Please note that our offices will be closed from December 23, 12 pm (noon) to December 30 inclusively. We’ll be back on January 2!
Happy Holiday Wishes from VuePoint
New Service Supports Canadian Independent Eye Care Practitioners
Toronto, ON – VuePoint IDS is pleased to announce the launch date of a new digital service for Canadian Eye Care Professionals. “Canadian Eye Care Business Review” (CECBR) will be a collaboration between VuePoint, publishers of Optik Magazine and InfoClip e-newsletters, Review of Optometric Business (published by Jobson Medical Information LLC.), Canadian eye care practitioners and Canadian suppliers supporting independent eye care.
The digital service will be available online in web format and delivered within the InfoClip XTRA biweekly e-newsletter starting in January 2017.
Canadian Eye Care Business Review will be solely dedicated to the business of eye care in the Canadian context. “Much of the currently available resources are framed for a US perspective. CECBR will focus on Canadian relevance, providing original Canadian content from eye care professionals and subject matter experts, coupled with edited content from our publishing partners with relevancy to Canadian practices.”, said David Pietrobon, President of VuePoint iDS.
Drs. Tina and Jeff Goodhew, from Abbey Eye Care in Oakville, Ontario, will serve as Co-Chief Editors. The Goodhew’s bring their passion for private practice and the experience of having built independent optometric practices in three different Canadian Provinces.
“We hope to develop original and exciting content that informs and engages the reader; with the focussed mission of helping independent eye care professionals succeed”, said Co-Editor Tina Goodhew, OD.
Jeff Goodhew, added, “The business and clinical aspects of practice are interconnected. The more successful we are in business practice, the more opportunity we have to deliver excellent patient care through leading edge technology that complements professional services.”
Foundation supporters of Canadian Eye Care Business Review include Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, ZEISS Vision Care, Zeiss Meditec, Frames Data Canada, LearnEyeCare LLC, and iMatrix. These suppliers have confirmed their commitment to the project, which in turn supports the growth and vibrancy of independent eye care professionals.
The site launch countdown is available at www.cebr.ca
About VuePoint IDS Inc.
VuePoint IDS is Canada’s leading optical and vision care publisher of both digital and print publications, including Optik magazine, InfoClip.ca, and InfoClipXtra, Tmag as well as targeted email services for industry suppliers. In addition, VuePoint provides marketing research, and continuing education program delivery services. VuePoint has a collaboration agreement with Jobson Medical Information LLC, publishers of 20/20, Vision Monday and Review Group (Optometry and Ophthalmology) publications.
Contact for Inquiries:
Please direct Canadian Eye Care Business Review inquiries to:
David Pietrobon, dpietrobon@eyecareupdate.com , Ph. (226) 780- 6871 x 5111
Novartis to Acquire Presbyopia Drug Developer Encore Vision
Novartis Ophthalmology announced they have entered into an agreement to acquire a topical treatment for presbyopia from Encore Vision Inc., a privately-held Texas based company. The announcement calls the new investigational product EV06 a “potentially disruptive innovation” and the first-in-class topical treatment for presbyopia.
EV06 has completed a phase I/II proof of concept study. The pro-drug restores the bilateral micro-fluidics of the crystalline lens through a biochemical mechanism of action.
In 2016, Novartis combined its retina medicines business with the Alcon pharmaceuticals business, now operating as one Ophthalmology franchise under Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
View the Novartis Press release here.
View Encore Vision’s discussion of the drug and clinical trials HERE.
Stand Out From the Crowd and Celebrate Indigenous Heritage
New from AYA Eyewear is “Journey,” featuring Ojibwe artist Donald Chretian. Lightweight and extremely comfortable, featuring the ‘Path of Life” design in three vibrant colour options and with flattering satin colour frame fronts.
- Satin matte black with black-white temples
- Satin matte black with black-red temples
- Satin matte navy with navy-red temples
Frame Size: 51-19-140
B-Size (Vertical lens height): 30 mm
Interview with Dr. Jeffrey Guthrie, New President of OAO – Part 3
Infoclip.ca recently interviewed the new President for this three part series about his vision of Optometry in Ontario and how the Association can best serve its members. Here are part one and part two of our three-part interview.
Infoclip: How are relations between optometry and the “other two Os”: ophthalmology and opticianry? Where do you see that relationship going over the next few of years?
J.G.: I think it’s become a very collaborative relationship. For the last several years, ophthalmology and optometry have been participating in the Eye Health Council of Ontario, EHCO, and that’s led to some very good evidence-based guidelines on the collaborative treatment and management of patients with diabetes, glaucoma and AMD. The EHCO table has been very useful in allowing a regular dialogue, and earlier this year we also invited opticianry to participate in that forum, so we look forward to building a relationship with them. We have representatives from their Association and from their College, and there’s also an academic member.
Infoclip: Dispensing accounts for a significant portion of revenue for independent Optometrists. What do you see as the future for Optometrists in a competitive market, and what role does the Association play in helping Optometrists in that facet of their practice?
J.G.: There’s always going to be competitive threats of that nature. It doesn’t matter what profession or business you’re in, they exist and in many cases they increase over time. What the Association is trying to do to help our members with that is to provide them with the education to ensure their practices can meet those challenges so they remain strong and independent. Part of our membership proposition is that we help them with some of the background business that helps them deliver care.
Infoclip: Driving up to two or three times a week between Bancroft is a significant commitment, what motivated you personally to undertake the challenge of being president of the OAO?
J.G.: I see the profession as at a juncture in its evolution. We have a lot of the challenges on the remuneration front. The costs of business are going up, costs of health care are going up. There are questions about the equity of access to care for patients with eye problems. The government budget is very tight. My colleagues, the Optometrists in the province, are very well positioned to do more for patients. I would like to help guide them in achieving that, and to ensure that our profession is better integrated within the primary care for Ontarians.
