Blog

June 10, 2015April 24, 2018

Contact Lens Market Share Increases Contribute to Cooper Companies Growth in Q2

Cooper Companies reported Q2 (ending April 30, 2015) revenue increases of 5% versus same period last year. Strong gains (+9%) in CooperVision (CVI), the contact lens business unit of Cooper Companies, offset an 8% decline in CooperSurgical. The company estimates that world-wide CooperVision 2015 calendar quarter 1 contact lenses sales grew 6% versus 1% for the total global market.

Cooper President and CEO, Robert S. Weiss, attributed the sales increase to continued market share gains in contact lenses, and progress with the launch of clariti in US. Single-use spherical lenses showed the greatest growth, up 19% year over year. In Canada, CooperVision launched clariti brand in June 2015. Clariti was previously distributed by Centennial Optical.

Gross margins were 61% compared with 65% in last year’s Q2. The reduction of gross margin was attributed to currency changes, and integration and facility start-up costs. These were offset in part by favourable product mix.

June 9, 2015May 19, 2026

FYidoctors Opens to the International Stage in Whistler, BC

Calgary – FYidoctors, a leading Canadian eye care company, is extremely excited to announce that Whistler Eye Clinic, based in Whistler, BC, will join their team. Whistler Eye Clinic, under the leadership of Dr. Shea Colpitts and Dr. Cindy Wagner, has been a highly successful clinic that has served Whistler and the Sea to Sky region for 27 years.

This acquisition will give FYidoctors a presence in this popular resort destination. Equipped with a range of diagnostic technology, a wide selection of designer and exclusive label frames and internal freeform lens designs, this location will establish a new and prominent FYidoctors presence in Western Canada.

“It is with great pride I welcome Whistler Eye Clinic to the FYidoctors team of clinics. Drs. Shea Colpitts and Cindy Wagner have created a thriving practice in a market where many others would not dare to venture. Shea and Cindy are innovative thinkers that have created a strong and positive reputation in the optometric community. The creation of FYidoctors – Whistler is another big step in the building of the FYidoctors national banner.” says FYidoctors CEO and President, Dr. Alan Ulsifer.

This FYidoctors location will offer detailed pre-testing, comprehensive eye exams, a menu of current lens technology and custom fittings with our electronic measurement devices. Patients will continue to receive world-class eye care in a world-class destination.

Dr. Shea Colpitts of Whistler Eye Clinic added, “I am very proud to be bringing our exemplary team onboard with FYidoctors. This organization never ceases to amaze me with its leading-edge direction in patient care and industry standards. Their innovation and leadership will complement our team’s deep understanding of the local community needs. Our patients, both residents and visitors alike, will greatly benefit.”

June 5, 2015April 24, 2018

A new culprit in diabetic retinopathy

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered that the protein ANGPTL4 (Angiopoietin-like 4) contributes to the proliferation of leaky blood vessels in the eye in patients with diabetic retinopathy, leading to a loss of vision and eventually permanent blindness.

Recently developed drugs for treating diabetic retinopathy that target the protein VEGF delay the progress of the disease but do not halt it completely, and the drugs are ineffective for some patients.

Laboratory tests showed that when both ANGPTL4 and VEGF were blocked the growth of blood vessels was drastically reduced, indicating that new treatments that target both proteins would be more effective than drugs targeting VEGF alone.

Further studies are being done to see if ANGPTL4 plays a role in other eye diseases, such as AMD.

Further information: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/study_suggests_new_way_of_preventing_diabetes_associated_blindness

May 29, 2015April 24, 2018

Spring allergens linked to dry eye

Researchers at the University of Miami have, for the first time, found a link between airborne allergens and dry eye.

After looking at the records of 3.4 million visits to Veterans Affairs eye clinics between 2006 and 2011, the researchers compared the 607,000 visits for dry eye and the allergy index over time and found that incidences of dry eye followed seasonal patterns.

The researchers observed a spike in dry eye cases each spring. April, the peak of the allergy season, had the highest rate of dry eye cases of any month. A smaller spike occurred in winter, while summer had the lowest incidence of dry eye cases.

Sufferers of springtime dry eye may benefit from taking steps to minimize exposure to airborne allergens, such as wearing goggles when working outdoors and installing air filters in their homes, in addition to dry eye treatments.

Further information: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/293005.php

May 27, 2015May 19, 2026

Garneau College Launches New Acuvue Contact Lens Space

The new contact lens clinical and dispensing training space opened this past May 14 in the presence of all the partners involved in this major project.

Open to the public, Lunetterie Garneau treats some 1,000 clients per year who reside on the outskirts of Quebec City. Lunetterie Garneau’s growing clientele come to the clinic for its distinctive services, reasonable prices, and wide selection of products, while the optical science students who train there benefit from invaluable, practical experience.

Before this dedicated space opened, the contact lens area wasn’t very functional. It took the determination of optical science teacher Karine Lacourse, the project co-manager, and the commitment of Garneau College and its partners to turn this dream into a reality. ”Many students have told us how much more professional they feel in this new setting. The space is very well equipped and laid out now, making it much easier for us teachers to share our passion for contact lenses. The space was designed to work as a classroom and a clinic, and has been completely renovated and revamped. It’s now fully functional and modern thanks to cutting edge new equipment,” said Lacourse.

The new space was christened Acuvue, a trademark of Johnson & Johnson, after its main donor. CooperVision, AXIS Medical Group, and Blanchard Contact Lenses were also instrumental in supporting this very important training ground for optical students.