Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC) is pleased to hear the announcement that Canadians are one step closer to accessing Luxturna® (generic name: voretigene neparvovec), a sight-saving gene therapy. The pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance has concluded price negotiations with the manufacturer for this groundbreaking treatment, which is aimed at Canadians losing sight due to inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis, caused by the RPE65 gene mutation. However, this treatment will not be accessible to all Canadians until one final step is completed: approving Luxturna for public funding through each province’s and territory’s health care coverage.
“Living with an IRD has a significant socio-economic and emotional impact not just on the individual but also their entire family,” said Doug Earle, President & CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada, citing a recent IRD Counts study that found the socio-economic impact for Canada with IRDs is $1.6 billion. Eighty percent of this cost is borne by the individuals and their families.
“Having access to a treatment that can help slow or stop progression of vision loss is life-transforming. This is the only treatment available for these individuals and we are asking Canada’s provinces and territories to recognize the hope Luxturna represents to restore sight and prioritize its access.”
“We’re calling on each provincial and territorial government to immediately sign the agreement to cover the cost of this treatment. It has been almost two years since Health Canada approved Luxturna, yet the individuals who desperately want this treatment still don’t have access to it and have been needlessly losing sight each day,” said Earle.
Fighting Blindness Canada is urging all Canadians to visit ApproveLuxturna.ca to send an email to their Premier and Health Minister to expedite access to Luxturna.
Transitions Optical has published new multicultural resources to help eye care professionals (ECPs) better serve their diverse patient base. A white paper and education course both titled “Fostering a More Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Optical Industry in Canada” are available online.
The new education course is designed to help empower ECPs to create a welcoming environment for a diverse patient base by understanding the different risks and eye health needs of the three largest and fastest-growing Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) populations in Canada: Asian Canadians, Black Canadians, and Indigenous Canadians. The course also highlights key findings from Transitions Optical’s recent eye health needs and preferences survey for multicultural patients and provides tactical steps that ECPs can take to be more inclusive in their practice.
The course will be offered live in conjunction with the Opticians Association of Canada’s Western Conference on October 15 in Burnaby, BC. It will also be available through the OAC’s On-Demand library following the Conference.
The “Fostering a More Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive Optical Industry in Canada” white paper was created based on the consensus from a roundtable discussion featuring a panel of ECPs that took place earlier this year. Findings from the roundtable highlight the need for tailored care and continued education.
“The two new resources are a continuation of our history of support for diversity and inclusion efforts in Canada,” said Arnaud Rajchenbach, marketing and sales manager, Transitions Optical Canada. “With these new resources our goal is to support multicultural efforts within the optical industry in Canada, to help improve access to eye care and to build awareness for differing eye health needs of diverse populations among both consumers and eyecare professionals.”
Marchon Eyewear and Paul Smith, Britain’s leading independent design company, announced that they have entered into an exclusive, long-term global licensing agreement.
Marchon was previously responsible for the distribution of Paul Smith eyewear in North America. Under this new partnership, Marchon will now oversee the design, manufacturing, and global distribution of the brand’s eyewear collection beginning January 2023.
Paul Smith sun and optical styles will be designed with a classic yet modern approach, featuring the distinct signature styling and the organic color palette Paul Smith is known for.
“Marchon is very proud to partner with Paul Smith, an iconic brand with timeless styling,” said Thomas Burkhardt, President of Marchon Eyewear, Inc. “We look forward to contributing to the brand’s future growth around the world, while strengthening our offering within the luxury eyewear segment. The new collections will be offering new eyewear styles that will uniquely capture the essence and exceptional quality of the Paul Smith brand.”
“We are delighted to be embarking on a new global eyewear partnership with Marchon. Harnessing their expertise in manufacturing and distribution and bringing our own unique approach to design and creativity, we have every confidence it will be a prosperous collaboration.” Ashley Long, Managing Director, Paul Smith Ltd.
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. announced the launch of its newest innovation, ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day contact lenses and ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL contact lenses for presbyopia.
Designed with a combination of new technologies to help meet the needs of digitally intense lifestyles: TearStable™ Technology and OptiBlue™ light filter. TearStable™ Technology is designed to maximize tear-film stability and lock in moisture for exceptional all-day comfort.The OptiBlue™ light filter has the highest-level blue-violet filter in the industry at 60% to reduce light scatter for exceptional visual clarity, day to night. In addition, ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day lenses block 99.9% UVA rays and 100% UVB rays.
“Life has changed, post-pandemic. With more time spent on digital devices, we designed these contact lenses by listening to patients and eye care professionals’ feedback to address lifestyle requirements and help prevent dry and tired eyes from becoming normalized,” said John Buch, OD, Senior Principal Research Optometrist, Johnson & Johnson Vision. “Our new ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day contact lenses help reduce discomfort by providing visual clarity with new technologies to filter blue-violet light, which comes from many sources, including digital screens and travels in short wavelengths and scatters more which can lead to eye discomfort and quality of vision.”
For patients with presbyopia, ACUVUE® MAX 1-Day OASYS MULTIFOCAL contact lenses provide crisp, clear vision at all distances and in all lighting conditions, as well as all-day comfort. The lenses combine the same two powerful technologies – TearStable™ Technology and the OptiBlue™ light filter – plus PUPIL OPTIMIZED DESIGN technology, which tailors 100% of parameters to pupil size variations across both age and refraction compared to less than 2% for the leading competitor. This is the same technology that is available across all ACUVUE® Multifocal contact lenses.
Earlier this year, ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day and ACUVUE® OASYS MAX 1-Day MULTIFOCAL received U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, Health Canada approval and completed CE Mark activities for its latest contact lens innovation.
Evolution is inevitable in any industry, and the Canadian optical industry is no different. In the past few years, consolidation and competition have increased. Many of the ophthalmic labs used by clinics and retailers have made the decision to move their manufacturing from domestic to international.
Following its acquisition of Allied Lab in 2008, in 2015, FYidoctors moved its lab into a new state-of-the-art facility located in Delta, British Columbia. Since then, FYidoctors has grown significantly; today the lab is manufacturing an impressive 12,000 to 13,000 pairs of glasses per week. In the past three years alone, approximately $10 million have been invested in the facility, becoming a true differentiating factor for FYidoctors. Under one roof, the lab manufactures the highest quality lenses and coatings using the newest and most innovative technologies available.
Nancy Morison, Vice President of the Delta Ophthalmic Laboratory
We met with Nancy Morison, Vice President of the Delta Ophthalmic Laboratory. An industry veteran, Nancy is leading FYidoctors’ Delta team and building a culture of excellence to ensure our patients and clients receive the highest quality glasses in the Canadian market.
What differentiates FYidoctors and the contribution of the Delta Lab?
‘’First, we are a fully vertically-integrated company, and we are still here in Canada! By this, I mean that many competitors are now producing lenses offshore, and many other labs have scaled down in recent years. It became increasingly popular to manufacture in China, India, and Thailand, among other places, to decrease costs. We produce approximately 2,500 pairs of custom glasses per day, and we are open 6 days a week, 24 hours per day.’’
“We also use the highest quality materials, coatings, and machinery and have developed profound expertise in supply chain optimization. Whether it is for our exclusive frame line, Sacori, or for more than our 3,000 frame selection, our lens quality sets us apart and showcases the excellence of our products.’’
‘’Lastly, we invest in technology: it is part of our DNA. Today, we have been told that we are the most technologically advanced optical lab in Canada. Why? We are choosing not to offshore manufacturing internationally and instead are make significant technology investments in our own backyard at Delta to be highly competitive in the Canadian marketplace. Having leading technologies and an optimized supply chain in our own house allows our organization to be highly efficient on labour and shipping/importing costs.’’
In the past three years, the investments in the Delta lab have been significant; what are the technologies you are using?
‘’We are not using only one technology, but we are using all the best technologies available to us, giving us the capability to produce the best product. We have a unique approach: we pick leading technologies, suppliers, raw materials, and designs, from Schneider generators and polishers to Satisloh coatings, processes and chambers and MEI edging equipment, to full software integration from clinic to lab to key partners. Combined, this ensures cost efficiency, amazing products and outstanding service for our clinics and stores and ultimately our patients.’’
FYidoctors has a robust, healthy culture, and it seems that you were able to create an excellent work environment at Delta. Can you tell us more?
‘’The FYi culture is very much based on coaching: we share our knowledge and insights daily with our teammates. We have a very cohesive group that enjoys helping and working closely together. Our coaching culture and mindset are very different from other manufacturing and distribution environments that I have seen. We care about the product, the quality, and choose to make ourselves available to allow the success of our operations. We have also seen tremendous growth powered by our ever-expanding clinic network and our supply chain investments. As I like to say, growth builds optimism, and optimism and continuous improvement are key to our culture. ‘’
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Bausch + Lomb’s third annual State of Dry Eye survey suggests that dry eye symptoms may affect emotional wellbeing, stress, productivity and self-confidence, while also highlighting awareness gaps around related health conditions.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Bausch + Lomb’s third annual State of Dry Eye survey suggests that dry eye symptoms may affect emotional wellbeing, stress, productivity and self-confidence, while also highlighting awareness gaps around related health conditions.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Bausch + Lomb’s third annual State of Dry Eye survey suggests that dry eye symptoms may affect emotional wellbeing, stress, productivity and self-confidence, while also highlighting awareness gaps around related health conditions.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
Applications are now open for the 2027 Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award, inviting emerging designers to submit a three-frame optical or sunglass collection under the theme “The DNA of Design: Eyewear Reimagined.”
Safilo Group has completed the acquisition of SPY+ and Serengeti from Bollé Brands, adding two complementary brands to its portfolio and strengthening its position in sport, outdoor and premium performance eyewear.
Following the first event in the Optometry Practice Strategy Series, the program now turns to its fall lineup of COPE-accredited webinars for Canadian optometrists, with more than 100 registrants already confirmed for each upcoming session.
Bausch + Lomb’s third annual State of Dry Eye survey suggests that dry eye symptoms may affect emotional wellbeing, stress, productivity and self-confidence, while also highlighting awareness gaps around related health conditions.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
