Blog

May 20, 2015May 19, 2026

U of M Student Among Essilor 2015 Student Grant Award Winners

Essilor announced the names of 16 student grant award winners from North American Optometric schools based on entries to a case study competition. Each of the winners receives a $1,000 grant. Among the winners is University of Montreal student, Zoé Lacroix. The National honour went to New England College of Optometry student, Luke Cyr.

Entries were judged on dispensing skills, application of Varilux lenses to patient needs, analysis of the case(s) and analysis of the lens design and performance.

May 14, 2015April 24, 2018

Kering Eyewear Appoints Vice President of Sales for N.A.

Fernando Silva has been named the new North American Vice President. He has served as President of Marca Eyewear for the past twenty years, based in Toronto, acting as the master agent for Marcolin brands, Alain Mikli, Moncler and other high end collections. Fernando Silva has an extensive experience in the eyewear industry with a focus on luxury and fashion brands.

Kering Eyewear is part of the Kering Group, a world leader in apparel and accessories which develops an ensemble of powerful brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Puma.

May 14, 2015April 24, 2018

Balanced in virtual reality

Researchers from the University of California, San Diego found that virtual reality is useful for measuring balance in patients with glaucoma.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among older adults, and patients with glaucoma are three times more likely to fall than anyone else. Yet, few tools exist to properly assess balance.

In a study involving 42 patients with glaucoma and 38 healthy subjects, researchers used the Oculus Rift stereoscopic glasses. The headset can simulate various situations when worn on a special platform designed to measure balance and movement. The researchers simulated moving through tunnels and spinning floors.

During these simulations, participants with glaucoma had to make a pronounced effort to regain their balance 30% to 40% more than those without glaucoma, demonstrating greater difficulty keeping their balance. People with a history of falling had the most difficulty.

This type of tool could be used to quickly identify patients most at risk for falling and to take preventive measures.

For further information: http://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(15)00125-6/abstract

May 14, 2015April 24, 2018

Next Consolidation Opportunity in the Ophthalmic Lens Market?

Citing confidential and informed sources, Bloomberg reports that lens giants HOYA and Essilor are sizing up German lens manufacturer Rodenstock GmbH, although no formal sales process is underway.

The company may fetch as much as $557 Million, according to the report. Bridgeport, the firm that acquired Rodenstock in 2006, hired Goldman Sachs to look at strategic options earlier this year. None of the parties provided comment to the reports.

Source:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-05-11/essilor-hoya-said-to-mull-bids-for-german-lens-maker-rodenstock

May 11, 2015April 24, 2018

2015 Recognition Gala at Cégep Garneau

On Monday, April 27, the Cégep Garneau Foundation and the Department of Visual Orthosis Techniques hosted the 2015 Recognition Gala. “This is the second year that the Foundation and the Department have offered a unique awards ceremony,” explains Darquise Tardif, professor and scholarship partner with colleague Véronique Guay. Six thousand dollars in scholarships were awarded to recipients who distinguished themselves by their perseverance, academic excellence and good management skills.

Other partners also contributed financially to recognize the career paths of these future opticians: Guylaine Michaud, optician, Essilor, Lasik MD, Gestion Opto-Réseau, New Look Eyewear and the Order of Dispensing Opticians of Quebec.