fbpx

Laser Treatment Reduces Eye Floaters

Floaters can impact vision quality, and often get worse as we age. Treatment options are limited to surgery, patient observation and education, and laser treatment. A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology aims at evaluating the effectiveness and safety of laser treatment at reducing floater symptoms.

The treatment is known as YAG laser vitreolysis, which uses nano-second laser pulses to vapourize the opaque vitreous strands that are perceived as “floaters” in our vision.

The study, conducted by the Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, divided 52 patients into two groups, one which received YAG laser treatment, the other group acting as a control receiving sham treatment.

After six months, 54% of the group receiving the treatment reported “significant or complete” improvement in floater-related disturbances, while no patients in the control group reported significant improvement. No adverse effects were reported by either group, within the the short (six months) follow-up period.

Click here to read the complete article.

VisionMonday’s Most Influential Women 2017

2017 was the 15th iteration of Vision Monday’s special report on influential women in the optical industry. Honourees were divided into four categories: executives, mentors, rising stars and innovators.

Among those honoured in the Mentors category was Canadian Nancy Dewald, National Manager of Training and Development at Eye Recommend.

Dewald worked at Luxottica for 10 years in various positions, including eyecare director for the Canadian market and regional manager before joining Eye Recommend in 2013. Dewald says of her approach towards being a mentor: “In all I do, I try to leave people in a better place than before I have encountered or worked with them. Sometimes it is giving them hard to hear feedback, a sincere compliment, training or simply someone to listen to them. The simple things can make a huge difference.”

Click here to view the Women of Influence special article.

Click here to view a list of the 589 past winners.

2017 Honourees

Executive Suite

  • Carol Alexander (Johnson & Johnson Vision)
  • Leslie Amodei (Optos)
  • Emily Ashworth (ABB Optical Group)
  • Amanda Davis (Brien Holden Vision Institute)
  • Lisa Fawcett (CooperVision)
  • Cheryl Massa (Davinci Equity Group)
  • Ashley Mills (The Vision Council)
  • Heidi Pham-Murray (Eye Designs Optometry)
  • Karen Roberts (Carl Zeiss Vision International)
  • Andrea Thau (Dr. Thau and Associates)

Rising Stars

  • Vidya Baliga (DentaQuest)
  • Hillary Bliss (National Vision Inc.)
  • Tiffany Burkhalter (VSP Global)
  • Cha-Ling Delgado (Luxottica North America)
  • Jaclyn Frumkin (Eye Q Eyewear)
  • Jessica Goebert (De Rigo REM)
  • Kristin O’Brien (Vision Source of Green Valley Ranch)
  • Laurel O’Connor (Think About Your Eyes)
  • Christina Perraud (MyEyeDr.)
  • Sheree Rajan (Essilor of America)
  • Lindsay Ruhe (The Vision Council)
  • Amanda Sabin (Costa Sunglasses)
  • Shauna Thornhill (Amarillo Vision Specialists)
  • Sarah Wells (Eyecare Partners/Clarkson Eyecare)
  • Lindsay Wright (Armed Forces Optometric Society)

Mentors

  • Linda Atwood (Coachwood Lab and Training Center)
  • Robyn Crimmins (VSP Optics Group)
  • Nancy Dewald (Eye Recommend)
  • Liz Friedfeld (ClearVision Optical)
  • Jennifer Jackson (Tura Inc.)
  • Heather McHale (Marchon Eyewear Inc.)
  • Deborah Rich (Marchon Eyewear)
  • Ann Small (Essilor of America)
  • Lorrie Sorrenson (Lakeline Vision Source)

Innovators

  • Diana Canto-Sims (Buena Vista Optical)
  • Julie Collins (Alcon)
  • Jane George (Frames Data Inc./Jobson Optical Group)
  • Alysia Gradney (Vision Source)
  • Melissa Hunfalvay (RightEye)
  • Kristin McLaughlin (Silhoutte Optical)
  • Bridgitte Shen Lee (Vision Optique)

Transitions Optical Announces Dates for Transitions Academy 2018

Transitions Optical offers industry professionals the chance to attend the 22nd annual Transitions Academy, held February 11 – 14, 2018 in Orlando.

Industry professionals can earn invitations to attend Transitions Academy 2018 through the following ways:

  1. Become a Transitions Innovation Award Finalist – Open to optical industry professionals, educators, regional retailers, optical laboratories, and independent eyecare professionals and practices, the Transitions Innovation Awards categories include: 2017 Transitions Brand Ambassador (individual-only award), Retailer of the Year, Eyecare Practice of the Year, Best in Training and Best in Marketing.
    Nominations for all Transitions Innovation Awards will be accepted online (at Transitions.com/Awards) from October 1 – 31, 2017. To enter, candidates must complete a nomination form and detail their 2017 efforts in the following evaluation areas: commitment and inspiration, goals, plan and creativity, and impact and results. Nominees are welcome to enter more than one category and can self-enter, or can be nominated by a lab, lens manufacturer, industry colleague or other industry organization representative. An Innovation Awards resource guide is also available this year to provide tools to assist interested industry professionals with the Innovation Awards nomination process, as well as a structured way to focus on and track their goals throughout the year.
  2. Attend as a Guest of Your Lens Supplier – Industry professionals should let their Transitions® lens supplier know they would like to register for Transitions Academy. Many lens suppliers are providing opportunities and promotions for customers to earn their way and attend as their guest.
  3. Become a Transitions Change Agent – Transitions Optical is recruiting eyecare professionals who are millennials or serve many millennial patients and are looking to change the conversations their peers and patients are having around Transitions lenses. Industry professionals interested in becoming a Transitions Change Agent can visit TransitionsPRO.com/ChangeAgent to apply.
  4. Request a Spot / Nominate Someone to Attend – Although Transitions Academy is an invitation-only event, Transitions is reserving spaces for interested industry professionals from North America.  Past Academy attendees can also nominate someone who should be added to the invitation list. Those interested can request to attend at TransitionsAcademy.com, more details regarding cost and arrangements will be provided.
  5. Join the Speaker’s Bureau – qualified industry speakers can email Transitions Customer service (customerservicecanada@transitions.com) to learn more about becoming a part of the Transitions Speakers Bureau, and to inquire about Transitions Academy benefits.

Featured Posts

Seeing with the Heart - Article Header

Seeing with the Heart: The Power of Giving Back

Explore how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and charity transform eye care. Learn to build patient trust, reduce burnout, and strengthen your team dynamics.

Learn More
The Vision Council logo

U.S. Optical Industry Reaches $69.5 Billion Despite Declines in Product Volume and Eye Exams

The U.S. optical industry reached $69.5 billion in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to Market inSights from The Vision Council.

Read more
contact lens institute

Contact Lens Institute Names 2026 Visionaries

The Contact Lens Institute has named 17 optometrists and opticians from the U.S. and Canada as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing leaders in contact lens education and best practices.

Read more
BonLook logo 2026

BonLook Ranks at the Top of its Category in Léger WOW Study

BonLook ranks first among eyewear retailers in the 2026 Léger WOW Study, earning top marks for customer experience and digital performance across Canada.

Read more
Optik VOILA January-February 2026 Centennial optical IOKen Frame 04

Ió:ken: Where Indigenous Art Meets Contemporary Eyewear

Launching February 2026, Ió:ken is a new eyewear collection created with Centennial Optical, featuring original artwork by Mohawk artist Bruce Boots and authentic Indigenous symbolism.

Read more
Seeing with the Heart - Article Header

Seeing with the Heart: The Power of Giving Back

Explore how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and charity transform eye care. Learn to build patient trust, reduce burnout, and strengthen your team dynamics.

Learn More
The Vision Council logo

U.S. Optical Industry Reaches $69.5 Billion Despite Declines in Product Volume and Eye Exams

The U.S. optical industry reached $69.5 billion in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to Market inSights from The Vision Council.

Read More
contact lens institute

Contact Lens Institute Names 2026 Visionaries

The Contact Lens Institute has named 17 optometrists and opticians from the U.S. and Canada as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing leaders in contact lens education and best practices.

Read More
BonLook logo 2026

BonLook Ranks at the Top of its Category in Léger WOW Study

BonLook ranks first among eyewear retailers in the 2026 Léger WOW Study, earning top marks for customer experience and digital performance across Canada.

Read More
Optik VOILA January-February 2026 Centennial optical IOKen Frame 04

Ió:ken: Where Indigenous Art Meets Contemporary Eyewear

Launching February 2026, Ió:ken is a new eyewear collection created with Centennial Optical, featuring original artwork by Mohawk artist Bruce Boots and authentic Indigenous symbolism.

Read More
Seeing with the Heart - Article Header

Seeing with the Heart: The Power of Giving Back

Explore how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and charity transform eye care. Learn to build patient trust, reduce burnout, and strengthen your team dynamics.

Learn More
The Vision Council logo

U.S. Optical Industry Reaches $69.5 Billion Despite Declines in Product Volume and Eye Exams

The U.S. optical industry reached $69.5 billion in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to Market inSights from The Vision Council.

Read more
contact lens institute

Contact Lens Institute Names 2026 Visionaries

The Contact Lens Institute has named 17 optometrists and opticians from the U.S. and Canada as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing leaders in contact lens education and best practices.

Read more
BonLook logo 2026

BonLook Ranks at the Top of its Category in Léger WOW Study

BonLook ranks first among eyewear retailers in the 2026 Léger WOW Study, earning top marks for customer experience and digital performance across Canada.

Read more
Optik VOILA January-February 2026 Centennial optical IOKen Frame 04

Ió:ken: Where Indigenous Art Meets Contemporary Eyewear

Launching February 2026, Ió:ken is a new eyewear collection created with Centennial Optical, featuring original artwork by Mohawk artist Bruce Boots and authentic Indigenous symbolism.

Read more
Seeing with the Heart - Article Header

Seeing with the Heart: The Power of Giving Back

Explore how Emotional Intelligence (EQ) and charity transform eye care. Learn to build patient trust, reduce burnout, and strengthen your team dynamics.

Learn More
The Vision Council logo

U.S. Optical Industry Reaches $69.5 Billion Despite Declines in Product Volume and Eye Exams

The U.S. optical industry reached $69.5 billion in 2025 despite declines in product volume and eye exams, according to Market inSights from The Vision Council.

Read more
contact lens institute

Contact Lens Institute Names 2026 Visionaries

The Contact Lens Institute has named 17 optometrists and opticians from the U.S. and Canada as its 2026 Visionaries, recognizing leaders in contact lens education and best practices.

Read more
BonLook logo 2026

BonLook Ranks at the Top of its Category in Léger WOW Study

BonLook ranks first among eyewear retailers in the 2026 Léger WOW Study, earning top marks for customer experience and digital performance across Canada.

Read more
Optik VOILA January-February 2026 Centennial optical IOKen Frame 04

Ió:ken: Where Indigenous Art Meets Contemporary Eyewear

Launching February 2026, Ió:ken is a new eyewear collection created with Centennial Optical, featuring original artwork by Mohawk artist Bruce Boots and authentic Indigenous symbolism.

Read more