The French newspaper Les Echos recently disclosed details about a draft bill intended to allow opticians-optometrists to prescribe glasses.

 

In France, ophthalmologists are responsible for conducting eye tests and prescribing glasses and contact lenses. Justified by the reduction in the number of ophthalmologists by 2020, at a time when eye disorders will increase by at least 15%, the draft bill plans to “allocate certain acts, such as prescribing corrective glasses or contact lenses, to specially trained opticians.”

 

The text states that 2,000 opticians-optometrists are already trained and waiting to fully exercise their powers. The French Ministry of Economy and Finance estimates that health insurance savings will total $142 million (100 million euros) and that insureds or supplementary health insurance organizations (Ocam) will see savings of $370 million (260 million euros).

 

The National Union of French Ophthalmologists (Snof), which called on its members to go on strike September 30, issued a biting response through its president, Dr. Jean-Bernard Rottier. “The measures to demedicalize the sale of glasses are a threat to the eye health of the French people. A visit to an ophthalmologist is the only way to detect asymptomatic diseases, which sometimes have irreversible consequences: glaucoma, brain tumour… As doctors, we’re responsible for making sure that patients receive the best care possible to preserve their eye health. And when it’s threatened, we’ll fight for them!”

Watch for more information as it comes available…

Sources:

http://opticien-presse.fr/2014101101-le-gouvernement-prevoit-de-deleguer-la-prescription-de-lunettes-aux-opticiens-optometristes/

http://opticien-presse.fr/2014091602-projet-de-loi-croissance-et-optometrie-les-ophtalmologistes-atterres-appellent-a-la-greve/

Rumours over the past few weeks that Andrea Guerra was leaving Luxottica have been confirmed: he has stepped down as the company’s CEO. Luxottica will be headed by two co-CEOs with complementary responsibilities.

 

Outgoing Guerra held the position of CEO for ten years. He will receive a $14.2 million exit package, in addition to almost $850,000 in exchange for waiving any claim or right towards Luxottica. He will also receive $1.1 million related to a con-competition agreement, lasting two years, which includes a clause prohibiting him from soliciting employees of Luxottica.

 

Enrico Cavatorta, Luxottica’s current chief financial officer and general manager, has been appointed interim CEO of Markets, while the company looks for a candidate to take over on a permanent basis.

 

Massimo Vian will head up Operations and, for now, will report to an executive committee lead by Luxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio, who has returned to a more active role at the age of 79.

 

“The evolution to a co-CEO leadership structure with distinct and complementary responsibilities will ensure stronger management of the Group, which has rapidly increased its size, complexity and global presence in recent years,” said the company in a press release.

Last Friday, July 18^th, ClipInfo announced the sudden passing of Dr. Francis Jean president founder of Iris The Visual Group.  See the link below to read the full story published on the 18^th.   

Ceremonies in his memory: 

July 30^th in Montreal

Centre Mont Royal

2200 Mansfield

3:00 – 5:00 pm (reception to follow)

 

 

According to the information M2L Media obtained, Dr. Francis Jean, founder and president of IRIS, The Visual Group, died suddenly yesterday. More details about the circumstances of his death and his career to follow.

 

Our sincerest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the IRIS team.

 

President and founder of IRIS The Visual Group, Dr. Francis Jean, died suddenly yesterday, July 17, in Jasper, Alberta, at the age of 56. Dr. Jean experienced discomfort while cycling in the IRIS Challenge, an activity he created to raise funds for cancer research.

 

In a press release, IRIS officials, naturally in a state of shock, expressed great sadness, describing Dr. Jean as an exceptional leader with a big heart, a passion for life, and remarkable generosity. “Thanks to him, IRIS was built on strong values,” they said.

 

A graduate from McGill University with a bachelor in Neurophysiology and from the University of Montreal with a degree in Optometry, Dr. Francis Jean opened his first practice in 1986 in his hometown of Baie-Comeau, Quebec. He always dreamed of creating the largest network of optometrists, opticians and ophthalmologists in Canada. And he pulled it off brilliantly, by first founding a buying group then adopting the IRIS trademark in 1990.

 

IRIS presently has 166 locations across Canada, with most being in Quebec and in the West, and is starting to expand into the Ontario market, where is has 14 places of business. Its network includes over 238 opticians, 280 optometrists and five ophthalmologists. The group also has two laser surgery clinics, one in Quebec and one in British Columbia. Annual sales in 2012 were $132 million.

 

Dr. Jean is survived by his wife, Denise; his sons, Jonathan and Guillaume, and daughter, Marilanie; his parents; his brother and sister-in-law; and his nieces and nephews.

 

We would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends as well as to the IRIS team. Funeral arrangements are being made in Baie-Comeau, Quebec.

 

For more details, click HERE to read the IRIS press release.

 

Click HERE to read an interview with Dr. Jean, published in the September 2008 issue of Opt!k Magazine, reproduced posthumously.