Europa Eyewear announces a strategic alliance with BIHOCL (bio-sel) making it possible for Canadian ECPs to offer their patients the purest form of Hypochlorous acid – a naturally occurring biocide solution that inactivates pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, spores, and fungi.
The team at BIHOCL has discovered a process to stabilize hypochlorous acid (HOCl) making it extremely safe and shelf-stable for three years.
This process helps make BIHOCL an excellent treatment option for dry eye and blepharitis patients.
Additionally, Europa Eyewear are working with Mydryeye.ca to offer their consulting services to ECPs interested in adding BIHOCL to their practices.
“We are thrilled to have the Optometrists from My Dry Eye consulting for us. They bring the highest level of expertise about dry eye syndrome and are a fabulous resource for the ECPs in Canada.” – Rob Soloway, President, Europa Eyewear Canada.
Dr. Christian Nanini was aware of IRIS from their home province of Quebec. IRIS clinics had developed a forward-thinking, profitable business model that Dr. Nanini and his partners attempted to emulate at a smaller scale – but without the benefit of the IRIS brand name. Ontario regulations stood in the way.
Profession’s Politics at Play
For many years, the Ontario College of Optometrists (COO) had very restrictive regulations that forced an antiquated pricing mechanism and forbade association among Optometrists, Opticians and corporate entities.
In 2006, the same year that Dr. Nanini consolidated three practices in the Niagara region into one location, IRIS led the charge to challenge the status quo which drew the ire of optometry’s regulators in Ontario.
Nanini and his partners wanted to move quickly but were advised to wait until IRIS’s challenge to Ontario’s antiquated regulations were settled.
Ultimately, by marshalling the support of the Ontario Ministry of Health and the Competition Bureau of Canada and citing the Canadian Charter of Rights freedom of association provisions, the COO publicly acknowledged resistance to IRIS’s business practices would cease.
Gaining a Better Work-Life Balance As a young family man, Dr. Nanini faced the challenge of juggling all the balls that come with running a small business. Aside from patient care, his time was spent doing joyless grunt work: managing and training staff, marketing, payroll, strategizing how to grow the business and the list goes on.
Like many optometrists he simply wanted to do what he studied and trained for—examining, diagnosing and treating their patients but still wanted a sense of control over the business.
A Shared Vision Dr. Nanini believed that his clinic would do better to partner with IRIS rather than compete with them. He also saw the value in relinquishing essential business responsibilities that would free up his time.
“I was 100% okay with that because, for me, it’s freedom from all the workload, all the training, all of the advertisement, all the negotiations with suppliers. Everything was out of my hands now …freeing up my time a lot. After work, I could come home and enjoy quality family time instead of having to do paperwork,” Nanini remarks.
In 2009, two years after his initial meeting with IRIS, his clinic was officially a 50% shareholder with IRIS owning 50%. He chose this option over alternative percentage splits or a franchise model.
“Right from the beginning I didn’t want to sell the whole thing. I still wanted to have some power into some decisions.”
Transition Lessons Learned Dr. Daryan Angle, IRIS VP of business development, worked with Dr. Nanini to transition the Welland Ontario practice. Discussion and negotiation about the partnership was smooth, however they did encounter challenges immediately following the merger.
During IRIS’s initial expansion into Ontario, Dr. Angle frankly admits that there was a steep learning curve with missteps made around on-boarding, especially for the first handful of clinics that opened in the province.
IRIS Welland Reception Desk
Dr. Nanini recalls that he should have briefed his staff more rigorously about why the transition would make life easier, and what to expect when it happened. As a result, he lost two employees who could not adapt to the changes. Subsequently, he had to scramble to hire and train two new employees on top of everything else.
Today, IRIS’ on-boarding process is far more comprehensive. Training days are held months in advance to give owners and staff time to integrate the information. By the end, staff are well-versed in navigating the software system and have good knowledge about new products.
Navigating Pricing Changes Even though the legal battle between IRIS and the College of Optometrists had been settled in 2008, it was not until 2014 that regulatory changes were made. While regulators moved slowly, the new IRIS in Welland Ontario was forging ahead with retail pricing while many private practice ODs cautiously remained on the sidelines.
Another stumbling block was that IRIS, at the time, only offered premium-priced eyewear therefore losing potential sales from patients with lower budgets. They now adopt a “good, better, best” approach that can accommodate most budgets while maintaining the highest quality of products possible.
Sharing the Experience with Others Since its inception, IRIS has displayed a willingness to adjust to the needs of its customers, franchisees and partners. Customers get the best care and products, and independent eye care professionals thrive under a time-tested, profitable business model.
Today, Dr. Nanini helps on-board other optometrists who have embraced more profits and more freedom with IRIS. As well, he sits on internal IRIS committees to guide the integration process, sharing his experience.
When asked if he would do it again if he had the chance, Dr. Nanini had no qualms.
“Yes, definitely I would still join IRIS in my mind, knowing I lose some control but there is a lot of stuff that is off my shoulders now…I can enjoy a better quality of life. So, to me, I would do it in a blink.”
Drs. Barbara Pelletier and Christian Nanini, IRIS Welland, ON
Dr. Nanini still works 5 days a week, and sometimes 6!
He enjoys walking 6-7 km every day, jogging and biking.
IRIS provided Eye Care Business Canada full unconditional access to ECPs that have recently completed a partnership agreement with the group. Each partner story provides and insider’s view to the acquisition; challenges faced, obstacles overcome and the final results.
In a pre-COVID survey by VuePoint, respondents indicate that vast majority of ECPs use visual function requirements to attempt to sell multiple pairs.
However, 58% of respondents to the survey felt their success level was less than satisfactory.
Over 65% of respondents in the survey indicated they were either not well trained or that they require more training to be successful.
Function First or Fashion First? Overwhelmingly, a second pair sale attempt was made on the basis of a secondary visual requirement beyond a primary pair of glasses such as for computer use, driving, or sun protection.
Presenting frame choices on the basis of fashion was done so by only 9% of respondents.
Which approach is working best? And how can dispensers choose the right approach and increase their success rate on multiple pair sales?
Get a Free Training on Multiple Pair Sales Has appointment-only dispensing changed the approach to presenting multiple pairs of eyewear? VuePoint is surveying the Canadian market to help find out the answers to these questions.
Optik is offering a complimentary training program that increases selling skills, job satisfaction and client retention to qualifying ECPs.
Quebec based B+L has announced the second of two Phase 3 studies studies evaluating the investigational treatment NOV03 (perfluorohexyloctane) as a first-in- class investigational drug to treat the signs and symptoms of Dry Eye Disease (DED) associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).
According to the company, the new proprietary compound NOV03 is a proprietary, water-free and preservative-free solution, based on patented EyeSol® technology from German company, Novaliq GmbH. The drug has a novel mechanism of action to treat Dry Eye Disease associated with MGD.
NOV03 showed statistically significant improvement of certain symptoms, such as severity and frequency of dryness and burning/stinging of the eyes, over the entire duration of the Phase 2 study (336 patients) with no notable safety events.
New Look Vision Group announced that it has completed its acquisition of
a majority position in The Vision Clinic (TVC). Founded in 1994 by the Nekoui
family and based in Grimsby, Ontario, the business is a leading local player in
Southern Ontario. TVC operates 12 retail optical clinics under The Vision
Clinic banner stretching from Hamilton eastwards through to the Niagara
Peninsula. The family who founded the business will remain on as minority
shareholders. The purchase price for the majority position is $18.8 million,
subject to customary price adjustments and was financed by New Look Vision
Group with cash on hand.
Antoine Amiel, President and CEO of New Look Vision Group stated that: “We
feel very privileged to welcome The Vision Clinic team into our organization
and look forward to partnering with the founders. The transaction will be a
major step forward for both organizations. The Vision Clinic, based in Grimsby,
Ontario serves one of the fastest growing regions of Canada’s most populous
province and will operate as a stand-alone business unit within New Look Vision
Group. The Vision Clinic adds to New Look Vision Group’s current network in
Ontario a strong platform for the consolidation of the optician-based retail
segment of the Canadian optical industry. This transaction reinforces New Look
Vision Group’s position as the largest Canadian retail optical company with a
network in excess of 400 stores.”
Foad Nekoui, one of the founders of TVC stated that: “Since
1994 we have been faithfully serving our patients and providing them with the
vision care they have come to know and expect from The Vision Clinic. A
partnership with New Look Vision Group will ensure the continuity of this long-standing
commitment. The motivation to retain a minority ownership position is driven by
the advantages we see of partnering with a company who is committed to the
advancement of vision health not only in Southern Ontario, but across the
country for all Canadians.”
Experience the pinnacle of eye care education at Vision Expo West. This September’s educational program is now unveiled offering attendees new insights and knowledge on a diverse range of topics, from disease management and practice growth to lens innovations, the latest eyewear trends and more.
Introducing the BITTER sunglasses from the Odd Fruits capsule collection; a women's model with a handcrafted frame made of high-quality Italian acetate.
AYA announces the launch of their latest collaboration, "Iris" – a new addition to their eyewear collection that honours the rich tapestry of indigenous art with a distinct nod to fashion.
Experience the pinnacle of eye care education at Vision Expo West. This September’s educational program is now unveiled offering attendees new insights and knowledge on a diverse range of topics, from disease management and practice growth to lens innovations, the latest eyewear trends and more.
Introducing the BITTER sunglasses from the Odd Fruits capsule collection; a women's model with a handcrafted frame made of high-quality Italian acetate.
AYA announces the launch of their latest collaboration, "Iris" – a new addition to their eyewear collection that honours the rich tapestry of indigenous art with a distinct nod to fashion.
Experience the pinnacle of eye care education at Vision Expo West. This September’s educational program is now unveiled offering attendees new insights and knowledge on a diverse range of topics, from disease management and practice growth to lens innovations, the latest eyewear trends and more.
Introducing the BITTER sunglasses from the Odd Fruits capsule collection; a women's model with a handcrafted frame made of high-quality Italian acetate.
AYA announces the launch of their latest collaboration, "Iris" – a new addition to their eyewear collection that honours the rich tapestry of indigenous art with a distinct nod to fashion.
Experience the pinnacle of eye care education at Vision Expo West. This September’s educational program is now unveiled offering attendees new insights and knowledge on a diverse range of topics, from disease management and practice growth to lens innovations, the latest eyewear trends and more.
Introducing the BITTER sunglasses from the Odd Fruits capsule collection; a women's model with a handcrafted frame made of high-quality Italian acetate.
AYA announces the launch of their latest collaboration, "Iris" – a new addition to their eyewear collection that honours the rich tapestry of indigenous art with a distinct nod to fashion.
