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November 10, 2022November 16, 2022

Researchers Go Head-to-head Dragon’s Den Style in ‘Eye on the Cure’ Research Award Competition

For the second year in a row, three teams of Canadian researchers working to find treatments for blinding eye diseases are vying for three coveted prizes at Fighting Blindness Canada’s (FBC) Eye on the Cure awards competition, presented by FYidoctors. The competition, moderated by health journalist and former CTV Medical Correspondent Avis Favaro, has teams going head-to-head Dragon’s Den-style in front of three judges and members of the Academy, with $100,000 up for grabs to advance vision research.

“Now more than ever, it is so important to encourage and invest in the research of tomorrow,” said Dr. Larissa Moniz, Director of Research and Mission Programs at Fighting Blindness Canada (FBC). “We are so excited to have the opportunity to spotlight and support these talented researchers as they work to develop new diagnostics and treatments for vision loss.”

Expert judges and an Academy made up of FBC’s biggest supporters will vote for the winners of the $50,000 FYidoctors Research to Watch Award. However, anyone can cast a vote for the winner of the $30,000 Heathbridge Capital People’s Choice Award with a $50 minimum donation.

This year’s researcher finalists include:

Dr Bob Chow & Dr. Bridget Ryan, focusing on Stargardt disease
Dr. Anna Ells & Dr. Ellen Zhou, focusing on retinopathy of prematurity
Dr. Patrick Gooi & Dr. Abdullah Al-Ani, focusing on glaucoma

Eye on the Cure will be streamed at fightingblindness.ca/FBCeyeonthecure on November 18^th at 12 p.m. EST. Voting closes November 19^th at 11:59 p.m. EST. The award winners will be announced on FBC’s Facebook channel, live November 22^nd at 12 p.m. EST.

“Eye on the Cure gives all Canadians a one-of-a-kind opportunity to make a real impact on the future of vision science and secure the research aspirations of these teams,” Moniz added. “It’s an opportunity to have a say in something that is life-changing.”

To watch Eye on the Cure for free or place a donation to vote, register at fightingblindness.ca/fbceyeonthecure

Source: Fighting Blindness Canada

November 10, 2022November 10, 2022

Dry Eye Disease Education Initiative Website Now Available

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have launched an online resource in support of their global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative. The website, dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info, features on-demand webinars presented by world-renowned faculty, in-practice tools including clinical studies and white papers, and other professional development resources.

World Council of Optometry President-elect Dr. Sandra Block said, “Our new website presents the latest dry eye disease data and science to the entire optometric community through trusted information and tools. Of value no matter the size of your practice or the length of your experience, these resources offer practical measures to help improve patients’ quality of life.”

The first on-demand Dry Eye Spotlight webinar, “Dry Eye Disease Mitigation,” is now available on the website, following its debut yesterday. Presented by Professors Jennifer Craig, Lyndon Jones, and James Wolffsohn, the lively discussion focuses on understanding the prevalence and etiology of dry eye, associated risk factors, and how to triage patients presenting with symptoms.

Registration for future live chat-enabled Dry Eye Spotlight webinars will open in the weeks before the debut of each. These include “Dry Eye Disease Measurement” on January 17, 2023, “Dry Eye Disease Management” on March 8, 2023, and the “Dry Eye Disease Wheel Tool” on May 16, 2023. On-demand versions then become active the following day.

In-practice tools available on the website include articles, reports, and clinical studies that explore the three main pillars of dry eye disease mitigation, measurement, and management. This collection of practical tools will be updated regularly.

A featured blog from the initiative’s faculty members and guest bloggers will present their latest observations to participants.

Click HERE for the full press release.

November 10, 2022November 11, 2022

Laurence Langlois-Parent Appointed Vice-President of Operations, The Doyle Group

Patrick Doyle, President of Doyle Optometrists & Opticians, announces the appointment of Laurence Langlois-Parent as Vice-President, Operations — a pivotal position in the company’s growth plan.

According to Patrick Doyle, “The creation of this new position is very much in line with our growth plan and the continuity of our business model, which features optometrists and opticians who are co-owners and operate their own clinic. Laurence’s arrival will allow us to better support and equip them in their management role, as well as supporting the group’s growth by guiding the organization through the next steps of its evolution.”

Left to right: Patrick Doyle, President, Laurence Langlois-Parent, Vice-President, Operations, Dr. Karl Brousseau, OD, Vice-President, Business Development

An Impressive Background

CA chartered accountant by training, Laurence has acquired her experience in various companies by leading transformational projects in different sectors: IT, finance and human resources. She has worked in well- established companies in Quebec, such as Deloitte, the Groupe Dynamite, and the Sainte-Justine Foundation.

To this, Patrick adds, “With her strategic thinking and leadership skills, Laurence has an impressive career path that completely fits our business needs and objectives. But beyond her skills, it is her concern for people and her business vision that will allow us to see even further ahead and help us to stay close to all our co-owners, while achieving the growth of our network.”

Delighted by this new challenge, Laurence says: “I now have the pleasure of working in a field that combines two sectors I particularly like — health and retail. Since my arrival, I have discovered passionate co-owners and a dynamic team, and all of them full of ideas. Together, we are stimulating Quebec entrepreneurship, while also taking care of people. What more could you ask for!”

Click HERE for the full press release.

November 9, 2022November 9, 2022

AAO Announces New Fellows and Diplomates at Centennial Celebration

The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) recently hosted Academy 2022 in San Diego. The organization’s centennial was met with great fanfare, and the Academy welcomed a record number of 309 new Fellows to its ranks. Along with this strong showing of new Fellows, nine current Fellows earned the distinction of Diplomate.

Fellows of the Academy must complete a candidacy process that includes submitting written work demonstrating their skills as an optometrist or vision scientist. They must also sit for an oral exam at the annual meeting. It is estimated that 10% of practicing optometrists in the United States are Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). Among those eligible for Fellow status are optometrists, scientists, educators, librarians, administrators and editors. Those who pass the rigorous criteria earn the distinction and the right to use FAAO in their credentials.

Diplomates are Fellows of the Academy who wish to demonstrate their extensive skill in a specific area. Currently nine sections offer Diplomate programs. These include: Anterior Segment; Binocular Vision, Perception and Pediatric Optometry; Comprehensive Eye Care; Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies; Glaucoma; Low Vision; Optometric Education; Public Health & Environmental Vision; and Vision Science.

Below are the new Fellows and Diplomates from Canada.

Rusha Barua, AB

Sheila Morrison, AB

Cathy Qin, AB

Sophia Capo, BC

Niclole Poon, BC

Cindy Shan, BC

Gabriela Camorlinga, MB

Amy Chow, ON

Preet Dhami, ON

Randi-Jo Francis, ON

Nancy Liu, ON

Xue Mei, ON

Alice Yuan, ON

Sarah Aumond, QC

Gabriella Courey, QC

Caolryn Draude, SK

Click HERE for the full press release.

November 9, 2022November 9, 2022

EssilorLuxottica Challenges Decision of French Competition Authority (FCA)

EssilorLuxottica acknowledges that the French competition authority (FCA) has published a decision concerning Essilor International.

Related to an investigation opened in 2014, a Euro 81 million penalty is imposed on Essilor International (out of which Euro 15 million is to be borne jointly by its parent company EssilorLuxottica) for discrimination of online players and protection of brick & mortar retailers, in connection with the distribution of certain specific prescription lenses.

EssilorLuxottica firmly believes in its practices legality and in the relevancy of distributing specific segments of prescription products under conditions that enable us to ensure that consumers can get the best vision correction that is required by their individual vision needs.

The Company also restates that its practices were fully compliant with the competitive and regulatory contexts of the concerned period, and that they benefitted not only its customers and partners but also the whole industry.

EssilorLuxottica strongly disagrees with the FCA’s decision and will appeal it. The Company is confident that it will successfully demonstrate that the decision is ungrounded.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Researchers Go Head-to-head Dragon’s Den Style in ‘Eye on the Cure’ Research Award Competition

Dry Eye Disease Education Initiative Website Now Available

Laurence Langlois-Parent Appointed Vice-President of Operations, The Doyle Group

AAO Announces New Fellows and Diplomates at Centennial Celebration

EssilorLuxottica Challenges Decision of French Competition Authority (FCA)

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