Blog

August 27, 2020August 27, 2020

Vision Expo to Host Virtual Career Zone Event on September 22

Vision Expo announces plans to host the Virtual Career Zone, a virtual networking event designed to connect young professionals and students with prominent optical companies. Set to take place on Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 11-11:55 a.m. EDT, the virtual event is inspired by Vision Expo’s on-site Career Zone and will include an exclusive panel discussion moderated by Matt Geller, OD, Co-Founder and CEO of CovalentCareers, followed by opportunities for virtual networking with individual company leaders from National Vision, Shopko Optical, MyEyeDr., and Luxottica.

To register for the free event, click here.

The event will begin with a 30-minute panel discussion – “GETTING HIRED! How to be desirable in this market, how to stay relevant, and how to virtually network effectively” – moderated by Dr. Matt Geller. The panel will provide insight into the new challenges associated with searching for a job during a pandemic, with panelists offering actionable tips and career resources designed to help young professionals adapt to the current demands of the job market.

Panelists include:

Dr. Bill Werner, National Vision
Tracey M. Glendenning, O.D., FCOVD, and Director of Residencies and Externships at MyEyeDr.
Dr. Thomas Bobka, Shopko Optical
Paul Case, Senior Manager, OD Recruiting at Luxottica
Dr. Scott Seaburg, Clinical Director, Luxottica Eye Care

Following the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to join five-minute conversations with the participating companies of interest to them. These break-out conversations will provide valuable opportunities for young professionals and students to ask questions and learn more about specific companies and career paths.

Additionally, the Virtual Career Zone’s Passport Incentive Program will provide attendees with the chance to win prizes. To be eligible to win, participants must attend the entire 55-minute program.

The Virtual Career Zone is part of a comprehensive series of virtual programming that Vision Expo is offering to bring the optical community together in between in-person events. Hosted on Vision Expo’s Vision Connects webpage, additional virtual offerings include the Virtual EYE2EYE series, the InFocus video series, and the soon-to-be launched Virtual Vision Series.

For more information on Vision Expo, visit visionexpo.com and follow Vision Expo’s social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.  

August 27, 2020August 26, 2020

Free CE Course on Blue Light for Opticians

OptikConEd is making a comprehensive continuing education course on Blue Light available on the new OptikConEd.com platform at no cost for Canadian Opticians and Optometric Assistants.

This new course, entitled, “The Science of Blue Light | Unlocking the Impact on our Health“, is sponsored by an education grant from BluTech. The course covers the effect of blue light on digital eye strain, vision loss, sleep and migraine.

The Instructor is Valeri Manso, a respected and well known optical educator who often contributes to live and digital optical and optometric education events across North America.

The Blue Light course provides a deep dive on the topic, which has been of some controversy in the lay press of late. Opticians need to be fully aware of the topic in order to answer patient questions with credibility and authority.

As a result of taking this course, the student will be able to:

Separate Fact from fiction when it comes to Blue Light impact
Understand blue light and how it can impact long term vision, daily vision, and overall well being
How to positively impact your patients using the newest lens technology.
Understand how unprecedented and growing usage of digital devices is contributing to blue light exposure in patient’s eyes

The course is approved for a one-hour credit for opticians by NACOR (National Alliance of Canadian Optician Regulators), COO (College of Opticians of Ontario) and CCOA (Canadian Certified Optometric Assistants. The course is also approved by ABO (American Board of Opticianry) and NCLE (National Contact Lens Examiners).

Users can take the at their own pace and timetable facilitating learning at a relaxed in-home setting.

Upon completion of a course, the learner can take an online quiz to test their knowledge. The quiz is instantly graded and a certificate with the relevant accreditation seal is immediately generated. Click here to view the new OptikConEd.com CE website.

Clients interested in learning more about how CE can be implemented on the new OptikConEd.com website can contact the company at: learn@optikconed.ca.

August 27, 2020August 26, 2020

CooperVision Announces Sarah Michelle Gellar as Spokesperson to Increase Awareness of Myopia Management

CooperVision announced popular US television actress, producer, and entrepreneur Sarah Michelle Gellar as the spokesperson for its Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program. Brilliant Futures™ is built around MiSight® 1 day, the soft contact lens FDA-approved to slow the progression of myopia in children ages 8-12 at the initiation of treatment.

This new, multichannel direct-to-consumer advertising campaign featuring Gellar will highlight the importance of annual comprehensive eye exams in monitoring the progression of myopia in children. The campaign will include national and regional broadcast segments, content across digital and social media, and influencers who will be sharing their personal experiences with myopia.

“My husband and I are both nearsighted – and our myopia has continued to worsen over time,” said Gellar. “We want our kids to have a chance for better vision and lower their risk for future eye health issues. (…) That is why I am thrilled to be partnering with CooperVision on this campaign.”

“CooperVision has always been committed to eye health innovation,” said Jerry Warner, Executive Vice President, Americas and Global Commercial Functions of CooperVision. “The goal of this campaign is to help build awareness of the short- and long-term effects of myopia. More than just vision correction, CooperVision’s myopia management program can help build a brilliant future for our children.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

August 26, 2020August 18, 2020

Introducing Polaroid Stay Safe 2 Kid Face Shield

Polaroid adds the STAY SAFE 2 KID face shield, for ages 6-12, to its STAY SAFE collection. Made in Italy, it offers all the same features as its adult counterpart, including an optical grade, high quality lens and pouch, but is scaled down in size for smaller faces.

Distributed by Safilo: www.safilo.com

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020

AAOF Announces 2020 Bert C. and Lydia M. Corwin Contact Lens Residency Award Recipient

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) announces Kimberly Weisenberger, OD, MS as this year’s recipient of the Bert C. and Lydia M. Corwin Contact Lens Residency award. Dr. Weisenberger is a resident cornea and contact lens advanced practice fellow at The Ohio State University College of Optometry.

The award is intended to promote the practice and development of the field of contact lenses by providing incentive and support to talented optometric residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education.

Nicky Lai, OD, MS, FAAO, Associate Professor of Clinical Optometry at The Ohio State University College of Optometry said, “Dr. Weisenberger has the clinical knowledge and skills to manage the variety of patients in our clinics and provides a robust educational experience for our students in her role as a clinical attending and graduate teaching associate.”

Click HERE for the full press release.