In a sector where science is constantly advancing, it is important for SILMO Paris to give all professionals access to the latest information, research and experiments in order to provide them with an understanding of the challenges and changes in the optical industry.

Since its creation in 2010, this place of progress, exchange, meeting of reflection for the entire optical eyewear industry, aims to accompany the optics-ophthalmics profession in their approach to excellence.

Thus, after an absence of two years, the SILMO Academy scientific symposium is back for its 11^th edition, which will focus on « improving the vision and quality of life of the most vulnerable patients. »

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

– Free sessions available in French and English – Paris Nord Villepinte

During this symposium, participants will be able to improve their knowledge and exchange with recognized international experts on two major future trends: myopia and the importance of good vision in an aging population. Identified by the World Health Organization as rapidly increasing, these two pathologies constitute a threat to public health on a global scale, generating a strong impact on the work of professionals worldwide.

Click HERE to see the full program and press release.

Transitions Optical in Canada has pledged their support of Gabrielle Ouellet’s GO Challenge benefitting the Fondation des maladies de l’œil (FMO) (Eye Disease Foundation). Former international model Ouellet, known as “the girl with the cat eyes,” has launched her challenge to raise money for vision health research.

Ouellet was born with a rare genetic condition called Cat Eye Syndrome, and as a result has been interested in helping to fund research into eye diseases for a number of years. It wasn’t until she ran her first half marathon in 2016 that she saw the opportunity to combine her newfound passion with her philanthropic efforts. As a result, Ouellet launched the GO Challenge where she will run 126.6 kilometers across three marathons in Montréal, Québec and Toronto in less than a month to benefit the FMO and eye research.

“Gabrielle is a driven, vivacious young woman, and her amazing life story demonstrates this admirably,” said Isabelle Tremblay, director of sales and marketing, Transitions Optical Canada. “She’s an inspiration not only for people with visual impairments but for anyone who, like Transitions, strives for societal values of renewal, excellence and self-improvement. As soon as Transitions heard about her daring GO Challenge we wanted to tip our hats to her courageous spirit and support this determined young woman.”

Visit fondationdesmaladiesdeloeil.org/defi-go for more information.

Click HERE for the full press release.

EssilorLuxottica yesterday released the three-year clinical trial results of the Essilor Stellest lens, for the first time at the International Myopia Conference (IMC) 2022 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The results show that the Essilor Stellest lenses continue to exhibit strong efficacy in slowing myopia progression and axial elongation in the third year of the clinical trial.

EssilorLuxottica’s partnership with IMC as a diamond sponsor this year continues to demonstrate the Group’s strong commitment to sharing insights and expertise on myopia control globally and providing innovative solutions for children to help slow down their myopia progression.

Satellite Session Highlights.
EssilorLuxottica’s satellite session was facilitated by Dr. Mark A. Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO – University of Houston, College of Optometry Professor, and Olga Prenat, Head, Medical Marketing, Professional Relations and Vision Care Education, EssilorLuxottica.

The session titled ‘Essilor Stellest lens – New benefits of myopia control spectacle lenses’ saw presentations from EssilorLuxottica’s research and development experts, Dr. Damien Paillé and Dr. Björn Drobe.

The clinical trial was conducted at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in Wenzhou, China, where 151 children from the first two years of the study were switched to spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL) while a new set of 56 children were recruited and wore single vision lenses.

Key highlights from the clinical trial include:

● Essilor Stellest lenses saved more than one diopter of myopia on average over three years, demonstrating conclusive evidence that they remain effective in slowing down myopia progression in children in the third year.

● The results confirmed the significant positive impact of wearing time on myopia control efficacy. Children who wore Essilor Stellest lenses full time saw a marked increase in myopia control efficacy.

● Aside from being effective in younger children, the results confirm that the Essilor Stellest lenses are also effective in slowing myopia progression and axial elongation in older children.

Norbert Gorny, coChief Operating Officer at EssilorLuxottica, said, “ We are extremely encouraged to have such conclusive data showing that Essilor Stellest lenses continue to slow down myopia progression in children after three years. With the growing prevalence of myopia and associated risk of ocular conditions, we are proud to be at the forefront of myopia management with our lenses to move the needle in the fight against myopia. The lens is now available in more than 20 countries, and we will continue to expand our footprint in the future and help advance knowledge and education of myopia management to ensure that everyone understands the importance and benefits of managing myopia early and proactively in children.”

EssilorLuxottica is also one of three GOLD SPONSORs of THE Myopia Meeting Canada, which makes its debut in Toronto on November 6th.

Click here to register for this event.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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.