprietary brand of Marchon Eyewear Inc., announces a new partnership with social enterprise, Plastic Bank. Dragon, a leader in the performance eyewear space with deep roots in the action sports world has implemented a plastic offset impact program, where each pair of Dragon optical frames, sunglasses, and snow goggles sold will prevent the equivalent of 10 plastic bottles from entering the ocean in collaboration with Plastic Bank.

The partnership will help stop ocean plastic and improve the lives of collection community members in vulnerable coastal areas. With this collaboration, the two companies are creating environmental, social, and economic impact. By choosing Dragon eyewear, customers are contributing to Dragon’s annual commitment of stopping over 85,600 kg of ocean-bound plastic from entering the ocean – that’s the equivalent of over 4,280,000 million single-use plastic bottles.

“We are very proud to announce our partnership with Plastic Bank, and Dragon is a natural fit,” said Thomas Burkhardt, President of Marchon Eyewear, Inc. “By collaborating with Plastic Bank, we are solidifying our commitment to social responsibility and sustainable initiatives, while also tying it back to the brand’s heritage in surf.”

“Around 11 million tons of plastic waste is flowing each year into the ocean. We keep talking about climate change when what we need to focus on is business change like the one brought about by Marchon for Dragon. Thank you for empowering your consumers with the choice to be part of the solution,” said David Katz, Founder of Plastic Bank.

Click HERE for the full press release.

To bring patients extra style this summer, Transitions® XTRActive® new generations lenses come in five stunning Style Mirror colours. Available in gold, silver, copper, blue green and blue violet, wearers can create all their own by pairing any colour lens with their favorite frames. Plus, these light intelligent lenses adapt seamlessly to any lighting environment providing the icon look patients want with the all-day protection they need. So, your patients have the choice to select the iconic colors as Grey, Brown and Graphite Green and add some style with one of the 5 mirrors.

Compared to the old Transitions XTRActive lenses, this new generation is darker overall[vi], darker in hot temperatures and in the car, and up to 35% faster to fade back[vii]. These advances are possible thanks to the new nano-composite matrix technology combined with new, extra powerful broad spectrum dyes which activate in both the UV and visible light spectrum.

“People are experiencing increased symptoms of eye strain and discomfort whether inside from screens or outdoors, and Transitions XTRActive lenses were designed with this issue in mind.  In fact, three out of ten eyeglass wearers are very light sensitive^iv” said Brian O’Neil, Ph.D., global vice president, Innovation, Technology & Operations, Transitions Optical. “Wearers of Transitions Optical technology want flexibility between indoors, outdoors and driving to be better protected at all times. The new generation of Transitions XTRActive provides light protection regardless of the situation.”

In addition to this new generation, Transitions Optical began the rolling launch of Transitions^® XTRActive^® Polarized™ in Canada in January 2021. Both products provide extra protection for eyeglass wearers who are frequently in intense light situations or who are very light sensitive. Transitions XTRActive Polarized is an extension of the Transitions XTRActive range bringing the additional benefits of polarization to the extra dark photochromic category, while Transitions XTRActive new generation lenses offer the best extra darkness[viii]. Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses are designed for patients who want extra protection in high-glare situations. The unique polarization technology reduces glare outdoors, providing sharper vision, a larger field of view and bright, vivid colours.

Transitions XTRActive new generation and Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses are available now. Please contact your local laboratory that provides you the Transitions XTRActive portfolio to know more about their product availability.

Click HERE for the press release.

This post is sponsored by Transitions Optical.

[i] In the clear to dark photochromic category. Tests across polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses at 35°C achieving <18%T using Transitions Optical’s standard testing method.

[ii] Clear to dark photochromic category. Polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses tested at 23°C behind the windshield achieving between 18%T and 43%T.

[iii] Clear to dark photochromic category. Tested on grey lenses across materials at 23°C outdoors achieving >8%T (Category 3 Darkness Levels) using Transitions Optical’s standard testing method.

[iv] Protection from harmful blue light (380nm-460nm) across the following light situations: indoors at 23°C, behind the windshield and outdoors at 23°C, among polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses in the clear to dark photochromic category.

[v] From harmful blue light (380nm-460nm) at 23°C among polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses in the clear to dark photochromic category. 

iv Transitions Optical, Quality of Vision and Vision Experience Test in Controlled Lab Situations (Lab Wearer Testing), U.S., Eurosyn, Q4 2019, N=135.

[vi] Compared to the previous generation, across materials tested on grey lenses at 23°C and 35°C.

[vii] Compared to the previous generation, across materials tested on grey lenses fading back to 70% transmission at 23°C.

[viii] In hot temperatures and in the car in the clear to dark photochromic category.  Tests across polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses at 23°C and 35°C using Transitions Optical’s standard testing method.