Blog

December 12, 2024November 22, 2024

Kaleos Men: The Technical Era

Voila November-December 2024 Lanctôt Optical Kaleos Danforth

Kaleos is introducing this season Danforth, a rectangular aviator-style optical frame combining a thick titanium front and a high-density acetate trim. Showing a groundbreaking fusion of modernity, technical innovation and unparalleled quality, this model is setting new and higher standards in men’s eyewear.

Distributed by Lanctôt: www.rlanctot.com

About Lanctôt:

Lanctôt Ltée is excited to be celebrating its 65th Anniversary with over 5000 customers and partners! Since 1953 Lanctôt Ltée has been a Canadian based, family-run business that specializes in the distribution and production of premium sporting goods, apparel and eyewear. Our distribution and design expertise combined with our passion for sports is the foundation of our success.

Lanctôt offers 3 distinct categories: Sports Equipment, Apparel and Optical. Lanctôt’s brands fall into 7 divisions: Ski, Bike, Golf, Outerwear, Team Sports, Fashion and Eyewear.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e- newsletters!

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

Bausch + Lomb Acquires Elios Vision, Significantly Enhances Glaucoma Treatment Capabilities

Bausch + Lomb Corporation announced that an affiliate has acquired Elios Vision, Inc., developer of the ELIOS™ procedure, the first clinically validated, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedure using an excimer laser. The acquisition unlocks new opportunities to treat glaucoma effectively in conjunction with cataract surgery without implants and bolsters Bausch + Lomb’s glaucoma portfolio, which features pharmaceutical and surgical approaches.

“Today’s announcement further demonstrates our commitment to investing in smart, innovative technologies that enable eye care professionals to better address the evolving needs of their patients,” said Luc Bonnefoy, president, Surgical, Bausch + Lomb. “The ELIOS system offers a differentiated approach for the treatment of glaucoma, a condition expected to increase in prevalence by 47% from 2020 to 2040.”¹

Compared to other glaucoma surgery techniques, MIGS offers a safe and effective approach to lowering intraocular pressure with faster recovery time.² It can also often be performed in conjunction with cataract surgery, the most routinely performed surgery in the world.³ More than 19% of patients who need cataract surgery also have glaucoma or ocular hypertension⁴; cataract surgery provides an optimal opportunity for concurrent glaucoma treatment.

“ELIOS provides a tissue-friendly, precision non-thermal laser-based and highly adoptable procedure for the treatment of glaucoma. The synergy between cataract surgery and MIGS can help ophthalmologists provide streamlined care and improve patient quality of life.”

Professor Ike K. Ahmed, MD, University of Toronto and Moran Eye Center

“Bausch + Lomb’s extensive reach in cataract surgery will introduce ELIOS to a broader range of eye care professionals and help change the treatment paradigm for the estimated 80 million people worldwide living with glaucoma,” said Elliot Friedman, former Elios Vision chairman and CEO. “The goal is to make combining cataract and glaucoma treatment the new standard of care, and that’s even more attainable given Bausch + Lomb’s presence in nearly 100 countries.”

The ELIOS technology, which is CE marked, is currently marketed and sold in the European Union. Elios Vision is in the process of pursuing U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for the product.

Click here for a video demonstration of how ELIOS works.

Leerink Partners served as exclusive financial advisor to Elios Vision and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation served as legal advisor.

Source: Bausch + Lomb

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

University of Waterloo Working with Southern Chiefs’ Organization and Manitoba Association of Optometrists to Co-develop Data Governance Policies for Eye Data

People have the right to a say in how their data is collected, managed, stored and used. That’s the principle behind a new partnership that will see the University of Waterloo co-develop governance policies for eye data with a Manitoba First Nations organization.

University of Waterloo eye data governance team members Dr. Helen Chen, Memoona Maah, Gina Najiman and Dr. Stanley Woo

Thanks to funding from the Digital Research Alliance of Canada’s DRI EDIA Champions pilot program, a Master of Health Informatics student, Memoona Maah, is now co-leading the development of data governance policies with the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO), which represents 33 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 88,000 citizens in what is now southern Manitoba.

“First Nations face multiple barriers in accessing health care, including vision care,” said Maah, a second-year master’s student. “One of these barriers is that existing systems may not prioritize First Nation ownership and control over their health data. That’s what we’d like to tackle, with First Nation people at the table right from the start.”

“Our citizens have a right to their data and how it is collected and used. We must have greater say in developing policies which govern health data collection,” stated Acting Grand Chief Cornell McLean of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization. “We know data will support our health transformation journey as we reclaim our inherent right to health and work to close the 11-year gap in life expectancy between First Nation citizens and all other Manitobans. Our voices must be included from the very beginning.”

Data governance policies will be developed according to local priorities and resolutions in addition to the incorporation of internationally recognized principles: FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable), CARE (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility and Ethics) and OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession). These principles are intended to ensure data is ethically managed and beneficial to all stakeholders. They also emphasize the rights of Indigenous communities over their data and how their data is shared.

The co-design of the data governance policies will be done through a series of workshops, both virtual and in person in Manitoba. Participants will include community engagement led by SCO Health Transformation, researchers and members of the Manitoba Association of Optometrists (MAO), which is working to improve access to eye care in First Nations.

“Our association is dedicated to ensuring that patients can trust us to manage their data safely and in a way that is comfortable for them,” said Dr. Averi Van Dam, president of the MAO. “We are hopeful these workshops will help us learn this better and that steps like this can ultimately help lead to better eye care for all Manitobans.”

The data governance development will consider the role of artificial intelligence in areas such as facilitating data collection using AI scribes, ensuring data quality and consistency, and analyzing data for research purposes.

“The mantra from First Nations is, ‘Nothing about us without us,’” said Dr. Helen Chen, director of the Professional Practice Centre for Health Systems and professor of practice with the School of Public Health Sciences and the Cheriton School of Computer Science. “Regardless of what tools are used, we have to consider how to manifest that principle in any data collection, storage, transmission and sharing, including implementing all the necessary security and privacy protection measures.”

With co-developed data governance policies, planned eye data research by an interdisciplinary group of University of Waterloo researchers will be built on equitable, ethical and culturally safe foundations, said Dr. Stanley Woo, director of the School of Optometry and Vision Science.

“We’re delighted to part of this unique partnership between the University of Waterloo, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, the Digital Research Alliance of Canada and the Manitoba Association of Optometrists to co-design research in eye care,” said Woo. “It’s a great example of how researchers can collaborate in respectful ways with First Nations to do important work.”

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024

World Council of Optometry and Alcon Launch Additional Video Tools for Dry Eye Wheel

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have released new online resources to help eye care professionals (ECPs) use their Dry Eye Wheel, a practical tool that helps with the diagnosis and treatment of dry eye disease. The resources include explanatory videos by two leaders in the field and Spanish captioning for the website’s educational webinars.

Created by world-renowned educators Professors Jennifer Craig, Lyndon Jones, and James Wolffsohn, the interactive Wheel is designed for ECPs to easily reference the three pillars of mitigation, measurement, and management. It is accessible at no cost via the WCO website at https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel.

Testimonial Videos Screenshot- WCO Alcon

The companion educational webinars include all three professors discussing the three pillars and the best way to integrate the wheel into ECPs’ daily practice. With 41% of people in Mexico and 13% of people who live in Brazil suffering from dry eye¹, continued education and resources directed specifically toward Latin American countries are much needed. Spanish closed captioning of webinars builds on the Spanish-language Wheel introduced several weeks ago.

Dr. Sal Jivraj,OD, MBA, FAAO, an optometrist with the Calgary Dry Eye Clinic, and Fakhruddin Barodawala, MOptom, FASCO, FIACLE, FAAO, FBCLA,Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Optometry and Vision Sciences (FoOVS), SEGi University, have been using the tool regularly since its release. Both have created videos that are now available on the site regarding their experiences using the Wheel to educate students as well as fellow ECPs and patients.

“The addition of these tools to accompany the Dry Eye Wheel on the WCO website are a continuation of WCO and Alcon’s commitment to educating optometrists around the world about this issue, and how we can make a difference in the lives of millions.”

Dr. Sandra S. Block, OD, MEd. MPH, FAAO, FCOVD, president, World Council of Optometry

Dry eye disease can be a chronic, painful condition. About 1.4 billion people are affected by dry eye symptoms worldwide², with reports of increased occurrence aligning with notable factors such as increasing use of technology, environmental triggers, and an aging population³. WCO and Alcon initially partnered to develop the dry eye disease education initiative to raise optometrists’ understanding of dry eye and deliver resources on practical management.

New educational resources. and use of the Dry Eye Wheel, are continuously being integrated to the website. To use the wheel and discover other dry eye disease resources, visit: https://dryeye.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/interactive-dry-eye-wheel.

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!

^[1] Chen H, McCann P, Lien T et al. Prevalence of dry eye and Meibomian gland dysfunction in Central and South America: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Ophthalmol. 2024; 24: 50

^[2] MarketScope (2020) 2020 Dry Eye Products Market Report. A Global Analysis for 2019 to 2025. October 2020.

^[3] Stapleton F, Alves M, Bunya VY, Jalbert I, Lekhanont K et al. (2017) TFOS DEWS II Epidemiology Report. Ocul Surf 15 (3): 334-365.

December 11, 2024December 11, 2024

Optometry Giving Sight Announces 2024 Grant Winners

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced the selection of its 2024 grant program recipients. This year, 16 grants totaling almost $1 million USD have been awarded to 15 organizations for projects that will help eradicate uncorrected refractive error globally.

As “Optometry’s Charity,” OGS raises funds from optometrists, optometry practices, and optometry-related businesses and corporations to award annual grants for sustainable, impactful projects that expand the profession and improve access to vision care in underserved areas of the world. Since the grant program began, OGS has awarded more than 200 grants totaling more than $23 million.

This year’s grantee organizations and projects funded are:

African Eye Institute Trust

This project by the African Eye Institute Trust includesprovidingeye exams and free eyeglasses for children; vision screening training for teachers and others; and working with the government to prioritize child eye health in South Africa.

Berkeley Vision

The grant will fund the screening of 20,000 children at schools in underserved areas of Karachi, Pakistan by providing free refraction services and eyeglasses; and referring children needing advanced eye examinations to hospitals. Also included is training for optometrists, project staff, and school teachers.

Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation Project
The grant will fund the ongoing expansion and enhancement of clinical care at the Pediatric Refractive Error Training Centre in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Centre, established in part by previous grants from OGS, is the clinical training and patient care facility affiliated with Hanoi Medical University’s Optometry Program.

Canadian Vision Care

Canadian Vision Care will use this grant to repair and maintain the vision teaching center facility for the University of Mzuzu’s Optometry Program in Mzuzu, Malawi. The university program, funded in part by Optometry Giving Sight in 2008, has resulted in the graduation of more than 60 optometrists to date.

Healing California

Healing California will use this grant to provide pop-up and mobile vision clinics throughout California for people in need of vision care.

India Vision Institute

This grant will be used by the India Vision Institute to provide training in teaching and instruction to 100 optometry faculty members at 40 optometry schools in India. It is estimated that the additional training will enable faculty members to positively impact the education of 3,200 optometry students throughout the country.

Light for the World International

Light for the World International will use this grant to train 20 optometrists employed by the national Mozambique government. Participants will undergo specialized training in critical skills related to pediatric eye care, including pediatric refraction and optical corrections.

See Better. Learn Better Jamaica, LTD

The organization will use this grant to provide optometry services and improve the eye health system in western Jamaica. Included in the project are: eye exams and eyeglasses for school-aged children; training of optometry students and opticians and; collaborative efforts with local hospitals and other eye care providers on the island.

Special Olympics International

This grant will fund initiatives to improve the vision and health of people with intellectual disabilities and raise awareness of vision care’s role in their well-being. Funding will be used in support of the organization’s Opening Eyes program, which provides free eye exams and eye glasses to Special Olympics athletes. A portion of the award will also be used to provide specialized training for optometrists, optometry students, and other eye care practitioners who volunteer to provide the exams.

Technological University of Santiago (UTESA)

The grant will enable UTESA to provide comprehensive eye exams and eyeglasses to 1,000 public school children in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. A portion of the funding will also be used to gather research data on the prevalence of refractive error and visual impairment within the Dominican population. Results will be presented to local Dominican authorities, at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Congress, and published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Université de Montréal (UdeM)/Unité de Santé Internationale (USVI)
The project funded by this grant will support the development of new or emerging optometry programs in La Francophonie, namely in Morocco, Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Vietnam, Mali and Senegal.

Université de Montréal

This grant will fund the continuing development and growth of the School of Optometry at the University of Haiti in Port-Au-Prince. The school was established in 2017 in part by funding from Optometry Giving Sight and recognized its first cohort of Haitian optometrists this year.

Vision Action

Vision Action will use this grant to strengthen the optometry profession in Sierra Leone, which currently includes only eight optometrists and 17 optometry technicians. Funding will be used train additional optometry technicians and to support the upcoming launch of the Optometry Association in Sierra Leone to make available continuing professional development for current and future optometrists in the country.

Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity California (VOSH California)

This grant will be used by VOSH California to develop an optical lab at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN). In collaboration with other organizations, Optometry Giving Sight helped fund the creation of a School of Optometry at the university. The award will allow for the purchase of a patternless edger and 20,000 single vision lenses so that many of the eyeglasses prescribed via the school’s community outreach programs can be created on-site, at a much lower cost, allowing for more subsidized or free glasses to those who cannot afford them.

Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH International, Inc.)
This grant will be used toprovide training and equipment for faculty and students of optometry schools in low and middle-income settings within Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Funds will also enable VOSH to offer primary vision care services and eyeglasses to patients in the regions.

World Council of Optometry

The World Council of Optometry will use this grant to offer its Optometry Program in Advocacy and Leadership (OPAL) training to practitioners from countries in which the profession is not yet fully established. The ongoing program is offered virtually and provides participants from throughout the world with the tools and resources they need to develop sustainable vision care advocacy programs in their countries.

During the last 21 years, OGS has funded the establishment of 14 optometry schools in areas of need, trained more than 14,000 optometrists and eye care personnel worldwide, established more than 130 vision centers for clinical training and patient care and served more than 8 million individuals in 47 countries.

Click HERE for the press release.

Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e-newsletters!