As of Monday, March 16th, The College of Optometrists of Ontario, in consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Health, recommended that all optometry offices suspend all non-urgent care for the next two weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ocular
emergencies include the following:
1. Sudden
onset of flashes and floaters with veils or curtains in vision
2. Recent
foreign body or trauma to the eye
3.
Persisting pain or sudden onset painful red eye or red eye with severe discharge
4. Acute
vision loss or decrease in vision
5. Sudden
onset vision loss
6. Sudden
onset diplopia (double vision)
For full details on the College’s recommendations, click HERE
Click HERE for the College’s COVID-19 FAQ for Optometrists
CooperVision
is now accepting submissions for its 2020 Science and Technology Awards
program, with a focus on novel research concepts to address
myopia and presbyopia. The program fosters partnerships between recipients and
CooperVision scientists to explore new dimensions in vision care, with the goal
of translating innovative ideas into practical solutions.
Over
its history, the program has made 14 grants totaling $2 million to investigate
matters such as ocular surface health, contact lens discomfort, contact lens
functionality, and retinal response to optical defocus.
In
2020, submissions will be considered for the following subjects:
Strategies and interventions to slow myopia progression, with an emphasis on new technologies for treatment and management; effective solutions for fast progressors; understanding environmental factors that may initiate and prolong progression; and intelligent systems and data approaches for identifying at-risk eyes.
Technologies to enhance the optical functionality of contact lenses for the correction of presbyopia.
Proposals
may span proof-of-concept through translational stages and are eligible for two
types of awards. The CooperVision Seedling Award is intended for investigation
of early stage concepts for a one-year period, with a maximum grant of
$100,000. The CooperVision Translational Research Award is a two-year grant for
substantive projects with funding up to $400,000. It is intended to incentivize
collaboration with CooperVision in new research areas.
CooperVision
Science and Technology Awards are open to any researcher with principal
investigator (PI) status holding an OD, MD, PhD or equivalent degree.
Applicants such as postdoctoral fellows with a waiver of PI status must submit
appropriate documentation before funding can be disbursed.
Interested
applicants must submit a letter of intent before May 31, 2020. If a letter is
accepted, an applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Researchers have found the
cells linked to the leading cause of blindness in elderly.
In the Oct. 25 issue of the
journal Nature Communications, Yale
researchers reported that glial cells, also called support cells and
vasculature cells, which supply blood to the retina as well as cone cells,
contribute to macular degeneration.
Genome-wide studies have
identified almost three dozen genes that play a role in the disease, but the
exact location where they inflict damage had remained unknown until now.
The Yale/Harvard/MIT team
used new single-cell sequencing to generate the first comprehensive human
retinal atlas. They used data analysis technology to localize their effects to
specific cell types associated with the disease.
This new information can
help find treatments for macular degeneration in the future. “This study helps pinpoint cell types that can be
investigated closely to develop new types of therapeutics,” said co-senior
author Brian Hafler, assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual science
and of pathology at Yale.
While age is the most significant risk
factor for developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), other risk factors
such as heredity, blue eyes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and
smoking have also been identified. AMD accounts for 90% of new cases of legal
blindness in Canada.
While current treatments of
both the dry and wet form of macular degeneration of injections, photodynamic
therapy and vitamin supplements can provide some benefits, there can be
continued progressive vision loss even with treatment. There is still a gap for
effective treatments for the largely affected population. The identification of these risk cells provides possible
points of interest for new therapies to improve and restore vision in AMD
patients.
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The College of Opticians of Ontario (COO) have issued a statement to the province’s Opticians who, as front-line health care professionals, work in close proximity to patients and therefore exposes them to a measured risk of infection including COVID-19.
The College references the recently updated (December 2019)
Standards of Practice and to use professional judgement to
decide whether to engage in remote practice with patients .
In the case that remote practice is not possible, COO makes the
following recommendations:
Consider scheduling appointments with patients to reduce the number of patients in the dispensary at one time.
Sanitize surfaces, frames and equipment between patients.
Wash hands between patients.
Disinfect frames thoroughly before returning to the display using anti-bacterial soap and water or with a disinfecting wipe that is safe for frame material.
Post signs in your dispensary asking patients who are feeling unwell to reschedule.
Include messaging on your website, voicemail and email asking patients to reschedule if not well and advising of delivery options for contacts and eyeglasses.
Upon arrival at the dispensary, ask patients if they are experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath and/or have recently returned from travel outside of Canada and reschedule appointments as needed.
For its part, the College will temporarily be moving to a remote office model until further notice in order to safeguard the health and safety of the staff and board members as well as minimize service disruptions to the public and registrants and will be posting regular updates on their social media networks.
HOYA Vision Care Canada has announced the availability of Sensity 3, Sensity Colours and Sensity Shine, expanding its light-adaptive lens portfolio for eye care professionals across Canada.
The American Academy of Optometry has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing leaders in optometry, vision science, education, research, clinical care and service.
J.F. REY has introduced IMAGINE, its 2026 kids eyewear collection designed for children aged 4 to 12, with frames emphasizing colour, transparency, comfort and durability.
Toulch Rimless has signed a Canadian distribution agreement with Audace Lunettes, which will represent the Montreal-based brand and its Phi collection across Canada.
SightGlass Vision will host a July 22 webinar for Canadian eye care professionals on contrast management for myopia control, featuring new CATHAY study data and practical insights from Canadian practice.
HOYA Vision Care Canada has announced the availability of Sensity 3, Sensity Colours and Sensity Shine, expanding its light-adaptive lens portfolio for eye care professionals across Canada.
The American Academy of Optometry has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing leaders in optometry, vision science, education, research, clinical care and service.
J.F. REY has introduced IMAGINE, its 2026 kids eyewear collection designed for children aged 4 to 12, with frames emphasizing colour, transparency, comfort and durability.
Toulch Rimless has signed a Canadian distribution agreement with Audace Lunettes, which will represent the Montreal-based brand and its Phi collection across Canada.
SightGlass Vision will host a July 22 webinar for Canadian eye care professionals on contrast management for myopia control, featuring new CATHAY study data and practical insights from Canadian practice.
HOYA Vision Care Canada has announced the availability of Sensity 3, Sensity Colours and Sensity Shine, expanding its light-adaptive lens portfolio for eye care professionals across Canada.
The American Academy of Optometry has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing leaders in optometry, vision science, education, research, clinical care and service.
J.F. REY has introduced IMAGINE, its 2026 kids eyewear collection designed for children aged 4 to 12, with frames emphasizing colour, transparency, comfort and durability.
Toulch Rimless has signed a Canadian distribution agreement with Audace Lunettes, which will represent the Montreal-based brand and its Phi collection across Canada.
SightGlass Vision will host a July 22 webinar for Canadian eye care professionals on contrast management for myopia control, featuring new CATHAY study data and practical insights from Canadian practice.
HOYA Vision Care Canada has announced the availability of Sensity 3, Sensity Colours and Sensity Shine, expanding its light-adaptive lens portfolio for eye care professionals across Canada.
The American Academy of Optometry has announced its 2026 award recipients, recognizing leaders in optometry, vision science, education, research, clinical care and service.
J.F. REY has introduced IMAGINE, its 2026 kids eyewear collection designed for children aged 4 to 12, with frames emphasizing colour, transparency, comfort and durability.
Toulch Rimless has signed a Canadian distribution agreement with Audace Lunettes, which will represent the Montreal-based brand and its Phi collection across Canada.
SightGlass Vision will host a July 22 webinar for Canadian eye care professionals on contrast management for myopia control, featuring new CATHAY study data and practical insights from Canadian practice.
