Blackfin Vitra represents the transparent evolution of titanium: a bold VitraCore™ front that defies fragility, anchored to themechanical certainty of aerospace titanium temples and components.
This is where the invisible meets the indestructible. Sharpgeometries, absolute stability, and technical comfort merge into a design that hides nothing—because it is pure substance.
Mood Eyewear Inc is proud to lead in the latest European optical trends, integrating European fashion influences to enhance the visual experience. We consider it both a duty and an honor to support our business partners by providing personalized and efficient service. Our exclusive collections are carefully curated to blend creativity, innovation, art, design, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology.
Established in 2006, Mood Eyewear was founded with the aim of importing and offering prestigious optical and sunglass collections to the Canadian market. Our group ensures the distribution of renowned European brands, selected for their quality and distinctive aesthetics.
We are the exclusive distributors in Canada for brands such as Blackfin, Woodys, Le Parc, Visionario, I-Man, Komono, NOS, Binocle and Bonne Franquette.
Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e- newsletters!
Transitions® announces a new creative collaboration with renowned Canadian and Québec-based artist AnnLo, celebrating the launch of the brand‑new Transitions® Color Touch™ lenses. The partnership brings together optical innovation and contemporary art through a custom canvas inspired by colour, style, and self-expression.
Following a successful collaboration in 2021 and 2022 – which included three distinctive canvases inspired by Transitions® Amethyst GEN 8, Transitions® XTRActive® New Generation, and Transitions® XTRActive® Polarized lenses -this latest project marks a natural evolution of a shared creative vision.
Known for her expressive portraits and her unique ability to bring faces to life through colour and frames, AnnLo’s artistic universe closely mirrors the spirit of Transitions®. Colour has always been central to her work, just as it has been at the heart of Transitions® innovation for over 35 years.
To mark the arrival of Transitions® Color Touch™, AnnLo is developing a brand‑new, one‑of‑a‑kind canvas inspired by the new Transitions® Color Touch™, palette and effects of the lenses. Created over the months of May and June, the artwork will explore colour as both an emotional and stylistic statement—reflecting how lenses can become an extension of personal identity.
Throughout the collaboration, AnnLo will offer glimpses into her creative process, sharing the evolution of the artwork and the inspiration behind it. The multi‑week creation period underscores the shared values of craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail that define both AnnLo’s work and the Transitions® brand.
More details on the AnnLo x Transitions® Color Touch™ collaboration will be shared throughout the spring are available at TransitionsOpticalCanada-FacebookPro
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the Saudi Society of Optometry (SSO) have announced new dates for the 6th World Congress of Optometry (WCO6), which will now be held from April 2 to 4, 2027, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The event will take place at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center (RICEC) and will be held alongside the 11th Saudi Optometry Conference and the first SILMO Exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
Originally scheduled for November 2026, the congress was rescheduled following what the organizers described as a joint review aimed at supporting broader international participation, improving travel accessibility, and strengthening the scientific, professional, and industry experience for delegates, speakers, partners, and exhibitors.
“Hosting this milestone event in the Eastern Mediterranean region is a significant moment for optometry, and we are confident that the new dates will allow us to realize its full potential,” said Dr. Cindy Tromans, President of the World Council of Optometry. “Ensuring that our members and partners worldwide can fully engage in and benefit from the Congress remains at the heart of our decision-making.”
In a statement, Dr. Waleed AlGhamdi, President of the Saudi Society of Optometry, said the revised dates are intended to help strengthen global participation while supporting a high-quality international meeting focused on clinical practice, education, research, and professional collaboration.
According to the organizers, the updated schedule will also support further development of the exhibition component, including the inaugural SILMO Exhibition in Saudi Arabia.
WCO6 will mark the first World Congress of Optometry to be held in the Eastern Mediterranean region. The event is expected to bring together optometrists, educators, researchers, students, policymakers, professional organizations, and industry representatives from Saudi Arabia and abroad.
The organizers also said the abstract submission deadline has been extended to June 30, 2026, and early bird registration will remain open until January 31, 2027.
WestGroupe announces the retirement of Beverly Suliteanu, Vice President, Product Development; Creative Director, effective May 31ˢᵗ, 2026, marking the close of an extraordinary chapter in the company’s history and the evolution of a family-led business.
A second-generation leader, Beverly has been an integral part of WestGroupe’s leadership for more than three decades, working alongside her brother, Michael Suliteanu, and Mike DeBono. Since joining the company in 1994, she has played a defining role in shaping its product vision, creative direction, and brand portfolio.
Over her tenure, Beverly led product development and creative direction for more than 30 years, driving the creation and long-term success of cornerstone brands including KLiiK denmark, Fysh, Evatik, OTP, and Superflex, collections that continue to resonate in the market decades after their launch. Guided by her vision, WestGroupe was among the first North American eyewear companies to invest in building its own proprietary brands at a time when the industry was largely driven by licensed labels. Beginning in the early 2000s, she led the development of these collections, which continue to perform strongly today. This long-term relevance is complemented by the enduring success of Superflex, a collection with more than 50 years of history. Together, these brands reflect an uncommon longevity in an industry often defined by rapid brand turnover, underscoring WestGroupe’s ability to build and sustain meaningful brand equity over time.
She also played a pivotal role in expanding WestGroupe’s brand portfolio through strategic distribution partnerships, bringing internationally recognized brands such as Stepper, Moleskine and AllSaints, along with distinctive independent eyewear collections including Sunday Somewhere and NanoVista, into the company’s evolving assortment.
Beyond product, Beverly’s impact has been deeply felt across the organization through her leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to building brands with clarity, purpose, and longevity.
“Beverly is not only my sister, but my partner in building this business,” said Michael Suliteanu. “Together, we carried forward what our father started and worked side by side to grow WestGroupe into what it is today. Her passion for product, her instinct for design, and her dedication to doing things the right way has shaped every part of this company. While this is a well-deserved next chapter for her, her presence, energy, and vision will be deeply missed, both personally and professionally.”
As part of this transition, WestGroupe announces the appointment of Natalie Lacroce as Vice President, Brand & Product Planning.
Beverly Suliteanu & Natalie Lacroce
In her new role, Lacroce will lead the strategic direction of WestGroupe’s brand portfolio, overseeing product planning, lifecycle management, and long-term brand development. She will work closely with cross-functional teams to align design, merchandising, and market insights, ensuring the continued evolution and strength of the company’s collections. As part of her mandate, she will also oversee the company’s analytics function, including inventory management, further strengthening the link between product strategy and operational performance.
Lacroce brings more than 25 years of experience in the optical industry, spanning both wholesale and retail environments. Most recently, she spent over two decades at Loblaw Companies Limited, where she served as Category Director, Optical, leading the development and execution of business strategies to drive profitable growth. In this role, she oversaw the full product lifecycle, from concept to commercialization, while strengthening vendor partnerships and driving alignment across merchandising, innovation, and customer experience initiatives.
Known for her strategic mindset and collaborative approach, Lacroce has built a reputation for aligning brand vision with market opportunities to deliver impactful, customer-centric results. She began her career in product development at Centennial Optical, where she developed a strong foundation in the industry that continues to inform her approach today.
“Natalie brings a clear and disciplined approach to brand and product,” added Mike DeBono. “She understands how to connect long-term vision with execution, and we are confident she will build on the strong foundation that Beverly has created.”
Reflecting on her time with the company, Beverly Suliteanu shared: “It has been incredibly meaningful to grow this business alongside my family and our extended team. I am proud of the brands we’ve built, the relationships we’ve developed, and the passion for product that continues to define WestGroupe. I leave knowing the company is in very strong hands, with a clear vision for the future.”
This leadership transition reflects WestGroupe’s continued commitment to innovation, disciplined product strategy, and meaningful brand building, while honouring the legacy of a company shaped by family leadership and long-term vision.
Source: WestGroupe
Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!
CooperVision has announced the completion of enrollment in its global MiSight® 1 day post-approval clinical studies in the United States and China, marking a milestone in the development of real-world evidence for pediatric myopia control.
According to the company, these studies, together with the seven-year clinical trial of ActivControl® Technology, make up the longest and most comprehensive clinical evidence program undertaken to date for contact lens-based myopia control in children. The program includes both randomized controlled efficacy trials and large-scale safety registries.
CooperVision said the combined post-approval study programs span more than 100 clinical sites and include over 3,000 children. The company noted that the resulting data will add to the existing body of research on MiSight® 1 day, which has already been widely published and cited in ophthalmology and optometry.
The announcement coincides with Myopia Awareness Week 2026, running from May 18 to 24, and aligns with the company’s broader focus on advancing understanding of pediatric myopia, a condition expected to affect nearly half the global population by 2050.
“Completing enrollment is a crucial step, allowing us to start analyzing data that will further illustrate how MiSight® 1 day performs in real-world settings over multiple years,” said Kathryn Richdale, OD, PhD, Director of Post-Market Clinical Affairs at CooperVision. “The findings will further strengthen the existing evidence supporting MiSight® 1 day, helping eye care professionals continue to make informed myopia management decisions and reinforcing long-term confidence for families.”
According to CooperVision, participants in the multi-year studies represent populations across both the U.S. and China, with final data expected to be released on a rolling basis between 2027 and 2030.
The company also announced the release of Progress in Focus: The Global Impact of MiSight® 1 day, a report that brings together evidence related to the MiSight product family and outlines its development, including the planned Canadian introduction of MyDay® MiSight® 1 day.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released an updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, adding TFOS DEWS III recommendations, dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 questionnaire and refined management options.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association are partnering for National Sunglasses Day to promote UV safety awareness and highlight the role of opticians and eyecare providers in sunwear education.
EyeRide 2026 returns June 20, bringing cyclists together from Vaughan to Alliston and Collingwood to raise funds for programs supporting people who are blind or partially sighted.
Modern Optical International has launched Modern Vision for All, a charitable initiative that contributes $1 from every qualifying frame purchase to support access to vision care through EyeCare4Kids and GoodVision.
Riyadh will host a major global optometry and optical gathering from April 2 to 4, 2027, bringing together OptiVision, the 6th World Congress of Optometry, SSO 2027 and SILMO Riyadh.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released an updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, adding TFOS DEWS III recommendations, dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 questionnaire and refined management options.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association are partnering for National Sunglasses Day to promote UV safety awareness and highlight the role of opticians and eyecare providers in sunwear education.
EyeRide 2026 returns June 20, bringing cyclists together from Vaughan to Alliston and Collingwood to raise funds for programs supporting people who are blind or partially sighted.
Modern Optical International has launched Modern Vision for All, a charitable initiative that contributes $1 from every qualifying frame purchase to support access to vision care through EyeCare4Kids and GoodVision.
Riyadh will host a major global optometry and optical gathering from April 2 to 4, 2027, bringing together OptiVision, the 6th World Congress of Optometry, SSO 2027 and SILMO Riyadh.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released an updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, adding TFOS DEWS III recommendations, dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 questionnaire and refined management options.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association are partnering for National Sunglasses Day to promote UV safety awareness and highlight the role of opticians and eyecare providers in sunwear education.
EyeRide 2026 returns June 20, bringing cyclists together from Vaughan to Alliston and Collingwood to raise funds for programs supporting people who are blind or partially sighted.
Modern Optical International has launched Modern Vision for All, a charitable initiative that contributes $1 from every qualifying frame purchase to support access to vision care through EyeCare4Kids and GoodVision.
Riyadh will host a major global optometry and optical gathering from April 2 to 4, 2027, bringing together OptiVision, the 6th World Congress of Optometry, SSO 2027 and SILMO Riyadh.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released an updated version of the WCO Alcon Dry Eye Wheel, adding TFOS DEWS III recommendations, dry eye etiological drivers, the OSDI-6 questionnaire and refined management options.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association are partnering for National Sunglasses Day to promote UV safety awareness and highlight the role of opticians and eyecare providers in sunwear education.
EyeRide 2026 returns June 20, bringing cyclists together from Vaughan to Alliston and Collingwood to raise funds for programs supporting people who are blind or partially sighted.
Modern Optical International has launched Modern Vision for All, a charitable initiative that contributes $1 from every qualifying frame purchase to support access to vision care through EyeCare4Kids and GoodVision.
Riyadh will host a major global optometry and optical gathering from April 2 to 4, 2027, bringing together OptiVision, the 6th World Congress of Optometry, SSO 2027 and SILMO Riyadh.
