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September 9, 2021September 8, 2021

Optometry Reference Guide Creates New Category for Alcon’s Permanent Water Surface Lenses

Alcon announced that Tyler’s Quarterly created a distinct category for Permanent Water Surface contact lenses that puts Alcon’s lenses with proprietary water surface technology in a class of their own. This new category debuts in the September 2021 issue of Tyler’s Quarterly alongside the launch of TOTAL30^® contact lenses, the monthly replacement Water Gradient lenses. In addition to TOTAL30, daily disposable lenses DAILIES TOTAL1^® and PRECISION1^® will round out the Permanent Water Surface lenses category.

“Eye care professionals have been relying on Tyler’s Quarterly for over 30 years to stay up to date on the latest in the contact lens market. We are pleased that Alcon’s efforts to push contact lens innovation with water surface technologies have been recognized,” said Sean Clark, General Manager, U.S. Vision Care, Alcon. “With the launch of TOTAL30 lenses, eye care professionals are now able to offer a wider range of lenses with cutting-edge technology.”

With Alcon’s Permanent Water Surface lenses, water surface technologies are permanently anchored to the lenses, featuring water-loving polymers that attract water to provide a cushion of moisture for the wearer.

Click HERE for the full press release.

September 8, 2021September 8, 2021

New Look Vision Group Partners with Black Optical

New Look Vision Group announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with Black Optical. Founded in 2007 by Gary Black, the business is a leading player in the luxury optical segment of the eyewear market in the United States. Black Optical operates three luxury optical stores located in Dallas, Tulsa and Oklahoma City. Gary Black will remain a shareholder in the company and will lead efforts to expand Black Optical’s footprint and presence in the industry.

Antoine Amiel, President and CEO of New Look Vision Group stated that: “New Look Vision Group entered the United States market in March 2020 with the acquisition of the Edward Beiner Group. I am delighted to take a further strategic step in the form of a partnership with Gary Black. Our development model is based on finding leaders and teams to join with, to run and develop their business. Gary Black and his team are renowned for excellence and vision.”

Gary Black, the founder of Black Optical stated that: “It is an honor to partner with an industry-leader like New Look Vision Group and Antoine Amiel to expand Black Optical’s footprint in eyecare, client service and fashion. We share common goals to bring the best quality, style, aesthetics and service to the industry, which will make this a successful partnership with unlimited potential. This partnership is a game-changer and we are ready to hit the ground running.”

New Look Vision Group has a network of close to 450 locations operating mainly under the Iris, New Look Eyewear, Vogue Optical, Greiche & Scaff and Edward Beiner banners and a laboratory facility using state-of-the-art technologies.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Optogenetics Restores Some Vision in Advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient

Scientists have reported that a patient achieved partial recovery of sight in a Phase I/II optogenetics therapy clinical trial. The study sponsored by GenSight Biologics, was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

In advanced retinal degeneration, photoreceptors die so that an individual can no longer sense light signals or make out shapes of images. Scientists are studying if they can turn other surviving retinal cells, such as retinal ganglion cells (RGC) into light sensors using a technique called optogenetics.

In optogenetics a gene that produces a light sensitive protein, such as RGCs, is added to retinal cells. When a specific wavelength of light activates the cell, the light sensitive protein changes shape and turns the cell on or off.

The treatment in this study (called GS030) uses gene therapy to introduce a gene for an algae protein called opsin into RGCs. The patient then wears image-capturing goggles that amplify light signals and turns them into amber light wavelengths which activate the algae opsin.

This study presents results from a 58-year-old French man who before treatment could sense light but not distinguish shapes. Within a few months of treatment, he was able to see the white stripes at a pedestrian crossing and find objects on a table. The visual gains were modest as he isn’t able to see colours or distinguish faces or letters. Nevertheless, this is a big step for the field of optogenetics, and it offers hope that these techniques may be a viable treatment option for individuals with advanced retinal degeneration.

This study only reported on a single patient. The full trial will have up to 15 participants. It will be important to see if safety and efficacy are seen in a larger number of individuals with more results in the coming years.

September 8, 2021September 8, 2021

Canadian ECP Myopia Survey Now Available

The 2021 Canadian ECPs survey on the usage of and attitudes towards myopia control therapies in now available. Click Here to start the survey.

Eligible participants can win one of five $100 gift certificates for completing the online survey.

Results of the myopia survey will help organizations with competitive positioning, identify required adjustments in priorities and determining opportunities to better serve the needs of clients in this important new category.

The final report of the 2021 study will reveal the changes in the market during the past 2 years and thus point to emerging trends in the market.

Organizations wishing to purchase the study may reserve their intention to do so in advance and receive an early-bird discount or include one additional complimentary question in the study questionnaire.

For more information on the study methodology, report format and pricing, please contact:
David Pietrobon (dpietrobon@vuepoint.ca) Phone: 226.780.6871 x 5111
Bill Scott (Bscott@jobson.com) Phone: 646.831.8873

September 6, 2021May 20, 2026

Inface Has You Covered this Summer

This new feminine frame, perfect for days in the sun, come with a bold retro vibe yet still timeless in style. The voluminous frame is crafted from thick acetate and graced with a polished surface. A palette of rich earth tones emphasizes its streamlined form, with its sharpness underscored by a sleek vertical slice of colour in front.

Featured model: IF9830 col. 4225

Distributed by COS: canadianoptical.com