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Quebec’s OPTOPLUS Banner Reinvents Annual Les journées OPTOPLUS Gathering

More than 200 OPTOPLUS eye care clinic owners and employees, as well as supplier partners and sponsors, gathered virtually on Sunday, October 25th, as the banner presented their innovative online conference.

“These past few months have been filled with uncertainty and our industry has had to face many challenges. This is why today, more than ever, we are committed to offering support to our members, especially in the development of technology and e-Commerce. Moreover, the OPTOPLUS banner clinics set themselves apart through their efficient use of technological tools,” said Patrice Lacoste, President and CEO of OSI Group.

With a focus on improving and optimizing clinic operations, participants benefited from the advice and expertise of three renowned speakers:

– An expert in her field and a seasoned entrepreneur, Isabelle Huot, PhD in Nutrition and columnist for TVA and the Journal de Montréal shared her recipe for success with the audience.

– Change is permanent – there is no better time than now to broach this subject! Speaker and author Sylvain Guimond, D.O. PhD presented an inspiring approach to better adapt to change and how to harness it through creativity and commitment.

-During her presentation of “The Art of Being a Good Buyer,” Stéphanie Byette, licensed optician, college-level teacher in visual orthotics and consultant for Mood Eyewear, presented her golden rules on how to become a top-notch frame buyer.

The virtual event also featured interactive games, clips from Safilo and Marcolin on the upcoming frame trends for 2021 as well as entertaining musical sets by DJ Lady Blackice.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Transitions Offers Certification Program Online

Transitions Optical has launched a new online training resource—the Transitions Certification Program.

The new Transitions Certification Program offers two ways to participate: one for individual eye care professionals (ECPs) to become a Transitions Specialist and another for eye care practices to become a Transitions Certified Provider. ECPs can become a Transitions Specialist by completing the required online training and passing a quiz. Once completed, they will receive a certificate, a lapel pin and a social post they can use. To become a Transitions Certified Provider, practices must have three ECPs from their office become Transitions Specialists. After successfully becoming a Transitions Certified Provider, practices earn a window cling to display in their office, social posts they can use and a specialized icon on the Transitions.com Eyecare Practice Locator.

In 2019 over 200,000 consumers searched for an eye care professional using the Eyecare Practice Locator on Transitions.com.  The specialized icon will allow Transitions Certified Providers to stand out on Transitions.com to consumers using the Eyecare Practice Locator.

The online training series consists of several interactive training modules including Light is Life: “The Universal Needs for Light Management,” Light Under Control: “The Benefits of Transitions Light Intelligent Lenses,” Masters of Light: “The Role of a Transitions Specialist,” and a fourth module Transitions® Signature® GEN 8: “New Technology. New Frontier of Performance.”

Although designed for eyecare professionals, other industry professionals such as laboratory representatives, customer service agents, and trainers may find the education modules valuable and are encouraged to sign up and take advantage of this foundational training program.

View the training resources and program requirements HERE.

Click HERE for the full press release.

CooperVision’s Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program Now Available in Canada

CooperVision announced the Canadian launch of the Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program featuring the innovative MiSight® 1 day contact lens.

The Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program seeks to create a new standard of care for children with myopia. It provides inclusive practice, child and parent support to create the optimal environment for compliance, satisfaction, clinical outcomes and long-term loyalty, all via a comprehensive management program featuring MiSight® 1 day daily disposable contact lenses. MiSight® 1 day is the first soft contact lens clinically proven to slow the progression of myopia (or nearsightedness) in age appropriate children.

The Brilliant Futures™ Myopia Management Program features:

  • Ongoing education and support on the MiSightPro™ resource portal.
  • Support from a dedicated Myopia Management Specialist to answer any questions regarding myopia management or the Brilliant Futures program.
  • Free product shipping, including directly to patients’ homes
  • Hassle-free return policy
  • A Brilliant Futures™ resource portal to help patients stay compliant with their lens-wearing schedule and engaged with their program of care, providing convenient access to myopia management information, lens handling instructions and videos, and more.

The MiSight® 1 day lens is already being successfully worn by thousands of myopic children in many parts of the world, including right here in Canada, the United Kingdom, Spain and Australia, where age ranges for initial fitting may vary. It has been recognized as one of the most innovative developments in myopia management by the likes of the British Contact Lens Association and international industry media.

Click HERE for the full press release.

EssilorLuxottica Q3 2020: Strong Recovery Driven by Resilient Optical Business

EssilorLuxottica announced that consolidated revenue for the third quarter of 2020 totalled Euro 4,085 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 5.2% (-1.1% at constant exchange rates) and highlighting a strong sequential recovery compared to the second quarter of 2020. For the first nine months of 2020, consolidated revenue amounted to Euro 10,315 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 21.2% (-20.0% at constant exchange rates).

“We are pleased with the strong rebound that our Company delivered during the third quarter and proud of all of our employees who made this possible. They swiftly adapted to a challenging environment and a new way of working, enabling the company to continue its solid recovery. (…)

Combined with our drive to promote our large portfolio of brands, digitalise the consumer journey and more broadly reshape and transform the eyecare and eyewear industry, this all gives us great confidence in the Group’s future prospects for 2021 and beyond”, commented Francesco Milleri, Deputy Chairman and CEO of Luxottica, and Paul du Saillant, CEO of Essilor.

In North America revenue decreased by 1.5% (up 2.5% at constant exchange rates). In Lenses & Optical instruments, the business continued its rebound throughout the quarter. This recovery was driven by independent ECPs who were quick to implement new safety protocols to leverage patient interactions, generate higher capture rates and improve their product mix. This was especially true in eye doctor alliances and with Essilor Experts.

Retail chains located in shopping malls lagged behind during the recovery. Online sales were up strong double digits during the quarter, driven by eyeglasses specialist EyeBuyDirect.com. In terms of products, Crizal anti-reflective lenses, Transitions GEN 8 photochromic lenses and Eyezen anti-fatigue solutions were some of the best sellers during the quarter. The new Varilux Comfort Max was launched in the USA during the quarter and the new Crizal Rock started in Canada in September. Instrument sales were up double digits as optometrists sought to improve the eye exam experience and the overall level of service.

Click HERE for the full press release.

AAOF Announces 2020 VSP Practice Excellence Scholarship Recipients

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) and VSP Global® announce the recipients of this year’s Practice Excellence Scholarships, including four Canadian recipients. Nearly $164,000 were distributed to several top-performing fourth-year optometry students in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada.

The scholarships are funded by VSP Global and administered through the AAOF. In total, VSP has awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships to optometry students.

The Practice Excellence Scholarship is a long-standing and prestigious award that represents the very best in what optometry has to offer in patient care, practice management and in the communities. Only two recipients from each of the 25 schools and colleges of Optometry were selected from nomination submitted by their individual institutions. Scholarship recipients were selected based on key criteria including the student’s commitment to enter the independent practice of optometry, and their clinical and academic performance.

Here are the 2020 Practice Excellence Scholarship recipients:

University of Montreal, School of Optometry — Anabel Cormier & Ariane Dupont

University of Waterloo, School of Optometry and Vision Science — Joanne Han Qiao & Christina Chen

Chicago College of Optometry at Midwestern University — Michael DeStefano & Rema Idriss

Illinois College of Optometry — Phoebe Chow & Randi-Jo Francis

Indiana University School of Optometry — Sydney Lehman & Nina Rettig

Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry — Safinaz Gamini & Jessica Bertemati

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Carolyn Te & Cynthia Noorani

Michigan College of Optometry — Azra Fazil-Jamal & Amanda Kruse

Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry — Bryan Grossman & Tyler Boyack

New England College of Optometry — Jonathan Elin-Calcador & Nathan Bates

Northeastern State University Oklahoma, College of Optometry — Kayla Cook & Kristina Flaig

NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry — Erik Kelly & Austin Mason

Ohio State University College of Optometry — Kirsten Sullivan & Veronica Schuver

Pacific University College of Optometry — Christina Goodrich & Megan Schmauder

Pennsylvania College of Optometry — Gina Piorkowski & Tanya Vigdal

Rosenberg School of Optometry — Bilal Ismail & Michelle Nguyen

Southern California College of Optometry — Bradley Kovach & Lauren Zabaleta

Southern College of Optometry – Jonathan Eide & Alec Waters

State University of New York College of Optometry — Anthony Boyd & Emily Shtull

University of Alabama at Birmingham — Sarah Kate Day & Whitney Powell

University of California-Berkeley, School of Optometry —Joanna Toner & Jeffrey Kong

University of Houston, College of Optometry — Linus Klingler & Sarah Wilting

University of Missouri–St. Louis, College of Optometry — Katelyn Flood & Kyle Carnahan

University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Optometry — Hannah Sigmon & Ambrosia Makini

Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry — Suparna Bajaj & Alexander Bennett

Click HERE for the full press release.

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