Each year, particularly during the holiday season,
many children end up in the emergency room with toy-related eye injuries. With
the current season in full swing, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) wants
to ensure that Canadians get to see 2021 by taking proper precaution when
considering which toys to give to children.
The impact of Covid-19 on this year’s holiday celebrations adds another layer
of risk to an already stressful season given the increased need to shop for
gifts online.
The Canadian Ophthalmological Society recommends taking the following steps when shopping for toys to ensure children are safe this holiday season:
● Age Appropriate – Ensure the recipient of the toy is of the appropriate age according to the packaging’s recommendations. Keep toys for older children out of reach of their younger siblings. ● Avoid certain toys entirely – Do not purchase toy guns or toys that contain lasers, aerosols (such as silly string), sharp edges or easily removable pieces which could pose a choking hazard. Avoid any flying objects or “long and pointy” toys, including swords, lightsabers, wands, etc. ● Inspected and approved – Check the packaging to confirm that the toy has been inspected and approved by the proper regulatory bodies, including the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA), Canadian Standards Association (CSA) or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) ● Provide adult supervision: Keep toys that have potential for injury away from children unless an adult is able to keep a close eye while the child is interacting with the toy. ● Showcase proper usage: Show children how to use the toy, to help prevent them from potentially using it incorrectly, which could create a hazardous situation.
Discover Salvatore Ferragamo’s new Men’s Eyewear Capsule: a stylish selection of frames inspired by Tuscany. With rectangular shapes, more rounded shapes, and classic aviator styles, the collection explores shiny materials, unexpected combinations and intricate decorations.
The Tuscan countryside is reflected in the shades of lenses available, framed by the unique light of late afternoon and sunset.
Quality patient care starts with the people providing it.
Perry Steigner, Optician-Owner
During an ownership transitions, maintaining standards of care among new staff is particularly important for practices that have thrived due to exceptional patient care.
Perry Steigner’s practice was one such case; tucked away in a medical building, Perry leveraged strong people skills to build a robust practice that stood out from the crowd.
His personalized, high-end service drew in repeat patients during its 27 years in operation, even without a street-level storefront.
That lack of visibility might make it seem like an unlikely candidate for an acquisition, but Perry successfully sold the practice to IRIS in 2019.
With IRIS, Steigner was able to grow his legacy of patient care at a new location, while at the same time adopting a more fully integrated practice that enhanced competitiveness.
Below are the details of Steigner’s story: the sale, transition, and outcome.
A Second Look When Perry started his independent practice in 1993, he wanted to stand out amongst the superstore and 1-hour optical outlets popping up in eyecare: “I wanted to get back to the basics: customer service, personal relationships and build a practice that way.” His friendly, conversational approach to service and commitment to quality care was what set his business apart in an increasingly competitive retail landscape.
Dr. Daryan Angle, VP of Business Development at IRIS, approached Perry in 2012 about partnering with IRIS, but the timing was not right for Perry. He was very interested in IRIS’s collaborative model of patient care but was not ready to make a move with a large lease term remaining on his office space.
His practice, Medical Arts Optical, depended on a strong relationship with nearby ophthalmologists and optometrists, giving Perry lots of referrals to work with.
While his store continued its robust growth year after year, Perry realized, that after 40 years in the industry, he still needed the perfect exit strategy.
When Daryan approached him again in 2018, his lease was coming up, and he made the decision pursue a partnership with IRIS.
Evolution of the Deal IRIS provided Perry different options. He could choose to bring in a partner, keep a small percentage, or sell his practice outright. Perry decided to sell 100% of his practice to IRIS and work with them as an employee.
There were other offers on the table, but they all offered an earn-out over a specified period of time, whereas IRIS offered him the option to sell the entire practice immediately. Selling his practice gave him a chance to continue working and provided an easy exit option at the same time.
Although he did not plan to retire right away, he wanted a strategy that made the most of the business he had cultivated over the years: “All the people that I know, and I’ve been in it 40 years, don’t sell their business. They shut them down and get rid of the phone line, and that’s it.”
His passion for the work left him wanting to keep going without worrying about how he would make his exit and entrust his legacy of exemplary patient care to a responsible partner.
New Location, Same Great Service, Flawless Transition Usually, IRIS will partner with an existing location, but this time Perry’s Medical Arts practice relocated to an existing corporate IRIS location half a kilometer down the street. IRIS made sure to bring the features of Perry’s practice with him, to keep his regular patients coming back.
Although IRIS does not typically have in-store edging equipment, Perry brought over his own so he could continue to provide assembly services.
Eight thousand flyers were sent to Perry’s existing patients, explaining the merger. The Medical Arts Optical phone number was rerouted to the new location and the new welcome message was provided in Perry’s familiar voice. Steigner characterized the transition as flawless.
Perry also passed on his formula for friendly patient care to the staff at IRIS: “This is our stage, we are performers, let’s get to know our customers. It’s the personal touch that will set us above our competitors. They are very receptive to that.” Perry was rewarded by seeing the transformation among the staff, who learned from his approach by watching him work.
IRIS provided Perry with a three-year employment contract but told him he could stay on as long as he wanted. The three years will help IRIS integrate Perry’s practice successfully, and Perry was eager to help in any way he can.
The End Result Perry has no regrets about his decision and keeps working out of love for the business. He was happy to make the switch to a great location, and to keep seeing his patients without the administrative hassle of running a business: “What I was glad to get rid of was writing the cheques, worrying about the suppliers, reconciling statements, all that stuff. All my energy now is 100% focused on getting these patients to IRIS.
“Even my accountant would say, ‘Perry, if you are looking at an exit strategy, this is textbook: here you go, you sold your practice, you like the guys you are selling to, you are two blocks away from where you were, the location is fantastic.’ It was a great opportunity.”
IRIS provided Eye Care Business Canada full unconditional access to ECPs that have recently completed a partnership agreement with the group. Each partner story provides and insider’s view to the the acquisition; challenges faced, obstacles overcome and the final results.
Transitions Optical in Canada announced that Transitions®Signature®GEN 8™style colors lenses have been selected as a Product of the Year Canada™
Award finalist. The style colors collection – featuring Amber, Amethyst,
Emerald and Sapphire lenses – were introduced to consumers as available in Transitions
Signature GEN 8 technology in Canada in March of 2020.
The product will now move on to compete among
other finalists to be recognized as the winner of the Product of the Year™ in
Canada. The Product of the Year™ Canada
contest, run annually, is the largest consumer-voted awards for product
innovation in the country. Winners will be announced in mid-January 2021.
“We know that consumers value the benefits of Transitions® lenses, especially the protection from UV and harmful blue light, and appreciate the vibrancy and options of the style colors collection,” said Arnaud Rajchenbach, marketing manager, Transitions Optical. “We’re not surprised that these lenses have stood out to the jury as a game changer. “
The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) and Myopia Profile announced an alliance designed to expand both organizations’ services and reach. This unique venture brings together two groups both at the forefront of research and education in their respective fields. The affiliation will grow CORE’s already extensive clinical research capabilities, adding expertise in specialty lenses, gas permeable, orthokeratology and scleral contact lenses, provide Myopia Profile with priority access to a world-leading clinical research site, and further extend the professional and patient education capabilities for which each team is internationally known, including the areas of myopia management.
The heads of CORE and Myopia Profile—Dr. Lyndon Jones and Drs. Paul and Kate Gifford, respectively—have a multi-decade professional relationship dating back to the mid 1990s. They have often collaborated on projects, lectures and other initiatives designed to advance ocular health and science.
“Our new alliance is a natural extension of our
respect for one another. We have long been aware of synergies in our work,
along with areas where we can each extend the capabilities of the other,” said
Dr. Jones.
“We share many points of view with CORE—clinically
and personally—making this partnership a natural evolution of our relationship.
Paul and I are delighted to be able to work more closely with the wider team at
CORE,” said Dr. Kate Gifford.
CORE and Myopia Profile will maintain their
individual identities, facilities and staffing while pursuing projects
together.
Click HERE for the full press release and more news from CORE.
HOYA Vision Care Canada has announced the availability of Sensity 3, Sensity Colours and Sensity Shine, expanding its light-adaptive lens portfolio for eye care professionals across Canada.
The American Academy of Optometry has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing leaders in optometry, vision science, education, research, clinical care and service.
J.F. REY has introduced IMAGINE, its 2026 kids eyewear collection designed for children aged 4 to 12, with frames emphasizing colour, transparency, comfort and durability.
Toulch Rimless has signed a Canadian distribution agreement with Audace Lunettes, which will represent the Montreal-based brand and its Phi collection across Canada.
SightGlass Vision will host a July 22 webinar for Canadian eye care professionals on contrast management for myopia control, featuring new CATHAY study data and practical insights from Canadian practice.
HOYA Vision Care Canada has announced the availability of Sensity 3, Sensity Colours and Sensity Shine, expanding its light-adaptive lens portfolio for eye care professionals across Canada.
The American Academy of Optometry has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing leaders in optometry, vision science, education, research, clinical care and service.
J.F. REY has introduced IMAGINE, its 2026 kids eyewear collection designed for children aged 4 to 12, with frames emphasizing colour, transparency, comfort and durability.
Toulch Rimless has signed a Canadian distribution agreement with Audace Lunettes, which will represent the Montreal-based brand and its Phi collection across Canada.
SightGlass Vision will host a July 22 webinar for Canadian eye care professionals on contrast management for myopia control, featuring new CATHAY study data and practical insights from Canadian practice.
HOYA Vision Care Canada has announced the availability of Sensity 3, Sensity Colours and Sensity Shine, expanding its light-adaptive lens portfolio for eye care professionals across Canada.
The American Academy of Optometry has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing leaders in optometry, vision science, education, research, clinical care and service.
J.F. REY has introduced IMAGINE, its 2026 kids eyewear collection designed for children aged 4 to 12, with frames emphasizing colour, transparency, comfort and durability.
Toulch Rimless has signed a Canadian distribution agreement with Audace Lunettes, which will represent the Montreal-based brand and its Phi collection across Canada.
SightGlass Vision will host a July 22 webinar for Canadian eye care professionals on contrast management for myopia control, featuring new CATHAY study data and practical insights from Canadian practice.
HOYA Vision Care Canada has announced the availability of Sensity 3, Sensity Colours and Sensity Shine, expanding its light-adaptive lens portfolio for eye care professionals across Canada.
The American Academy of Optometry has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing leaders in optometry, vision science, education, research, clinical care and service.
J.F. REY has introduced IMAGINE, its 2026 kids eyewear collection designed for children aged 4 to 12, with frames emphasizing colour, transparency, comfort and durability.
Toulch Rimless has signed a Canadian distribution agreement with Audace Lunettes, which will represent the Montreal-based brand and its Phi collection across Canada.
SightGlass Vision will host a July 22 webinar for Canadian eye care professionals on contrast management for myopia control, featuring new CATHAY study data and practical insights from Canadian practice.
