Featuring a modified round shape with subtly pointed, thoughtfully thickened upper corners, the Fysh F-3725 col. S412 acetate frame radiates sophistication while accentuating the distinctive contours of this eyewear masterpiece.
The frame showcases custom lamination for added uniqueness and craftsmanship, available in four captivating colourways, including the daring Black Lace Fuchsia, serene Navy Sage Pearl, whimsical Grape Pearl Teal, and classic Tortoise Cherry Oat (featured model).
Established in 1961, WestGroupe is family operated with over 60 years of industry insight. Our mission has always been to provide unique and superior quality eyewear for the fashion-focused consumer. We are driven by our customer commitment to excellent service and exceptional product. WestGroupe is dedicated to defining future standards in the optical business by developing, creating, and supporting innovative products and services that allows our customers to succeed. WestGroupe offers a premium selection of globally recognized proprietary eyewear brands including KLiiK denmark, FYSH, EVATIK, Superflex® and OTP.
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Optical sales representatives or Territory Managers can be an essential part of a well-run optometric practice. Sales reps as we call them often have a wealth of industry knowledge and product knowledge and also have an ear to the ground on industry trends.
Furthermore, the reps know what is working in successful clinics, have insights into competitor strategies and have a myriad of connections to staff and doctors who may one day be candidates to join your growing clinic! Investing time to discuss opportunities with your suppliers is a vital part of a successful independent practice.
Optical Sales Representative Delegation or Abdication?
I hear many “successful” practice owners that say they have delegated meeting with reps to key staff members. While I do believe in empowering staff to meet optical sales representatives and cultivate relationships and business discussions, I also think there should be significant oversight and accountability. Further, owners should consider at least an annual meeting to establish objectives, establish marketing initiatives and create a reporting mechanism to brief practice owners when staff members are meeting with the sales reps.
In many cases, the staff have too much power with very little guidance and controls in place. One of the most glaring examples is frame buying where staff buy frames they “feel” will sell well and look great without any budgets or gross margin return on investment measurements (GMROI). Meeting with reps informs owners of promotions and prizes available. We tap all these rewards centrally and disperse them to the team. Don’t allow the dysfunctional practice of one team member benefiting over the team by selfishly hoarding prizes and bonuses for themselves.
Maximizing Supplier Partnerships with Optical Sales Representatives
Having a policy where the owners and leaders of the optometric practice invest time to meet with current or potential future supplier representatives is crucial to evolving your clinic into a better entity. Is there a new piece of equipment that will bring forward a new revenue stream? Is a “bonus” available to inventory contact lenses and achieve a lower cost of goods? Can you partner more deeply with a supplier to reduce shipping costs? Perhaps reducing the number of suppliers to maximize these opportunities make sense but remember to meet with other non-partner suppliers to see if changes would make sense and lead to more profitability and/or better patient outcomes.
Reps are People Too
I find it very bothersome when doctors feel they are much more important than a optical sales representative. These doctors tend to blow off reps, not keep to pre-appointed meeting times and tend to view reps as nothing more than an annoyance. I call this “doctoritis”. Doctoritis, by my definition, is when the doctor has been afflicted by the notion that their time is more important than someone else’s time (this includes your patient’s and rep’s time). Be humble my friends and sit down with everyone.
Your reps can also be a feedback mechanism to the higher up decision makers. In my practice, I wanted support for contact lens subscription services and my reps helped to make that wish a reality. Complaints such as vendors creating “flash” sales online while not informing their retail partners get fed back to decision makers that OD owners will not sit quietly and allow such unfair retail tactics.
Be the First Choice
Guess what?! Reps and suppliers have their favourites and their not-so-favourite customers. They know which of us are a pain to deal with and which of us they would rather allocate more discretionary marketing dollars to. They know which clinics they would like to go to as patients and which clinics they would recommend other staff to choose if they are not really happy with their current job position.
You have the opportunity to make a great impression in every interaction. Don’t miss this opportunity with each rep every time. Create a culture that fosters supplier partnerships by welcoming reps to the clinic and not as an annoyance. Respect their time! Many optical sales representatives have to pay their own costs and it is expensive to visit your clinic. Invest the time yourself or with a delegated well-informed staff member to maximize this opportunity. They are not “throw-away interactions”. While they want to make sales, there is no excuse to be rude, disrespectful of their time or indifferent to their products.
How can supplier partnerships enhance your practice?
Use the time to educate yourself; learn about their product or ask the rep how they could improve your clinic. What do they suggest? The reps enter so many practices and chat with so many clinicians. Take the opportunity to have your blind spots exposed. Consider asking them to secret shop or look at your website and suggest improvements. Book lunch and learn training events or other training pieces that many territory managers are armed with. Most reps are armed with practice-specific programs they can deploy to grow their territory.
Ask your rep if there is something they set up that is of mutual benefit. Our optical sales representatives are a trusted source of information, feedback and inspiration; remember to utilize supplier partnerships and help grow your practice!
Dr. Miranda is a partner in a multi-doctor, five-location practice on Vancouver Island. He is a strong advocate for true Independent Optometry. As a serial entrepreneur, Trevor is constantly testing different patient care and business models at his various locations. Many of these have turned out to be quite successful. Dr. Miranda is a regular contributor to Eye Care Business Canada under the category “Independent SightLines”.
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ClearVision Optical’s David Friedfeld and SUNY College of Optometry awarded the latest Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship and inaugurated a new scholarship, the Optical Community Scholarship, this past November at the college’s annual Scholarship Presentation program, held in partnership with its foundation, the Optometric Center of New York (OCNY).
Optical Community Scholarship
The Optical Community Scholarship
David Friedfeld, co-owner and president of ClearVision, joined with the college, as well as the OCNY, to create an endowed fund to be annually awarded to optometry students who demonstrate personal experience with or an interest in working with underrepresented patients and communities.
Disparities in access to eyecare remain, and this scholarship effort aims to close that gap by identifying students who will work with underserved communities to offer more inclusive care and ensure improved vision health. With the Optical Community Scholarship, David Friedfeld and ClearVision Optical hope to work with SUNY College of Optometry and OCNY to build a future with better eyecare access for everyone.
As an endowed fund, the Optical Community Scholarship will be funded annually through Friedfeld’s initial donation.
The winners of the inaugural Optical Community Scholarship were Christine Chou, class of 2025, and Nia Ebrahim, class of 2024.
“ClearVision was founded 75 years ago on a set of values including service, compassion, respect, and integrity. Those values were instilled in the company, and in our family, through my father. This scholarship is an effort to live up to those values by helping future optometrists close the gap in eyecare access and ensure better industry and vision health for patients everywhere.”
David Friedfeld, co-owner and president of ClearVision
Friedfeld Award
The Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship
The Friedfeld family and ClearVision Optical also partner with the SUNY College of Optometry to grant the Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was founded in 2014 by David, his brother and ClearVision Co-Owner and Vice President Peter, and Friedfeld family in honor of Friedfeld’s father and founder of ClearVision, Fred Friedfeld. Since then, over $110,000 has been raised for the Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship and 10 scholarships have been awarded. Recipients receive $3,500 each year.
The recipient of the 2023 Fred Friedfeld Memorial Scholarship was Gurleen Klair, class of 2024.
“We place great emphasis on our relationships with universities, working closely with several, including Stony Brook University, Lehigh University, and Drexel University,” Jen Trakhtenberg, chief people officer and co-COO of ClearVision, said. We also consider our engagement with students, particularly through our dynamic internship program, as a key way to meaningfully contribute to the community and to the ongoing career development, education, and skill-building of future professionals through training and support.”
As part of its commitment to improve the way people see every day, CooperVision raised more than $300,000 in 2023 through global initiatives in support of Optometry Giving Sight (OGS). Since 2008, CooperVision has helped OGS raise more than $4.9 million dollars to support their critical mission.
Global Impact Through Innovation
Again this year, CooperVision offered its customers in the U.S. and Canada an opportunity to redirect their product rebates to OGS’ annual fundraising campaign. With facilitation by CooperVision, rebate donations accounted for $188,265 of the initiative’s total, while CooperVision’s World Sight Day Challenge raised an additional $118,192 from employees globally.
“Almost everyone in the world has or will need vision correction in their lifetime, yet more than a billion people worldwide do not have access to basic eye care1 2. Whether it’s through donating time, scientific and clinical expertise, supporting ECPs grow their practices, or financial contributions, it is our duty as an ongoing Global Partner to OGS to do our part to help people in need reach their full potential through the gift of sight.” Simon Seshadri, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Life Cycle Management
A Tradition of Giving
In 2023, CooperVision participated in OGS’ annual fundraising campaign through a series of regional and global initiatives. These events included a photo contest, guest speaker events, luncheons, a pop-up ice cream stand, homemade waffle sale, and others, such as:
Strikes for Sight. Keeping with a long-standing tradition to raise money and awareness for the cause, CooperVision’s Research & Development team based in Pleasanton, Calif., hosted a “Strikes for Sight” bowling event, during which employees pledged to make donations per strike. Ultimately, 102 strikes were bowled in the two-hour period, with each employee donating between $25.50 and $102.
Cake Sale and Fun Run. Fundraising in Liege, Belgium, included a local “fun run” and cake sale for employees. Both efforts were successful, building camaraderie in tandem with needed funding for OGS.
Charity Miles. Encouraging employee wellness while raising funds for OGS, CooperVision leveraged the Charity Miles fitness app, resulting in $10,589 from participants who walked, ran, or biked by participants during the campaign. Steps were financially sponsored by donors as well as CooperVision.
Vision Screenings. CooperVision organized free vision screenings around the world that not only built awareness around the importance of healthy eye care habits, but also served as an opportunity to raise funds to help support OGS efforts in other parts of the world.
“At the heart of our organization is a steadfast commitment to improving vision worldwide,” said Daniel McBride, Esq., Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at CooperCompanies and Board Member of Optometry Giving Sight. “We remain strong supporters of Optometry Giving Sight and their mission to build sustainable optometry infrastructure in underserved communities around the world to enable vision care for all.”
To learn more about the World Sight Day Challenge and how you can participate, visit www.givingsight.org/wsdc/.
Transitions Optical has entered a new chapter and embarked on a journey of innovation for better vision with the launch of a technological revolution – Transitions® GEN S™.
Transitions® GEN S™ sets a new standard in the future of the optical world that pushes the boundaries of traditional prescription lenses. Wearers want more from their eyeglasses than just correction and the research and development team behind the new lens has been working hand in hand with wearers to create a dynamic lens that will go beyond expectations.
GEN SPEED™: Ultra-responsive to Light
Transitions GEN S is the fastest dark lens1* in the clear to dark photochromic category. It is fully clear indoors and darkens in seconds2 outdoors. It is ultra-responsive to light, reaching category three levels of darkness in 25 seconds3* and fading back in less than two minutes4*. In fact, when asked 88% of wearers agreed that Transitions GEN S lenses adapted so fast to light that they didn’t or barely noticed the change5*.
GEN STYLE™: Spectacular Colour Palette
Transitions GEN S is available in eight exclusive colours, including a brand-new addition: Transitions GEN S Ruby. All colours have been optimised to be true to tone at all stages, offering vibrant tints in any light. While being fully clear indoors, and beautifully coloured outdoors, Transitions GEN S provides endless possibilities of pairing to complement any look.
GEN SMART™: HD Vision at the Speed of Your Life
Transitions GEN S offers better vision quality, faster6* to ensure a continuous visual experience in harmony with varied and changing light environments. Thanks to its responsiveness to light, it provides 39% faster vision recovery from intense bright lights7(A)* versus clear lenses. During fade back, tests have shown a 39.5% improvement in contrast sensitivity7(B)* and 40% faster vision recovery 7(B)* versus the previous generation.
Moreover, Transitions GEN S provides ultimate light protection, darkening outdoors, blocking 100% UVA & UVB rays and filtering up to 32% of blue violet light in the clear state and up to 85% when activated8.
To achieve its mission Transitions Optical proposes a solution for comprehensive vision that goes beyond traditional correction. With Transitions GEN S, science and technology are combined in a revolutionary product that is intuitive and smart, reacting so fast to light that it adapts to your every move. On top of that Transitions offers an elevated experience of complete pairing through a large colour palette that enables wearers to personalize their looks with vibrant colours to match any frame.
Transitions GEN S will be available from April 2024.
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*Tests carried out on gray lenses.
Photochromic performance may vary across colors and lens materials and is influenced by temperature and UV exposure.
REFERENCES
*Tests carried out on gray lenses. Photochromic performance may vary across colors and lens materials and is influenced by temperature and UV exposure.
For gray lenses in the clear to dark (category 3) photochromic category. Transitions® GEN S™ lenses fade back faster to 70% transmission while achieving less than 14% transmission when activated at @ 23°C.
For polycarbonate & CR39 lenses across colors achieving 18% transmission at 23°C
For gray polycarbonate & CR39 lenses with a premium anti-reflective coating fading back to 70% transmission @ 23°C.
Source: Wearers Test conducted by an external market research agency in the US in Q1, 2023 with 133 prescription lens wearers wearing 1.67 index lenses with a premium AR coating in clear and gray Transitions® GEN S™
Vision quality improved in challenging light conditions, notably when moving from a bright to a darker environment (source B, Transitions®
GEN S™ compared to Transitions Signature GEN 8), in bright to very bright light situations (source A, Transitions® GEN S™ compared to clear lenses) and in low light with peaky stray light (source A, Transitions® GEN S™ compared to clear lenses).
Source A: Subject-masked cross-over randomized controlled investigation performed in 2023 on 30 healthy participants (19.2 ± 1.3 years). Testing light stress (discomfort and disability glare, photostress recovery) with the clear and darkest states of gray Transitions® GEN S™ 1.6 index lenses with a premium anti-reflective coating compared to clear 1.6 index lenses with a premium anti-reflective coating. Principal Investigator Prof Billy R. Hammond.
Source B: Subject-masked cross-over randomized controlled investigation performed in 2023 on 10 healthy pre-trained participants (29.5 ± 4.0 years). Testing contrast sensitivity during fade-back with gray Transitions® GEN S™ 1.6 index lenses with a premium anti reflective coating compared to gray Transitions Signature GEN 8 1.6 index lenses with a premium anti reflective coating. Principal Investigator Prof Pablo Artal.
Accepted abstract at ARVO 2024. Duarte-Toledo R, Mompeán J et al., A new photochromic lens improves contrast sensitivity during fade back.
A: Subject-masked cross-over randomized controlled investigation performed in 2023 on 30 healthy participants (19.2 ± 1.3 years). Testing light stress (discomfort and disability glare, photostress recovery) with the clear and darkest states of gray Transitions® GEN S™ 1.6 index lenses with a premium anti-reflective coating compared to clear 1.6 index lenses with a premium anti-reflective coating. Principal Investigator Prof Billy R. Hammond.
B: Subject-masked cross-over randomized controlled investigation performed in 2023 on 10 healthy pre-trained participants (29.5 ± 4.0 years). Testing contrast sensitivity during fade back with gray Transitions® GEN S™ 1.6 index lenses with a premium anti reflective coating compared to gray Transitions Signature GEN 8 1.6 index lenses with a premium anti reflective coating. Principal Investigator Prof Pablo Artal. Accepted
abstract at ARVO 2024. Duarte-Toledo R, Mompeán J et al., A new photochromic lens improves contrast sensitivity during fade back.
For polycarbonate and CR39 lenses across colors. Blue-violet light is measured between 400nm and 455nm (ISO TR 20772:2018)
brand one of the most recognized consumer brands in optics. For more information about Transitions® Light Intelligent Lenses™, visit Transitions.com or TransitionsPRO.com.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
