Award-winning philanthropist and humanitarian, Joan Kelley Walker, sits
down with Angela Bonfanti, Senior Vice President, CNIB Foundation Programs for
an intimate chat about COVID-19 and how it has impacted the sight loss
community.
Joan has had a lifelong awareness of the challenges that people with sight loss experience as she has watched her mother, Rosaline, navigate a sighted world while being legally blind. Joan initially volunteered with the CNIB Foundation as an emcee for the CNIB Muskoka event in support of CNIB Lake Joe. Since then, she has become much more involved in supporting CNIB’s programs.
Luxottica Group and Versace announced the early renewal of an exclusive
license agreement for the development, production and worldwide distribution of
sunglasses and prescription frames under the Versace brand. The ten-year
renewal is effective starting April 1, 2020 and is scheduled to expire on
December 31, 2029.
“We are pleased to renew our partnership with Versace, which marks the
further extension of a long-standing relationship between our two Companies
dating back to 2003. Together we continue to create unique collections that
express the wonder of Versace’s style through eyewear around the world”, commented
Francesco Milleri, CEO of Luxottica.
“Versace
is delighted to renew and further develop its strong and successful partnership
with Luxottica. We look forward to the next chapter of our relationship where
we will continue to innovate in the eyewear category” added Jonathan Akeroyd, CEO of
Versace.
Since Fall of 2019, Dragon has been producing eyewear using plant-based plastic, further asserting the brand’s commitment to social responsibility. The resin is made from castor bean oil, a highly sustainable alternative to petroleum.
Dragon is sourcing castor beans from farmers participating in the Pragati Project, a sustainability and educational program aimed at improving standard of living for farmers. Featured model: DR5001
Beginning in 2016, WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision Canada pledged to
make a donation to Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) for each of their new ValuePak
Frame and Lens packages sold. ValuePak packages include Superflex® Frames with synchrony®
Lenses from Carl Zeiss Vision which are manufactured in Canada.
Their generous promotion continues and over $77,000 has been donated
through the initiative since its inception. Both companies are now recognized
as OGS Canadian Platinum Partners.
WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision’s commitment to help
people in need through the sale of each ValuePak pair has made a significant
impact on vision in areas of need around the world. Their support has helped
fund vital projects such as the establishment of a school of optometry in
Vietnam, and equipment for the growing optometry program in Malawi. Both
countries are benefiting through newly graduated optometrists who are now
providing comprehensive eye exams where there was previously very little or no
eye care available.
Joining forces to support continued shortages of personal
protective equipment (PPE) in Colorado, Smith and Black Diamond support Colorado
mountain bike manufacturer Yeti Cycles as they shift focus to produce face shields
for health care professionals fighting COVID-19 from the front lines.
Smith’s donation of 4,000 yards of goggle strap material, along with Black Diamond’s donation of 5,000 headlamp straps, will help Yeti Cycles complete 10,000 face shields being manufactured at its headquarters in Golden, Colorado. Calling on the Yeti Tribe to connect with those in need through social media efforts, the initial run of face shields had been claimed by healthcare workers and first responders across Colorado within the first 24 hours. The group is looking to source additional materials to increase shield production quantities in order to meet urgent demand.
“Yeti typically designs products from the ground up, but in this case, we wanted an efficient way to make the most effective thing. Time is critical, so we’re doing it with materials we’ve pulled together from industry friends and available through our supply chain. It’s not surprising, but everyone we contacted wanted to help and their help was critical in this coming together so quickly,” said Steve Hoogendoorn, co-owner of Yeti.
Academy 2026 Anaheim showcased major research, innovation and leadership in optometry, featuring landmark studies, new Fellows and advances shaping the future of eye care.
ZEISS gathered eye care professionals in Vancouver for the Myopia Innovation Summit, introducing MyoActive and showcasing evidence based strategies for myopia management.
Learn how early optometry practice succession planning can improve practice value, reduce owner dependence, protect tax eligibility, and create a smoother transition.
CIBC Commercial Banking is stepping into Canadian optometry through a new collaboration with Eye Care Business Canada, debuting with a webinar on buying an optometric practice.
Lumenis unveiled a new perioperative ocular surface care field guide at AAO 2026, offering surgeons practical tools to identify hidden causes of post surgical dissatisfaction.
Academy 2026 Anaheim showcased major research, innovation and leadership in optometry, featuring landmark studies, new Fellows and advances shaping the future of eye care.
ZEISS gathered eye care professionals in Vancouver for the Myopia Innovation Summit, introducing MyoActive and showcasing evidence based strategies for myopia management.
Learn how early optometry practice succession planning can improve practice value, reduce owner dependence, protect tax eligibility, and create a smoother transition.
CIBC Commercial Banking is stepping into Canadian optometry through a new collaboration with Eye Care Business Canada, debuting with a webinar on buying an optometric practice.
Lumenis unveiled a new perioperative ocular surface care field guide at AAO 2026, offering surgeons practical tools to identify hidden causes of post surgical dissatisfaction.
Academy 2026 Anaheim showcased major research, innovation and leadership in optometry, featuring landmark studies, new Fellows and advances shaping the future of eye care.
ZEISS gathered eye care professionals in Vancouver for the Myopia Innovation Summit, introducing MyoActive and showcasing evidence based strategies for myopia management.
Learn how early optometry practice succession planning can improve practice value, reduce owner dependence, protect tax eligibility, and create a smoother transition.
CIBC Commercial Banking is stepping into Canadian optometry through a new collaboration with Eye Care Business Canada, debuting with a webinar on buying an optometric practice.
Lumenis unveiled a new perioperative ocular surface care field guide at AAO 2026, offering surgeons practical tools to identify hidden causes of post surgical dissatisfaction.
Academy 2026 Anaheim showcased major research, innovation and leadership in optometry, featuring landmark studies, new Fellows and advances shaping the future of eye care.
ZEISS gathered eye care professionals in Vancouver for the Myopia Innovation Summit, introducing MyoActive and showcasing evidence based strategies for myopia management.
Learn how early optometry practice succession planning can improve practice value, reduce owner dependence, protect tax eligibility, and create a smoother transition.
CIBC Commercial Banking is stepping into Canadian optometry through a new collaboration with Eye Care Business Canada, debuting with a webinar on buying an optometric practice.
Lumenis unveiled a new perioperative ocular surface care field guide at AAO 2026, offering surgeons practical tools to identify hidden causes of post surgical dissatisfaction.
