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May 15, 2020November 18, 2020

Spec Styles for Every Personality

April-May issue of Optik Magazine introduces a new feature called IMAGINEM, which highlights advice from Eye Styling Expert Wendy Buchanan, R.O.

Twenty-five years ago, Wendy was bored with the repetition of fitting the same frames over and over and had decided to exit the optical world and trained to be an Image Consultant. She started a small consulting business styling wardrobes of clothing to match personality but realized that once the client’s clothing style was put together, their eyeglasses were all wrong for their new wardrobe and their new look.

Listening to her client’s advice, she started to include Eyewear Styling as part of her Image Consulting services. She shifted her business focus from styling wardrobes to styling “wardrobes of eyewear” and created a mobile eyewear boutique.

Wendy created five “Spec Styles” that include clothing style, hairstyles, personality traits and eyewear choices. There are five Spec Style personalities, and clients will be dominant in at least two — and often three — depending on the style of clothes, fabrics, profession and unique casual wardrobe. Each Spec Style prefers a different look in their eyewear.

“Uncovering your client’s individual style in your retail environment may be as simple as observing the garments they are wearing when they arrive at your dispensary. You can visually assess and note to yourself some details of their clothing style”, said Wendy.

What is the first impression?

1. A strong look with sharp angles and colours.

2. A neat, tailored look with matching belts and shoes.

3. An eclectic look with a mix of new and vintage garments.

4. A relaxed look with comfortable ankle boots.

5. A soft look with shiny fabrics or in luxurious cashmere.

Wendy’s advice: As you style your next client:

• Pay attention to their clothing style and make a mental note of designs and lines.

• Check out the shapes, colours and styles of the accessories they are wearing: jewellery, handbags and shoes.

• Ask more questions about their fashion preferences and recommend multiple frames!

Want to find out more? Click HERE to check out Wendy’s five Spec Styles and find out how to be Spectacular & Successful in all you do!

You can learn more about Wendy’s image and eyestyling program for optical fashionistas at www.specstyling.com.

May 14, 2020May 14, 2020

New Look Vision Reports Results for Q1 of Fiscal 2020 and Provides Actions in Response to COVID-19

New Look Vision Group reported financial results today for the 13-week period ended March 28, 2020 and provided actions in response to COVID-19 and new financing arrangements.

Q1 2020 highlights, which were impacted by COVID-19 in March, are as follows:

• Revenues decreased by 4.8% to $68.0 million, resulting from COVID-19 temporary store closures, as well as scheduled store closures offset by revenue from newly acquired stores.

• Comparable store sales orders were down by 14.3%, compared to last year (but up 2.1% at the end of February 2020, pre-COVID-19).

• Adjusted EBITDA attributed to shareholders reached $15.4 million, an increase of $3.5 million or 29.6% over last year.

• Net loss attributed to shareholders was $0.3 million, a decrease of 115.3% over last year, mainly driven by the temporary closure of the majority of the Company’s stores during the last two weeks of March and the impact of IFRS 16.

• Cash flows related to operating activities reached $13.5 million, an increase of $0.9 million or 7.4% over last year and increased 7.5% on a per diluted share basis to $0.86, which is mainly explained by the impact of IFRS 16.

• Since the previous quarter total debt has increased by $35.4 million mainly as a result of business acquisitions.

Antoine Amiel, the President and CEO of New Look Vision, stated that: “The strong organic growth momentum from the fourth quarter of 2019 carried into 2020 until the impact of COVID-19 hit company wide full force in March. New Look Vision has responded swiftly to the crisis. Utmost on our minds has been the safety and well being of our employees, associates and clients. Many measures have

been taken to secure the future of the business through and beyond the crisis, including significant new additional financing arrangements. I want to specifically thank all of our employees and associates across the country who have worked so hard and showed such dedication in these unusual times. We are well positioned to withstand the current disruption given New Look Vision’s efficient operations, historical profitability and strong balance sheet, and be in a position, as conditions improve, to successfully pursue our growth strategy in Canada and the United States in 2020 and beyond.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

May 13, 2020May 13, 2020

Langis Michaud named Director of the School of Optometry at Université de Montréal

At its March 23^rd meeting, the Board of the Université de Montréal appointed Langis Michaud as Director of the School of Optometry for a five-year term beginning June 1.

“His in-depth knowledge of the school, his impressive track record, his rigour and his ability to face challenges head-on will add to the School’s strengths and its influence as a key player in the health care system in Quebec, Canada and abroad,” said Rector Guy Breton.

A graduate of the School of Optometry, Mr. Michaud also holds a master’s degree in physiological optics from the Université de Montréal and a postgraduate diploma from the École nationale d’administration publique.

A full professor since 2013, Langis Michaud began his career at the School of Optometry as a guest lecturer and clinical lecturer before becoming an assistant professor. He has been chief of the contact lens department for more than 10 years, and he also works in primary care (eye emergencies). He was president of the Association des optométristes du Québec from 1997 to 2005 and president of the Ordre des optométristes du Québec from 2013 to 2018.

Source: Université de Montréal

May 13, 2020April 2, 2020

Clinical Highlights of a Three-year Study on Myopia Control Contact Lenses

Myopia management is a topic highlighted in optometry news lately. Myopia is on the rise and increasing at a remarkable rate worldwide. It’s estimated that 23% of the population is currently myopic and that by year 2050 this number will rise to 50%. There is also a correlating trend upwards of high myopia which is the chief concern at hand. Not only is high myopia an inconvenience, but also associated with a significant increase in pathological risks; therefore, researchers are finding ways to manage this myopia epidemic and eye care professionals are starting to educate patients and their parents on the latest management options.

In recent years, research studies on optical methods have been found to reduce myopia progression, including progressive addition lenses, orthokeratology, and multifocal or aspheric designed soft contact lenses. The mechanism of myopic defocus has been shown to slow down the progression of myopia by inhibiting eye growth and therefore axial length. Myopic defocus in dual focus contacts work by alternating powers of distance correction and myopic defocus, which allows for correction of the child’s refractive error while simultaneously controlling the progression of myopia.

One such contact lens that uses hyperopic defocus is MiSight lenses by CooperVision approved in Canada. CooperVision MiSight® 1-day contact lenses have shown to reduce the rate of myopia progression by 59% over 3 years. A study by Anstice and Phillips evaluated the effect of dual-focus contact lenses in 40 children aged 11 to 14 years old. The results showed that after 10 months, the change in spherical equivalent refraction and axial length was significantly less in the eye wearing the dual focus lens compared to the eye wearing the single vision lens. Spherical equivalent was -.044D in the dual focus wearing eye versus -0.69D in the eye with a single vision lens. Axial length was 0.11mm in the dual focus lens wearing eye versus 0.22m in the single vision lens wearing eye.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the MiSight daily disposable soft contact lens in slowing progression in spherical equivalent refractive power and axial length. The results of the clinical study can give eye care professionals the confidence to start adding myopia management to their practice. In turn, they can increase patient satisfaction, lower disease risks and increase revenue.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=anstice+and+phillips

May 12, 2020April 21, 2020

Lightec from Morel: Comfort is Key

The Lightec collection captures the latest trends to give men and women an ultra-minimalist look. Lightec uses the latest innovative materials and techniques to create concepts that offer men and women a comfortable and lightweight option.

These Lightec frames have acetate and metal color perfect match, super slim acetate tips and nylon wire connexion.

Featured model: 30182L

Distributed by Lanctôt: www.rlanctot.com