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January 11, 2022January 11, 2022

CORE Appoints Dr. Alex Hui as Head of Biosciences

The Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has appointed Alex Hui, OD, PhD, FAAO, as head of Biosciences. Dr. Hui is currently a senior lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW Sydney. He will soon relocate to CORE’s facility in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

“Dr. Hui is a very well-respected educator, optometrist, and researcher with the exact skill-set and background to serve as our Biosciences head. His outstanding knowledge of the ocular surface, combined with his extensive lecturing on ocular therapeutic drugs and a PhD in ocular drug delivery, aligns with our ongoing initiatives and mission. We are absolutely delighted to bring Alex back to Waterloo and are excited to have him lead the CORE Biosciences platform,” said Lyndon Jones, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, CORE’s director.

Before joining UNSW in 2015, Dr. Hui completed his optometry training and PhD at the University of Waterloo School of Optometry & Vision Science and CORE. He is an author on more than 30 peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications and has been an invited speaker at conferences worldwide. In addition to drug delivery systems, his research has been focused on ocular therapeutics, myopia control, and contact lenses. Dr. Hui is also an associate editor for Clinical and Experimental Optometry.

“CORE has continued to build an international reputation for high quality research, which I’ve admired during my seven years in Australia,” said Dr. Hui. “It’s been a privilege to spend time with everyone at UNSW, and I’m excited about this new opportunity to work with a fantastic group of researchers and personnel back in Canada.”

CORE’s current Head of Biosciences Dr. William Ngo has been appointed as an assistant professor at the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry & Vision Science, reflecting his ever-growing contributions to the field. He will continue to collaborate with CORE and its research team in his chosen area of ocular surface disease.

Source: CORE

January 7, 2022January 7, 2022

MIDO 2022 Postpones Show to April 30

MIDO 2022 goes back to the origins, taking place from Saturday, April 30 to Monday, May 2 in Milano Rho Fiera: the decision to move the show was driven by the will to ensure exhibitors and visitors the best business conditions, even in this global pandemic situation. The new dates represent a profitable period for commercial activities, still respecting the ongoing of other international eyewear fairs. This is a strategic time of the year for business and internationalisation. The hope is that the arrival of spring will also bring safer and easier travel between countries.

Giovanni Vitaloni, chairman of MIDO, stated: “Today it seems fairly clear to us that an international fair held in February would risk a reduced number of participants, both exhibitors and visitors. We wish to reflect the needs of companies and confirm MIDO as the top event of the year, in a 2022 that is already showing important signs of recovery for the eyewear industry worldwide.
MIDO 2022 held from the end of April to the beginning of May is the best date for us to return to fulfil our mission: creating and maximising international business opportunities while conferring prestige and vitality to a strategic sector.”

The leading worldwide eyewear event, about three months away, reconfirms its format, welcoming registrations from visitors who again this year will have special trains available, provided by the event organisers, stopping at Rho Fiera and with seats which can be booked directly on the website www.mido.com. Mido is working on a packed programme of events (Otticlub area and Centro Congressi). Furthermore, the digital platform is already available, launched last June for MIDO 2021, where it is possible to launch initial contact activity in the run-up to the April event.

Click HERE for the full press release.

January 7, 2022January 10, 2022

OMICRON Variant Plays Havoc with International Spring Trade Show Dates

Status as of January 7, 2022.

One cannot help but get that 2020 deja vu feeling all over again, as the run of major international trade fairs and events are juggled in attempts to evade the persistent COVID virus.

Uncertain travel, testing and quarantine requirements make it very difficult for all the stakeholders, exhibitors, educators, presenters, and attendees to firm up their travel plans.

Here is an up-to-date status summary of the international events:

Transitions Academy: Postponed
January 16-19 date is deferred – No replacement date as of yet announced.

MIDO – Moved to April from February
MIDO has announced the delay of the venerable Milan Italian Eyewear show from February 12 to April 30.

MIDO indicates: “The decision to move the show was motivated by the will to ensure visitors and exhibitors the best business conditions, even in this global pandemic situation. The new dates represent a profitable period for commercial activities still respecting the ongoing of other international eyewear fairs.”

The new date is, according to the organizers, a return to “its origins”.

Opti Munich: Still Set for May 2022.
In November 2021, opti Munich had already changed their dates from Jan 14-16 and is postponed until May 13-15. No Change in status so far.

Vision Expo East: New York March 31-April 3
Closer to home, the event that many Canadian stakeholders are gearing up for is still full-throttle forward.

All systems are still a “go” for VEE. Reed Exhibition has advised Optik Magazine that there are “no plans to detour at this time.”

The Optik Events Calendar provides up to date information on trade show dates. Consult the OptikNow.ca website for the latest date changes.

January 6, 2022January 6, 2022

Transitions Announces Transitions Academy 2022 Postponed

Transitions Optical has postponed Transitions Academy 2022, scheduled for January 16-19 in Orlando. The 25^th Transitions Academy event will be rescheduled on a later date, to be announced in the coming weeks.

“The Transitions team shares the disappointment this may cause our attendees and partners, but safety is our first concern,” said Chrystel Barranger, president of wholesale, EMEA, EssilorLuxottica and president Essilor Photochromics and Transitions Optical. “We want to bring the global eyecare community together in solidarity and look forward to making Transitions Academy 2022 an unforgettable live experience later this year.”

Transitions Academy is known for its ability to deliver a live experience that connects industry professionals from around the world. Even with significantly heightened safety protocols, the experience is now further challenged by the latest developments in the pandemic.

The COVID-19 Omicron variant is disrupting domestic and international travel. Experts predict this wave in the U.S. and Canada will peak during mid-January, the scheduled time for Transitions Academy.

The rapid spread has made it increasingly difficult for organizers to confidently address safety on-site, especially given the size of the Transitions Academy in-person audience; and due to additional risks of exposure during travel and the interaction with others at the event venues who may not be required to follow our full protocol. Flight schedules continue to be impacted and testing sites are overwhelmed, making it difficult for some of speakers and attendees to confirm attendance and secure the required PCR testing.

Click HERE for the full press release.