OS-9331’s blue gradient acetate front was inspired by the glamorous Spring/Summer 2022’s “Twilight in the Tropics” theme. A combination of acetate and Gold-coloured metal layer along the top rim.

Metal wrapping seamlessly integrates around the temple endpieces, top rim and bridge. No exception to the Izumi collection, OS-9331’s temple tips present the brand’s signature shape.

Distributed by: www.westgroupe.com

After the break due to the pandemic, the optical industry had some catching up to do at opti held in Munich from May 13 to 15, 2022.

Around 13,000 visitors from 71 countries did not miss the opportunity to attend the spring opti. According to the visitor survey, the objective of close to three quarters of trade visitors was to exchange ideas with industry colleagues and to initiate business relationships.

Dieter Dohr, Chairman of the opti organiser GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen, said about the special edition: “The opti 2022 is first and foremost an emotional experience. Finally, a trade show again! The conditions were not easy, and we are delighted to see how many have deliberately chosen the May edition. Visitors, exhibitors, trade show specialists – the focus was on bringing together all the stakeholders in opti and conducting exchanges between everyone.”

368 exhibitors from 25 countries used the opti as an opportunity to present collections, products and services, to get feedback and a sense of current market needs.

Throughout the four halls of the opti, the exchanges were clearly noticeable. Getting hands on innovative glasses designs, experiencing the latest technology, understanding trends and their full implications.

Looking forward to the next opti in January 2023.

Click HERE for the full press release.

A Joint Letter by Fighting Blindness Canada, the Canadian Association of Optometrists and Canadian Ophthalmological Society

The Government of Canada must keep its long-overdue promise and develop a Vision Health Plan for Canada. In 2003, the Canadian government made a commitment for the first time to the World Health Organization (WHO) that it would develop a Vision Health Plan for Canada by 2007 and implement this plan by 2009. To date, no plan has been developed.

As recently as July 2021, the Government of Canada voted in the UN General Assembly for the first agreement to be adopted at the United Nations designed to tackle preventable sight loss and enshrine eye health as part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In this resolution, the establishment of a national vision health plan was endorsed again by Canada.

The key to a Vision Health Plan is the establishment of a Vision Health Desk.

The Benefits of a Vision Desk Health at Public Health Agency of Canada

Maintaining good vision is a vital part of overall health and quality of life. The impact of vision loss on an individual is enormous from both physical and mental health perspectives. In fact, 80% of Canadians report that losing their vision is their most feared disability. In a 2019 assessment of vision loss in Canada, Deloitte Access Economics found that vision loss and blindness affect 1.2 million Canadians, or 3.2% of the Canadian population, at a cost of $32.9B. It is a critical public health issue, that has a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It is for this reason that we are advocating for the establishment of an Office for Vision Health, or Vision Health Desk at the Public Health Agency of Canada.

For many years, optometrists, ophthalmologists, researchers, and patient advocates have been engaged in raising awareness about eye health, vision care and the prevention of blindness among Canadians. The good news is that vision loss can be prevented or treated in 75% of cases. Along with vision partners the Canadian Association of Optometrists, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and Fighting Blindness Canada have worked collaboratively to advocate for those who need eye health and vision care the most: seniors, children, those with low vision and disabilities, Indigenous people, and low-income families. We are committed to ongoing collaboration and we recognize that our success is limited without the collaboration and leadership of the federal government.

Led by a Chief Eye Health Officer, the Vision Health Desk would work with the healthcare systems within provinces and territories on strategies for eye health, vision care, and the full integration of post-vision loss rehabilitation therapy into the health care continuum. Similar to the existing Dental Desk, the Vision Health Desk would run public education campaigns about eye health issues, serve as a hub for eye health research and encourage collaboration across all activities with provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations, health professionals, industry and interested individuals. A Vision Health Desk could also set priorities or coordinate vision research and translate science into health services, similar to the National Eye Institute in the United States. The Vision Health Desk would provide a unifying vision for eye health in Canada through the development of a National Strategy for Action on Eye Health and Vision care.

Leadership from our federal government is required to make this a reality for all Canadians, and a Vision Health Desk represents a positive first step in that direction.

Click HERE for the press release.

Marcolin and TBL Licensing LLC announce they have extended their licensing agreement for the design, production and worldwide distribution of Timberland® optical frames and sunglasses.

The partnership, originally signed in 2003, has now been early renewed for a further five years until December 2026.

Marcolin embraces the values of the brand, creating eyewear collections that respect its heritage. The range includes responsible styles made by using bio-based materials for a reduced environmental impact. Most of the sunglasses and optical frames contain at least 35% to a maximum of 80% bio-based content and have earned the coveted Earthkeepers™ designation.

Earthkeepers™, started as a collection in 2007, has evolved into an overarching philosophy that serves as a pathfinder for the Timberland® brand, from its commitment to protect and restore the outdoors, to improve social conditions globally, and find ways to make products more responsibly.

As a signal of their long-lasting partnership, Marcolin and Timberland are also teaming up with the web platform Treedom for the planting of trees and forests worldwide. Within this global initiative, Marcolin has committed to plant over 10,000 trees by 2023, in alignment with Timberland’s longstanding tree planting efforts, with 12,000+ planted to date, and counting.

Click HERE for the full press release.

FYidoctors launchs its Future Vision Leaders program, a one-of-a-kind initiative designed to help new and recent optometry graduates with up to $100,000 in forgivable loans. This unique program aims to partner the next generation of optometrists with patients and regions across Canada that are in marked need of professional eye care expertise, apart from giving new optometrists a career boost unlike no other.

“FYidoctors was founded on doctors defining what eye care looks like—both now and in the future,” says company Chair and CEO Dr. Alan Ulsifer. “This includes the vision to bring the highest level of eye care to all regions of Canada, with special appreciation and presence in rural and under-serviced areas. Eye care and vision is too important to the quality of one’s life to be limited in availability. We are excited about the Future Vision Leaders program to help us fill these important public needs while giving the next generation of optometrists rewarding opportunities.”

As part of the program, FYidoctors will assess applicants on an ad hoc basis and offer them 100% forgivable loans of up to $100,000 for new graduates as well as those who have graduated within the last several years. Successful applicants who enter the program will then be partnered with clinics in either urban, rural or remote regions, with the aim of bolstering the future of the industry while giving Canadians in those regions better all-around access to eye care.

Apart from the Future Vision Leaders loan, graduates who enter the program will also receive competitive base rate compensation, optical benefits and access to world-class innovation, leadership and development opportunities. Additionally, individuals could be eligible for guaranteed minimum pay and moving expenses.

“I was a young optometrist when we founded FYidoctors in 2008,” says Dr. Michael Naugle, FYidoctors’ Vice President, Optometric Partnerships, “and I have benefitted from our OD-owned and controlled model that allows us to practice to the highest level of care due to our emphasis on technology and advanced eye care. As the largest collegial ownership model, we are always looking for the best optometric talent. This one-of-a-kind program helps serve our collective goals in a way that everyone—especially the health care industry—wins. We are excited for its launch and to congratulate our first cohort of Future Vision Leaders.”

For more information, email Optometryleaders@fyidoctors.com.

Click HERE for the full press release.