Transitions® Returns to Festival d’été de Québec with a Unique, Immersive Experience

For the second year in a row, Transitions® Canada will be taking part in the Festival d’été de Québec (Quebec Music Festival) from July 10 to 13, inviting festivalgoers to a dynamic new space located along the Grande Allée.

This year’s redesigned outdoor lounge will offer a colourful and engaging experience where guests can take part in the “See Life in Colour with Transitions® lenses” contest, receive a summer giveaway as a thank-you for stopping by, and meet brand ambassadors to learn more about Transitions® lenses.

Visitors will also be able to discover and try the full Transitions® portfolio — including GEN S™, XTRActive® New Generation, XTRActive® Polarized™, Drivewear®, and Style Mirrors. The activation is designed to educate consumers on how Transitions® lenses adapt to everyday light changes, offering the perfect balance of comfort, protection and style.

“It’s important for Transitions® to stay closely connected to consumers and patients to hear what they love about our lenses, but also to better understand the barriers eye care professionals face in recommending them,” say Mathieu Arsenault and Arnaud Rajchenbach from the Transitions® Canada marketing and sales team. “We recognize that objections to Transitions® often stem from a lack of awareness or outdated perceptions. Through experiences like these, we can listen, educate, and provide tailored recommendations based on people’s actual visual needs.”

By immersing themselves in the Transitions® experience, festivalgoers will gain a clearer understanding of the brand’s innovation and value, helping to drive more informed, confident conversations with their eye care professional when considering their next pair of lenses.

Click HERE for the press release.

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July 8, 2025July 9, 2025

Specsavers to Enter Nova Scotia in 2025, Completing Coast-to-Coast Canadian Expansion

Following its presence at the Canadian Association of Optometry Congress in Halifax, Specsavers has confirmed it will open its first locations in Nova Scotia starting in fall 2025—solidifying its coast-to-coast footprint in Canada.

Since entering the Canadian market in 2021, Specsavers has opened 158 locations across British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. Each Specsavers location in Canada operates under a joint ownership model, partnering an independent optometrist with a retail co-owner—typically a licensed optician or experienced optical retailer. This structure enables local ownership, while Specsavers provides upfront investment of over $500,000 per store to cover startup costs.

Specsavers Coast-to-Coast in Nova Scotia

“We look forward to extending these opportunities to the Nova Scotia market starting in the fall of 2025,” said Bill Moir, Managing Director of Specsavers Canada. “Specsavers is rapidly scaling across Canada with a bold mission: to change lives through better sight by creating lasting opportunities for independent optometrists and optical retailers.”

The company reports that its Canadian network now includes more than 300 independent optometrists and over 450 licensed opticians. Each store serves an average of 100 patients weekly. Specsavers has set a target of serving one million Canadians with eye exams and eyewear by the end of 2025.

Each Specsavers-affiliated clinic is independently owned and operated by the optometrist partner, supported by advanced diagnostic equipment, including OCT, and a national clinical support team. According to Naomi Barber, Clinical Services Director for Specsavers Canada, “From day one, we equip Canadian optometrists with the tools to lead, grow, and deliver top-tier clinical care in their own practice. It’s a model designed by optometrists, for optometrists.”

Beyond clinical support, Specsavers provides resources in marketing, HR, supply chain, and business operations. The company has also received recognition for its workplace culture, earning certification as a Great Place to Work® and ranking 11th among Canada’s top workplaces.

As interest in the Specsavers partnership model has grown, the company notes increasing demand from practitioners in provinces outside its current operating regions. Moir characterizes the expansion not just as business growth but as a shift in the way eye care is delivered in Canada.

“Canadian optometrists and opticians are stepping into ownership with purpose, backed by real investment and unwavering support,” he said. “This model is uniting a national network of healthcare leaders who believe quality eyecare should be accessible to everyone within their local communities and beyond.”

For more information on Specsavers’ partnership model, visit specsaverspartnership.ca.

Click HERE for the press release.

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July 8, 2025July 9, 2025

SILMO Paris 2025: International Optician of the Year – Meet the Finalists!

From 26 to 29 September, SILMO Paris, “the place to be, to see & to foresee”, will bring together the entire optical and eyewear industry at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre.

As an international hub for innovation, creativity, and expertise, the trade show will once again showcase the excellence of the sector.

Among the highlights of this major event, the IOA Award Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, 27 September, will celebrate the dedication and vision of opticians, in an edition marked by talent and discovery.

In the meantime, discover the 2025 finalists in this exclusive preview!

Kim Jurina, Licensed optician & Founder of Eye Stylist, Canada

“I launched Eye Stylist to do things differently. It’s not just about glasses; it’s about bringing clarity, confidence, and care—wherever my clients are.”

Charlie Saccarelli, Licensed optician & CEO of Chadwick Optical, United States

“By pushing the boundaries of optics and challenging inefficiencies in the healthcare system, we are committed to going beyond standard care to deliver exceptional vision and service to every patient.”

Barry E. Santini, Licensed Optician, President of Long Island Opticians, United States

“With over five decades of experience, I strive to advance the field of optics by combining technical expertise, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in vision care.”

William Snelgrove, Licensed Optician, Co-founder of Kawartha Vision Care & Director at the Ontario Opticians Association, Canada

“By combining technical expertise with personalized care, we create vision solutions that enhance our clients’ lives with compassion and professionalism.”

Frits Van Den Bosch, Licensed optician & Optical business owner, Belgium

“By placing the client at the heart of every decision and combining passion with precision, we create visual experiences that transform their daily lives with confidence and satisfaction.”

Blair Wong, Licensed Optician, Chair of the Department of Eye Health Technology at Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Executive Director of the Opticians Association of Massachusetts, Chair of the board of directors for GoodVision USA, United States

“As a blind individual living with retinitis pigmentosa, I strive to advocate for the visually impaired and to build sustainable vision care solutions for underserved populations around the world.”

Visit silmoparis.com for more information on the International Optician of the Year Award and its 2025 finalists.

Click HERE for the press release.

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July 7, 2025July 4, 2025

The Perfect Pair: Glasses AND Contact Lenses

July-August Optik 2025 images Dual wear contact lenses and glasses 810 x 338

By Dr. Mark Shaeffer, OD, FAAO

New data sheds light on patient interest in dual wear—and missed opportunities in practice.

A recent survey commissioned by the Contact Lens Institute reveals a critical disconnect in the delivery of care: despite being strong candidates for both glasses and contact lenses, most patients are rarely encouraged to consider both. This dual-wear approach—alternating between frames and lenses based on lifestyle and context—may be the key to higher patient satisfaction and practice growth.

The findings come from a survey of 2,004 adults who use vision correction. Participants were grouped into exclusive glasses wearers, exclusive contact lens wearers, and those who use both—so-called dual wearers. The results highlight knowledge gaps, outdated perceptions, and untapped potential for ECPs to better meet the diverse needs of modern patients.

Glasses, Lenses—or Why Not Both?

Exclusive glasses wearers still dominate the field, with 1,416 in the survey versus just 115 exclusive contact lens wearers. But a notable 473 individuals reported using both, indicating that dual wear is far more common—and desirable—than many practitioners may realize.

Interestingly, 75% of all patients said that contact lenses weren’t even mentioned at their last eye exam. Of the remaining 25%, most had to initiate the conversation themselves. Only 5% were offered a trial pair.

July-August Optik 2025 At my Most Recent Visit to an Eye Doctor- fig 1

This matters, because patients are curious. Nearly one in five glasses wearers said they were “very interested” in trying lenses, and many cited a free trial set, better awareness of options, and discounts as incentives to consider both.

July-August Optik 2025 What Would Make You More Stongly Consider Contacts- fig 2

Barriers—Real and Perceived

When asked why they avoided contact lenses, glasses-only wearers cited concerns like safety (58%), comfort (46%), and fears about touching their eyes (46%). These lingering perceptions suggest that many patients remain unaware of the technological advancements that have improved comfort, ease of use, and lens customization over the years.

July-August Optik 2025 Barriers to Contact Lens Wear- fig 3

Conversely, contact lens wearers who didn’t wear glasses saw them as providing inferior vision (70%) or causing undesirable thick lenses. Some feared that switching between corrections could harm their eyesight—a misconception that calls for more proactive education.

Lifestyle-Driven Choices

Dual wearers, those who already embrace both modalities, offer a window into modern visual lifestyles. Their habits are dictated less by vision needs and more by situational preference.

For instance, glasses were favoured when working from home or flying. Contact lenses, on the other hand, were preferred for workdays, physical activity, social outings, and even dating.

July-August Optik 2025 Survey the Situation- fig 4

July-August Optik 2025 images Dual wear contact lenses and glasses

Dual wearers also reported a high degree of satisfaction. They described being able to “feel their best” (84%), match their vision correction to how their eyes felt each day (82%), and even pair their correction with their mood (60%). This illustrates how today’s patients view eyewear and lenses as part of a larger self-expression toolkit—not just a medical device.

July-August Optik 2025 - high degree of satisfaction- fig 5

Where ECPs Can Do More

Most patients continue to purchase their devices from their ECPs, suggesting a strong foundation of trust. However, this trust is undermined if patients don’t hear about all their options.

Too often, practitioners wait for the patient to ask about contact lenses or glasses. Meanwhile, patients assume that if something isn’t mentioned, they must not be a candidate.

Closing this communication gap is essential. Whether it’s offering an in-office trial pair of lenses, explaining that prescriptions can be used across modalities, or simply bringing up the subject, initiating the conversation makes a measurable difference.

Freedom to Choose

Dual wear isn’t just a fashion statement or a matter of convenience, it’s a patient-centered strategy that aligns with modern lifestyles. For ECPs, it also represents a missed opportunity if overlooked.

Today’s patients want options, control, and personalization. By embracing a mindset that encourages both glasses and contact lenses where appropriate, practitioners can boost satisfaction, improve outcomes, and strengthen loyalty.

Glasses and contact lenses aren’t in competition. When paired effectively, they’re the perfect team.

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July 4, 2025July 4, 2025

Essilor Announces Latest Progressive Lens Innovation: Varilux® Physio® extensee Lens

Essilor® presents its first Varilux® lens developed using a dynamic replica of the human pupil to offer high vision intensity in any light for extra visual sharpness and contrast(1).

Powered by Varilux® lens AI twinning technology and pupil-variation predicting, the Varilux® Physio® extenseeTM lens is designed to provide optimized correction for each wearer’s pupil dynamics to reduce high-order aberrations and offer extra visual sharpness and contrast(1).

The pupil is dynamic, constantly adapts to new lighting conditions, its ability to change size and adapt to light is unique to each individual. Most progressive lenses are designed based on the wearer’s pupil size remaining constant in all lighting situations, but this can be problematic and negatively impact vision. Indeed, even the most satisfied progressive lens wearers complain about a drop in visual performance in various lighting environments:

39% are very interested in corrective lenses designed to improve their vision comfort regardless of light intensity(2).

Sébastien Fricker, Vision and Perception Modelling Team Manager at EssilorLuxottica said: “When the size of the pupil increases, the light beam entering the eye crosses a bigger portion of the lens. As a result, it can contain more high-order aberrations and induce a loss in image quality.

“Therefore, accounting for pupil-size variation in lens design is key for maximizing contrast perception and visual performance for wearers.”

Pupilizer

Only recently have vision scientists been able to derive a model which considers the main parameters that influence pupil size(3). The result is a state-of-the-art dynamic pupil model that integrates multiple studies and datasets to describe and detail pupil size variations.

Enriched for the first time by this comprehensive dynamic pupil model, Varilux® AI twinning technology replicates thousands of wearer profiles, performing multiple tasks at all distances, in different light conditions. It then analyses this powerful data to predict wearers’ pupil size variation, resulting in Pupilizer(TM) lens technology.

Thanks to pupil-variation prediction, Pupilizer(TM) lens technology is built into the Varilux® Physio® extensee(TM) lens to reduce high-order aberrations and minimise distortion when light passes the lens. By associating a prescription to a predicted pupil dynamism profile, the lens can be produced to closely match the wearer’s daily, real-life pupil variations.

Dual Booster

Close-up vision is one of the major pain points for progressive lens wearers, with 41% reporting have difficulty reading fine print(2). Dual BoosterTM lens surfacing technology is designed to optimize near vision. Varilux® Physio® extensee™ is a dual-sided lens, carefully engineered between the back and front surfaces to provide a magnification effect in the near vision zone ; without impacting the aesthetic of the lens or the overall progressive power.

This dual surface provides a high quality of vision at near to aid with tasks such as reading fine print.

Synchroneyes®

The management of binocular vision in Varilux® Physio® extenseeTM lens is enhanced thanks to integrating the Synchroneyes® lens technology.

This balances the left and right lenses’ designs to match power distributions and patterns of unwanted astigmatism, and allows for a wider field of vision.

A real-life consumer study carried out by an independent institute on 79 progressive lens wearers equipped with Varilux® Physio® extensee™ lenses in their daily lives showed that:

94% experienced high vision intensity in any light(1).
92% felt confident in low light conditions (1).
96% experienced a high quality of vision at near (4).

AI simulations were also performed using twinning technology to compare the performance of the Varilux® Physio® extenseeTM lens compared to similar lenses on the market and showed a 25% enhancement in contrast and sharpness in all light conditions, even in low light(5).

As 9/10 people have a unique near vision behaviour(6), Varilux® Physio® extensee™ lenses can now include Near Vision Behaviour measurement. It personalizes the near vision zone by adjusting its position and size.

71% of wearers easily accessed the near vision zone(7)
78% of wearers experienced extra comfortable vision during a long task in near vision(7)

EXPERT Q&A

Experts from EssilorLuxottica answer some questions on the new lens and how it can benefit wearers.

How does Varilux® Physio® extensee™ lens improve vision quality across various light environments?

Sébastien Fricker, Vision and Perception Modelling Team Manager at EssilorLuxottica, said: “Today there is still a pain point amongst progressive lens wearers, with our recent consumer study revealing that 39% are very interested in corrective lenses designed to improve their vision comfort regardless of light intensity.(2)

“It was therefore evident that we should continue addressing this issue and with our fourth generation of Varilux® Physio® lens, we are now able to take advantage of improved calculations and design capability to create a better lens to help manage low light conditions.

“Thanks to AI twinning technology, pupil size variations can be predicted for each wearer and during the design of this PupilizerTM lens technology we not only considered low light conditions but a whole range of environments to find the best surface to provide optimal vision at all times.”

Can you simplify how the lens works for wearers?

Sébastien Fricker said: “When the pupil is behind a progressive lens it can be prone to high-order aberrations, which are optical defects that lead to vision being less sharp. When the pupil is small in bright light these defects are negligible but the bigger the pupil gets in lower light settings, the more these high- order aberrations will have an impact on vision quality. This affects contrast sensitivity which is the ability to see differences in shades of the same colour ; and sharpness which is the ability to distinguish the fine details of an object.”

“However, during the design of Varilux® Physio® extenseeTM lens, our R&D team used the pupil-variation modelling in the digital twin, which is a virtual wearer that can simulate a real person in daily life.”

“With this extra data, AI simulations were carried out by the digital twin based on wearers of different ages, in different light environments from dim to bright light and in-between, at different distances, performing different tasks. Using all this data we were able to create PupilizerTM lens technology and modify the shape of the lens to reduce these optical defects caused by low light.”

How is the pupil model used to personalise the lens?

Sébastien Fricker said: “The pupil size is related to four parameters which have the most impact. One is age and as we grow older our pupil size decreases. The others are related to the environment including the brightness, proximity and the size of the object being viewed.”

“The data from the pupil-variation modelling is fed into our digital twin allowing us to personalise the optical lens even further. When the lab receives a patient’s prescription, they will incorporate the pupil dynamic profile as part of the lens calculation to optimise and build the lens.”

How does the latest technology meet the needs of today’s presbyopes?

Meena Puar, Global Medical Advisor – Presbyopia at EssilorLuxottica, said: “Presbyopia, a condition that impairs near vision, tends to worsen over time, with the challenges increasing as the severity of the

condition progresses. These near vision tasks are typically more challenging if the lighting is not optimal, which can affect contrast and sharpness. In modern day scenarios, today’s presbyopes are seeking high quality vision across all lighting environments throughout the day.

“To prescribe the latest lens technologies is an opportunity to address the evolving needs of presbyopic patients. The Varilux® Physio® extensee™ lens is designed to cater to a wide range of presbyopes. It incorporates an innovative dynamic pupil model, which takes the pupil size into account in different lighting conditions and across various distances.”

References

Varilux® Physio® extensee™ – in-real life consumer study – Eurosyn – 2024 – France (n=79 progressive lens wearers)
Essilor International – Vision Care Usage and Attitudes – CN/FR/US – June Marketing – 2023 (n=10 611 respondents). • 39% : Analysis based on 481 (45-65 yo PAL wearers) • 41% : Analysis based on 1 350 (45-65 yo PAL wearers)
Zapata-Díaz, Juan F., Hema Radhakrishnan, W. Neil Charman, and Norberto López-Gil. (2019). Accommodation and Age-Dependent Eye Model Based on in Vivo Measurements. Journal of Optometry, 12(no. 1), 3–13.
Varilux® Physio® extensee™ – in-real life consumer study – Eurosyn – 2024 – France (n=60 progressive lens wearers)
Simulations vs relevant progressive lens products – done with AI twinning technology during activities in near vision in various luminance – Comparison between mean’s value based on several prescriptions & materials – Internal R&D simulations – 2024
EssilorLuxottica R&D analysis of near vision behavior data from 160k orders, at least one parameter out of four of visual behavior differs from the average
Varilux® Physio® extensee™ track – in-real life consumer study – Eurosyn – 2024 – France (n=57 progressive lens wearers).
Euromonitor, Eyewear 2023 edition; Essilor International company; worldwide retail value sales at RSP.
Quantitative research conducted among a representative sample of 958 independent ECPs by CSA in February 2019 – France, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, the US, Canada, Brazil, China, India.

Click HERE for the press release.

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