CRO (Clinical & Refractive Optometry) Journal is pleased to announce the appointment of Susan Resnick, OD FAAO FSLS, as Editor-in-Chief.
Dr. Resnick received her Doctorate of Optometry from the New York State College of Optometry in 1983. She is a Diplomate in the Cornea and Contact Lens Section of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and Fellow of the Scleral Lens Society.
She has assumed numerous roles as a scientific education leader, symposia speaker and clinical investigator. Among her many professional leadership roles, Dr. Resnick serves on the Diplomate Award Committee of the AAO as case reports lead and as a mentor in the SUNY Optometric Network.
She brings a passion for optometric education to the role, which aligns with the educational mission of CRO. “I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to further the mission of this relevant and valuable clinical resource. As a well curated and timely publication, it is of immense importance to the busy optometric clinician,” said Dr. Resnick.
Among her many professional honors, Dr. Resnick was a recipient of the 2020 American Optometric Association Cornea and Contact Lens Section Luminary Award and a 2021 Newsweek Best Optometrist List Honoree.
Dr. Resnick is the Managing Partner, President and Principal Owner of Drs. Farkas, Kassalow, Resnick, & Associates, a comprehensive eye care practice serving New York City and Tri-state area.
Dr. Resnick takes over the Editor-in-Chief role from Justin Kwan, OD, FAAO. Dr. Kwan served in the role for a 3-year period and contributed to diversifying the editorial board through numerous appointments making the board more reflective of the profession’s demographics.
Dr. Kwan is appointed as Editor Emeritus and will continue to support the evolution of CRO.
On Saturday, June 11, Fighting Blindness Canada’s (FBC) Cycle for Sight is back in-person, raising essential funds for vision research across the country. Being held at the West Langley Hall in Langley, BC, the annual event encourages participants of all ages and abilities to get active to in support of more than eight million Canadians living with an eye disease that puts them at significant risk of blindness.
“There are at least 1.2 million Canadians who are living with uncorrectable vision loss and that number is expected to grow to 2 million by 2050,” says Doug Earle, President, and CEO of Fighting Blindness Canada. “This is why raising funds for vision research to restore their sight is critical. We are so grateful to Cycle for Sight participants and their support in preventing blindness.”
Cycle for Sight in-person will guide participants along the Fraser River, around historic Fort Langley (an 1827 fur trading post) and up the grueling Armstrong Hill. Once the ride is complete, participants will enjoy food, entertainment and prizes, as well as the opportunity to meet some FBC-funded scientists who are making groundbreaking discoveries in vision research.
For those unable to participate in-person, Cycle for Sight’s virtual component one week later on Saturday, June 18 allows Canadians to help raise money for vision research by joining celebrated Parapan Silver Medalist, Paralympic 2024 hopeful and Amazing Race Canada alumni Lowell Taylor on a Zwift ride. Participants can create their own challenge at their own pace, whether it be walking, dancing, yoga or any other favourite physical activity all in support of vision research funding.
Other notable names participating in this year’s event include:
Maya Jonas, Silver and Bronze Medalist at the Canada Winter Games
Keeley Shaw, Bronze Medalist, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic games
Date:Saturday, June 11, 2022, Saturday June 18 (virtual)
Timing: 7:30 am – 2:30 pm
Choice of activities: Cycling (in-person), or any other type of activity that gets people moving (virtual)
Fundraising Goal: $500,000 in support of Fighting Blindness Canada for research into cures and treatments for blinding eye diseases.
The 25th Transitions Academy brought together over 850 industry experts from 45 countries around the world last week at the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando. Attendees learned about Transitions latest strategic projects and participated in professional development and product technology seminars, heard from experts and educators on marketing and industry trends, and learned from their colleagues and partners at the three-day, invitation-only event, which was themed “Eye Care Love Forever.”
Chrystel Barranger
Chrystel Barranger, president EMEA wholesale, EssilorLuxottica and president Essilor photochromics and Transitions Optical, began Thursday morning’s opening session by welcoming attendees from around the world to Transitions Academy and discussed the new reality of the optical industry. Following the opening remarks, Coralie Barrau, senior photobiology scientist, innovation manager for light management, R&D EssilorLuxottica, discussed light management science, and Brian O’Neill, vice president, global innovation, technology and operations, Transitions shared how the renewed Transitions®portfolio offers tailored solutions to meet patient needs. Charlotte Hamel, global marketing vice president, Transitions, continued the Thursday morning session with a focus on style and showcasing Transitions® collections. To close the morning session, Hamel highlighted the consumer journey and how to build awareness, consideration, and conversion around Transitions lenses.
Thursday’s curriculum continued with four options for industry and professional development elective sessions:
Be Inclusive to Better Serve Patients, Dr. Diana Canto-Sims, O.D., Buena Vista Optical; Dr. Essence Johnson, O.D., Parkland Hospital, Black Eyecare Perspective; Dr. Janette Pepper, O.D., Southern College of Optometry; Dr. Devin Sasser, O.D., Eye Clarity Vision; and Arlene Segovia, marketing manager of trade communications, Transitions.
Become a Master of Storytelling, Shawn Devine, senior and master facilitator, Training Edge.
Latest Design Trends to Recommend in Style, Paula Donnelly, vice president, advanced product development, EssilorLuxottica; Meredith Feldman, strategic account manager, wholesale, Transitions; Sheena Taff, optician and optical blogger, Roberts & Brown Opticians; and Lucile Van Deuren, retail marketing manager, Europe, Transitions.
Leadership: The Dynamics of Communication, Rebecca Armacost, senior faculty and executive coach, leadership development institute.
Thursday afternoon began with a keynote from disruption strategist Shawn Kanungo. Kanungo’s keynote “Bold Ones: How to Innovate and Disrupt Ourselves” explored how individuals can apply the innovations and disruptions occurring around them to become more dynamic and valuable. Attendees closed the afternoon with another industry or professional development elective of their choice:
Become a Master of Storytelling
Embracing Our Phygital World, Chris Bell, global digital junior brand manager, Transitions; Fahem Ben Messaoud, global vice president digital, business innovation, strategic projects and IT, EssilorLuxottica; Steve Noble, chief strategy officer, Grey Midwest; and Elizabeth Wales, associate marketing manager, key accounts, Transitions.
Leadership: The Dynamics of Communication
Unlock Your Potential with the Transitions Portfolio, Jessica Hoch, business development manager, Transitions; Lucie Laborne, global brand manager, Transitions; and Barbara Ann Sharon, training, learning, and development consultant, Training Edge.
Transitions Academy continued on Friday with a presentation on how Transitions is a catalyst for growth, beginning with a panel moderated by Chrystel Barranger and featuring perspectives from eyecare lovers:
Ernesto Diaz, president LATAM wholesale, EssilorLuxottica
Dr. Essence Johnson
David Rips, president and CEO, Younger Optics
Fabrizio Uguzzoni, president North America wholesale, EssilorLuxottica
Walid Elali, GM Magrabi Lens Innovation Center, UAE
Following the panel, Fahem Ben Messaoud, Eric Pecceu, senior vice president and general manager, global sales, Transitions, and John Schubach, global director, lenscaster sales, Transitions shared how partners can be successful with Transitions based on results from 2021 and 2022. Regional highlights that can inspire global activations were also shared from the Transitions Optical team including:
Marielle Collombat, marketing director Europe, Transitions
Rose Harris, senior associate director, channel marketing, Transitions
Vanessa Johns, marketing director LATAM, Transitions
Michelle Sabo-Sherwood, associate director, trade communications and events, U.S., Transitions
Isabelle Tremblay, director of sales and marketing, Transitions, Canada
Additional Transitions team members continued the general session with presentations on best practices for accelerating growth with the Transitions portfolio, education, elevating the patient experience in-store and online, and recommending to all eyeglass wearers a complete pair of eyeglasses with frames and lenses. Presenters included:
Chris King, global associate director marketing education, Transitions
Kayla Worthy, marketing manager, trade shows and events, Transitions
Stephen Tackett, senior marketing manager, North America channels, Transitions
Pierre Devie, commercial director EMEA, Transitions
The general session concluded with Transitions team members celebrating the career and achievements of José Alves, general manager of the Americas, as he retired from Transitions Optical after over 30 years with the company. Alves first joined the company in 1991 as a production manager. Since then, he has held many roles across the organization and played an integral part in growing Transitions Optical in Latin America, advancing to general manager in 2004. In 2015, Alves was appointed as general manager of Americas where he overlooked the North America region and global channel management while still retaining his responsibilities for Latin America. Alves has been known for his energy, passion, and enthusiasm during Transitions events and acted as the co-host for the 25th Transitions Academy.
José Alves
Friday morning continued with the following industry and professional development elective sessions:
Get in the Game: How to Get a Yes, Miriam Isa, on air personality, Clevver Media
Latest Design Trends to Recommend in Style
Unlock Your Potential with the Transitions Portfolio
Friday afternoon began with a closing keynote “Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty” from Ben Nemtin, author and founder of The Buried Life Movement, which spoke to how leaders and teams must dig deep within themselves to break through and find opportunity in uncertain times. Later that night, Drew Smith, Vanessa Johns, and Laurent Dosseville, commercial director Europe, Transitions, EssilorLuxottica led the 2021 Transitions Innovation Awards ceremony, where the winners of the 2021 Transitions Innovation Awards were announced.
Fighting Blindness Canada’s (FBC) Clinician Scientist Emerging Leader Awards (CSELA) were launched in 2017 to build the pipeline of ophthalmologists and optometrists who also do research. Clinician-scientists help translate laboratory research into the clinic and help bring clinical trials to Canadian patients. Six years on, CSELA winners have undertaken prestigious training fellowships and launched their own independent research careers.
In 2022, FBC announces three new CSELA winners, Dr. Marko Popovic, Dr. Mélanie Hébert and Dr. Kirill Zaslavsky.
Dr. Popovic: Comparing Two Common Treatments for Retinal Detachment
Marko Popovic is a resident in the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto. He is currently completing a Master of Public Health in epidemiology at Harvard University. Dr. Popovic’s project focuses on retinal detachment. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina, the light-sensing part of the eye, pulls away from the back of the eye. It is relatively common, with one in every 300 people experiencing it in their life. It can be caused by eye injury or surgery. Retina detachment is also more common as you age, and your risk might be higher if you have a family history of retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy or certain other eye conditions including extreme myopia (nearsightedness).
Dr. Popovic will be undertaking an epidemiological study to analyze the safety, effectiveness, and cost implications of two common treatments for retinal detachment.
Dr. Hébert: A Clinical Trial to Test Two Surgical Strategies for Retinal Detachement
Dr. Mélanie Hébert is an ophthalmology resident at Université Laval. Dr. Hébert completed an MSc degree in biomedical sciences alongside her medical degree. Dr. Hébert is also tackling the topic of retinal detachment, undertaking a clinical trial to see if combining two common repair and reattachment methods produces better results than one treatment alone. FBC funding will help launch this six-year randomized study. Dr. Hébert’s and Dr. Popovic’s studies are using complementary methods and taken together, they have the potential to provide important information to guide clinical practice and improve outcomes for patients with retinal detachment.
Dr. Zaslavsky: Finding the Cause of Birdshot Uveitis
Dr. Kirill Zaslavsky is currently a third-year ophthalmology resident at the University of Toronto. Prior to residency, he completed a combined medical degree/PhD program at the University of Toronto. Dr. Zaslavsky is studying a rare autoimmune eye disease called birdshot uveitis. Birdshot uveitis is a sight-threatening immune-mediated eye disease that typically affects 40 to 60-year-old women. Birdshot uveitis is treated with immune-suppressive therapy. However, treatment response is hard to predict, and the disease is characterized by flare-ups. The causes of birdshot uveitis are not clear.
In this project, Dr. Zaslavsky is trying to understand which immune cells may be contributing to the autoimmune reaction that lead to birdshot uveitis. By analyzing and identifying the different types of immune cells from patients with birdshot uveitis he hopes to determine which cells are important in this disease and establish a framework for dissecting other autoimmune and inflammatory retinal conditions.
CNIB announces that Deloitte Canada has donated 300 smartphones to the Phone It Forward program. This donation will support and empower people with sight loss across Canada to live more active, independent lives.
Modern smartphones are life-changing tools in the hands of individuals who are blind or partially sighted. The Phone It Forward program takes modern, gently used smartphones; refurbishes them; outfits them with accessible apps and puts them directly into the hands of Canadians who are living with sight loss. Recipients are also provided with training on how to use their new smart devices with confidence.
With these devices in hand, people with sight loss are able to do things that may have seemed challenging before – from travelling safely alone using GPS to reading prescription labels and taking medication safely to connecting with loved ones.
CooperVision announced the new clariti® 1 day multifocal with Binocular Progressive System™ contact lenses, affirming its commitment to continuous innovation across its leading silicone hydrogel 1-day product families.
Look good. Feel good. Compete at your peak. That’s the attitude behind the Nike Athena and Nike Zeus sunglasses, intended to be worn before and after competition as a form of psychological armor — whether to protect or project.
CooperVision announced the new clariti® 1 day multifocal with Binocular Progressive System™ contact lenses, affirming its commitment to continuous innovation across its leading silicone hydrogel 1-day product families.
Look good. Feel good. Compete at your peak. That’s the attitude behind the Nike Athena and Nike Zeus sunglasses, intended to be worn before and after competition as a form of psychological armor — whether to protect or project.
CooperVision announced the new clariti® 1 day multifocal with Binocular Progressive System™ contact lenses, affirming its commitment to continuous innovation across its leading silicone hydrogel 1-day product families.
Look good. Feel good. Compete at your peak. That’s the attitude behind the Nike Athena and Nike Zeus sunglasses, intended to be worn before and after competition as a form of psychological armor — whether to protect or project.
CooperVision announced the new clariti® 1 day multifocal with Binocular Progressive System™ contact lenses, affirming its commitment to continuous innovation across its leading silicone hydrogel 1-day product families.
Look good. Feel good. Compete at your peak. That’s the attitude behind the Nike Athena and Nike Zeus sunglasses, intended to be worn before and after competition as a form of psychological armor — whether to protect or project.
