Strategic Alliance adds 111 New Locations Nation-wide Specsavers Canada has announced a transformative agreement with Loblaw Companies Limited to open 111 new Specsavers locations inside Loblaw-owned grocery stores across the country. The new clinics will replace the current Theodore & Pringle optical brand, which will cease operations.
With this expansion, Specsavers will operate over 260 locations nationwide.
Where the New Clinics Will Open The new Specsavers locations will begin opening in September 2025 in select Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, and Zehrs stores. This rollout introduces Specsavers to five new provinces — New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan — and one territory, Yukon. It also strengthens the brand’s footprint in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
What Patients Can Expect Each Specsavers clinic will offer a full range of optical services, including comprehensive eye exams, prescription eyewear, contact lenses, and advanced diagnostic imaging using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). All locations will be staffed by independent licensed optometrists and opticians.
“This expansion represents a pivotal moment for eye care accessibility in Canada,” said Bill Moir, Managing Director of Specsavers Canada. “We are now able to expand our mission across the country, ensuring more families can access comprehensive optical services in the communities where they already shop.”
Why Loblaw Made the Switch The decision to retire Theodore & Pringle and partner with Specsavers was guided by shared values.
“Specsavers’ reputation for accessible eye care aligns perfectly with our purpose — to help Canadians live life well,” said Irene Doody, Head of Optical, Loblaw Companies Limited. “This partnership provides a seamless transition for our customers while introducing them to a trusted global leader in eye care.”
EssilorLuxottica has announced a strategic agreement to acquire the optical materials division of South Korean firm PUcore, reinforcing its position in the upstream value chain of ophthalmic lens production.
The deal includes all PUcore assets and entities involved in the development, manufacturing, and sale of monomers used for high index lens materials—critical components in producing thinner, lighter ophthalmic lenses. The acquisition covers a research and development unit, a materials production facility, and a sales office based in South Korea. EssilorLuxottica will also gain access to PUcore’s intellectual property, including proprietary formulations and production processes.
“We are happy to welcome PUcore’s optical division and its talented teams into our Group,” said Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO, and Paul du Saillant, Deputy CEO at EssilorLuxottica. “This addition will allow us to widen our portfolio of patents, technologies, and know-how, and extend our expertise upstream. By continuing to improve the production and formulation of high index monomers, we will raise the bar for performance and sustainability across the ophthalmic industry.”
This acquisition is expected to strengthen EssilorLuxottica’s long-term sourcing capabilities, particularly in high-performance lens materials. The transaction is slated to close by the end of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and standard closing conditions.
Read the EssilorLuxottica press release here. https://www.essilorluxottica.com/cap/content/259356/
Sunglasses aren’t just a summer staple—they’re essential for eye protection, and a stylish second-pair opportunity for patient education and dispensary sales.
This season, compact cat-eyes and geometric micro shapes in chunky acetate are dominating runways. Shades like cherry red, plum, and icy nude are turning sunglasses into statement pieces. Prada and Miu Miu are at the forefront, but independent designers are also thriving. Spectacle Eyeworks offers edgy, standout frames, while Rapp Optical brings handcrafted Canadian sophistication. For luxury-minded patients, DITA, Krewe, Gucci, and YSL deliver detail-rich designs with premium finishes.
Mel Rapp
On the lens side, fashion meets function. Tints and coatings are trending for both visual performance and aesthetic appeal:
Amber and copper: Enhance contrast for driving and changing light.
Green (G-15): Offer true colour balance and glare reduction.
Rose and blush: Reduce eye strain and pair beautifully with this season’s nude palettes.
Gradient and mirrored coatings: Provide indoor-outdoor versatility and style.
Summer is a strategic time to refresh displays and initiate conversations around UV protection, polarization, and personalized lens solutions. A curated sunglass offering lets ECPs boost patient satisfaction and drive sales.
Step into Summer 2025 by combining lens tech with luxury looks—help your patients protect their vision while expressing their personal style.
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From September 26 to 29, SILMO Paris — “the place to be, to see & to foresee” — will bring together the entire optics and eyewear industry at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.
Among the highlights of the show is the Optical Design Contest. A true springboard for tomorrow’s talents, this contest offers design students from around the world the opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation and explore the endless possibilities of design in the world of optics.
This year, the contest challenges participants to create bold and visionary frames on the theme: “Superhero Glasses.” These designs must go beyond mere corrective function to become instruments of transformation, empowerment, and reinvention of vision and the world.
Presided over by Michel Penneman, a renowned international designer and interior architect, the Optical Design Contest highlights the potential for eyewear to become much more than a simple accessory:a true technology, a source of power, a gateway to new perceptions.
Join us at SILMO Paris on the Optical Design Contest stand — the 2025 winner will be announced on Friday, September 26. Until then, discover the finalists!
As part of Oakley’s 50th Anniversary Celebration being held at its “Interplanetary Headquarters,” Oakley and Axiom Space officially announced their partnership on the visor system for the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU).
This history-making collaboration brings two distinctly different industries together to equip astronauts, who will return to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, with leading technology to enhance safety and offer state-of-the-art clarity while they explore the lunar south pole as part of NASA’s Artemis III mission.
Oakley is built to take on the extremes: snow-covered slopes, sun-scorched trails, and high-speed descents. Now, it will enter its most unforgiving environment yet: space. The AxEMU visor system will bring 50 years of innovation in elite sports and performance eyewear to the Moon.
Astronauts are athletes on an entirely different level, navigating visually complex and hostile environments, where clarity and protection are paramount. Oakley’s advanced optical technologies will help them see farther, clearer, and bolder than ever before. Integrated into the next-generation spacesuit, developed by Axiom Space, the stowable two-part deployable visor is being engineered for the next era of human space exploration.
“The next person to walk on the Moon will be wearing Oakley’s next-gen High-Definition Optics (HDO), and that’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly,” shared Ryan Saylor, SVP of Advanced Product Development at Oakley. “Developing the AxEMU visor system alongside Axiom Space marks a historic milestone. This breakthrough represents decades of relentless innovation, a clear commitment beyond reason. We’re proud to bring this legacy of optical performance and visual acuity to the Artemis III mission and define the future of space exploration.”
“We are excited to work with Oakley on the visor system,” said Russell Ralston, Executive Vice President of Extravehicular Activity at Axiom Space. “With decades of pioneering expertise in optical innovation, Oakley will bring exceptional value to the design of our spacesuit. The unique collaboration exemplifies Axiom Space’s commitment to revolutionizing spacesuit development through innovative industry partnerships around the world.”
The visor system is being built for the visually challenging environment of space, where light bends differently and shadows run deeper. From starlight to direct solar exposure, the visor technology will shield against harmful radiation and deliver the clarity and protection astronauts need. Key features of the AxEMU visor system include:
Two-part deployable visor that slides and stows seamlessly for adjustable protection
Gold coating with reflectivity to shield from extreme light conditions
Tuned visible light transmittance to enhance astronaut visibility from harsh sunlight
Reduced haze to optimize visual clarity
Multilayer coatings applied on the internal surface of the visor and secondary helmet bubble
Scratch-resistant coating to protect against lunar dust
Secondary helmet bubble protects the astronaut from UV radiation and lunar dust
“In space the sun is really harsh, it feels as if it’s piercing through your eyes,” said Koichi Wakata, Axiom Space astronaut and Chief Technology Officer. “That’s why we need an exceptional visor system to protect [our] eyes and [offer] maximum visibility to enable [astronauts] to work in the challenging lunar environment.”
Axiom Space selected Oakley for its expertise in extreme sports and adventure environments. When astronauts return to the lunar surface for the Artemis III mission, they will need a spacesuit optical system to provide clarity and protection against infrared light, extreme temperatures, and micrometeorites while working in the permanently shadowed regions of the lunar south pole. The advanced AxEMU visor system is critical to ensure optimal performance in this challenging environment.
The Oakley and Axiom Space collaboration sets a new benchmark in human-rated space technology, set to advance space exploration on the Moon and beyond for generations to come.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
