Blog

December 11, 2015April 24, 2018

Orgreen Finds its Inspiration Everywhere

ORGREEN OPTICS is known for its innovative approach to design, choice of materials, stylistic signature and combination of original colours. Its inspiration comes from all over: cult movies, charismatic individuals, an explosive cocktail, urban culture or the underground artistic scene, and always music…

Four new optical models are now available in the fall-winter collection. And to protect our eyes on bright sunny days, nine new sunglasses are dedicated to albums that never cease to amaze.

Distributed by Prisme Optical Group http://prismeoptical.com

December 11, 2015April 24, 2018

Transitions Research: Are You Underserving Multicultural Patients?

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. – While the vast majority of Canadian eye care professionals (93%) say they serve culturally diverse patients, 40% admit that they do not take steps to educate themselves about culturally diverse patients – and even fewer take proactive steps to connect with these patients, according to a recent survey from Transitions Optical, Inc.[i]

“Our consumer research shows that cultural sensitivity is highly valued among Canadians – and with Canadian Millennials such a diverse generation, we expect that this is a trend that will continue,” said Isabelle Tremblay-Dawson, senior marketing manager, Canada, Transitions Optical. “This suggests that eye care professionals could strengthen their relationships with not just multicultural patients, but all patients, by placing more focus on a multicultural strategy.”

For example, according to Tremblay-Dawson, more than three-fourths of Canadians surveyed agree that it is a sign of respect for another’s culture when their eye care professional offers educational materials that are bilingual or in a language other than English or French.[ii] Yet, only 7% of Canadian ECPs surveyed report that they are supplying culturally diverse patients with bilingual/in-language resources.

The survey further revealed that only 34% of ECPs employ bilingual staff members, and even fewer employ diverse staff members (26%). Only 22% offer staff training, 15% use diverse imagery when marketing and 9% participate in community events.

Transitions Optical offers a number of education resources to help ECPs prepare their practices to meet diverse patient needs through its Transitions Cultural Connections^™ initiative. Several materials, including professional education and bilingual and in-language resources, are available free-of-charge at TransitionsCanadaPRO.ca.

[i] Eyecare professional online survey was conducted by Breton Communications on behalf of Transitions Optical, Inc. among 218 professionals (22% optometrists; 63% opticians/dispensers; 15% other) between February 26 and March 13, 2015.

[ii] Online survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Transitions Optical, Inc., among 1,000 Canadian adults, ages 18-69. The survey included oversamples to statistically significant subgroups of Asian Canadians, African Canadians and Aboriginal Canadians and was fielded between February 20th and March 6th, 2015.

December 10, 2015April 24, 2018

Anti-epileptic Drug Study to Reveal Scope of Potential Serious Vision Side Effects

The anti-epileptic drug vigabatrin, sold under the brand name Sabril, has as a side effect of mild to severe vision problems and possible permanent loss of vision. This visual field constriction occurs without clinically observable fundal pathology and does not reverse when the patient stops taking vigabatrin. Patients are advised to tell their doctor if they have vision problems such as retinitis or glaucoma before taking vigabatrin, and to have a thorough eye exam before beginning treatment, with eye exams every three months while on the medication to track potential vision loss (www.drugs.com/sabril.html).

The largest prospective study evaluating vision changes in adult patients with refractory complex partial seizures (rCPS) will be available to view next month at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) in Philadelphia. The single-arm, open-label study enrolled vigabatrin-naïve adult patients to evaluate changes in visual field and retinal structure during one-year exposure to vigabatrin, in addition to other anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).

“It is crucial that we continue to study the risk of vision loss,” said study investigator Kenneth D. Laxer, MD, professor emeritus of clinical neurology and neurosurgery, University of California San Francisco, and the medical director for the California Pacific Epilepsy Program. “We are looking forward to sharing the largest prospective study evaluating the effect of vigabatrin on vision in adult patients with rCPS.”

Further information: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151125005377/en/Largest-Prospective-Study-Evaluating-Effect-Vigabatrin-Vision

December 9, 2015April 24, 2018

Rock Out in Style with Vinyl Factory’s Ryder

Being Rock n’ roll isn’t just a matter of music, it’s a lifestyle. Vinyl Factory’s Ryder totally got this point and resists almost everything, as it is made of stainless steel.

Distributed by Optiman Inc.: www.optimaninc.com

December 9, 2015April 24, 2018

Pharmaceutical Company Acquires Merck’s Glaucoma Portfolio

Mundipharma Ophthalmology Products Limited announced an agreement with Merck to acquire their ophthalmology portfolio for the treatment of increased ocular pressure caused by open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension, in Australia, Canada, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and New Zealand.

The acquired portfolio consists of COSOPT®, COSOPT® Preservative ‐ Free, SAFLUTAN®, TIMOPTIC®, TIMOPTIC XE®, TIMOPTIC® Preservative ‐ Free, TRUSOPT® and TRUSOPT® Preservative ‐ Free, which cover the primary treatment methods of open-angle glaucoma. TIMOPTIC® is on the World Health Organisation’s list of essential medicines, and an important first line therapy. SAFLUTAN® is a prostaglandin analogue, the most common and effective category of drugs prescribed for glaucoma; while COSOPT®, SAFLUTAN® and TRUSOPT® all provide important therapies for patients requiring subsequent treatment.

“For Mundipharma, this acquisition is a strategic entry to the global ophthalmology sector with a strong base of proven and trusted products,” said Raman Singh, President of Mundipharma Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa. “Mundipharma will invest our capabilities, leverage Merck’s successful clinical history and continue the legacy of trust by providing high quality solutions that address critical patient needs and expand access to these important medications in the regions which Mundipharma covers.”