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August 13, 2019August 15, 2019

Dr. Catherine Chiarelli OD, FAAO, Diplomate BVPPO 1964 – 2019

Following a valiant and courageous battle with cancer, The Vision Institute of Canada very sadly reports that Dr. Catherine Chiarelli passed away on on August 3rd. Dr. Chiarelli worked tirelessly as a pediatric optometrist and advocate for children’s vision. She graduated from the University of Waterloo, School of Optometry in 1988 and subsequently completed a Residency in Children’s Vision at the University of Alabama, School of Optometry in 1990.

Dr. Chiarelli worked closely with many optometrists, pediatricians, teachers, early childhood intervention specialists, occupational therapists and parents, to help children develop strong vision skills. She actively participated on many committees to develop better eye care services for children and adults. These committees included the Ontario Association of Optometrists Children’s Vision Working Group, the Ontario Blind Low Vision Program, the College of Optometrists of Ontario Clinical Practice and Patient Relations Committees and the American Academy of Optometry Admittance Committee. She also directed the Vision Institute’s clinical teaching programs providing clinical training for optometry interns as well as educational workshops and seminars for other health care professionals.

Between 2012 and 2014, Catherine helped develop and deliver clinical outreach programs to the on-reserve elementary schools of Sagamok First Nation and M’Chigeeng First Nation, providing comprehensive eye exams and free glasses to the children in these communities. For her dedicated work with the children in these First Nations schools, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Anishinabek Nation in August 2019.

She will be greatly missed by her many patients and colleagues, friends and family, and by the profession she dedicated her life’s work to.

Please view the full tribute to Dr. Chiarelli from The Vision Institute of Canada.

August 13, 2019August 16, 2019

Discover New Gigi Barcelona Prescription Frames

The new Gigi Barcelona prescription frames collection focuses on the intricacies of design, taking as its reference point the minimalism and pure sophistication. From delicate frames with neat details, to singular colour combinations, to subtle shapes both in high quality acetate and metal; all of which clearly reflect the brand’s DNA.

Distributed by Mood Eyewear: http://www.moodeyewear.com/

August 9, 2019August 14, 2019

New Look Vision Reports Solid Results and the 20th Consecutive Quarter of Comparable Store Sales Growth

New Look Vision Group reported financial results today for the 13 and 26 week periods ended June29, 2019 (“Q2 2019”).

Q2 2019 Financial and Operational Highlights

• Revenues increased by 1.0% over last year to $78.1 million.

• Comparable store sales orders were up by 1.6% compared to the second quarter of last year, marking the 20thconsecutive quarter of comparable store sales growth.

• Total operating expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased by 3.4% to 80.4% for the second quarter compared to the same period last year.

• Adjusted EBITDA reached $15.5 million, an increase of 1.6% over last year and increased 1.0% on a per diluted share basis to $0.99.

• Net earnings attributable to shareholders reached $6.8 million, compared to $4.0 million last year, the increase being mainly attributable to higher EBITDA and lower depreciation expenses offset by higher incomes taxes. Net earnings on a per diluted share basis were $0.44, compared to $0.26 last year, an increase of 69.2%.

Year-to-date Financial and Operating Results

• Year-to-date revenues and adjusted EBITDA reached a record $149.5 million and $27.2 million respectively, which represent increases of 1.7% and 1.9% respectively over last year. Comparable store sales year-to-date were up 2.1% over last year.

• Total operating expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased by 1.9% to 82.7% for the 26-week period compared to the same period last year.

• Net earnings attributed to shareholders were $8.9 million or $0.57per diluted share, compared to $6.2 million last year or $0.40 per diluted share.

Antoine Amiel, the President and CEO of New Look Vision, stated that: “New Look Vision has delivered a 20thconsecutive quarter of comparable store sales growth in spite of very poor spring weather across Canada which dampened sales of sun wear, a staple of opticals’ second quarters. The earnings and cash flow were strong nevertheless. We further delivered on our single store consolidation strategy, adding one store in Ontario and two in Atlantic Canada. Concurrently, we invested in Topology’s business and technology which we believe will significantly differentiate our omnichannel model. New Look Vision continues to pursue both organic and external growth aggressively.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

August 9, 2019August 8, 2019

Register Now: Division and Committee Meetings at Vision Expo West

The Vision Council will host a series of member meetings and events during Vision Expo West 2019. Click on the meeting name below to go directly to the registration page for that event, and view the full schedule here.

Tuesday, Sept. 17
Lens Technical Committee	8 a.m.–10 a.m.
Optical Retail Division Meeting	10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Lens Product Description Standard Committee	10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.
Data Communication Standard Committee	1 p.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 18
EOL Steering Committee Meeting Closed Meeting – Steering Members Only	7 a.m.–11 a.m.
Insights: An All Member Session	8 a.m.–12 p.m.
Lab Steering Committee Meeting	12 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
Lens Division Meeting	1 p.m.–2 p.m.
Lens Processing & Technology Division Meeting	2 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Lab Division Meeting	2 p.m.–4 p.m.
Eyewear & Accessories Division Meeting	3 p.m.–4:30 p.m.
EOL Committee Meeting	4 p.m.–6 p.m.
EOL Mentor Meet & Greet	6:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Lab Division Hall of Fame Dinner 2019	6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Treasure Island Hotel and Casino

Thursday, Sept. 19
COLA Advisory Boards Meeting	10 a.m.–12 p.m.
EOL Networking Event	7 p.m.–10 p.m. Top Golf

Friday, Sept. 20
Sunglass and Reader Division Reception	5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. The Bouchon, located on the 10th floor of the Venezia Tower in the Venetian Las Vegas (accessible by guest elevators)

August 8, 2019August 7, 2019

Understanding Ocular Migraine

Ocular migraines are rare and benign, but the symptoms can be frightening and worrisome for the suffering patient. Ocular migraines are thought to be caused by the same mechanics as regular migraines and are characterized by a visual disturbance or aura. The patient can experience a blind spot in their visual field, zig-zag patterns, flashing lights, or an array of colours similar to looking through a kaleidoscope. They may see things that aren’t there, like transparent strings of objects, or see objects in their vision disappear and reappear.

One in six adults in the United states are affected by migraines. Around 20 per cent of migraine sufferers experience some type of visual disturbance.

In a recent published study (June 2018) from the American Headache Society, participants with chronic and episodic migraine were given questionnaires that evaluate vision-specific quality of life.

The researchers concluded there are significant adverse effects on the visual quality of life in sufferers of both sub-groups. Chronic migraineurs showed scores as poor as those patients with other neuro‐ophthalmic disorders such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and ischemic optic neuropathy.

Ocular migraine episodes can be concerning for the sufferer; however, most symptoms resolve on their own within an hour. They may or may not end with a migraine headache. Some ways to help relieve symptoms include:

Lying down in a dark room
Placing a damp cloth or cool pack on the forehead
Taking over-the-counter painkiller medication

Recent scientific evidence suggests that structural abnormalities in the visual cortex are the cause for ocular migraines. In a 2015 study, MRI data was taken from people with one-sided ocular migraine. In these subjects, the affected side showed different thicknesses in certain areas of the cortex. There is a possibility that the difference in these structures may account for higher sensitivity to neuronal activity. Researchers are still studying the causes in the brain for migraines. As of now there is no known cause for the onset of migraines. Some common migraine triggers include strong odours, certain foods, bright lights, fatigue, stress and hormonal changes. Patients can take measures to prevent the onset of migraines by adopting lifestyle habits such as:

Getting enough sleep
Staying hydrated
Managing emotional stress
Regular light exercise
Avoiding certain trigger foods

Patients who have had ocular migraine before are likely to have them again and can learn what remedy works for them and get back to their routine without problems. However, if a person with migraines has unusual symptoms of vision loss, loss of sensation or difficulties with speech, this can be a sign of more serious conditions and should not be ignored. Its best to get patients in to be checked by an optometrist to rule out serious conditions.

References:

https://headachejournal.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/head.13330

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325733.php

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/148373.php

https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/ocular-migraine.htm