The Optical Vision Group is taking its next big step by focusing on continuing the Canadian expansion of its Optical Warehouse/Entrepôt de la Lunette optical stores, with a franchising concept carefully developed to attract optometrists, opticians and other qualified investors.

“Our Everything You Need, Simply Less Expensive™ concept, which was developed in Quebec, resonates with glasses wearers in all provinces,” says Daniel Beaulieu, President and CEO of Optical Vision Group. “In and outside of Quebec, we see the public’s anticipation of our arrival in major cities across Canada, and we wish to build a national network to cater to the increasing demand for affordable eyeglasses that we see from coast to coast.”

The franchising opportunity is based on the retail strategy that has been developed and perfected by the group over the past 10 years. “Investors are very interested in the low-cost franchising proposition and the potential return on investment over a five-year period,” Beaulieu says.

“Our high quality product assortment and offering, which includes a Best Price Policy on all lenses, frames starting at just $20, and a complete pair with anti-glare starting at $70, are exciting for independent practice owners who have an option that allows them to be very competitive.”

Franchisees benefit from associating themselves with a growing brand that has a customized marketing program, established supply chain, ongoing training support, and a concept that has won the Radisson award presented by the Trois-Rivières Chamber of Commerce for New Business in 2016 and been recognized by the Quebec Chamber of Commerce as a Mercuriades finalist for Successful Business Strategy in 2018.

To learn more about the Optical Warehouse franchise opportunity, email franchising@opticalwarehouse.ca .

Click HERE for the full press release.

Eschenbach Optik of America introduces the new Elumentis LED Lamp which provides bright, adjustable illumination which improves contrast and helps those with vision loss from macular degeneration and other eye diseases see better. The lamp features intuitive operation and allows users to select the optimal light colour temperature and brightness level they need to maximize their viewing environment.

The energy-efficient LEDs last up to 25,000 hours, are dimmable, and provide light in three different colour temperatures – from warm white 2700K, to neutral white 4800K, to cool white 6400K. The desired colour, brightness and ambient light option can be selected by using the tactile buttons on the lamp base.

The Elumentis LED lamp extends up to 21 inches tall and can reach over most computer monitors to provide illumination onto a computer keyboard. The lamp head tilts in several directions and the lamp arm can be moved from the top and bottom joints allowing the user to position the light exactly where needed. It also folds down to just 2.5 inches high for easy portability and storage.

This lamp not only offers a high colour rendering index and shadow-free illumination, but also has an ambient light option that provides illumination from the top of the lamp head which can help brighten a room. The sturdy base has anti-slip pads on the bottom to increase stability and protect sensitive surfaces it may be placed on.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Get ready to elevate your eyewear game with AYA Optical’s latest release – the Jeremy sunglasses. Boasting a sleek, unisex design that’s perfect for daily wear, this lightweight model will flatter any face shape.

Available in two stunning variations, the black matte with blue flash lens or brown lens with silver flash. Unique frog design by Corrine Hunt.

Distributed by Claudia Alan: www.claudiaalan.com

Alcon announced the expansion of the partnership with Plastic Bank – an organization that builds recycling ecosystems in under-developed communities to fight plastic pollution while providing collection members with a path out of poverty. For each ton of plastic introduced in the marketplace, Plastic Bank will collect an equivalent amount of ocean-bound plastic in vulnerable coastal communities.

In 2022, Plastic Bank removed more than 649,000 kilograms (kg) of plastic waste from the environment to offset the plastic used by Alcon for select Surgical and Vision Care products. Alcon aims to support the plastic removal of more than 990,000 kg in 2023 – the equivalent of stopping more than 49 million plastic bottles from reaching the ocean this year.

Beyond environmental impact, Alcon’s partnership with Plastic Bank will help more than 330 collection communities globally in 2023. Collection members exchange the plastic they collect for life-improving benefits such as health insurance, grocery vouchers and school supplies.

“While single-use plastics are essential to the safety and convenience of medical products, we strive to minimize their impact on the environment by supporting important initiatives like this program with Plastic Bank,’” said Charles Herget, Head of ESG at Alcon.

In 2022, Plastic Bank’s program with both the Surgical and Vision Care products helped remove the equivalent of more than 32 million plastic bottles.

Click HERE for the full press release.

May is Vision Health Month, and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) wants to stress the importance of vision health care, especially when assessing the overall needs of Canadian seniors. According to a 2022 survey by the COS, 4 in 10 Canadians (41%) have experienced or been diagnosed with at least one change to their eye health over the past two years – with this number increasing to 56% among respondents aged 65 and over.

More than 1.2 million Canadians live with vision loss today, and over 8 million Canadians live with one of the four major eye diseases. Blinding diseases affect older adults (55+) at much higher rates, and as Canada’s population ages, the number of individuals affected by vision impairment will rise.

In an effort to address this, the COS is taking part in the National Seniors Council’s Aging at Home consultations – an initiative that aims to engage various stakeholders, including healthcare experts, to identify gaps and further support required for Canadians who wish to age within the comfort of their own homes.

“Vision loss can have a significant impact on the physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being of seniors, and their ability to live independently,” says Dr. Phil Hooper, President of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society. “Health care needs increase with age and many seniors require coordinated care that involves both surgical and medical interventions to address their vision loss, so developing solutions for this concern now will further support the Aging at Home initiative which, in turn, will allow seniors to live at home safely.”

Education and awareness of eye health and eye diseases are crucial to help reduce the risk of vision loss amongst seniors. While most Canadians are familiar (62%) with cataracts, only one-quarter (27%) of Canadians know that cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the country. Less than half (47%) are familiar with glaucoma and only 39% are familiar with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is the second leading cause of blindness. Fewer are aware of diabetic retinopathy (22%) and contact lens-associated dry eye disease (26%).

Seniors with vision loss are more likely to enter residential care, and they may also be more likely to access residential care earlier because of vision loss. To minimize the risk of vision loss among seniors, the COS recommends:

• Focus on screening and collaboration among the eye care team: Frequent and regular eye exams will allow for earlier detection of blinding eye diseases, which will ensure earlier treatment to help delay the onset of vision loss.
• Increasing residency positions: One of the main concerns about the current surgical backlog is that over time it will worsen due to the growing need and there won’t be enough trained ophthalmologists. There is a need to increase the number of residency positions in ophthalmology across Canada and develop new models to allow the entry of internationally trained physicians.
• Creating a National Vision Health Desk: This will provide the pan-Canadian view necessary to help integrate care and increase access to vision health across Canada. A national-level view will help understand issues and address the lack of coordination at the government and patient levels.

Click HERE for the full press release.