Blog

September 4, 2015April 24, 2018

CDC Survey Identifies Riskiest CL Wearer Behaviours

A recent survey from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report warns that 99% of contact lens wearers engage in at least one behaviour putting them at risk of CL-related infection.

The most common risky behaviour was wearing contacts for longer than recommended (82.3% of respondents). Other common behaviours were “topping off” CL solution rather than replacing the solution completely (55.1%) and wearing contact lenses while sleeping (50.2%). Each of these behaviours represents a fivefold or greater increase in the risk of infection.

The CDC ran its second annual Contact Lens Health Week from August 24-28 to raise awareness of CL-related infections. In support of CL Health Week, CooperVision released materials to educate CL wearers on maintaining healthy eyes.

Further information: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6432a2.htm, http://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-doctor-offers-six-contact-195700581.html

September 4, 2015May 20, 2026

Long Live Rock’N Roll

New for Silmo, Vinyl Factory will be releasing a 70s inspired rock collection while staying true to their music addicted spectacle wearing cronies.

The “Mike Brant” is a retro aviator sunglass dedicated to the legendary rocker from the 70s who captivated us with his music and mesmerized us with those angel eyes. The “Hagen” is a gorgeous woman’s retro acetate frame that truly captures the goddess personality of the punk rocker legend Nina Hagen.

Distributed in Canada by Optiman Inc.: www.optimaninc.com

September 4, 2015May 20, 2026

SightRisk AMD Assessment Tool Makes North American Debut at VEW

SightRisk, a cloud-based AMD risk assessment tool, will launch to North America ECPs at Vision Expo West in Las Vegas on September 17, 2015. The service will be distributed in the Canada by MacuHealth, LLC via Bright Optical of Toronto.

SightRisk was developed by a team of research scientists who assessed both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors of thousands of patients who were diagnosed with AMD through a detailed review of 300 published scientific manuscripts. The SightRisk questionnaire compiles and weighs based on the patient’s answers, creating a unique report that the ECP can review with their patients.

This report identifies young and healthy patients with risk profiles and helps the ECP make recommendations that may delay or prevent the onset of blindness from AMD later in life.

“It is important to take preventative action” said Frederic Jouhet, Managing Director of SightRisk. “Modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking and a poor nutritional diet have been scientifically and clinically shown to increase the risk of developing AMD. Educating patients and continued monitoring of patient choices as early in life as possible will help reduce these risks.”

More information: http://www.sightriskusa.com/

September 3, 2015May 19, 2026

Jacques Durand Occhiali Awards Canadian Distribution to Gramercy Eyewear

Los Angeles, CA – As part of Jacques Durand Occhiali’s continued growth in North America, the company has awarded distribution of its brands throughout Canada to gramercy eyewear starting September 1st 2015.

“We have made significant progress in educating our customers and developing our brands with key partners throughout the United States. We are excited for gramercy eyewear to continue promoting our brands now in Canada.” –Jacques Durand

“We are happy with the opportunity to again work with our friends in Canada. The Canadian eyewear market has a great understanding of true quality and European craftsmanship for which Jacques Durand is known.” – Michael Papineau, President of gramercy eyewear.

Jacques Durand Occhiali’s portfolio consists of the Jacques Durand and Veronika Wildgruber collections.

www.jacquesdurand.com

September 2, 2015April 24, 2018

Seven Expert Tips to Getting the Best Lease

By Tom Bollum

Negotiating a lease is not something that you’ll do very often. Prepare for the discussion and take heed of the following seven tips for success:

Initially offer about 20% less than asking net rents
Know that net rent is the negotiable portion of the deal. The additional rent or taxes, maintenance and insurance (TMI) are actual costs that are passed directly to the tenants and are not negotiable.
If you are a new practice go for a shorter initial term, such as three or five years, with a couple of five year renewal options. This provides an escape if things don’t work out.
If you are an established practice or very confident of success, a longer initial term (ten years) will enable you to fix the rents for a longer time and get a tenant improvement allowance (TI) from the landlord.
Go for as much free rent as possible….try to get three months totally rent free (no net rent or TMI) for your practice buildout, plus three more months net rent free to get established up and running.
Make sure your lease is assignable so you have the option of selling your practice in that location.
Insist on an exclusivity for all optometric, optical and ophthalmic activities.

Tom Bollum is a former retail optical executive and now a commercial real estate broker. He has sourced and negotiated locations for many optical stores across Canada.

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