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Transitions and the OAC Announce the 2018 Students of Vision Scholarship Winners 

Grand prize winner Sherene Vazhappily put together a video of examples on how to find the style in lenses when prescribing to patients.

Transitions Optical and the Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) announce the winners of the 2018 Students of Vision Scholarship program: Sherene Vazhappilly, Katherine Vanloo, and Brittany Hoffman. Vazhappily, a student optometrist at the University of Waterloo, will be awarded the grand prize scholarship of $2,500. Vanloo, a student optician at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), will be awarded a scholarship of $1,500, and Hoffman, also a student optician studying at NAIT, will be awarded a scholarship of $500.

Student applicants were tasked with describing how they will educate their patients on style in vision care by crafting a video, presentation or essay entry. Submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges and evaluated based on their demonstration of creativity, strategic thinking and ethics.

Vazhappilly submitted a video entry describing her three-part approach to ensuring that patients find eyeglasses that not only correct their vision, but appeal to their sense of style as well. Vanloo wrote an essay that focused on different frame and lens options available for different prescription needs. Hoffman created a unique example consultation folder as a guide for having the style conversation with patients as an optician.

Click HERE for the full press release.

FENDI, the Ultimate Attention-Getter

Women who enjoy turning heads and expressing the glamorous side of sunglasses and prescription glasses need look no further than Fendi’s new collection. Indeed, their latest frames combine a variety of materials, with Tropical Shine evoking the Caribbean and Ribbons & Crystals capturing the brand’s cutting-edge trends. What woman wouldn’t want to proudly carry the legacy of such a prestigious brand? Model pictured: Fendi FF0323S

Distributed by Safilo: www.safilo.com

Silmo Istanbul 2018 Expands Sphere of Influence

The International Silmo Istanbul 2018 Optical Fair, which is organized for the sixth edition this year, will be held on December 13-16 at Istanbul Expo Center Yeşilköy.

The International Silmo Istanbul 2018 Optical Fair continues to expand and becomes the biggest marketplace in the Balkans, Middle East, Central Asia and North Africa with more than 600 brands, 9,200 visitors in total and more than 120 exhibitors.

This year Silmo Istanbul 2018 Optical Fair raises its activity area to 3 halls and 17,000m2 with the presence of more than 45 new exhibitors.

Through the fair, optical professionals have the opportunity to meet with Turkish and international manufacturers and boost their business in the economic capital of Turkey, in Istanbul, the union between Europe and Asia.

Save the date for next year: Silmo Istanbul 2019 Optical Fair, November 21-24.

Source: Silmo

Academy 2018 Attendance Shatters Previous Meeting Records

Academy 2018 San Antonio, held November 7-10, was the largest meeting in the Academy’s history with a total of 7,948 registrants – a 3% increase over 2017. Attendees engaged in high-quality continuing education sessions, experienced new products and technologies in the exhibit hall, and learned the latest in vision research.

The Plenary Session was titled “Today’s Research, Tomorrow’s Practice®: The Future of Health Care Delivery.” Drs. Ezekiel Emanuel, Gordon Guyatt, and Anthony Cavallerano covered trends affecting the future of providing patient care.

The third joint educational program of the American Academy of Optometry and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Imaging Structure and Function in the Eye,” took place in San Antonio, and was also presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology annual meeting in October. This collaboration represents a continued effort by the two Academy organizations to work together to better prepare and support their members in delivering the highest quality eye care.

A highlight of the meeting was the confirmation of 303 new Fellows – the largest class of new Fellows in the Academy’s history. It is estimated that 10% of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows of the Academy (FAAO) whereas about 5% of Canadian Optometrists have an FAAO designation

In addition, an impressive record 17 individuals were awarded Diplomate status by Sections of the American Academy of Optometry. Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their skill in a specific area.

In addition, Dr. Barbara Caffery of Toronto, Canada was inducted as President of the American Academy of Optometry on Saturday, November 10 at the Fellowship Banquet. She will serve her for a two-year term.

Canadian New Fellows Class of 2018

Sondra Black, Toronto, ON
Avani Dave, Mississauga, ON
Janice Hui, Markham, ON
Zoe Lacroix, Bath, ON
Joanne Chih-Ann Lee, Ottawa, ON
Diane N. Sayah, Montreal, QC
Lor Sildiryan, Toronto, ON
Pavanjeet Ubhi, Vaughan, ON
Michelle Jenn Vickers, Prince Albert, SK
Rebecca Wong, Toronto, ON

Click HERE for the full press release.

Hubble Garners Interest from Major Consumer Brands Player

Dental products giant, Colgate-Palmolive are in talks to make a minority investment in online contact lenses subscriber service Hubble, according to a recent report in the Wall Street Journal.

The apparent motivation of the arrangement is a joint effort to develop subscription services for Colgate products, such as teeth whitening products.

The move by Colgate is seen as part of a growing trend for big-brand household products deploying “direct to consumer” strategies such as online subscriptions to by-pass traditional retailers.

Hubble, launched in 2016, has been on a fast growth track. It is unique among the major online contact lens retailers in that it sells only its own house brand of contacts offering the first box free. Consumers need only pay a $4.00 shipping and handling fee.

Monthly costs are $40 Canadian for 60 daily disposable lenses, according to the Hubble Canadian Website.  The company also offers a find a doctor feature for customers requiring a prescription.

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