- Envision

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2015
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JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2015
Bladeless
Cataract Surgery
Make your Dispensary a
Sports Enthusiasts
Hub
Bandage It Up!
SPORTS EYEWEAR:
a
REAL
Godsend
ECPs!
for
MIDO - International Optics, Optometry and Ophthalmology Exhibition - mido.com
Eyewear Show
Milan | Feb 28 | Mar 1-2 | 2015
westgroupe.com
800.361.6220
what’s inside
january - february 2015
Cover Story
6
20 Years of Success
8
Our View
10
DON’T LET SPORTS EYEWEAR PASS YOU BY:
YOUR PATIENTS NEED IT!
The focus on fitness products in the retail world creates an excellent business
opportunity for eyecare professionals because ever-cooler and more technologically
advanced equipment is the name of the game. Both amateur and professional
athletes need eye protection and you are the perfect retailer to provide it.
Legal Angle
22
Focus on Ebola: Managing the Ocular Effects of the Disease
Lens Focus
24
Good Sports
Portrait of a Designer 28
Richard Mewha Designs Unique Luxury for Bevel
Eye on Health
30
A New Frontier in Cataract Surgery
Event 32
The Magic Mixing Formula: Optifair Does it Again
Making Contact
34
Bandage It Up!
36
In the News
in the next issue
march – april 2015
4
44
Classifieds
MEN
It’s no secret: men are driven by fashion, and eyewear gives them a significant way to claim an identity.
Designers and manufacturers are speaking to this market with new collections that appeal to the
risk-taker, the nerd, the jock and the C-suite executive. Let’s check them out!
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
planbeyewear.com
Special Editorial
Martine Breton
Publisher
H
ere at Breton Communications, we’re very excited to be celebrating our
20th anniversary in 2015. What a fascinating journey it has been, as we’ve developed
new products and technology to keep pace with the evolution of the publishing
industry and Canada’s optical market.
Back in 1995, our contributions consisted of Coup d’Oeil magazine and the print version of
Opti-Guide, the Canadian Optical suppliers’ guide where everything from trade shows to
store locations, owners and products can be found. As of 2015, in response to user demand,
the publication is now fully digital with 1.7 million page views annually.
In 1997, we began publishing the predecessor of Envision: seeing beyond magazine, and over
time built it from a niche publication serving only opticians into a larger and stronger magazine
designed to meet the information needs of optometrists, ophthalmologists and opticians. We’re
proud to have a broader mandate and a new perspective on the Canadian industry, and feedback
from our readers confirms the wisdom of this decision.
Over the years, we added several new products to our portfolio. Way back in 2004, we launched
the Canadian optical industry’s first bi-weekly digital newsletter Opti-News. Since then, we’ve
grown our subscribers’ membership from 1,200 email addresses to 8,000.
In mid-2011 we were the first to launch digital versions of our magazines Envision: seeing beyond
and EnVue: voir plus loin. In 2012 we conducted the first-ever online survey of the Canadian
optical industry and presented the comprehensive ECP data under our Opti-Stats. And in 2014
we implemented the BretonJobs.com job portal for the Canadian optical industry.
We could not have accomplished all of this without the help and support of many people.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, some of whom have been with us since the
beginning. We are so grateful to all of you for your commitment and support of professional
optical industry journalism. We’re delighted to have provided you with a platform from which to
effectively address your customers – our readers. Success builds on success and together we have
created a powerful synergy which benefits everyone.
Our appreciation also goes to the industry experts – company sales reps, academics, industry
CEOs, marketing directors, store owners and eyecare professionals – who have so generously
given of their time in interviews for our articles. Without you, we would not have been able to
present the facts, opinions, issues and other useful information that our readers need and want.
We also owe a debt of gratitude to our wonderful team, including the Breton Communications
office staff, our editorial teams and all of the magazines’ contributors. We are very fortunate to
have this tremendous group of dedicated professionals working with us.
Canada’s optical industry is unique and as such it is best served by Canadians who understand its
needs. At Breton Communications we are proud to fulfill that role.
You can look forward to a number of surprises in the coming year as we celebrate our
20th anniversary. And as we look ahead to our third decade, we’re filled with optimism.
So much has changed since 1995. But one thing that remains constant is our commitment to you,
our readers. You can count on us to continue providing you with a visually beautiful magazine
that features stimulating, inspirational and useful content that will help you grow your business.
After two decades in the eyecare field, we can assure you of our ongoing commitment to the
Canadian optical industry. We know you share this commitment. Let’s go forward together! n
6
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
COMING SPRING 2015
www.envisionmagazine.ca
Photo credit: Victoria Ilgacs
Breton Communications Inc.
202-495 St-Martin Blvd. W.
Laval, Quebec H7M 1Y9
Tel.: 450 629-6005
Fax: 450 629-6044
www.bretoncom.com
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
Martine Breton
[email protected]
SENIOR EDITOR
JoAnne Sommers
Tel. 250 448-6564
[email protected]
Our View
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Paddy Kamen
Tel. : 250 448-7516
[email protected]
Paddy Kamen
Editor-in-Chief
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Netan Choudhry
Brian P. Dunleavy
Jennifer George
Shirley Ha
Evra Taylor
I
recently drove past a big box sports
store that had the word ‘Optics’
in big, bold letters on its exterior
signage. It got me wondering why
we don’t see more licensed optical
professionals proclaiming ‘Sports
Eyewear’ on their signage. Might you
be letting this growing segment of the
industry get away from you?
Research from Liberty Optical finds
that if you make the effort by carrying
sports eyewear and training your staff in
procedures to educate your patients and
customers, you can easily upsell from
these sports collections to at least three
per cent of your current customers.
How much more could you sell if you
actually let your customers know from
your store exterior that they can find
eyewear for golf, sailing, skiing, racquet
sports and cycling within?
Laying claim to your expertise in eye and
vision protection is key to establishing
credibility as a first-stop purveyor of
sports-specific eyewear. Consumers
need to be educated about the risks
involved in sporting activities and also
the enhanced performance that comes
from using eyewear designed with their
sport in mind.
The risks of sports-related eye injuries
are significant. According to the CNIB,
of 720,000 emergency room visits
for eye injuries annually, 100,800 are
sports-related1. And emergency rooms
in the U.S. see a sports-related eye
injury every 16 minutes2. An estimated
one in 18 American college athletes
will sustain an eye injury each season3.
But are athletic consumers aware of the
potential risks? It appears not. According
SPECIAL ADVISOR, CONTACT LENSES
Joshua Josephson, B.Sc, OD, FAAO, FACLP
ASSISTANT PUBLISHER
Nicky Fambios
[email protected]
COPY EDITOR/RESEARCHER
Isabelle Groulx
[email protected]
to the 2008 U.S. National Health Interview Survey,
81.8 per cent of children do not wear protective
eyewear in situations that pose risk of eye injury4.
Safety considerations aside, an additional way to
enlist your patients in the concept of purchasing
sports-specific eyewear is to appeal to their desire
for improved athletic performance. Manufacturers
make that a breeze with a variety of fantastic lenses
that enhance contrast and provide a wider field
of clear vision. Interchangeable lens designs are
widely available and are becoming easier for
consumers to use. Here, endorsements from
professional athletes augment the perception that
performance will be enhanced.
Don’t let your clients confuse sports-styled
streetwear or sunwear with protective eyewear.
Dr. Michael Easterbrook, a prominent Torontobased ophthalmologist who was the eye surgeon
for the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team for
25 years, and who writes and speaks widely on the
prevention of sports-related eye injuries, advises
wearing ASTM F803-approved protective eye gear,
made specifically for the sport one is playing. He
says hockey and racquet sports cause the most eye
injuries in Canada5.
Our feature in this issue can help you decide which
of the many superb sports-specific products you
want to carry. They are so cool looking that even
patients who are sedentary just might decide to
take up a sport!
n
1 http://www.cnib.ca/en/Pages/Most_eye_injuries_can_be_prevented.aspx
2, 3, 4 Liberty Sports brochure: WHY and HOW to Protect your Patients Who Play Sports, www.libertysport.com
5 http://www.cnib.ca/en/your-eyes/safety/at-play/Pages/eyesafety_atsport.aspx
8
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR/
COPY EDITOR
Aurélie Vasseur
[email protected]
CIRCULATION ASSISTANT
Louise Chalifoux
[email protected]
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
[email protected]
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Marco Gagnon.com
ADVERTISING
Martine Breton
[email protected]
Isabelle Groulx
[email protected]
Aurélie Vasseur
[email protected]
1 888 462-2112
Tel.: 450 629-6005
Fax: 450 629-6044
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Aurélie Vasseur
[email protected]
PRINTING
Impart Litho
Published six times a year
Legal deposit
National Library of Canada
ISSN 1925-8801 (Print) | ISSN 1925-881X (Online)
Canadian Publication Mail Product
Convention NO 40052210
Postage Paid in Quebec
Any reproduction, in whole or in part, of the herein
publication, is strictly forbidden, without the written
authorization of the publisher.
Printed in Canada
Please recycle
Don’t Let
Sports
EYEWEAR
Pass You By:
YOUR PATIENTS
NEED IT!
Physical fitness rules in
western pop culture, where
professional athletes are
superstars and the girth of
film actors is under
constant scrutiny. Do these
cultural values translate into
increased physical activity
for the average person?
It’s hard to know, but there
are definitely more
sports-equipment stores
in Canada than ever
before.
10
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
Cover Story
Sports Eyewear
“
The reason this becomes a duty is that
over 100,800 Canadians end up in
emergency rooms each year as a result
of sports-related eye injuries.
”
Cover Story
T
By Paddy Kamen
he focus on fitness products in the retail world
creates an excellent business opportunity for
eyecare professionals because ever-cooler and
more technologically advanced equipment
is the name of the game. Both amateur and
professional athletes need eye protection and
you are the perfect retailer to provide it.
You’d best start out by asking your patients if they play sports.
According to Pat Salamat, Canadian vice president of sales for
Liberty Sport, this is the first of the Three I’s: Inquire, Inform and
Introduce. After you ask ‘Do you play any sports or engage in solo
fitness activities?’ it becomes almost a duty of practice to inform
patients of the risks to vision inherent in their sport, and/or the
path to better performance through improved optics. The reason
this becomes a duty is that over 100,800 Canadians end up in
emergency rooms each year as a result of sports-related eye
injuries. You sure don’t want tennis-playing patients claiming that
you didn’t let them know that the second-leading cause of sports
eye injuries in Canada is racquet sports. Not only should you
inform them, you can also introduce the solution if you carry a
good selection of sports-specific eyewear.
This feature gives you an overview of the best of the best in
sports-protection eyewear. And the cool factor leads the way: just
look at this stuff – it’s gorgeous!
www.optimaninc.com
Distributed by Optiman Group Inc., Style shown BCH268
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
11
Cover Story
Sports Eyewear
The Louis Garneau company, founded by renowned Canadian cyclist Louis
Garneau (with over 150 racing victories globally), knows a thing or two about
sports eyewear. Perfect for winter sports, their Nordic Shield, with lift-up lenses
that are also interchangeable, offers tremendous versatility, depending on the
activity chosen and the prevailing light conditions. The nylon frame resists
impact and varied temperatures.
{
Louis Garneau mod. Course II Kit
}
The Course Kit from Louis Garneau is another example of versatile sports
eyewear for the all-round athlete. Worn by Quebec-city-based, 2014 Ironman
Kona, Hawaii winner, Pierre-Yves Gigou, the Course Kit is extremely
lightweight, with vented lenses and a frame that helps to prevent fogging.
This amazing eyewear works in every light condition and at all temperatures.
Cyclists, cross-country skiers and triathletes find it indispensible.
Because not everyone can invest in prescription goggles for winter sports,
Live Eyewear presents their stylish Cocoons® fitover snow goggles. “It was time for us
to bring our experience in the fitover sunwear category and attention to detail to the
table,” says Kieran Hardy, Live Eyewear president. “The public trusts in the Cocoons
brand as a global leader in fitover eyewear. Because we consistently deliver the best
in fitover performance, quality and value, our new goggles will reward loyalty to the
brand.”
Cocoons goggles come in a wide variety of styles, each featuring a dual layer, anti-fog
lens system with air apertures to eliminate condensation on the internal lens surface.
The high-contrast orange lenses offer a glare-blocking silver mirror finish, delivering
superior visual acuity.
“These Cocoons retail at a great price point, so there’ll be no question that you’re
equipping your customer with the best in technology combined with unparalleled
value,” adds Hardy.
{
Cocoon Fitover (OTG)
}
Designer Sven Götti, who hails from Switzerland (another land of snow), turns
his keen design aesthetic to light, flexible snow goggles in white, black and
yellow, each featuring coloured, mirrored, double-glazed lenses. An anti-fog
design for optimum ventilation make these helmet-compatible goggles
consistent with their sophisticated finish and dynamic look. We wouldn’t
expect anything less than perfection from this prominent Swiss company.
{
Götti mod. Goggle
}
Olympic gold medal ski champion, Jean Vuarnet, lends his name
to the famous Vuarnet brand, known for superior eyewear and
mineral lenses for all sporting activities.
“Our bestselling lens, Skilynx, was created in 1960 and used
by Jean Vuarnet when he won the Olympics in 1960,” says
Marketing Director Kristin Wells-Kelly. “This lens is ideal for
all winter sports. We also offer the PX 5000 lens in limited sport
frames for mountain climbing and all sports executed in extreme
light conditions.”
All Vuarnet mineral lenses are manufactured in their factory
in Meaux, France, just outside Paris. Mineral lenses are known
for exceptional optical quality: “The optics are much better than
polycarbonate and they have a very hard surface, making them
resistant to scratching. The 16-hour chemical plating process
guarantees that they are shock-resistant as well.” says Wells-Kelly.
12
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
{
Vuarnet mod. VL1315
}
Vuarnet has released an updated version of the aviator-style
GLACIER sports sunwear made of Mazzucchelli acetate and
ultra-light metal with inserted rubber. The leather side shields
with a magnetic metal structure allow the shields to be adjusted
for better eye protection. The side shields are also removable
to meet the needs of city life. Combine the GLACIER with the
SKILYNX mineral lenses and you have a match made in heaven.
Cover Story
Sports Eyewear
{
Rudy Project mod. Agon Graphite Red
}
Rudy Project shines with their new ImpactX-2 lenses in Clear
to Laser Red and Clear to Laser Brown. These photochromic
lenses light your way with 65 per cent better photochromic
performance, 25 per cent faster activation and activation behind
car windshields. Best of all: they are unbreakable and so protect
the eyes in the event of falls or other impacts.
Comfort and perfect vision are aligned in the new
high-performance Proflow™ Carbonium from Rudy Project.
Developed with input from professional athletes and biometric
engineers, this eyewear gives cutting-edge advantages to athletes,
including a patented ‘flying’ temple design, which permits minute
adjustments for maximum comfort and works together with
the all-new Dorsal Stabilizers™, a system which ensures perfect
alignment and directional stability for most head shapes, thus
preventing the glasses from pitching down and placing excess
pressure on the nose and ears.
{
Rudy Project mod. Proflow Golf Big
}
Also from Rudy Project, the Agon is an ultra-technical glass,
worn by the 2013 Tour de France® Green Jersey winner, Peter
Sagan. Available with interchangeable lenses, the Agon features
adjustable temple tips and nose pieces that secure the glasses
with a precise and custom fit. An aerospace alloy is used in their
manufacture. The half-rim structure guarantees a broad field of
vision and air circulation is ensured by adjustable ventilation slits
on the lenses.
Both the Proflow Carbonium and the Agon are Rx-able, via
digital backside surfacing and can be made with no-line bifocals.
Congrats to Rudy Project for constantly pushing the envelope in
favour of athletes.
Sundog Eyewear is leading the pack with TrueBlue™ lens technology, as worn by
world ultramarathon champion Ellie Greenwood and LPGA superstar Paula Creamer.
This blue light-filtering technology is based on the research of physicist and inventor
Dr. James Gallas, whose company, Photo Protective Technologies (PPT), is a leading
innovator in photoprotection using melanin. Sundog has signed an exclusive global
agreement with PPT for the next generation of melanin lenses.
{ Sundog mod. Prime }
TrueBlue lenses have demonstrated proven results in golf, running and fishing.
Athletes will appreciate superior glare reduction, maximum visual clarity, enhanced
definition and improved performance. The eyewear frames that hold this lens
technology include Bolt, Clutch and Prime. All frames are made with Max Flex
RILSAN® and use Megol temple tips and adjustable Megol nose pads to provide
non-slip comfort. Check out Sundog for guaranteed performance at a price point that
won’t break the bank.
{ Spy mod. Angler }
Spy has the ultimate outdoor package for people who enjoy
fishing, made of Grilamid® with polycarbonate toric lenses. The
new Angler shows up with Trident™ polarization, Hytrel™ nose
pads and temple tips, and small temple openings handy for
attaching a cord. This virtually indestructible eyewear is oversize,
and definitely masculine.
Bravo is another first for Spy, a mid-size snow goggle that rocks
the slopes with high-performance features like a one-handed lens
changing system, a free bonus lens, scoop venting and anti-fog
coating, along with silicone ribbing on the strap to keep the
goggle in place on the helmet.
14
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
{ Spy mod. Bravo }
Both the Angler and Bravo are available with Spy’s new Happy
Lens™ technology. In addition to enhancing colour and contrast,
the Happy Lens induces positive physiological and psychological
changes by blocking short-wave blue light and UV rays, while
allowing in the sun’s long-wave blue light. Exposure to
long-wave blue light is associated with increased alertness and
positive mood. Spy has a patent pending on the technology
behind Happy Lens. As one of the oldest independent
eyewear brands in North America they are proud to be constantly
innovating.
ENGINEERED
TOMOVE.
INTRODUCING THE NIKE FLEXON HYPER COLLECTION
NIKE FLEXON HYPER:
STYLE, STRENGTH,
AND FLEXIBILITY FOR
YOUR DYNAMIC LIFE.
NIKEVISION.COM
RORY MCILROY
NIKE GOLF STAFF ATHLETE
Cover Story
Sports Eyewear
Maui Jim’s PureAir styles have been extremely well received by everyone who
has tried them for climbing, fishing, racquet sports and running. They also
work well for more rugged sports, especially those that require undistorted
views through ultra-clear lenses or need the great visual definition and depth
perception that comes from the use of three rare earth elements in the
PolarizedPlus2 lens technology. The Grilamid TR90LX frames are light, thin,
flexible, durable and easily fit under helmets. The frames have performance
features like embedded rubber in the temples and adjustable rubber nose pads
that enhance stability and performance.
{ Maui Jim mod. Switchback }
Also from Maui Jim, the Switchback full-wrap eyewear is receiving stellar
reviews from cyclists around the globe. This is Maui Jim’s first style with easily
interchangeable lenses. Superior ventilation and incredible comfort are
augmented by the gripping fit that make the frames stable for both cyclists and
runners. The Switchback comes with a PolarizedPlus2 coloured lens and a clear
lens, with other lenses available.
Hardcore fishermen started Costa back in 1983 in order to create
sports sunwear that truly met their needs. Today, the company
they founded is going strong, making the clearest sunwear for
fishing, boating, biking and running.
The Hamlin model from Costa was named after esteemed
Captain Ron Hamlin, who is known for releasing more than
25,000 billfish in his career. These co-molded Hydrolite frames,
designed in his honour, offer a lightweight but durable fit.
The Inlet, also from Costa, is made from durable nylon, with
spring hinges for a snug, custom fit. Both the Inlet and the Hamlin
perform best with Costa’s patented 580™ lens technology, which
blocks yellow light from entering the eye, creating razor-sharp
colour enhancement and achieving the highest polarization level
{ Costa mod. Hamlin }
possible. The lenses eliminate reflective glare and protect against
harmful UV rays. Available in 580G (glass) or 580P (plastic), lens
colours include gray, copper, blue mirror, green mirror and silver
mirror. Costa also offers a specialty sunrise lens colour, ideal for
low light situations.
Liberty Sport Eyewear is a name well known to both professional
and amateur athletes in a wide variety of sports. Pat Salamat,
says they focus on sports protection and sports performance
sunglasses. “With the number of sports-related eye injuries
increasing, we offer the widest range of sports protective goggles
that surpass ASTM (formerly known as American Society for
Testing and Materials) standards. From hockey to baseball and
soccer, we have them all covered. Not only are they safe, but they
are now considered cool gear.”
Liberty’s performance eyewear for motorcycling has been very
positively reviewed in the biking press. “We use technology which
includes Dry Eye cups for bikers who suffer from this condition.
They prevent wind and debris from irritating the eyes,” notes
Salamat.
Switch Vision, another offering from Liberty, is an interchangable
lens model that comes with both polarized and low-light
amber lenses, which are attached to the frame with magnets.
Salamat says these are perfect for the varied light conditions one
encounters in outdoor sports, including hiking, rafting and
biking. Replacement lenses for specific sports such as skiing and
golf are also available and can be purchased separately. Switch
was very well reviewed by the Colarado Mountain School, which
offers courses including rock climbing and ski mountaineering.
{ Liberty mod. Snowboarder Morpheus }
16
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
Every frame that is sold by Liberty is Rx-able.
Cover Story
Sports Eyewear
{ Nike mod. 5572 }
Marchon brings two exciting brands to the sports-specific
eyewear category with Dragon and Nike. Dragon’s optical
collection is inspired by athletes and designed for the
sophisticated consumer with a passion for action sports. Their
sponsorship roster has grown to include some of the best surfers,
snowboarders, moto riders, and wakeboarders in the world.
For surfers like Shane Dorian, there’s nothing to compare to
Dragon’s Made in Italy, floatable sunglass collection, specially
formulated from lightweight, low-density, injection-molded,
thermoplastic material.
“Dragon’s floatable shades are designed to stay afloat in the ocean,
pool or lake,” says Kristina Simeone, marketing manager for
Marchon Canada. “Complete with Performance Polar and
oleophobic and hydrophobic lens coatings, Dragon’s H20
Floatable sunglasses are the answer to never losing your shades
in the water again.” The collection features three styles, in 10
colour-options.
18
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
{ Dragon mod. The Jam – Polar }
Also from Marchon, Nike’s Young Athlete Suns offer the same
quality and performance expected from Nike Vision but in
kid-sized versions of the most-coveted adult styles. The
collection features Carl Zeiss optics with an advanced lens
technology developed specifically to protect young eyes from
damaging sun rays. The frame technology focuses on durability,
grip, coverage, adjustability and ventilation, making this eyewear
perfect for the young soccer, baseball, tennis or basketball players
in the family. Models include Spirit and Mercurial.
“
A well-known sporting
goods company once said,
J‘ust do it!’ Putting aside any
brand reference, I suggest
that you ‘do it’ by making
sports-specific eyewear
part of your commitment to
patient safety, comfort and
satisfaction.
”
{ Hilco mod. C2 Rx }
C2 Rx sports goggles from Hilco take the prize for eye protection
on the field or the court. Offering an expanded field of vision –
up to 20 per cent better, thanks to their V-Port technology – the
goggles also provide superior ventilation and comfort. Athletes
must be able to depend on visual clarity and comfort, both of
which are found in spades in the C2 Rx, but the important extra
bonus is protection for those sports where balls are flying fast
and hard: baseball, lacrosse, tennis, basketball, soccer, squash and
racquetball. The Hilco C2 Rx is approved by ASTM for ball
speeds of up to 60 mph.
The C2 Rx is available in a wide choice of colours, sizes and
wearing options, with fully adjustable temples with an
interlocking strap. Hilco says they ‘think wide’ and they have
certainly covered all the bases with this sports goggle.
A well-known sporting goods company once said, ‘Just do it!’
Putting aside any brand reference, I suggest that you ‘do it’ by
making sports-specific eyewear part of your commitment to
patient safety, comfort and satisfaction. This strategy will also
strengthen your relationships with your patients and their
understanding that you ‘get’ eyewear in a way the sports
equipment retailers do not. n
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
19
STYLE: AV 86S: BURGUNDY
CONTEMPORARY
CONFIDENCE
Insatiably curious, utterly genuine, and a bit audacious,
Adrienne Vittadini Studio eyewear re-invents casual
elegance for today’s young women with a chic and
adventurous sense of style. Affordably priced and
perfectly on trend.
VISIT US @ VISION EXPO EAST 2015
March 20 - 22
Jacob Javitts Center, New York, NY
MATCH BOOTH # 3820
1-800-268-1265 | matchcanada.ca
FOCUS
EBOLA
DISEASE
on
MANAGING the
OCULAR EFFECTS of the
W
ith the continuing
Ebola Virus Disease
(EVD) crisis in
West Africa, all
eyes are focused on survival, as
they should be. As of October
2014, the disease had already
claimed the lives of more than
3,000 people, according to the
World Health Organization.
Legal Angle
By Evra Taylor
EVD was first identified in 1976 but there have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than in
all the others combined. In fact, this Ebola crisis is reported to be the worst the world has ever seen.
Approximately half of those who contract the disease die from it.
Some of the symptoms of EVD, such as body aches, fever, vomiting and cough, are the same as
those of the flu. However, patients may present with more serious symptoms like chest pain and
bleeding, both internally and externally, including bleeding from the eyes.
Moreover, optometrists travelling abroad to provide healthcare support for those afflicted face the
possibility of contracting the disease. In terms of transmission through tears or contact lenses, the
information is inconclusive. It is not yet known whether tears or tear fluid on a contact lens can
carry the EVD virus.
22
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
Legal Angle
“
Strengthen and carefully apply standard
precautions when providing care to
ALL patients, regardless of the signs and
symptoms they present with.
”
DOING IT RIGHT
&
ON TIME FOR
25 YEARS!
REASONABLE AND RESPONSIBLE PRECAUTIONS
One mode of transmission is direct contact with the body
or bodily fluids of an infected person, whether living or
deceased. Additionally, EVD can be transmitted through
indirect contact, through objects, surfaces, clothing or
bedding contaminated by the body fluids of a live or
deceased infected person.
Healthcare workers have frequently been infected while
treating patients with suspected or confirmed EVD. This has
occurred through close contact with patients when infection
control precautions are not strictly practiced. Careful
adherence to health guidelines is essential in addressing the
challenges posed by Ebola and helping to minimize the spread
of the virus. The World Health Organization’s guidance for
care of patients with Ebola, published in September 2014,
states: “Strengthen and carefully apply standard precautions
when providing care to ALL patients, regardless of the signs
and symptoms they present with. This is especially important
because the initial manifestations of hemorrhagic fever may
be non-specific. Hand hygiene is the most important measure.
Gloves should be worn for any contact with blood or body
fluid. Medical mask and goggles or a face shield should be used
if there is any potential for splashes of blood or body fluids to
the face, and cleaning of contaminated surfaces is paramount.”
The federal government reports that there have been no cases
of Ebola in Canada and that the risk to Canadians remains very
low. Canada’s new Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Gregory
Taylor, has stated that this country has been preparing for the
possibility of Ebola cases emerging as the result of overseas
travel.
“Canada is well prepared with a number of systems in place to
identify and prevent the spread of serious infectious diseases
like Ebola, such as working closely with our international
partners to gather and assess information and administering
the Quarantine Act at all points of entry into Canada,”
Dr. Taylor said in a statement.
“The Public Health Agency of Canada is working closely with
its provincial and territorial partners and the agency’s National
Microbiology Laboratory is well connected with its network
of provincial labs to ensure Canada is ready to detect and
respond quickly.”
Canadian ECPs are justified in reassuring their patients about
the low risk of contracting Ebola. However, in light of the
disease’s 21-day incubation period, the importance of
high-level precautions cannot be overestimated. n
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
23
WWW.
MODULAR-DESIGN
.COM
GOOD SPORTS
M
ost healthcare
professionals
see the Internet
as a source of
misinformation
and/or
disinformation
for
patients seeking answers to
their medical needs. However,
for opticians and optometrists
trying to meet the increasingly
specialized visual needs of
sports enthusiasts visiting their
dispensaries, the World Wide
Web may provide some keys to
success. Many ECPs have been
forced to turn there to learn
about the latest in spectacle
lens products and treatments
for sports ranging from hunting
and fishing to skiing and
snowboarding. (See the feature
on page 10 of this issue to learn
more about the latest in sports
eyewear.)
Lens Focus
By Brian P. Dunleavy
“Most of the knowledge we have in lenses for
sports comes from self-education and experience,”
explains Gina Kay, optician and co-manager
of the Toronto location of Cristall Opticians, a
three-location, family-owned optical shop.
“In many cases, the patients are so well-educated
about their sports and the vision needs related to
them that they teach us a lot.”
Where to go for vital information on this
application for spectacle lenses has long been
the question. ECPs estimate that as many as
10 per cent of the lenses they dispense are used
by wearers for a sports-related activity, most
commonly hunting and fishing, although a
growing number of patients participate in
so-called “action” sports, including snowboarding,
biking and racing (both running and auto/
motorbike). Despite this, education programs
are often lacking in curriculum devoted to sports
lenses.
If you’re wondering what lenses and/or lens
treatments will work for the sports enthusiasts
in your client base, there are places to go before
getting lost on Google.
24
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
READ ALL ABOUT IT
The proliferation of sports specialty magazines
in response to the increased consumer interest
in outdoor activities can help opticians and
optometrists as well. According to Kay, many
of these magazines publish feature articles that
describe the “visual environments” specific sports
participants experience; some include advice
columns on eyewear needs. Many of these
publications are online now, with searchable
article archives. Sport-specific online chat rooms
and web sites are also excellent resources.
GET EQUIPPED
Erin Clarke, an optician at Aurora Eye Care in
Grande Prairie, AB and an active outdoor sports
enthusiast, says local sporting goods retailers
have been an excellent source of information on
different sports for Aurora’s optical staff. “They
can explain some of the visual conditions and
challenges with different sports because they deal
with them all the time,” she says.
Tradition
Matters
Building A Stronger
Vision Together
Plastic Plus is now the exclusive
distributor of all Rodenstock
lens products in Canada
www.plasticplus.ca
Tel: 416-789-4307 • 1-800-268-1617 • Fax: 1-800-530-9172
Lens Focus
HISTORY LESSON
“
Ultimately, the best way to make sure you are
providing the best lens options for sports enthusiasts
is combining your knowledge of lens tints and lens
design technology with your clients’ knowledge of
what they do.
PARTNER UP
”
Vendors who manufacture sport-specific
products often provide plano sunwear or
other eyewear for their respective customer
bases. Kay says Cristall has partnered with
a company that specializes in gear for
motorcyclists to market prescription
sunwear designed for optimal vision on the
road. Clarke adds that she and her team
at Aurora have researched the best
prescription lens inserts for ski goggles and
other sports specialty eyewear products
to ensure the dispensary and its supplier
partners offer them.
26
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
It may seem clichéd, but a thorough
patient/client history makes identifying
the right lens products easier. According
to Kay, “asking the right questions and
communicating with your clients allows
them to tell you in their own words what
they need.” While she emphasizes that they
won’t necessarily tell you what lens tint will
help them see better in the woods while
hunting, they may describe visual problems
they’ve had.
“Then it’s up to you, with your expertise
and the resources you have – your supplier
partners, for example – and maybe a little
trial and error, to find the right products
for them. Ultimately, the best way to
make sure you are providing the best lens
options for sports enthusiasts is combining
your knowledge of lens tints and lens
design technology with your clients’
knowledge of what they do. With all the
technology we have now, there are lenses
that will work for what they need. As
opticians, we need to position ourselves as
the experts who will help to find them.” n
Model: SH VIN-24
Portrait of a Designer
By Paddy Kamen
RICHARD
{ Richard Mewha }
MEWHA
DESIGNS UNIQUE
LUXURY
F OR BE VE L
A
nyone who wants to look more handsome or
beautiful will be thrilled to encounter Bevel
frames, designed by president and head designer
Richard Mewha.
Mewha is a designer who can’t draw, a visionary of
gorgeous eyewear who works with design partners
to bring his ideas to life. His aesthetic philosophy is simple: “We
design eyewear to enhance the face, complexion and hair colour.
I see a lot of frames, especially at the trade shows that make the wearer
look like she is dressed up for Halloween. I’m not conservative, nor
am I looking to create something bizarre just so it will be noticed.
Our frames are creative and interesting and made to enhance the
appearance of the wearer.”
28
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
{ mod. False 9 }
{ mod. Jeremy }
{ mod. Azzurri }
{ mod. Roxanne }
Mewha didn’t set out to become a designer but
instead came upon it gradually, starting with
musical-cultural influences. Growing up in
punk rock-era England, he was into music and
the fashion that went along with it. “Then I
decided to go to business school, with the aim
of working for a design or fashion company,”
he says.
Landing a job with Alain Mikli in 1986
marked the beginning of Mewha’s fascination
with eyewear. Hired as a sales rep for Paris, he
was moved to New York City in short order,
where he was promoted to North American
sales manager by the time he was 25. Mewha
was attracted to Mikli’s high-fashion eyewear
(“bordering on bizarre,” he says) and thrilled
that he, personally, no longer had to endure
boring frames: “I had been wearing horrible
eyeglasses that I was ashamed of, before I
started working with Mikli,” he admits.
His next position was with Optical Shop of
Aspen, a high-end west coast American retailer.
“They were just starting as an importer of
Matsuda and developing a wholesale business.
Over time I became involved in production
meetings with the factory. I learned how
the design side and the product side work
together to create saleable eyewear. My
experiences there helped me to establish
contacts with the top manufacturers in Japan.”
Mewha is a self-proclaimed ‘Japan-snob’
and has never considered making his frames
anywhere else. His Japanese design partners
understand what he wants to achieve and the
quality is unparalleled.
The other key to realizing Mewha’s vision
is Rick Nelson, an optician of 40 years, with
whom he founded New York City-based Bevel
in 1999. “Rick understands frames and lenses
like no one else and together we find the
balance between aesthetics, comfort and
excellent vision.”
The Bevel brand is distinguished by minimalist
design, luxury materials and, especially,
colour. “I love combining colours and follow
my instincts, rather than fashion trends. In
titanium, I have an affinity for pastels on the
inside of the frame and an exterior colour that
contrasts with the complexion of the wearer.
In acetates I gravitate to deep, rich colours and
multiple granular effects that have an earthy,
three-dimensional feel to them.”
{ mod. Tiki-Taka }
“
I love combining
colours and follow my
instincts, rather than
fashion trends.
Always innovating, Mewha believes in the
value of reaching for, and realizing new levels
of design and craftsmanship, confident that left after stamping are trimmed
discerning customers will appreciate superior using the trimming dies and then
products.
milled using a milling machine to
In recognition of their commitment to the smooth the edges.
technical side of eyewear production, Bevel “Once we have the frame, we polish
was recently awarded a U.S. patent on a hinge it very thoroughly, and then it is
they developed for titanium frames in 2009. coloured using electroplating for
A second hinge with strong visual design ele- the shiny colouring. We then mask
ments was invented for acetate frames in 2012. a part of the frame and hand spray
“The original hinge was designed to better the rest to get the matte finish on
tailor the fit of the temple to the wearer,” says the other part. It’s been a huge
Mewha. “The second hinge adds flex and a dis- commitment and we’re thrilled
tinctive design detail.”
with the result.”
Another technical innovation from Bevel is
3-mm molded titanium frames, launched
in spring 2014. Mewha wanted to create a
chunkier look while preserving the lightness,
comfort and balance that are hallmarks of
Bevel frames. The manufacturing process is
complex and uses a total of six dies. Mewha
explains: “We start with a block of titanium,
which is punched out from a titanium sheet
using the cutting dies, and then pressed twice
using the other two stamping dies. The burrs
”
Bevel continues to innovate
with materials, aesthetics and
technology, drawing ever more
consumers to the retailers who are
selected to carry their collections.
Mewha still can’t draw, but clearly
he has everything he needs to bring
his visions to life, making women
more beautiful and men more
handsome with the addition of très
chic Bevel frames.
n
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
29
A New
FRONTIER
in CATARACT SURGERY
Eye on Health
T
he earliest cataract
surgeries date back
4,000 years. Since it
was first performed in
ancient Egypt, India and Japan,
cataract surgery has undergone
a long process of evolution,
leading to today’s modern
procedures.
“
30
Cataracts are now
one of the leading
causes of vision
loss in adults aged
55 and older.
”
By Netan Choudhry, M.D, FRCS
and Jennifer George
The need for cataract surgery has only increased
over time. Cataracts are now one of the leading
causes of vision loss in adults aged 55 and older.
Over 2.5 million Canadians currently suffer
from cataracts and this number is expected
to double to five million by 2031. Fortunately,
it is also one of the most treatable causes of
blindness.
The lens of a healthy eye is circular and
biconvex, bulging outward like the surface
of a magnifying glass. It is also transparent,
allowing light rays to pass through it. This
transparency is integral to the proper
functioning of the lens. Like the lens of a
camera, the passage of light through the eye’s
lens determines the clarity of one’s vision.
In a healthy eye, light can travel through the
transparent lens to the retina, where it is
converted into neural signals delivered to the
brain. These signals become the images one
sees. In patients with cataracts, however, a
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
clouding of the eye’s lens occurs, resulting in
blurred and out-of-focus vision. For the retina
to capture a sharp image, the lens must be clear,
whereas having a cataract could be likened to
seeing the world through a window covered in
petroleum jelly.
Though cataracts can severely impair vision,
treatment has greatly advanced in the last
decade. Cataract surgery has become routine
in Canada, with more than 250,000 procedures
performed annually. It is also one of the most
successful surgeries, with over 95 per cent of
patients reporting improved vision afterwards.
Until recently, the preferred method of
removing cataracts in the developed world
has been phacoemulsification. This technique
utilizes ultrasonic energy to soften the dense
lens material of the cataract, which is then
extracted from the eye with suction and
irrigation. In this traditional surgery, handheld
blades are used to create incisions within the
Eye on Health
“
Cataract surgery has
become routine in
Canada, with more
than 250,000
procedures performed
annually. It is also one
of the most successful
surgeries, with over
95 per cent of
patients reporting
improved vision
afterwards.
EMPOWER YOUR
PRACTICE WITH
ACUITAS ™
PATIENT
RELATIONSHIP
MANAGEMENT
SOLUTION
”
One Company
One Solution
Paperless patient journey
Clinical equipment links
cornea to access the cataract. A surgical instrument is then used to manually create an
opening in the lens capsule that holds the cataract. The goal is to make the incisions
precise and the openings in the lens capsule as circular as possible, in the right location,
and the correct size to accommodate the lens.
Recently these manual procedures have been performed in an automated fashion with
the use of the femtosecond laser (FSL). FSL technology has been widely used in various
refractive surgery applications in recent years. The approach utilizes photodistruption,
which results from a focused beam of pulsed light energy. The focused pulse creates
optical breakdown with significantly low pulse energy, thereby minimizing damage
to the eye. Studies have examined the potential advantages of more precise corneal
incisions and capsulotomy formation. The precision of FSL can allow a surgeon to
create the circular opening with the exact intended size, shape and location, and
clinical studies indicate that the opening is almost 10 times more accurate than the
manual alternative.
With FSL, surgery is highly customizable. Patients will receive more precise treatment
with gentler and easier cataract removal. And because FSL is less invasive, the
procedure results in little to no discomfort. The added low-energy approach of FSL
also results in faster recovery times, placing this new approach on the cutting edge of
cataract treatment. With bladeless surgery offering individual precision, FSL can now
n
provide patients with results that were hitherto unattainable.
Business Intelligence
Provincial medical billing
Online booking
SMS
FIND OUT WHAT
ACUITAS CAN DO FOR
YOUR BUSINESS
CALL
1800 708 1610
EMAIL
[email protected]
VISIT
www.ocuco.ca
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
31
THE MAGIC MIXING FORMULA:
OptiFair Does it Again
Event
W
ho knew that it
was possible for
everyone to enjoy
a
continuing
education (CE) and trade
show event that serves both
optometrists and opticians? Ali
Khan thought it just might work,
back in the days when the two
professions seldom interacted.
Now, 20 years later, the Optifair
model, delivered twice yearly by
Khan’s Academy of Ophthalmic
Education (AOE), has proven
itself a resounding success.
“
The professions are now
more interested in connecting
and exploring how they can
work together.
”
By Paddy Kamen
The most recent conference and show took
place Oct. 19, 2014 at the Embassy Grand
Convention Centre in Brampton, ON.
The formula worked its usual magic, with
optometrists and opticians showing up on
the trade show floor at staggered times, with
30-minute interludes in between. This format
serves exhibitors well by controlling the flow of
traffic to their booths. The interlude promotes
cross talk between the professions, which Khan
says was more evident last year because of the
regulatory changes in Ontario that now allow
opticians to work for optometrists without
losing their licences. “The professions are now
more interested in connecting and exploring
how they can work together,” he points out.
“These changes have broken down barriers
for both groups and Optifair provides a great
networking forum for them.”
One of the reasons for the success of Optifair is
the high quality of the CE. Khan and his team
continually keep abreast of the issues, listening
to the education needs of the professions and
responding with fresh and relevant topics,
delivered by top notch international speakers.
Optifair is also on track with the latest
technologies for the CE experience. The April
2014 conference featured a special two-hour
grand rounds session for optometrists, with a
panel of six ophthalmic doctors representing
different specialties, who were presented with
challenging cases. Delegates asked questions
from the floor via their smartphones, rendering
the need to stand up at a mike and ask questions
obsolete. “They just loved it and participation
was so good that the panel couldn’t even get to
all the questions,” notes Khan. “With changes
to their scope of practice, one of the key needs
of optometrists is to discuss dispensing of
medication and this session really helped.”
The AOE also offers CE opportunities
combined with travel and recreation. A 2014
summer cruise from Venice to Istanbul was a
great success. The next such event takes place
next summer at Deerhurst Resort in Muskoka.
To learn more, visit: www.aoece.com.
n
EYEWEAR WITH BACKBONE
Contact your local Centoptic representative to book your appointment
1-800-268-1670
32
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
www.spineoptics.com
T HER E AR E O N LY RE WA RD S.
F OR YOU. FOR YO UR PATIENTS.
Ask your Essilor representative
about the Perfect Pair and begin
enjoying the rewards today!
Up
BANDAGE
it
T
herapeutic bandage
contact lenses (BCLs)
have been around since
the 1970s, yet emergency room
doctors and nurses are still
patching eyes with antibiotic
ointment for non-penetrating
injuries. When used appropriately,
BCLs are safe and effective, and
should be the first treatment
option, rather than the last,
for many corneal injuries,
ocular surface diseases/disorders
and post-operative conditions.
BCLs typically do not have
prescriptions in them and are
available in hydrogels, silicone
hydrogels, scleral lenses and
collagen shields.
{ Prokera corneal bandage }
Making Contact
By Shirley Ha, HBSc., O.D.
The main function of BCLs is to protect the compromised corneal surface from external hazards
while the cornea is healing from injuries such as corneal laceration, chemical burns and epithelial
defect due to mechanical trauma; from ocular surface diseases such as recurrent corneal erosion
(RCE), Sjogren’s syndrome and filamentary keratopathy; and from surgeries such as pterygium
removal, penetrating keratoplasty and keratectomies, including photo refractive keratectomy and
biopsies.
Patients requiring BCLs have symptoms of redness, tearing, photophobia and blurred vision and
they experience pain, from mild to excruciating. BCLs are part of the armamentarium, together
with topical anaesthetics and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); they are
used to help manage and control pain by shielding the loose and regenerating epithelium from the
constant rubbing action of the eyelids during blink, such as in RCE cases and in painful bullous
keratopathy when blisters at the epithelium rupture.
For challenging cases where BCLs have failed, such as in chemical burns, neurotrophic corneas,
persistent epithelial defects and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, some eye surgeons are using the
FDA-approved cryopreserved amniotic membrane products, AmnioGraft® and PROKERA®
biologic corneal bandage that can be inserted in the clinic. These tissue products are processed
by Bio-Tissue® and are indicated for corneal and conjunctival healing. AmnioGraft® is currently
being distributed by Labtician Ophthalmics in Canada. PROKERA® is expected to be approved by
Health Canada some time in 2015.
34
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
Making Contact
ECPs are choosing extended wear (EW) silicone hydrogels for
their BCLs because of their high oxygen permeability, flexibility,
availability, ease of fit and comfort. Their disadvantages are their
lipophilic properties, decreased wettability and fixed lens diameter.
For safeguarding near and/or beyond the limbus, larger-diameter
scleral lenses or larger-diameter bandage soft contact lenses (BSCLs)
are more suitable.
For soft BCLs, the steepest base curve that will allow minimum lens
movement without it adhering to the eye should be chosen as the
initial trial lens. Instilling a drop of anesthetic will help make the
insertion hassle-free for the ECP and pain-free for the patient. After
the analgesic effect has worn off, patient comfort should be assessed
and the BCL fit re-evaluated to ensure that it is centered, has good
corneal coverage, is tighter than a conventional contact lens fit and
is moving just a little.
With the right training about personal hygiene, lens insertion/
removal, a lens care regime that includes digital rubbing and timely
replacement, accidental decentration and loss of the BCL are
unlikely. If the BCL falls out, it should be cleaned thoroughly and
re-inserted or thrown out and a new BCL inserted. The patient
should be encouraged not to touch/rub the eye or reposition the
lens, except to protect it with ocular lubricants. An aerated eye shield
can be worn at night if the patient has nocturnal lagophthalmos
and sunglasses can be worn during the day for light-sensitivity
symptoms.
The patient should be counselled that they need to be seen
frequently by their ECP because the eye that requires the BCL is
already compromised and wearing a BCL is not without risk. The
risk of microbial infection or even ulceration is higher than normal
so consider using an initial supportive collagen shield soaked in
antibiotic and steroid medication that dissolves within 12 hours,
then covered by a BCL, for example. Alternatively, a stand-alone
BCL that allows for adjunct therapies such as delivery of drugs and
ocular lubricants is equally as effective.
Patients should use their BCLs for as long as required for the
basement membrane to regenerate and for the tight junctions in the
epithelium to restore adhesion. They must also use antibiotics due
to the increased risk of infection with extended wear contact lenses
(EWCLs) for as long as they are wearing BCLs.
In easy cases, it might take as little as one day for the cornea to
completely heal, as in mild RCE. On the other hand, it might take
as long as several years in complicated, chronic cases - persistent
epithelial defects or bullous keratopathy, for example. Patients with
longstanding BCLs can be monitored regularly, every one to three
months, with a change in antibiotics every three months to prevent
drug resistance.
In summary, BCLs are effective and can safely be used, with
topical antibiotic coverage when necessary, to protect the ocular
surface when it is healing from diseases and after injuries and
surgeries. When applied early in the treatment plan, a permanent
reduction in visual acuity is unlikely. Patients also benefit and
appreciate the pain relief they inherently bestow. BCLs are
rewarding and patients will love you for them!
n
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
35
In the News
Oakley Launches New Lens Technology That Enhances
Snow Visibility
Oakley Canada announced the release of PrizmTM, a revolutionary lens technology that
dramatically enhances contrast and visibility over a wide range of light conditions.
The groundbreaking technology improves the eye’s ability to perceive detail in the snow, such
as contours and texture, improving visibility so one can see clearly and ski or ride with more
confidence.
“If there’s a product out there that can better your performance and technology that legitimately
helps you, you need to have it. Prizm is solid for any kind of light. It’s at the forefront of what lens
technology has to offer,” said slopestyle Olympic medalist Mark McMorris.
Prizm also works over a much wider range of light conditions than a traditional snow lens, so there
is no need to switch lenses as conditions vary through the day.
The human eye is extremely sensitive to detail in certain colours, but that detail is lost in flat, low
contrast white snow. Like an equalizer would boost treble or bass to enhance sound, Prizm lenses
boost the sensitive colours and filter the rest, leaving vision with crisp detail that is not washed out
by the flat light.
“This new technology takes the same approach as noise-cancelling headphones. It tunes down the
irrelevant colours and lets you focus completely on the colours that are most important to your
sport,” said Ryan Saylor, Oakley’s director of advanced product development. “This means that you
won’t be distracted by background colours, and you can see all the contours and textures of the
snow more clearly. You really won’t see snow the same way again.”
Prizm lens technology is on sale in the 2014 Oakley Snow Goggle Collection and is available in
three different lens options: black iridium, jade iridium and rose, giving consumers the perfect lens
for any light condition.
Rodenstock
Transfers its Canada
Business to Distribution
Partner Plastic Plus
Rodenstock, Germany’s leading
manufacturer of spectacle lenses and
frames, will hand over its Canadian
business to Plastic Plus Ltd., Canada’s
leading optical lab and lens supplier.
Effective January 1st, 2015, Plastic Plus
will act as exclusive production and
distribution partner of the German
based Rodenstock group and will
serve the Canadian market through a
central production lab in Toronto. “We
are pleased to have found a reliable
and experienced business partner in
Canada, who will market our superior
product portfolio and deliver excellent
services to our clients,” confirms Oliver
Kastalio, CEO of Rodenstock Group.
“With Plastic Plus, we will sustainably
strengthen our position in the Canadian
market.”
Plastic Plus is Canada’s largest
independent lens manufacturer. With
one of the most highly advanced
labs in the industry and the most
state-of-the-art technology, the family
run business sets high quality standards
for its lenses. “We are very pleased to
partner with Rodenstock – a company
which is renowned for its unique family
of products and brands,” says Paul
Faibish, CEO of Plastic Plus. “Our
local production clients will benefit
from a wider product choice, individual
service options and even shorter
delivery times in the future.”
All existing Rodenstock business
partners in Canada have been officially
informed over the past days and can
expect a smooth transition.
36
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
The only bilingual recruitment website
specifically for the Canadian optical industry.
Gold Level Employer
Job Seekers
Employers
A multitude of employment
possibilities are available
right now!
Ever more candidates are
searching for the perfect career
opportunity!
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> Optician - Regina, Canada
In the News
Sàfilo and Jimmy Choo Extend Their Licensing Agreement
Sàfilo Group and Jimmy Choo have extended their licensing agreement until December 31, 2018, for the design, production and
distribution of the Jimmy Choo eyewear collections of sunglasses and optical frames. According to the Italian distributor, this reflects
the outstanding growth of the brand’s eyewear business across all major countries, especially in Europe and North America.
“We are proud to count Jimmy Choo among our leading luxury fashion and top-growth eyewear brands,” commented Luisa Delgado,
CEO of Sàfilo Group. “The brand’s uniquely glamorous and confidently iconic style inspires us to create distinctive eyewear that has
exceptional appeal in the markets where it is distributed via premium quality channels. We see great potential for accelerated growth,
particularly in Asia Pacific, China, and Latin America, enabled by our new commercial leadership capability.”
“We are very pleased to prolong our partnership with Sàfilo,” said Pierre Denis, CEO of Jimmy Choo. “We enjoy a strong and
collaborative partnership producing designs that reflect the personality of the Jimmy Choo brand and the design vision of our Creative
Director, Sandra Choi. Sàfilo’s expertise in commercial execution enhances the quality of our brand in the highest points of sales across
the world. We look forward to further expanding our eyewear presence globally.”
Classic Look
[ mod. HL 260 ]
Plan “B” Eyewear has added a bright new model to its
Headlines collection. This acetate frame turns classic
male style on its head, utilizing the square acetate frame
we all know and love and giving it new life through an
injection of bold, unusual colour.
These dynamic colour techniques catch light and create
a sense of movement and depth. They are the perfect
frame for the man who wants a classic look with an edge.
Colour options include blue, green and brown.
New Buying Group in Canada
Digital ECP launches in Canada, with a mission to help
independent eyecare professionals (ECPs) compete with large
chains and online retailers.
“Digital ECP Inc. has been built around the needs of Canadian
eyecare professionals”, says President and co-founder Grant
Larsen. For years, buying groups have focused primarily on
discounts and consolidated billing to help smaller businesses
compete with chains and corporate optical retailers, the company
reports.
According to the presidents and co-founders, Karen Ouellette
and Grant Larsen, with the emergence of online retail and the
ensuing changes in consumer buying habits, independent ECPs
38
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
need more than better pricing to survive. Digital ECP not only
delivers billing efficiency and discounts, but the latest in online
technology, digital marketing expertise and turnkey promotions
to help Canadian eyecare professionals grow, they say.
“Our select digital tools, extensive industry experience and
hands-on business support will provide our members the ability
to compete with sophisticated online marketers and attract new
optical consumers,” adds Karen Ouellette.
Digital ECP’s co-founders have a combined 35 years of optical
industry experience in Canada. The company provides discounts,
billing and business services entirely through digital technology,
with personalized consulting and customer service.
In the News
Metal Is Back
[ mod. NC1192 ]
Optika Eyewear is very excited about
introducing the 2015 Nat and Coco
collection with 15 new styles for both men
and women.
The collection will feature 10 new styles
for ladies that offer the comfort of super
light stainless steel optical frames. “All our
models focus on being both stylish and
comfortable,” says Optika Eyewear VP
Sales Richard Allan. “With our extensive
research, we have developed a stainless
steel composition that is durable and
extremely light. “
As well, following the same trend in
acetates, for metal frames the company has
concentrated on “Colour Cut-outs”. “As
you can see in the Nat and Coco NC1192
model, we have a black on grey frame,
where we cut out the beneath grey colour
the top of the front,” explains Allan.
Optika Eyewear has also updated
their website www.optikaeyewear.com to
include an online catalogue, where clients
can place orders directly online.
WestGroupe U.S.A. Welcomes a New
Vice President of Sales
WestGroupe announces the appointment of Dennis Davis as the new vice-president of
sales for WestGroupe U.S.A. He will report to the vice president of North American sales,
Mike Debono.
“I am excited to be able to share my 20-plus years of experience, knowledge, and insight
in the optical industry with the WestGroupe team,” said Davis. “I’m looking forward to
joining such a progressive and forward-thinking organization, and can’t wait to get
started.”
Davis began his career in the optical industry in 1991, as
a sales representative with Optyl/Carrera. For the last 10
years, he had held the position of vice-president of sales
at Charmant Group U.S.A. He brings a great deal of
knowledge and established relationships that he has built
over the years with an outstanding network of people
throughout the industry.
“I am confident that Dennis’s contribution to our organization
and to our customers will be tremendous,” added
WestGroupe President Michael Suliteanu. “He will surely
help the company in continuing our servicing of the optical
market globally.”
WestGroupe offers a premium selection of international
brands in over 40 countries, including KLiiK denmark,
FYSH UK, EVATIK and Superflex.
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
39
In the News
Centennial Optical Launches Spine Eyewear and Announces
a Strategic Partnership for Revo
Centennial Optical for distribution of its
performance eyewear in Canada for both
optical and non-optical markets.
Introducing a revolution in performance,
Centennial Optical debuts Spine – a
game-changing product line in which
design, function and aesthetics are driven
by the need to create a cohesive solution
for consumers.
Inspired by the interaction between
vertebrae, Spine transcends age-old
hinge limitations. Constructed with
micro-injected metal (MiM) hinges, Spine
Eyewear will morph to fit any face shape or
head size with the lightest touch, gripping
all day long. Due to its dual springs
and spun-wire cable, the temples also
automatically retract when removed from
the face – heightening their preservation
capabilities. Designed for everyday wear,
Spine is a modern collection that features
classic, minimal shapes packed with
elements that create comfortable, durable
eyewear with flexibility in all directions.
Simply put, the fit, feel and functioning of
Spine Eyewear is unparalleled.
“Spine brings a new level of functional
technology to eyewear that leads to
remarkable fit and performance. We are
proud to collaborate with the teams at
Mondottica and Rem Eyewear for the
worldwide distribution of this patented
technology,” said Allen Nightingale, VP of
Centennial Optical.
“We are thrilled to be working with
Centennial Optical as they bring incredible
expertise and insight to the Canadian
market,” stated Cliff Robinson, co-president
of B. Robinson Optical of New York,
which manufactures Revo sunglasses
under an exclusive license agreement with
Sequential. “We look forward to partnering
with them to bring an iconic performance
eyewear brand like Revo to optometrists,
opticians and independent sport/specialty
retailers across Canada.”
The introduction of this line is a unique
global collaboration between Centennial
Optical, REM Eyewear and Mondotticca,
combining teams with a remarkable cache
of talent, and decades of experience in
every aspect of the eyewear industry.
Through this seamless international
partnership, Spine will be fully supported
to achieve success in the Canadian, U.S.,
and global markets, demonstrating all
parties’ dedication to serving the needs of
customers everywhere.
Morevover, Revo, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Sequential Brands Group,
announced that it has entered into a
long-term distribution agreement with
Elegant Cat Eye Style
Designed with elegance and simplicity
in mind, Seraphin debuts the Aspen, an
unforgettable sophisticated titanium
model. With the delicate use of Japanese
titanium, the Aspen embodies the
long-established cat eye shape with
updated intricacy. The model is offered in
four rich hues of black, white, burgundy
and blue.
Seraphin Eyewear counter cards, logo
blocks, and large window banners are
available upon request.
40
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
“Revo essentially invented performance
eyewear and our intention is to build upon
this great heritage to help grow the brand
throughout Canada. Our company will
work closely with Revo and we are very
excited to have this opportunity to bring
such an innovative sunglass brand to
optical market and retailers,” added
Centennial Optical VP Allen Nightingale.
Founded in 1985, Revo quickly became a
global performance eyewear brand known
as the leader in polarized lens technology,
the company reports. Revo sunglasses
were first created by utilizing lens
technology developed by NASA as solar
protection for satellites.
In the News
[ Police mod. V1941 ]
[ Chopard mod. SCHA04 ]
Partnership Between
De Rigo USA and Importlux
The prestigious Chopard, Givenchy and Police brands will be
distributed in Canada by Importlux, thanks to an agreement between
the company and De Rigo Vision USA.
A sales team specifically dedicated to these lines will ensure an
exclusive service. De Rigo’s reputation is based on high-quality frames
designed in Italy and Japan and distributed in about 80 countries
worldwide, specifically in Europe, Asia and the U.S. Thirteen
companies with 18 business divisions and over 100 independent
distributors reach 50,000 customers around the world.
Luxury, quality and creativity define Chopard eyewear perfectly.
The models are all made in Italy, using precious materials, and are
hand-assembled by highly trained craftsmen. Materials include
Swarovski crystal, gold, precious wood, unique cellulose acetates from
Mazzuchelli, composite rubber and stunning finishing such as
palladium, pink and bronze gold. Each Chopard frame is covered by
an international guarantee of 24 months against manufacturer defects.
The fashion conscious and distinctive Givenchy eyewear line is
designed 70 per cent for women and 30 per cent for men. Quality
Mazzuchelli acetate and stainless steel are cleverly worked out for this
collection, revealing refined details, like integrated hinges.
Police, the third line distributed by Importlux, features a refined
design and a strong personality, which pays attention to current
fashion trends. The brand’s style is trendy, with a distinctive urban
feel.
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
41
In the News
A Website
Dedicated to
Fitson & You
[ mod. Cut ]
Two years after launching its
house brand, Canadian Optical
Supply Company (COS) has
introduced its Fitson & You line’s
website http://fitsonandyou.com.
Fitson & You finds its essence in Montreal. Inspired by
the animated and relaxed character of the city, COS
wanted to create a collection that would allow everyone to
express their personality while ensuring wearing comfort
and durability for all.
Made in South Korea, Fitson & You frames are mostly
designed in ultem, an ultra-light and flexible
shape-memory material. “The model’s elasticity and
ultra-light weight are advantages that will surely impress
the most discerning wearers,” said Jonah Baumann,
optician at Fitson & You.
Chic but never over the top, eye-catching and original,
the eyewear styles are classic with a modern twist, perfect
for capturing the individuality of each person who wears
them.
Fitson & You joins the brand portfolio distributed by
COS, with one difference: this time, the brand belongs to
the distributor whose reputation is well-established in the
Canadian market.
[ mod. South Point ]
Now Available in Canada
Costa Sunglasses has been producing performance sunwear since the early
‘80s, after a group of fervent fisherman who spent their days exploring the
globe and battling extreme elements came to realize that the sunglasses they
were relying on weren’t as hardcore as their adventures.
Costa’s reputation and DNA is designed around providing the clearest vision
for the outdoor enthusiast 365 days a year, regardless of the season.
Available in a number of different materials and coatings they all deliver
amazing colour, contrast and clarity. Patented technology blocks blue and
yellow light for better clarity and colour. Costa Canada is excited to announce
that these 100 per cent polarized, and 100 per cent UV protection sport
performance sunglasses are now available in Canada.
Costa’s performance product line up includes a selection of plano sun and
a vast series of Rx-sun choices, offering a variety of lens, design and mirror
options.
To find out more about Costa, please contact: Dion Williams at 613 314-8211
or by email at [email protected].
Supp
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through millions of search
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42
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
In the News
Mido Innovates
The Bestore project is one of the
many new projects announced
by Mido, a not-to-be missed
international trade show in Milano,
slated for February 28 to March 2,
2015.
The organizers have decided to
offer attendees the best innovative
shopping
experience
in
an
engaging atmosphere by kicking
off Bestore, an international award
for the best eyewear display.
Interior design, product display
concept, interaction with the
customer, communication and
visual merchandising are the criteria
that will be assessed. Store, concept
store or retail outlet owners can
directly apply for the competition
on the Mido website, uploading
photos of their space and describing
their strengths and qualities. An
international jury of experts, not
only from the eyewear industry but
also from the marketing and visual
merchandising sectors, will choose
the winner who will receive the
award at the Mido exhibition on
Sunday, March 1.
The Bestore project stems from
the increasing attention being
given by the optical sector to retail
marketing, which encompasses all
communication and promotional
strategies for stores. The goal of
retail marketing strategies is to win
over a larger and more diversified
public and maximize the company’s
brand awarness and profit. One of
the most effective levers of retail
marketing is to engage the customer
by
providing
a
welcoming
space that can also offer a host of
ideas and creative stimuli.
INDEPENDENT SALES REPS WANTED
Live Eyewear has come to Canada!
Cocoons are the world’s most recognized brand of fitover
sunglasses. The brand is already firmly entrenched in the
Canadian market and is carried by thousands of Canadian
eye care professionals. We are seeking qualified, well
proven independent sales representatives to carry the
Cocoons and Vistana brands of fitover products. Excellent
commissions and marketing support.
Email your resume and cover letter to:
Morgan Piatt
[email protected]
january - february 2015 | Envision: seeing beyond
43
Classifieds • Classifieds • Classifieds • Classifieds •
Please note that job postings are available at
Gold Level Employer
www.bretonjobs.com
BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITY
Optical business for sale in SE Oakville.
$160,000+ in sales for 2013. 1500 sq./ft.
All equipment including OD’s equipment
and Kappa edging system are included.
$100,000 + inventory. Business is very
successful and completely turnkey. Perfect
opportunity for large scale optical or OD’s
office. Take over lease at $3,000/month.
Owner leaving due to personal reasons.
Great investment opportunity. Please call
416 278-0273 for more information.
....................................
Optical store for sale in Oakville.
Beautiful high end store in quality unit
for sale off of Ford drive in Oakville. Store
only in business for 3 years. 1,200 square
feet with doctor’s office. Nice lab on
premises. Doctor comes in once a week.
All files and equipment included. Please
call Arthur at 416 529-0336 or email at
[email protected].
....................................
....................................
....................................
....................................
Optical sale of business assets in
Vaughan. Located in a busy plaza next
to medical clinics and offices this rare
opportunity to purchase an Optical
business assets in prime locations. Sale
includes: fixtures, display cabinets,
inventory of designer frames and
patient file database. Buyers must
assume equipment lease and existing
monthly rental sublease Priced to Sell at
$149,000.00 or negotiable. Please contact
Ida Vivacqua at 416 557-4321 or
[email protected].
....................................
Well established optical store in the east
end of the greater Toronto area for sale.
Please call 647 687-3711 or go to
www.glassesrepair.ca for more
information.
....................................
Swing 3 by Activisu for sale. Great
condition, looks like new. Was purchased
from Essilor about 3 years ago. Great
dispensing tool, easy to use. Package
includes: Swing 3 mirror with USB, 2
power adaptors, box with frame clip,
and PC-screen. Please contact Fahima at
[email protected] for
more details.
....................................
Optical sale of business assets. Located
in Brampton Inside mall near Seasons
Foodmart this rare opportunity to
purchase an Optical business assets
in prime locations. Motivated Seller.
Ideal for a Student or Optician to take
over. Sale includes: fixtures, inventory
of designer frames, display cabinets,
equipment and patient file database.
Existing Monthly Lease and Lease options
available. Priced to Sell at $40,000.00 or
negotiable. Please contact Ida Vivacqua
at 416 557-4321 or [email protected].
....................................
EQUIPMENT
American Optical 11580 Slit Lamp.
Excellent condition. Burnaby/Vancouver
area. $500. Please call 604 420-1000 or
email at [email protected].
....................................
Fast Sale: Make An Offer. 18 frame display
wall mounted units (30 frames each),
260 frames (France, Italy manufactured),
Topcon keratometer, ocular counterbalanced table (for 2 instruments), 16
waiting room chairs (quality fabric
covered), 4 cinema style lighting fixtures
(300w each) including tracks. Various
examination charts. Ask for complete list:
please send email for list, pictures, prices,
to [email protected].
....................................
PLEASE SEND US
YOUR CLASSIFIED AD*
BY EMAIL BEFORE
FEBRUARY 10, 2015 TO:
[email protected]
Envision: seeing beyond
Breton Communications Inc.
202-495 St-Martin Blvd. W.
Laval, Quebec H7M 1Y9
Fax: 450 629-6044
*Only the Business Opportunity, Equipment and Service Offer sections are available in our publication and online at :
www.bretoncom.com/classified.
Market Place
To advertise in the Market Place, contact [email protected] or 1 800 462-2112
SECO 1319 VEE 4741
[email protected] TO
REQUEST OUR CATALOG & DESIGN
SERVICES 610.489.7620
FREE GIFT for the first 25 people to
contact us. Ref code: EC0215
exp. 01/31/15
Advertising Index
ENVISION_JAN_15.indd 1
12/12/14 10:55 AM
BC College of Optics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Marchon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Plan B Eyewear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
BretonJobs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Match Eyewear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20-21
Plastic Plus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Ronor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Cenoco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
MIDO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 2
Centennial Optical. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Modular Design Systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Concept Eyewear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Ocuco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Costa Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
OGI Eyewear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Essilor Canada. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Ontario Association of Optometrists. . . . . . 41
Götti. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Opti-Guide.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Vision Expo East (VEE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover 3
Hilco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Optika Eyewear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
WestGroupe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Live Eyewear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Optiman Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Zig Eyewear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
44
Envision: seeing beyond | january - february 2015
Sàfilo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
The Academy of Ophthalmic Education. . 26
Transitions Optical . . . . . . . . . . . . . False Cover
International Vision Expo is a highly anticipated international marketplace,
welcoming more than 23,000 visitors from over 90 countries around the world.
See what’s trending from the hottest designers and manufacturers. Shop
the newest product launches, lines and licenses from renowned brands and
emerging designers, and materials you won’t find anywhere else.
Get hands-on product demonstrations and compare new technology side-byside. Preview advances in spectacle lens technology and medical equipment
debuted by the world’s leading manufacturers.
Immerse yourself in this visionary combination of education, fashion and
technology, the largest collection of high-fashion eyewear and accessories,
sportswear, sunwear, wearables, lens technology, contact lens and leadingedge medical equipment. You’ll find everything essential to grow your practice
and business.
INTERNATIONAL VISION EXPO 2015
EDUCATION: THURSDAY, MARCH 19–SUNDAY, MARCH 22
EXHIBITION: FRIDAY, MARCH 20–SUNDAY, MARCH 22
JAVITS CENTER | NEW YORK, NY
VisionExpoEast.com | #VisionExpo
PROUD SUPPORTER OF:
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