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November 4, 2019November 4, 2019

Microsoft Launches Free App to Help Canadians Navigate the World Around Them

As the next step on the journey to creating a more accessible Canada for all, Microsoft Canada announced the availability of Soundscape, an app that empowers people who are blind or partially sighted to explore the world around them through a 3D audio experience.

Unlike traditional navigation apps that provide turn by turn directions, Soundscape uses 3D audio – meaning the sounds are perceived as coming from the direction of the point of interest – and location awareness to provide users with information to help build a mental map of their surroundings and empower them to make their own navigational choices.

By setting an audio beacon on a chosen destination or a familiar landmark, a user can use Soundscape to keep track of that location as they move outdoors on foot or in a vehicle. The app also calls out roads, intersections and landmarks as the user passes, aiding in discoverability.

Microsoft worked closely with the CNIB Foundation and Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada during beta testing.

Canada is the fourth market globally to launch Soundscape after the U.S., U.K. and Australia, and the first to launch in two languages – English and French.

Soundscape is free on iOS and iPhone in both English and French.

Source: CNIB

November 4, 2019November 3, 2019

Immagine 98 Eyewear Commits to Being Green

In their effort to protect the environment, the Italian Government has introduced new rules for optical frame manufacturers in Italy. The laws were passed in April 2019 and every manufacturer in Italy has to comply with them. This is having a major impact on the eyewear industry.

Immagine 98 Eyewear has had a long commitment to using only the best materials; and committing to ongoing research and development. The award-winning designers, workers, and manufacturers continually search for new ways to improve the products in order to ensure minimum impact on the environment.

Behind every frame is a commitment to:

• Award-winning designs that make you look and feel exceptional

• Quality materials that are environmentally friendly

• Commitment to best practices at the manufacturing level

• Products that will outlast other major brands and a backup of replacements parts that go beyond warranty expiration

Immagine 98 is totally committed to producing the finest quality products that also respect the environment and the planet.

Mood Eyewear is the Canadian distributor of Rye & Lye and X-Ide.

Click HERE for the press release.

October 30, 2019October 30, 2019

Eye Damage Linked to Over-the-Counter Anti-Cholesterol Vitamin Can Be Reversed

Retina specialists at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE) have shown that severe vision loss from a self-prescribed high dose of over-the-counter niacin is linked to injury of a specific cell type in a patient’s eye. The experts report that discontinuing the vitamin led to reversal of the condition and have published their findings in the fall issue of Journal of VitreoRetinal Diseases.

Niacin, also known as vitamin B3, is used for lowering hyperlipidemia or cholesterol and comes in prescription and over-the-counter forms; it can produce a rare toxic reaction called niacin-induced cystoid maculopathy, a form of retinal swelling.

The team of investigators from NYEE reported on a 61-year-old patient who arrived at the hospital with worsening blurry vision in both eyes that began a month earlier. The initial exam showed that the patient was almost legally blind, with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/150 in the right eye and 20/100 in the left eye. Subsequently, he admitted to taking an extensive list of supplements, which included three to six grams of niacin daily for several months to reduce his risk of cardiovascular events and was unaware of the risk to his eyesight.

Ophthalmologists from NYEE explained the situation to the patient and advised him to stop taking the over-the-counter niacin immediately. At his one-week follow-up appointment, his vision had noticeably improved. Two months later, the dysfunction had completely resolved and his vision was back to 20/20.

October 30, 2019October 17, 2019

Feather-light Elegance from Silhouette

Silhouette expands the Accent Rings collection; rimless styles with a full-frame look. Introducing new models with subtle cut-outs that accentuate the already feather-light elegance. The cut-outs extend through six designs, elegantly breaking up either the temples or the accentuated rings.

The optician has the opportunity to assemble his own assortment and thus tailor it to his customer’s individually. Photo: 5550 FV 6560

Distributed by COS: canadianoptical.com

October 29, 2019October 29, 2019

World Health Organization Challenges Optometrists to Address Global Vision Care Deficiencies

In an address to thousands of optometrists, vision care professionals and optometry students in Orlando on Wednesday, Dr. Alarcos Cieza of the World Health Organization (WHO) challenged the profession to help improve the availability, affordability and quality of vision care in underserved communities and developing nations around the world.

Her address was the inaugural public presentation of the first ever World report on vision by WHO that identifies a profound need for potentially life-changing vision care among 2.2 billion people on the planet who suffer from vision problems, more than 1 billion of them with an impairment that could have been prevented or is yet to be addressed. The report highlights disparities of care in developed and developing countries, in urban and rural centers, among younger and aging demographics and between affluent and impoverished populations. “We hope the eye care sector feels the same urgency for action that we at WHO feel,” Dr. Cieza said. “Eye care is very, very often not part of a health care strategic plan.”

The WHO World report on vision also anticipates a growth in the number of people worldwide suffering from myopia or nearsightedness. In 2010 myopia affected approximately 27% of the world’s population. By 2050 with an aging population and a global increase in the incidence of diabetes, that number is expected to climb to 50%. The report identifies multiple reasons for the disparity such as inaccessibility of care including lack of universal health coverage, lack of integration into the health care system and in many countries, an uncoordinated and unregulated workforce.

Tim McMahon, OD, FAAO, American Academy of Optometry board president-elect says the organization accepts the challenge and will put its weight behind developing solutions. “The optometric community has the opportunity and obligation to address the issues raised in the World Health Organization’s report. In the coming months, we will discuss how we can do that,” he said.

Scott Mundle, OD, president of the World Council of Optometry concurred, “We recognize the need that has been identified and as yet unmet. Optometry is well-positioned and prepared to work collaboratively towards a solution to these global eye health care issues.”

The Academy is a North American based association with a global reach, serving over 13,000 optometric professionals and students. The organization’s goal is to improve optometric practice through lifelong learning with education and research. The academy is perhaps best recognized for its coveted Fellowship program (FAAO) signifying adherence to the highest standards of professional competence in vision care.

Academy 2019 Orlando and the 3rd World Congress of Optometry is drawing more than 8,000 optometrists, ophthalmologists, vision care professionals, students, support personnel and media to Florida to discuss the latest optometric developments, trends and strategies. The World Council of Optometry is pleased to partner with the Academy this year to bring awareness of international optometry and the various eye care challenges globally.

For more information, visit www.aaopt.org /2019 or www.worldcongressofoptometry.org.