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July 6, 2020July 8, 2020

FYidoctors Opens First Clinic in Northwestern Ontario

FYidoctors has announced that Cousineau Eye Centre has joined the FYidoctors brand. The addition of the Cousineau Eye Centre marks the first FYidoctors location in Fort Frances, ON and the Northwestern Ontario region.

The Cousineau Eye Centre was established over 30 years ago by Dr. Thomas Cousineau who received his Doctor of Optometry from the University of Waterloo in 1987. The clinic offers a complete range of family eye care services with a major emphasis in ocular health. The Cousineau Eye Centre also specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye syndrome using a variety of screening and treatment options.

“We’re thrilled to have Dr. Thomas Cousineau and his experienced team join the FYi family. We look forward to serving the people of Fort Frances and the Rainy River District with the same calibre of experience they’ve come to know – just now with a more robust product offering and increased services,” said Dr. Alan Ulsifer, CEO and Chairman of FYidoctors.

Dr. Cousineau echoed the sentiment and commented on his excitement to relay the benefits of the partnership to his patients and community.

“Joining forces with FYidoctors brings tremendous value to our patients by enhancing our ability to deliver leading edge products, services and technologies. FYidoctors also offers valuable industry resources and support systems which will serve to strengthen the level of care and service we provide,” said Dr. Thomas Cousineau.

Click HERE for the full press release.

July 6, 2020July 3, 2020

COVID-19 Relief & Equality in Eye Health Fund

The extraordinary events of the past several months, both the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the incidents of racial injustice and protests have affected everyone worldwide. Optometry Giving Sight joins with the chorus of voices of the optical industry friends who have spoken out against racism and inequality.

Optometry Giving Sight was founded on the principle of bringing eye care to underserved communities, most often facing economic inequities. They recognize the same injustices are found in underserved communities, particularly communities of colour right here in the U.S. and Canada.

With their dedication to Giving Sight and Hope to underserved populations, OGS wants to help give voice to the racial and eye care inequities that exist in communities within our own continent.

In response to COVID-19 and in solidarity with the recent protests against racism, Optometry Giving Sight is making available a COVID-19 Relief Fund for fellow eye care nonprofits/charities that provide services within the United States and Canada. The funding will award small grant support for any one or more of the following considerations:

To provide eye exams and low or no-cost glasses to individuals in underserved communities
Special project funding that helps build sustainable vision care efforts
Provide diversity and inclusion training to staff, volunteers and board members

There is $50,000 available with a max of $5,000 per grant. Applying organizations must have a Canadian Registered Charity status. Interested organizations can submit an electronic application found here by July 31.

Click HERE for the full press release.

July 3, 2020July 3, 2020

The Vision Council Raises $38,100 Through the Open Your Eyes Frame Vendue

The Vision Council announced that the organization’s Open Your Eyes Frame Vendue has raised $38,100 for the Equal Justice Initiative and My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. The week-long virtual auction featured frames with special significance, including one-of-a-kind or never released designs; high demand but discontinued designs; and iconic frames that speak to a moment in eyewear history, designed by leading independent designers. All proceeds will support the Equal Justice Initiative and My Brother’s Keeper Alliance. Additionally, several of the participating designers have pledged their intent to match the winning bids with their own donation.

The bidding kicked off on Friday, June 19 during a virtual happy hour hosted by Tarrence Lackran, Director of Partnerships and Programming for The Vision Council, and the participating eyewear designers, and continued until Friday, June 26.

Participating companies include: AHLEM, Anna-Karin Karlsson, Barton Perreira, Blake Kuwahara, Cazal, Christian Roth, Jacques Marie Mage, l.a.Eyeworks, Morgenthal Frederics & Robert Marc NYC, Nico Roseillier, Rigards, Selima Optique, and Thierry Lasry.

Source: The Vision Council

July 3, 2020May 19, 2026

Reframe the Game with Virtual Eyestyling

Wendy Buchanan had successfully leveraged her opticianry and image consultancy qualifications into a successful mobile dispensing business. She would visit clients at their homes or offices, diagnose their style type and dispense unique independent eyewear frames, often multiple pairs, that were the perfect compliment to their wardrobe styles and facial features. On March 17, 2020 everything changed.

Like all optical dispensers, the provincial “stay-at-home” directives put an abrupt end to Wendy’s business approach. After two-weeks of catching up on those mundane tasks everyone puts aside until a particular motivation strikes, it came to her: Why not set up online ZOOM appointments and pursue her business with virtual eyestyle appointments?

Listen to Wendy Buchanan describe how a covid adaption unveiled the virtual eyestyling opportunity.

Wendy Buchanan Eyewear Fashionista — COVID put the brakes on at Home consultations.

Optik Magazine Publisher, David Pietrobon, interviews Wendy to get her back story, discover how virtual eyestyling works and what advice she offers to eye care professionals considering this new innovative approach.

With unbridled entrepreneurial spirit, Wendy plunged into the challenge of online dispensing, adapting her craft to the new reality of COVID social distancing and stay home guidelines.

The Results?
Suffice to say that Virtual Eyestyling will become a mainstay of Wendy’s practice even long after the covid situation resolves. She has discovered, albeit not by accident, a formula for deeper customer connections, more multiple pair sales and economic efficiencies.

Be Spectacular™ Image and Eyewear Styling for Optical Fashionistas
Combining her expertise in fashion and opticianry, Wendy has developed a training system and tools to help eye care professionals stand out from their competition, increase referrals and magnify profits through personal eyewear consultation with clients. Learn more about the program .

Related Articles:
Wendy is a frequent contributor to Optik Magazine and OptikNOW, providing eye fashion tips for discerning eye care professionals looking to differentiate their optical boutique.

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July 3, 2020June 25, 2020

6Optix is Ready for the World

Shan Khan, editor of Optik Magazine and contributor, features 6Optix Eyewear which was founded by Sunny Braich in the heart of Toronto.

6Optix offers a large collection of frames named after prominent areas and landmarks in The 6, capturing the vibrant spirit and diversity of Toronto. 6Optix’s story began when founder Sunny Braich, the child of a single mother who struggled to make ends meet, started his first day of high school with tape holding his glasses together.

The prohibitive cost of replacement was more than Sunny’s mother could afford, and Braich was inspired to one day make better vision an economically accessible reality for everyone.

This memory, combined with Braich’s passion for art and design, fueled his drive to create a company that offers trendy, affordable, unique frames that deliver on durability.

Find out more on the vision for 6Optix and how the frames are created in the full article in the June-July issue of Optik Magazine.

Click HERE to read the article!