Blog

January 13, 2021January 13, 2021

LHON Study Finds Double the Impact

In a surprising finding, scientists have shown that injecting a gene therapy for Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) into one eye can improve the vision in a patient’s other eye.

LHON is a genetic eye disease which leads to degeneration of the optic nerve, which transmits light signals to the brain. This can lead to sudden irreversible central vision loss.

In this Phase 3 LHON clinical trial, sponsored by GenSight Biologics and published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, scientists injected a gene therapy into one eye of an individual who was recently diagnosed (less than 12 months ago) with LHON. The eye that didn’t receive the gene therapy injection acted as a “control” to ensure that any vision changes or safety issues that occurred were caused by the treatment itself and not by something else. Interestingly (and unexpectedly) 78% of the 37 treated patients experienced improved vision not only in the treated eye but in both eyes.

Further research showed that the gene therapy was likely being transferred to the other eye, but importantly was not going to other parts of the body. These are exciting results and the researchers are completing a few more studies. The hope is that if these studies show that the gene therapy is consistently safe and effective, it could be a new treatment for LHON helping to preserve and even restore vision.

Click HERE for Fighting Blindness Canada Research news.

January 13, 2021January 13, 2021

Scotiabank Funds Critical Virtual CNIB Programs

In May of 2020, CNIB received a transformational gift from Scotiabank to ensure the futures of youth with sight loss remain as bright as ever.

Scotiabank’s gift was crucial in allowing CNIB to quickly shift their services and develop a wide range of virtual programs to help young people with sight loss when they needed it most. Not only are these programs helping youth stay connected and engaged while warding off significant isolation during the pandemic, they’re also helping them build vital employment and leadership skills that will put them on the road to success in the future.

So far nearly 450 young Canadians with sight loss have participated in these life-changing programs. Now, more than ever, programs like these are essential in helping youth with sight loss achieve their educational and vocational goals.

Click HERE for the full press release.

January 9, 2021January 8, 2021

ClickCheck: Bringing Vision Care to Underserved Communities

One of the key barriers to bringing vision care to the developing world is the lack of affordable testing tools and Essilor’s ClickCheck™ is breaking down that barrier.

Uncorrected poor vision is the world’s largest unaddressed disability and a public health crisis today, with 2.7 billion people suffering from this condition, of whom 90% live in developing or rural areas at the economic base of the pyramid (BoP). To better serve this population, this latest innovation, the ClickCheck™ enables vision screening to be conducted anytime, anywhere.

Designed with a telescope-like shape, the ClickCheck™ is an intuitive tool that can quickly and easily estimate refractive errors. It is portable and requires no electricity to operate, which makes it ideal for vision screening in all settings – from semi-urban areas and rural villages to remote communities. It is designed for use by primary vision care providers (such as Eye Mitra opticians) and NGOs working in vision care in developing countries, where the cost of an autorefractor can be out of reach.

The ClickCheck™ recorded three wins at the prestigious global International Design Excellence Awards in 2020: Gold in the Medical and Healthcare category; Silver in the Social Impact category; and the Jury Chair’s Award.

Winner of the Essilor’s See Change innovation challenge in 2016, the ClickCheck™ was conceptualized by US design consultancy TEAMS Design and was first known as “QuickCheck”. After refinement and field testing by teams from our Base of Pyramid Innovation Lab, 2.5 New Vision Generation and Center of Innovation and Technology, the ClickCheck™ was created.

Watch the video to see how it works:

Click HERE for the full press release.

January 8, 2021January 11, 2021

A New Optical Omni-Channel Brand Celebrates the World of Independent Eyewear

IMAGINEM, derived from the Latin word for image, is a new global omni-channel media brand that captures the creativity and daring reflected in the spirit of independent eyewear designers.

The brand concept was conceived in Milan, heart of the European fashion world, and celebrates Independent eyewear collections from around the world.

The North American print magazine will be delivered exclusively to the top 7,500 highly targeted independent eyewear retailers and will debut in April 2021. Over 1,000 will be issued to Canadian optical retailers.

IIMAGINEM will be made available on a complimentary basis to qualifying independent eye care professionals. ECPs may request a free subscription from the IMAGINEM website.

IMAGINEM’s omni-channel media consists of a premium quality print and digital replica magazine, an exquisitely curated Instagram page, an interactive bold website and digital e-newsletter communications.

Preview IMAGINEM Online Now. — A preview version of IMAGINEM is now available online.

Content Creator and Customer Relations Manager, Alexandra Amico, was inspired by the opportunity to develop the brand image from experience gained over 10 years working with leading independent eyewear brands in Europe; “It’s very exciting to be part of this premium concept with global reach.”

The global reach of IMAGINEM will be extended through language-specific versions of the digital publication in French, German and Italian.

IMAGINEM has enlisted national brand Ambassadors; well-recognized eyewear fashionistas and social media influencers in specific markets, including Canada, to build awareness of the IMAGINEM brand and its advertising clients.

Together, social media Ambassadors, media partnerships and the multi-language approach will provide independent eyewear collections with unprecedented global reach and cost effectiveness.

Independent ECPs may request a c omplimentary subscription online.

Contact Information :

Canada Sales	David Pietrobon	Canada@IMAGINEMeye.com
USA Sales:	Charlene Nichols	SalesUSA@IMAGINEMeye.com
European Sales:	Alexandra Amico	EuroSales@IMAGINEMeye.com
Editorial Inquiries	Content Curators	Edit@IMAGINEMeye.com

Click Here to View Original Press release

January 6, 2021January 6, 2021

FYidoctors Merges with Bobcaygeon Eye Care

FYidoctors announced its latest clinic merger with the addition of Bobcaygeon Eye Care in Central Ontario. Nestled in the community of Bobcaygeon on the Trent–Severn Waterway, the merger marks the FYidoctors’ first clinic in the region.

“The FYidoctors banner continues to experience record growth across the province of Ontario, and we couldn’t be more pleased to share today’s exciting announcement,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and Chairman of FYidoctors. “We look forward to serving the community of Bobcaygeon with the same comprehensive, trusted vision care they’ve come to expect over the years – alongside highly respected and experienced optometrists, Dr. Anderson and Dr. Crerar.”

Founded in 1992 by Dr. Robert Anderson and Dr. Faye Crerar, the husband-and-wife duo opened the practice with the intention of providing the residents of Bobcaygeon with the most comprehensive eye care available. As the first optometric clinic to open in the community over 28 years ago, the local practice welcomes the new partnership with FYidoctors and the added benefits now available to patients.

“Myself, along with Dr. Crerar’s vision for Bobcaygeon Eye Care has always been to ensure our patients are receiving top quality vision care,” said Dr. Anderson. “We’re confident that this new partnership will continue to deliver on this commitment to our patients, and we’re excited about what the future holds for the practice in the coming years.”

Click HERE for the full press release.