Blog - Page 568 of 887

April 3, 2019April 3, 2019

HOYA Announces New Director of National Sales

HOYA Vision Care Canada announces the promotion of Bernard Lecavalier to Director of National Sales. With more than 30 years of experience in the optical industry, he has been a highly respected member of the Hoya Regional Sales Management Team over the last 11 years.

During this time, Bernard has been engaged in various organizational areas with specific focus on cultivating the commercial business including sales training, building customer relationships with corporate buying groups, managing Wholesale accounts and overseeing the Safety Eyewear Division.

Ahmos Henry, President of Hoya Vision Care Canada, says: “Bernard’s promotion will help set an unprecedented national presence and positions HOYA Canada for continued growth and success. His business acumen, experience and leadership skills will further the level of support we offer to both Hoya team members and independent Eye Care Practices from all over the country.”

In his new role, Bernard will be responsible for all Hoya Canada Sales nationally and will also continue in his day to day responsibilities as Eastern Canada Regional Sales Manager for the time being.

Bernard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Université de Montréal, a Marketing Certificate from UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal) and an M.B.A. from the school of HEC, Université de Montréal.

Click HERE for the full press release.

April 3, 2019April 3, 2019

FYidoctors Expands Footprint on Vancouver Island

FYidoctors announces that Eye Design Optometry, located on Vancouver Island, BC has recently joined the FYidoctors family.

“Our philosophy has always been that the best patient care we can provide results from a commitment to continually move our practices forward with the latest technology, education and services available to us,” said Dr. Richard Anderson, one of three on-site optometrists at Eye Design Optometry. “In joining FYidoctors, we are now part of a national group of like-minded optometrists who share in that commitment and have a passion for patient education in eye and vision care.”

Eye Design Optometry is the longest established optometry practice in the region with a proud record of serving the entire Cowichan Valley and surrounding areas for over 35 years. Their dedication to improving the quality of patients’ lives through the health of their eyes is evident through the adoption of cutting-edge instrumentation and on-going education. The Duncan location was one of the first practices in the province to convert to electronic medical records.

Dr. Alan Ulsifer, Chairman & CEO of FYidoctors, commented, “I am very proud to welcome Drs. Anderson, Kirsch, and Reavley and their Duncan and Mill Bay teams to FYidoctors. They have built amazing practices from the ground up and experienced growth rarely seen in this industry. As an added bonus, I have the personal pleasure and pride in having two more classmates joining our ever-growing team of nearly 500 doctors.”

This acquisition translates into two new FYidoctors locations on Vancouver Island – one in the City of Duncan and the other in the town of Mill Bay.

April 2, 2019April 2, 2019

CNIB Commends Government of Canada on Budget 2019 Commitments

The CNIB Foundation commends the Government of Canada for its 2019 budget, which includes significant commitments to accessibility and inclusion for Canadians with sight loss. Among numerous measures supporting people with disabilities, the budget included targeted funding for the production of accessible books, accessible point-of-sale technology, and enhanced CNIB Foundation employment programming.

“This budget will help enable Canadians with sight loss to better participate in our society and economy,” says John M. Rafferty, President and CEO, CNIB. “These funding commitments will allow CNIB to advance our ambition to change what it is to be blind. We applaud the government’s commitment to breaking down barriers and improving access for those we serve.”

The government’s commitment of $25.8 million to support the production of accessible books constitutes a major victory for Canadians with print disabilities such as sight loss. The CNIB Foundation has, for years, advocated for strong federal leadership in supporting the creation and distribution of such material by specialized and mainstream publishers.

The budget also included $1 million in funding for the CNIB Foundation to connect Canadians who are blind or partially sighted with job opportunities in small and medium-sized enterprises – a critical need among a population with only a 28 per cent full-time employment rate.

“Canadians with sight loss are talented and capable, and their unique skills and perspectives can be a real asset to employers,” says Diane Bergeron, Vice President, Engagement and International Affairs, CNIB Foundation. “This investment will help us open new doors to employment for them.”

“A diverse and inclusive workforce can bring new skills and ideas to employers, helping them compete and succeed as they support people in their communities,” says Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Public Services, Procurement and Accessibility. “I am confident that through Budget 2019, more job opportunities for Canadians with sight loss will be created, providing enhanced income security and an overall better quality of life. We’re working to ensure all Canadians have a fair and equal chance at success.”

The 2019 budget also includes $500,000 to improve the accessibility of point-of-sale payment terminals, which today are notoriously inaccessible to people with sight loss. The investment recognizes the urgent need to find a solution that will allow people with sight loss to complete transactions without comprising their financial security and independence.

“On the whole, the 2019 budget will help transform Canadian communities into beacons of accessibility and inclusion, where people can live, work and play without barriers,” says Rafferty. “This budget really raised the bar for how persons with disabilities should be considered by government and in mainstream society. We hope all governments will continue to make such important investments.”

Source : CNIB

March 29, 2019March 29, 2019

Vision Expo East 2019 Sees Increase in Overall Attendance and Optical Buyers

Vision Expo East 2019 was a great success with an overall attendance increase of 2.6% and a 5% rise in registration for optical buyers. Exhibitors saw increased buying as they previewed new collections, launched new products and showcased their latest innovations to over 14,800 eye care professionals from across the world. To date, the optical community has generated 31 million impressions with the hashtag #VisionExpo, a 15% increase over 2018.

Event Highlights

Debuting at the Show, Vision Expo’s inaugural EYE2EYE series packed new destination, the BRIDGE, with attendees during several events including an interview with award-winning artist, Common, moderated by multimedia personality, Lilliana Vasquez.

Additionally, as part of the EYE2EYE series, the founders of FUBU discussed the launch of their eyewear line, FUBU Legends Eyewear, as well as the rise and success of their brand.

Other event highlights from the Show included OptiCon @ Vision Expo’s new National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS) Hoya College Bowl, eyewear trends presentations hosted by Eyecare Business Magazine, as well as fashion shows in the BLOCK. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear the perspectives of industry thought leaders during the Boutique Buyer Panel and Corporate Optometry Panel.

March 29, 2019March 29, 2019

Transitions Announces the Launch of Transitions® Signature® GEN 8™

Transitions Optical has announced details on the upcoming launch of the next generation of Transitions Signature lenses – Transitions Signature GEN 8. Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses are engineered with new proprietary technology, that delivers the best overall photochromic lens performance.

The next generation of Transitions Signature lenses comes six years after the launch of Transitions^® Signature^® VII lenses with a new, breakthrough technology. The performance of photochromic lenses is linked to two components: the matrix in which the dyes reside and the photochromic dyes themselves. The Transitions Signature GEN 8 lens technology incorporates a fully reinvented system, including a reinvented matrix and new photochromic dyes, which has not been done since the launch of Transitions^® V lenses in 2005.

Technology

Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses are the result of five years of research and development involving more than 100 people. Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses were developed using new, breakthrough technology that combines a disruptive nanocomposite matrix and a new generation of ultra-agile photochromic dyes. The nano-composite matrix in Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses is a nano-structured material which mimics a semi crystalline structure. This matrix creates free zones for improved dye mobility. Not only can the dyes move more freely, but it is also more stable and consistent in its performance.

Performance

The new Transitions Signature GEN 8 lens technology allows a new frontier of performance, without compromise. Not only are Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses faster in activation and fadeback, they are even darker than previous generations. The lenses also block 100% UV and help protect from harmful blue light indoors and out. As a consequence, Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses are the best overall photochromic lenses. A new multi-criteria methodology was developed to assess the overall performance of photochromic lenses. This methodology is based on market research done in the U.S. among 1,000 eyeglass wearers, defining the key criteria that matter most for consumers on photochromic lenses.

Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses will launch in the U.S. in July 2019 and in the Fall in Canada.

Click HERE for the full press release.