Blog

July 12, 2021May 19, 2026

Compete in a LIVE Event for Awards to Support Your Research!

EOTC Application_Final

Fighting Blindness Canada is launching a new event, Eye on the Cure, to raise funds and awareness for vision research.

Think Dragon’s Den Meets TedTalk

Three finalists will be chosen to compete head-to-head for the chance to win up to $80,000 to support their research.

This competition is geared to early career vision researchers who are studying blinding eye diseases. The strongest applicants will be “pitching” a research project that is currently underway or for which there is preliminary data.

Eligibility Criteria:
You are a vision researcher and…

A PhD student or Postdoctoral fellow or/
Enrolled in a clinical doctoral degree (OD, MD), residency or fellowship program or/
An early-stage investigator, having held an academic position for less than 3 years

Learn more HERE

Deadlines

Application deadline: July 16, 2021, 5pm EST
Finalists chosen: Late July
Live event (in Toronto): November 7, 2021

Click HERE for the full press release.

July 9, 2021July 13, 2021

FYidoctors Grows Presence in Aesthetic Medicine with First Clinic in Ontario

FYidoctors announced Kingston Laser Cosmetic Clinic (“Kingston Laser”) as the latest clinic to join the company. Known as a trusted aesthetic medicine practice in Kingston, the merger marks FYidoctors’ first aesthetic medicine clinic in the Province of Ontario.

Founded in 1998, Kingston Laser Cosmetic Clinic continues to be the leading provider of innovative non-surgical rejuvenation, skin care, and aesthetic treatments in the region. The state-of-the-art clinic is operated by Dr. Kerri Hoffman, Dr. Diane MacGillis and a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to providing exceptional care and personalized service to the clinic’s patients.

“We’re excited about our new partnership with FYidoctors, who share the same values and standards of excellence as Kingston Laser,” shares Dr. Hoffman. “While this is an opportunity for growth, we’re also connecting with leading aesthetic medicine clinics from across the country and integrating with one of Canada’s most trusted, doctor-led, organizations. We are enthused to enhance the quality of care we are able to provide to our patients.”

“As the aesthetic medicine industry in Canada continues to experience exponential growth, we are excited to bring doctor-led treatments into communities across the nation,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and Chairman of FYidoctors.

Dr. MacGillis received both her undergraduate Degree in Life Sciences and Medical Degree from Queen’s University in Kingston and has since received extensive training and certifications in laser and cosmetic medicine. Dr. Hoffman completed her undergraduate Degree in Life Sciences at Queen’s University and her Medical Degree at the University of Ottawa.

Kingston Laser is an active supporter of non-profits and community-led groups which will continue through FYidoctors’ own Enhancing Life Foundation. Past recipients over the last two decades include local sports organizations and the United Way. Kingston Laser have also been the proud recipients of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year Award, and the Consumer’s Choice Award.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Kering Eyewear Acquires Danish Luxury Eyewear Brand Lindberg

Kering Eyewear and the Lindberg family have signed an agreement for Kering Eyewear to acquire 100% of the share capital of LINDBERG.

Founded in 1969 in Denmark by optician Poul-Jørn Lindberg and his wife as an optical store and turned into a multinational company by their son Henrik Lindberg, LINDBERG is a high-end manufacturer of design-oriented, lightweight, and customizable optical frames with a specialization in titanium.

This acquisition is an important milestone in the successful expansion of Kering Eyewear. Since its start in 2014, Kering Eyewear has built an innovative business model that enabled the company to reach a critical size in the market with close to €600 million wholesale external revenues pre-Covid (FY2019). This acquisition will further reinforce Kering Eyewear as the most relevant player in the luxury eyewear market segment, adding to its portfolio a complementary and proprietary brand with strong legitimacy, undisputed know-how and best-in-class customer service in optical frames.

Roberto Vedovotto, President and CEO of Kering Eyewear, declared: “We are thrilled to welcome LINDBERG into the Kering Eyewear family. I have the highest respect and admiration for what Henrik Lindberg and his family have built over the past 35 years. LINDBERG is the absolute luxury eyewear and it will come as a perfect complement to the brand portfolio that Kering Eyewear has been assembling since 2014. We look forward to working with the LINDBERG teams to further increase their brand awareness and amplify their international reach.”

Henrik Lindberg, Founder and CEO of LINDBERG: “35 years ago we started our company in two small back rooms behind our family optical store. With nothing more than the idea of bringing unseen comfortability and quality to the eyewear business. Kering and LINDBERG share a common philosophy that design is ultimately about taking eyewear to an even higher level.”

The transaction is subject to the clearance by the relevant competition authorities and is expected to complete in the second half of 2021.

Click HERE for the full press release.

July 7, 2021May 20, 2026

Timeless Style from the True Original

The General; the quintessential aviator from the company that originated the style, American Optical. Named for General Douglas MacArthur and a favourite of U.S. military pilots for more than 50 years, they’ve been engineered to rigid military specifications. They’re the only aviator you’ll need. The pictured frame, AO General in colour Gold, features AO SkyMaster True-Color Grey glass polarized lenses.

Distributed by Europa: www.europaeyewear.ca

July 6, 2021July 6, 2021

Alcon R&D Team Honoured with Industry Award at BCLA 2021 for Water Gradient Technology

The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) has awarded members of the Alcon Research and Development team – Erich Bauman, OD and Dr. John Pruitt – during the 2021 BCLA Awards ceremony for their outstanding contribution to the contact lens industry and profession. Their invention and development of water gradient technology, featured notably in DAILIES^® TOTAL1^® contact lenses, were recognised with the 2021 Industry Award.

More than 100 scientists, engineers and clinicians across two continents worked closely together over the course of 10 years to solve dozens of complex technical challenges. This work resulted in more than 100 patents during the development of water gradient technology, which is nearing its 10-year anniversary. Erich Bauman led the overall DAILIES TOTAL1 program that co-developed the chemistries and novel manufacturing process while Dr. John Pruitt led the team that developed the separate core and surface chemistries of water gradient technology.

Erich Bauman, Senior Director of Vision Care Development, Alcon, said, “We continually strive to foster a culture of innovation within our R&D community. Perhaps most rewarding for our team is knowing that an enormous number of contact lens wearers around the world wake up each day and insert a new pair of DAILIES TOTAL1 lenses, and their lives are better for it. I am both honoured and humbled to receive this award on behalf of the team who worked so passionately to bring this innovation to the eye care market.”

Dr. John Pruitt, Senior Director of Vision Care Research, Alcon, said, “I am proud of our chemistry and engineering teams that were able to optimize the surface and core materials separately to achieve both extremely high oxygen transmission and an ultra-soft, high water surface. These characteristics often work against each other, and the team overcame many difficult obstacles to achieve what was once considered unachievable.”

Click HERE for the full press release.