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March 21, 2020March 21, 2020

Essilor Offers Some Financial Relief to Independent ECPs

In view of the financial challenges faced by independent eye care professionals as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Essilor Canada has announced three initiatives to help industry through the challenges at hand.

Below is the full statement provided by Essilor Canada.

Essilor Canada Offers Financial Relief

Independent Eyecare Professionals to receive some financial relief during the COVID-19 crisis

Essilor Canada understands the challenges the optical industry, and the entire world, is facing with the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19. In an effort to support our eyecare partners during this difficult time, the company is offering three financial relief opportunities for independent eyecare professionals (iECPs). These are:

Flexible payment terms: On a case-by-case basis Essilor Canada will work with iECP customers to offer the maximum flexibility in payment terms¹
Immediate late fee suspension for all iECP customers²
Pre-authorized payment suspension: Essilor Canada will work closely with iECP customers to arrange alternative payment solutions³

“Our commitment to our customers is unwavering. We always support our eyecare partners the best way possible and we know that the weeks, and perhaps months, ahead will be trying,” says Christophe Perreault, Essilor Canada President. “By providing more payment flexibility we hope to help independent eyecare professionals get back on their feet rapidly as soon as economic activity resumes.”

¹Terms may be extended up to 90 days on current purchases. Essilor Canada will assess each request on a case-by-case basis at Essilor Canada’s sole discretion.

²This measure will be maintained for up to 90 days. The duration will be reassessed further at a later time and Essilor Canada cannot guarantee that the financial relief described herein will be extended further.

³This measure pertains to lens purchase accounts only and will be maintained for up to 90 days. The duration will be reassessed further at a later time and Essilor Canada cannot guarantee that the financial relief described herein will be extended further. Pre-authorized payments will be maintained for iECPS who wish to maintain them. Accounts other than lens accounts will be treated on a case-by-case basis at Essilor Canada’s sole discretion.

March 20, 2020May 19, 2026

SILMO Provides a Beacon of Light for October Event

In a message to all visitors, partners and exhibitors, SILMO Paris released an encouraging letter to remind everyone of their commitment to bring the Optical world together in October 2020.

Below is their message:

The COVID-19 situation is impacting everyone around the world in our families, our communities, our businesses, and the way we live and work. We strongly hope that each and everyone of us will remain unaffected both on a personal and professional level, and that the economical impact for our businesses will be reduced to the minimum.

All the managing teams of SILMO Paris and SILMO Family events in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, have started working from home, to keep preparing all together tomorrow’s big events, which will guarantee a new boost in the optics economy as soon as the sanitary situation will allow it.

The second semester will be even more lively as SILMO Paris will be the biggest industry get-together. From 2nd to 5th of October, SILMO Paris will exceed itself in reinventing and reshaping the sector’s activity and put in perspective the industry’s mid-term challenges.

#FUTURISSILMO will be more than ever the beacon that will bring that collective boost to the optics and eyewear global industry.

In this complex and uncertain time, we want to assure you that we remain dedicated to serving our customers and our communities, and we are looking forward to offering the best service and to hosting more exceptional events in the future.

The whole SILMO team remains available and salutes the industry mobilization to ensure for everyone a good and beautiful sight!

Click HERE for the online message.

March 20, 2020March 20, 2020

Ontario MOH Orders Immediate Cessation of All Non-Essential Services Immediately

The College of Opticians of Ontario provides an important update on the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 virus:

Ministry of Health Directive

This morning, the Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a directive that requires all health care providers in Ontario to immediately cease all non-essential and elective services, or reduce them to minimal levels, until further notice. Allowable exceptions can be made for time sensitive circumstances to avert or avoid negative patient outcomes or to avert or avoid a situation that would have a direct impact on the safety of patients. The full directive is attached.

What Does this Mean for Me?

As you know, earlier this week, the College of Opticians recommended that opticians suspend all non-essential in-person care. The MOH has now issued a directive to cease non-essential services, and accordingly this is no longer simply a recommendation. It is imperative that registrants follow this directive without delay.

What About Remote Practice?

The directive does not address whether it is allowable for health professionals to continue to offer non-essential services via remote or virtual practice, and therefore we are not providing any guidance on remote practice at this time. We will continue to update you as more information becomes available.

What is an Essential Service?

Under the MOH directive, opticians may continue to provide essential services only. What constitutes an essential service will be up to each optician’s individual judgment. The College will continue to develop its FAQs to provide further guidance on what constitutes an essential service.

What if My Employer is Still Telling Me to Report for Work?

If you work for someone else and are concerned that your workplace is not following the MOH’s directive, it is imperative that you let your employer know that you are required to comply. You may have to make important decisions if you have been asked to perform duties that you do not believe comply with the directive. As opticians, your obligations as a health professional must come first.

Recommendations to Dispensary Operators

If you are a dispensary owner, it is important that you recognize that this is not “business as usual,” and take steps to implement the MOH’s directive immediately. We recognize that there are professional, legal and economic consequences to these actions, and recommend that all dispensary owners inform themselves of their legal obligations as employers. Some cities (including the City of Toronto) have issued strong recommendations to close any non-essential retail services.

If your dispensary has ceased operations temporarily during this period, click herefor some suggested content to create a sign for your dispensary. We recommend that you post a notice to patients informing them how they can access their practitioner for urgent matters.

For updates and answers to other frequently asked questions regarding the COVID-19 virus, please click here.

March 20, 2020May 19, 2026

Seneca College Hosts Annual Trade & Fashion Show

Seneca College, in Toronto, one of Canada’s largest Opticianry Colleges, was proud to host its annual Trade show. The Trade show was created to engage students to strengthen their connection with the profession, to introduce students to new products and technologies, as well as to network with the industry’s professionals.

The Optical trade show welcomed 49 vendors who showcased their products and services to 160 opticianry students. Seneca Alumni where also invited to connect with the students. The goal of the tradeshow was to strengthen the link between education and the field of practice.

A fashion show organized by eyewear stylist and optician, Wendy Buchanan with the support of high-end fashion retailer HOLT RENFREW, featured SENECA opticianry students showcasing curated frames and sunglasses complementing seasonal fashions.

Makeup and hair were designed by Seneca College’s makeup and beauty department.

Optik Magazine attended the show as an exhibitor and provided a digital gift certificate to four lucky winners. Congrats to:

Kayondra Fagan

Pavithra Nahenthiran

Anamaria Gaina

Kirn Rashid

March 20, 2020May 19, 2026

HOYA Vision Care Canada Launches Online Marketing Platform

HOYA Vision Care Canada announces the launch of their NEW online marketing portal HoyaPlus.ca, which will host the spring ‘Lenses for Life’ campaign with a manual participation option also available.

This celebrates the launch of Hoya’s newest anti-reflective coating Super HiVision EX3+ which is now even easier to clean than its predecessor EX3, and one of the industry’s most innovative optical advancements available on the market today; “Binocular Harmonization Technology – BHT.”

HOYA’s patented Binocular Harmonization Technology (BHT) considers the prescription for the right and left eyes as individual components to calculate the optimal binocular lens performance. BHT lenses are at the forefront of the “Lenses for Life” campaign combined with other premium lenses and treatments including EX3+. HoyaPlus.ca rewards participants for incremental growth on featured products and tracks all eligible purchases through the site. Reward points can be redeemed on demand through the portal for gift cards from over 50 different vendors!

“HOYA’s “Lenses for Life” campaign is yet another example of the revolutionary developments that we are introducing to give our partners the tools to be successful. As the Ally of the Independent, HOYA strives to give you competitive advantages in the marketplace for the lenses you choose to order,” said Ahmos Henry, President of HOYA Vision Care Canada.

“Lenses for Life” will run through August 31^st, 2020.

Click HERE for the full press release.