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Our View

JoAnne Sommers 4660, Montée Saint-Hubert,
Saint-Hubert (QC) J3Y 1V1
Editor-in-Chief www.bretoncommunications.com
A ll of the time we’ve spent staring at computer screens during the pandemic martine@bretoncom.com
450 629-6005 / 1 888 462-2112
Fax: 514 360-6523
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER
Martine Breton
has not been kind to our eyes.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
There is growing evidence that working, studying and recreating from
JoAnne Sommers
Tel. 250 469-4350
home during COVID, combined with reduced outdoor activity, are
linked to worsening eyesight for people of all ages.
SENIOR EDITOR
Myopia has become a growing concern in the past 20 months, joannesommers2@gmail.com
Paddy Kamen
Tel. : 778 363-3405
especially among children. A study published early this year in JAMA Ophthalmology, paddykamen@gmail.com
using data from Feincheng, China, reported that myopia in children 6-13 increased
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
by up to three times in 2020 compared with the period from 2015-2019. On average, Shirley Ha, B. Sc (Hons), O.D.
children were more short-sighted by -0.3 diopters. The study found that the youngest
school-aged children had the highest increase in nearsightedness. SPECIAL ADVISOR, CONTACT LENSES
Joshua Josephson, B. Sc, OD, FAAO, FACLP
Adults have been impacted, too. The College of Optometrists in the U.K. reported in MEDIA COORDINATOR / COPY EDITOR /
June that its research found 31 per cent of Brits say their eyesight has worsened during RESEARCHER
Omar Chraïbi
the pandemic — up from 22 per cent in June 2020. editorial@bretoncom.com
In many cases, the evidence is anecdotal. Optometrists, for instance, report that WEB COORDINATOR
Vanessa Pelletier
patients who didn’t realize they were farsighted are now having issues seeing up close. advertising@bretoncom.com
And many report headaches and shoulder and back pain associated with spending SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
long periods of time staring at a computer without taking breaks. envision@bretoncom.com
Fortunately, constant improvements to lens designs are helping to keep pace. And GRAPHIC DESIGN
Marco Gagnon
thanks to innovative manufacturing techniques, lens designers can target specific design@bretoncom.com
weaknesses based on each patient’s circumstances.
ADVERTISING
Martine Breton
“Task-specific computer lenses are the most significant lens development in recent martine@bretoncom.com
years,” says Paul Faibish, president of Plastic Plus. “With the increased use of digital 1 888 462-2112
devices, office lenses can be life-changing for clients who struggle with traditional Tel.: 450 629-6005
Fax: 514 360-6523
multifocal designs. And a new market has emerged: young people struggling with
eyestrain, because digital devices are not just affecting presbyopes but also millennials.” CIRCULATION / CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
Vanessa Pelletier
support@bretoncom.com
Doctors and dispensing staff need to understand and communicate to patients how the
PRINTING
special features of new lenses can help them see more clearly and comfortably while Miromedia
at work and play, says Martin Bell, national sales and marketing manager, Shamir.
“Staying abreast of the latest advancements in lens designs is essential to delivering the Published six times a year
best patient care.” Legal deposit
National Library of Canada
Adds Rick Leroux, communications director, Centennial Optical, “It’s important for ISSN 1925-8801 (Print) | ISSN 1925-881X (Online)
ECPs to be able to match their customers’ lifestyle requirements with the appropriate Canadian Publication Mail Product
lens designs, materials and treatments. By understanding and explaining the benefits Convention NO 40021196
of the different options available to them, optical professionals will have happier Postage Paid in Quebec
customers and multiple pair sales will grow their profits.” Any reproduction, in whole or in part, of the herein
publication, is strictly forbidden, without the written
There’s lots more of interest in this issue, including Paddy Kamen’s designer feature authorization of the publisher.
about Diego Kim, the “accidental” designer, and Shirley Ha’s piece on how to keep Printed in Canada
contact lens patients coming back. We hope you enjoy it.. n Please recycle
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6 / SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2021 / www.ENVISIONMAGAZINE.ca /