Blog

August 5, 2021May 20, 2026

AO Eyewear Launches New Style

Going through the AO design archives illustrates how classic sunglasses stand the test of time. The AO-1002 is based on the vintage AO Sampson style, popularly worn by Truman Capote.

Though the styling looks as fresh as ever, we saw the opportunity to update the shape to flatter more faces and to be easily worn by any gender. To that end, we’ve reengineered the profile and size for a timeless look refreshed for modern times.

Distributed by Europa: www.europaeyewear.ca

August 5, 2021August 5, 2021

FYidoctors Continues Expansion in Atlantic Canada

FYidoctors today announced the addition of Bohnsack & Steffler Optometrists to its eye care group in Atlantic Canada. The clinic is the eighth in New Brunswick to join FYidoctors.

For over 25 years, Bohnsack & Steffler Optometrists has been serving the residents of Fredericton and is led by optometrists Dr. Harry Bohnsack, Dr. Paula Steffler and Dr. Andrea De Souza, collectively bringing decades of experience in vision care.

“We’re excited to partner with a FYidoctors, and to align ourselves with the growing group of professionals working under its banner,” said Dr. Bohnsack. “The resources and technology now available to us will further support the commitment our clinic has to providing comprehensive, personalized eye care.” Dr. De Souza and Dr. Steffler echoed the sentiment.

“We’re pleased to continue extending our services into the Maritimes, and to welcome Bohnsack & Steffler Optometrists to the FYidoctors family,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and Chairman of FYidoctors. “As FYidoctors’ presence grows across Canada, so does the ability to enhance the lives of patients through vision care.”

Bohnsack & Steffler Optometrists is also pleased to support several non-profits, including annual support for the Fredericton Sunrise Rotary Club, Optometry Giving Sight, Junior Achievement, and many other local organizations.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Transitions Announces 2020 Innovation Award Finalists

Transitions Optical has named the finalists for its annual Transitions Innovation Awards program, which recognizes both individuals and companies for their innovative efforts to support the Transitions^® brand over the past year. The winners will be announced later this year and honoured during Transitions Academy 2022, January 16-19.

“2020 was a unique year, and it’s now more important than ever to focus on the highlights and celebrate our Innovation Award finalists and their achievements,” said Jose Alves, general manager, Americas, Transitions Optical.

2020 Transitions Brand Ambassador

The Transitions Brand Ambassador award celebrates an individual who best showcases their dedication to be an influential advocate of the Transitions brand. The 2020 finalists include:

Ric Peralta, ABOC, Optical Manager – Focal Point Optometry (Fullerton, California)
Rachel Hill, Optician – Personal Optical (St. Catharines, Ontario)
Roxanne Fermin, O.D. – Priority Vision Optometry (Los Angeles, California)

Canadian Eyecare Practice of the Year

The Canadian Eyecare Practice of the Year title recognizes independent eyecare practices in Canada that are actively promoting healthy sight to their patients and within their local communities, and who have demonstrated excellence in supporting the Transitions brand. The 2020 finalists include:

LOPTICIEN.CA (Rosemère and Laval, Quebec)
Lunetterie Milot (Montréal, Quebec)
Vizualis (Pointe-Claire, Quebec)

Best in Marketing

Best in Marketing honours an individual or company for their creative and strategic marketing tactics to effectively promote the Transitions brand or Transitions family of products among customers or within their communities. The 2020 finalists include:

Best in Training

The Best in Training award celebrates an individual, company or educator that has shown creativity in developing or offering training and education opportunities that include dispensing photochromic lenses, the Transitions brand or Transitions family of products. The 2020 finalists include:

BJ’s Optical
Value Optical
Vision Care Centre (Scarborough, Ontario)

Click HERE for the full press release.

Canmore MediSpa and Laser Centre Joins FYidoctors

FYidoctors announces Canmore MediSpa and Laser Centre as the latest clinic to join the company. The addition marks the organization’s first medical aesthetic clinic in the Town of Canmore, Alberta, and its eighth clinic in the province.

Led by Dr. Rick Balharry and his team of aesthetic medicine professionals, Canmore MediSpa and Laser Centre has operated in the region for over 40 years and has been recognized for its unique environment that combines a cosmetic and medical practice. The clinic offers a comprehensive array of services, from advanced laser & light therapies and skin health treatments to complementary surgical procedures such as varicose vein treatments, vasectomies, labiaplasty, prolotherapy and more.

“Through this partnership, we see an incredible opportunity for the practice to implement positive change and upgrades that will not only help the business grow but have a lasting impact on our patients for the years to come,” said Dr. Balharry.

A pillar in the community for decades, the practice has long supported multiple community-led initiatives including the Canmore Area Health Foundation and the youth-focused initiatives at the Banff Squash Tournament.

Click HERE for the full press release.

A Canadian Discovery Moves from the Lab to Clinical Trials

A new potential treatment for diabetic macular edema and agerelated macular degeneration has been discovered by Canadian scientist Dr. Przemyslaw (Mike) Sapieha (Université de Montréal).

The primary treatment for these diseases is anti-VEGF injections which stop the growth of blood vessels. One of the problems with this type of treatment is that all blood vessel growth is stopped; both abnormal blood vessels and sometimes healthy blood vessels which are needed to keep the eye healthy and protect vision.

In a new study published in Cell Metabolism, Dr. Sapieha’s team identified a way to distinguish between healthy and diseased blood vessels. They identified a molecule, BCL-xL, that is higher in abnormal blood vessels compared to healthy vessels. Dr. Sapieha then teamed up UNITY Biotechnology, who have developed drugs that block BCL-xL function. One of these drugs slowed the growth of abnormal vessels in a mouse model of retinal degeneration while allowing healthy blood vessels to survive.

This class of drugs is now being tested in a Phase I human clinical trial to determine safety in individuals with diabetic macular edema or wet age-related macular degeneration.