A Joint Letter by Fighting Blindness Canada, the Canadian Association of Optometrists and Canadian Ophthalmological Society

The Government of Canada must keep its long-overdue promise and develop a Vision Health Plan for Canada. In 2003, the Canadian government made a commitment for the first time to the World Health Organization (WHO) that it would develop a Vision Health Plan for Canada by 2007 and implement this plan by 2009. To date, no plan has been developed.

As recently as July 2021, the Government of Canada voted in the UN General Assembly for the first agreement to be adopted at the United Nations designed to tackle preventable sight loss and enshrine eye health as part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. In this resolution, the establishment of a national vision health plan was endorsed again by Canada.

The key to a Vision Health Plan is the establishment of a Vision Health Desk.

The Benefits of a Vision Desk Health at Public Health Agency of Canada

Maintaining good vision is a vital part of overall health and quality of life. The impact of vision loss on an individual is enormous from both physical and mental health perspectives. In fact, 80% of Canadians report that losing their vision is their most feared disability. In a 2019 assessment of vision loss in Canada, Deloitte Access Economics found that vision loss and blindness affect 1.2 million Canadians, or 3.2% of the Canadian population, at a cost of $32.9B. It is a critical public health issue, that has a significant impact on a person’s quality of life. It is for this reason that we are advocating for the establishment of an Office for Vision Health, or Vision Health Desk at the Public Health Agency of Canada.

For many years, optometrists, ophthalmologists, researchers, and patient advocates have been engaged in raising awareness about eye health, vision care and the prevention of blindness among Canadians. The good news is that vision loss can be prevented or treated in 75% of cases. Along with vision partners the Canadian Association of Optometrists, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and Fighting Blindness Canada have worked collaboratively to advocate for those who need eye health and vision care the most: seniors, children, those with low vision and disabilities, Indigenous people, and low-income families. We are committed to ongoing collaboration and we recognize that our success is limited without the collaboration and leadership of the federal government.

Led by a Chief Eye Health Officer, the Vision Health Desk would work with the healthcare systems within provinces and territories on strategies for eye health, vision care, and the full integration of post-vision loss rehabilitation therapy into the health care continuum. Similar to the existing Dental Desk, the Vision Health Desk would run public education campaigns about eye health issues, serve as a hub for eye health research and encourage collaboration across all activities with provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations, health professionals, industry and interested individuals. A Vision Health Desk could also set priorities or coordinate vision research and translate science into health services, similar to the National Eye Institute in the United States. The Vision Health Desk would provide a unifying vision for eye health in Canada through the development of a National Strategy for Action on Eye Health and Vision care.

Leadership from our federal government is required to make this a reality for all Canadians, and a Vision Health Desk represents a positive first step in that direction.

Click HERE for the press release.

FYidoctors launchs its Future Vision Leaders program, a one-of-a-kind initiative designed to help new and recent optometry graduates with up to $100,000 in forgivable loans. This unique program aims to partner the next generation of optometrists with patients and regions across Canada that are in marked need of professional eye care expertise, apart from giving new optometrists a career boost unlike no other.

“FYidoctors was founded on doctors defining what eye care looks like—both now and in the future,” says company Chair and CEO Dr. Alan Ulsifer. “This includes the vision to bring the highest level of eye care to all regions of Canada, with special appreciation and presence in rural and under-serviced areas. Eye care and vision is too important to the quality of one’s life to be limited in availability. We are excited about the Future Vision Leaders program to help us fill these important public needs while giving the next generation of optometrists rewarding opportunities.”

As part of the program, FYidoctors will assess applicants on an ad hoc basis and offer them 100% forgivable loans of up to $100,000 for new graduates as well as those who have graduated within the last several years. Successful applicants who enter the program will then be partnered with clinics in either urban, rural or remote regions, with the aim of bolstering the future of the industry while giving Canadians in those regions better all-around access to eye care.

Apart from the Future Vision Leaders loan, graduates who enter the program will also receive competitive base rate compensation, optical benefits and access to world-class innovation, leadership and development opportunities. Additionally, individuals could be eligible for guaranteed minimum pay and moving expenses.

“I was a young optometrist when we founded FYidoctors in 2008,” says Dr. Michael Naugle, FYidoctors’ Vice President, Optometric Partnerships, “and I have benefitted from our OD-owned and controlled model that allows us to practice to the highest level of care due to our emphasis on technology and advanced eye care. As the largest collegial ownership model, we are always looking for the best optometric talent. This one-of-a-kind program helps serve our collective goals in a way that everyone—especially the health care industry—wins. We are excited for its launch and to congratulate our first cohort of Future Vision Leaders.”

For more information, email Optometryleaders@fyidoctors.com.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Cornell Capital LLC, a private equity firm based in New York and Hong Kong, announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Advancing Eyecare, a leading, North America-based provider of ophthalmic instruments to independent eyecare practitioners, national chains, hospitals, teaching institutions and others, from Atlantic Street Capital.

Advancing Eyecare is headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, and comprised of market-leading brands in eyecare instrumentation, including Lobart Instrument, Marco Ophthalmic, Innova Medical, and S4Optik.

 Atlantic Street Capital, formed Advancing Eyecare Holdings with the partnership of its portfolio companies Lombart Instrument (Lombart), and Marco Ophthalmic Inc (Marco) in 2019. At the time of formation, INNOVA had already been part of the Advancing Eyecare group.

INNOVA Medical Ophthalmics has been supplying the Canadian ophthalmic community with a comprehensive line of diagnostic instruments, supplies, and support through factory-trained technicians and customer service representatives for over 30 years. They have facilities in Toronto and the Montreal area.

INNOVA represents several well-known brands in the Canadian equipment and diagnostic equipment markets, including Nidek, REICHERT, HAAG-STREIT and others.

In a statement issued today, Cornell Capital said it has “extensive experience partnering with strong management teams to drive growth, scale infrastructure and capitalize on opportunities across new markets. The firm said it intends to work closely with Advancing Eyecare’s current management team, led by chief executive officer Brad Staley, chief financial officer David Clay and chief strategy officer David Spear, to execute on “a shared vision and build on the significant momentum and investments the company has made in fostering a culture of authenticity, accountability, transparency and winning.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Stephen Trevor, partner at Cornell Capital, remarked, “AEC’s broad portfolio of innovative products and world class service and tech support have positioned the company as a leader in the attractive multibillion dollar ophthalmic products and services market. As the demand for eyecare continues to drive market growth and the industry continues to transition toward more advanced technologies and digital capabilities, AEC is uniquely well suited to meet comprehensive customer needs as an end-to-end service provider.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.