Blog

April 18, 2017April 24, 2018

OAO Symposium & Infomart Educates and Inspires

The Ontario Association of Optometrists (OAO) hosted over 600 optometrists and optometric staff in Toronto for its annual Symposium and InfoMart at the Toronto Sheraton Centre Hotel April 7-9. Over 60 hours of high-level education with speakers from across North America highlighted this three-day event.

The OAO InfoMart was sold-out for exhibitors, with 80 booths packing the show floor and featuring the latest in equipment, advancements in pharmaceuticals, frames, lenses, business services and more.

The show’s Cappuccino Bar, with caffeinated hot drinks made by professional baristas, returned for the second straight year, to the delight of attendees. Johnson & Johnson sponsored a Friday night reception for the delegates.

Saturday featured a plethora of terrific educational speakers. The Marquee Lunch Keynote Speaker was TV host and entrepreneur Amber Mac, who talked about social media steps to grow your business, sponsored by Alcon.

Sunday opened with the OAO Annual General Meeting, followed by a Town Hall where members had the opportunity to have their voices heard regarding their profession. The OAO. Sunday’s keynote speaker was Dr. Richard Adler, who spoke about Understanding the Psychology of Dry Eye.

Mark your calendar for next year’s event in Toronto from April 13 – 15, 2018.

April 17, 2017April 24, 2018

Essilor and Optometry Giving Sight Announce Student Loans in Malawi

(Denver, CO). Essilor of America and Optometry Giving Sight have announced the recipients of study loans for students of Optometry at Mzuzu University in Malawi, Africa.

The loans will cover full tuition and living costs for the five years of the Bachelor of Vision Science, commencing in this Academic Year.

Dr. Purcell visited the program in November 2015 and was highly impressed with the School of Optometry, which was established in 2009 and has so far produced 35 graduates. There are currently 71 students enrolled in the program.

The Optometry Development program in Malawi is an initiative of the Brien Holden Vision Institute, Mzuzu University, Malawi College of Health Sciences and Optometry Giving Sight. The current Head of School at Mzuzu University is Dr. Sara McGowan, a graduate of UAB.

The recipients of the Student Loans are (pictured from left to right): Adson Mitochi, Mariam Aliya, Gibson Nkhwekwe, Kettie Lozario, Tambuzai Liyo, and Thandiwe Nyirenda.

To read full press release, click HERE.

April 14, 2017April 24, 2018

Introducing the CNIB National Youth Council Leadership Award

The CNIB National Youth Council (NYC) announces it is launching its first-ever CNIB National Youth Council Leadership Award. The award will recognize a blind and partially sighted youth who is reaching above and beyond to make a difference in their community, province, or country.

To be eligible for the award, applicants must be 30 years of age or younger and a CNIB client.

The winner will receive a plaque presented at the recipient’s provincial annual general meeting, with accommodations, travel and meals provided by CNIB for the recipient and one guest.

If you or someone you know would like to apply for the award, visit: http://www.cnib.ca/en/about/who/National-Youth-Council/Pages/NYC-Leadership-award.aspx

Source: CNIB

April 13, 2017May 20, 2026

Get the Star Look with Carribean Queen

Here comes a new star in the Vinyl Factory Icons galaxy. The Carribean Queen sunglasses display a festival of features: structure combining stainless steel with high end treatment, hand-crafted acetate, polarized lenses, laser engraved titanium nose pads… and last but not least, a stunning style!

Distributed by Optiman Inc.: www.optimaninc.com

April 13, 2017April 24, 2018

Study finds Ethnic Differences in Patient-Reported AMD Symptoms

A newly published study in JAMA Ophthalmology has found differences in visual acuity between different ethnic populations living with AMD in Singapore, findings which could impact public policy decisions in combatting the disease.

The study, lead by Professor Ecosse L. Lamoureux of the Singapore Eye Research Institute, used patient-reported Visual Function Index (VFI-11) surveys (a questionnaire that grades the patient’s ability to perform everyday visual tasks such as reading a newspaper or filling out a form) and fundus images of 9962 adults living in Singapore divided into three ethnic groups: Chinese, Malay and Indian. 5.9 % (560) of the study population had early AMD, while 0.6 % (60) had late AMD.

Early AMD had a significant negative effect on vision specific functioning (VSF) in Chinese patients, but not with Indian and Malay patients. Chinese patients with late AMD had a 19.1% reduction in VSF, compared with 13.5% reduction among Malay patients and was not associated with a reduction in VSF among Indian patients.

According to the study authors, “Culturally sensitive interventions to improve VSF for Chinese and Malay people with AMD may be warranted. More research is needed to untangle the factors influencing the observed ethnic differences and inform communication strategies to help understand the impact of disease in different populations. Screening for early detection and management of AMD is needed to curb the progression of the disease and minimize its effect on VSF.”

Full article: http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2613355