Author Archives: Envision Magazine

Windows of Opportunity

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By James Ahola

sparkA few years ago I had the pleasure of visiting Mexico on a business trip. Off the shore of our resort, on a little island, stood a small stone structure reminiscent of an ancient Mayan building. I asked a staff member about the building and was told that it was indeed a Mayan building and marks an important date in the earth’s revolution around the sun.

I forget whether it marked the summer or winter solstice or the equinoxes – what is important is how the structure did this. The building has two small windows on opposite walls and as the sun rises on a specific day each year, sunlight passes through them, briefly lighting the second window and the ground behind the structure. This occurs only on the day of the special event.

Intrigued, I visited the island and explored the building, where I found the windows on opposite walls. Looking through one window I saw the sun and ocean as daylight entered the little room. When I went outside and looked through the back window I saw only the inside of the room and if I positioned myself properly I could see the other window facing the ocean. I found it amazing that throughout the year, as the sun rose its rays shone through the first window and caressed the back wall of the hut. But for one designated moment in the cosmic cycle the second window was set aglow by the sun’s rays.

A spectacular display marks that important moment in the calendar year, which passes silently as the window goes dark for another year.

Opportunities in life are like the second window. There are opportunities in business, sports, relationships, in every other aspect of our lives, and each exists for a time before passing. When windows of opportunity present themselves, they may be dazzling and capture the attention of viewers. When we notice them, we have the chance to respond. Unfortunately, the duration of the opportunity is beyond our control.

When I sold cars, I was told to do everything possible to sell the client who walked through the door. It is statistically proven that when someone is interested in buying a car to the point of visiting a dealership, they will do so within a few days. This statistic turned out to be true. When I sold a car I did so within a few days of the first meeting. When I didn’t, I discovered that they had bought elsewhere, sometimes just hours after I met them. For a brief moment the opportunity for a car sale with that individual existed. And when it passed, it would not re-appear for another four to six years.

The same is true for all opportunities. If we wait too long, the window of opportunity goes dark and our ability to take advantage of it is lost. Some windows of opportunity, the most precious ones, happen only once in a lifetime. So one of the most important traits we can posses is diligence. The diligent seize opportunities as they present themselves, thus amassing wonderful experiences and precious possessions. Some onlookers may call them lucky but luck has little to do with it. Opportunities favour no one. Some are visible to all who are looking, while others are presented to us exclusively. Regardless, it is always the diligent who seize them.

Never pine or cry over a lost opportunity, for nothing can turn back the clock or recreate it. Rather, turn your efforts to recognizing opportunities and preparing yourself to embrace them. For as one window of opportunity closes, another will soon appear. When your window of opportunity is set aglow, be quick to recognize it and swift and effective in seizing it.

Tweens & Contact Lenses – Made for each other!

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By Shirley Ha, BSc. (Hons), O.D.

makingcontactWho are tweens? According to Wikipedia, they are youths, usually between the ages of 8 and 12. These young people go through a transitional phase of self-awareness and discovery, peer pressure and social acceptance as they develop their independence and interact with others. At that stage, adding eyeglasses with their associated social stigma can be an overwhelming experience. Alternatively, adjunct contact lenses can provide tweens with additional benefits beyond simple vision correction for refractive errors.

A literature overview by the Faculty of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Amsterdam showed that wearing eyeglasses negatively impacted how children felt about their physical appearance because of negative stereotyping by peers.[i] In a study of 585 tweens and teens, eyeglasses were also perceived as socially unacceptable, while contact lenses were the preferred ‘eye correction choice’ for school, sports activities and hanging out with friends.[ii]

When should practitioners start introducing contact lenses to tweens? In the Children & Contact Lenses study conducted by the American Optometric Association, more than half (51 per cent) of 576 optometrists surveyed felt that 10 to 12 years of age was appropriate, while 12 per cent felt that ages eight to nine were suitable.[iii]

Among tweens, emotional and social behaviour varies, so the question of when they should start wearing contact lenses is often not a matter of age. Rather, factors such as interest, motivation, hygiene, maturity and sense of responsibility in adhering to the care and wearing schedule will determine a tween’s suitability and probability of success.3 

The three-year multi-site Adolescent and Child Health Initiative to Encourage Vision Empowerment (ACHIEVE) Study from the Ohio State University College of Optometry revealed that myopic contact lens-wearing tweens felt significantly better about their physical appearance, social acceptance and athletic abilities than did tweens who wore eyeglasses. They also felt more confident about their academic performance if they initially disliked their eyeglasses.[iv]  A follow-up study concluded that tweens over the age of 10 who played sports, those who were motivated to wear contacts, and those who disliked wearing eyeglasses were the best candidates for contact lens wear.[v]

But can tweens handle contact lens care and wear once they pass the initial screening process? Several studies have supported the belief that tweens as young as eight are able to insert, remove and independently care for and wear contact lenses successfully.[vi],[vii] Similarly, the Contact Lenses In Pediatrics (CLIP) study of 84 tweens and 85 teens (13 to 17) showed that tweens were as compliant with contact lens care and wear instructions as teens.[viii]

There is also no evidence of increased eye health risk or harm for tweens wearing contact lenses. In the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) Study of 3,549 soft contact lens wearers, 8- to 15-year-olds had significantly fewer corneal infiltrative and inflammatory events (CIEs) than 15- to 25-years-olds.[ix] Another online survey showed that after 10 years of contact lens wear, 86 wearers fitted with contact lenses at age 12 or younger had similarly few adverse events, were as compliant, comfortable and successful as the 89 wearers fitted with contact lenses as teenagers.[x]

Tweens and teens have similar corneal anatomy and physiology.  They do not take more practice chair time to fit contact lenses and are shown to be as easy to fit as teens.8 

The trend to fit tweens with contact lenses is shifting. The advances in contact lens designs and materials are allowing eyecare practitioners to fit more children and tweens with contact lenses, especially daily disposables. Single use lenses are healthy, safe, simple, easy to handle and comfortable, and should be the first-time contact lens choice for tweens. 2,6 

Tweens are continually figuring out their identities and how they fit in with and contribute to society.  Even with today’s vast array of colourful and trendy frames, tweens welcome the prospect of contact lenses when given the opportunity. Although tweens make up a small percentage of your patient population, practitioners should ask about their interest in wearing contact lenses and never limit the choices available to them. Offer every tween and parent the option of selecting contact lenses as an alternative to eyeglasses. With parental approval and support, the social benefits, along with the known visual benefits and safety of contact lenses are undeniable.

Build on the excitement of that first fit and have tweens spread their enthusiasm to friends and family members. And don’t forget to prescribe appropriate sunglasses and eye protection for sports, too. Finally, what’s not to like about the revenue opportunities that happy parents and tweens offer you? They make for a winning combination.

[i] JELLESMA, F.C. “Do glasses change children’s perceptions? Effects of eyeglasses on peer- and self-perception”, European Journal of Developmental Psychology, July 2012, Volume 0, Issue 0, pp 1-12.

[ii] SILBERT, J.A. “Fitting Tweens and Teens with Daily Disposables”, Contact Lens Spectrum, April 2009.

[iii] Children & Contact Lenses: Doctors’ Attitudes & Practices in Fitting Children in Contacts, AOA Executive Summary, October 2010.

[iv] WALLINE, J.J., JONES, L.A., SINNOTT, L., CHITKARA, M., COFFEY, B., JACKSON, J.M., MANNY, R.E., RAH, M.J., PRINSTEIN, M.J., the ACHIEVE Study Group. “Randomized trial of the effect of contact lens wear on self-perception in children”, Optometry and Vision Science, March 2009, Volume 86, Issue 3, pp 222-32.

[v] RAH, M.J., WALLINE, J.J., JONES-JORDAN, L.A., SINNOTT, L.T., JACKSON, J.M., MANNY, R.E., COFFEY, B., LYONS, S.; the ACHIEVE Study Group.  “Vision Specific Quality of Life of Pediatric Contact Lens Wearers”, Optometry and Vision Science, August 2010, Volume 87, Issue 8, pp 560-6.

[vi] WALLINE, J.J., LONG, S., ZADNIK, K. “Daily Disposable Contact Lens Wear in Myopic Children”, Optometry and Vision Science, April 2004, Volume 81, Issue 4, pp 255-9.

[vii] WALLINE, J.J., GAUME, A., JONES, L.A., RAH, M.J., MANNY, R.E., BERNTSEN, D.A., CHITKARA, M., KIM, A., QUINN, N. “Benefits of Contact Lens Wear for Children and Teens”, Eye Contact Lens, November 2007, Volume 33, Issue 6, Part 1 of 2, pp 317-21.

[viii] WALLINE, J.J., JONES, L.A., RAH, M.J., MANNY, R.E., BERNTSEN, D.A., CHITKARA, M., GAUME, A., KIM, A., QUINN, N., and THE CLIP STUDY GROUP. “Contact Lenses in Pediatrics (CLIP) Study: Chair Time and Ocular Health”, Optometry and Vision Science, September 2007, Volume 84, pp 896-902

[ix] CHALMERS, R.L., WAGNER, H., MITCHELL, L., LAM, D.Y., KINOSHITA, B.T., JANSEN, M.E., RICHDALE, K., SORBARA, L., MCMAHON, T.T.  “Age and Other Risk Factors for Corneal Infiltrative and Inflammatory Events in Young Soft Contact Lens Wearers from the Contact Lens Assessment in Youth (CLAY) Study”, Investigative Ophthalmology & Vision Science, August 2011, Volume 52, no. 9, pp 6690-6.

[x] WALLINE, J.J., EMCH, A.J., LAUL, A., REUTER, K., NICHOLS, J.J. Comparison of success in contact lens wearers fitted as children vs teenagers, ARVO poster May 2011.

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Visual Stylists Fit Frames at Les Branchés Lunetterie

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(Fitting Frames, Second in a Series)
By Paddy Kamen

How many opera singers also fit frames? Soprano Anne-Marie Faniel is one of a kind and, along with her husband and business partner Patrick Bolduc (optician), she has built a chain of three stores in Quebec under the name Les Branchés Lunetterie, in St-Jérôme, Montreal and Old Quebec City. The starting point of the stores’ philosophy is to offer the lowest possible prices on designer frames, along with high quality lenses sold at honest markups, says Faniel.

FittingFrames2

Beyond maintaining a stylish image as a professional singer, Faniel also worked as a hairstyling and makeup artist for television and magazines while training as a classical singer at the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal from 1985 to 1992. She has brought all her artistic gifts to bear in the visual styling essential for proper frame fitting. “Above all, I want my clients to be fully aware of their unique beauty,” she says.

Because Faniel is also committed to her career in opera, she trained other visual stylists to work with clients, always keeping in mind her key principles of metamorphosis and aesthetics. “Every face is unique and can be enhanced with eyewear. We work with hair colour, skin tone, eye colour and facial features. I firmly believe that everyone can be as beautiful, colourful, funky and stylish as they want to be, no matter their age, gender or the style they embodied in the past. Everyone has the right to look stunning!”

In addition to carrying the latest trendy frame stylings from around the globe, Faniel has also created her own eponymous collection. These too, are unique, as she explains: “I began to design frames a long time ago but I wasn’t able to find a manufacturer who would work with recycled materials and cotton acetate until 2008. That’s when Faniel eyewear – my artistic, ecological and hand-made collection – was born. We premiered our unique collection at Silmo 2010 and it continues to grow. We are selling them exclusively in our own stores in Quebec but we’re happy to distribute them in other provinces.”

Faniel and her staff aim for highly personalized service, wanting every customer to have an experience unlike any they have previously had in an optical shop. “Human, honest, personalized service is an essential part of the experience,” she notes. “I want our customers to realize the look they truly want, deep inside, beyond all past judgments they may have had about themselves. When they leave our stores, I want them to feel proud of their glasses and of their unique beauty.”

As for Faniel’s singing career, it is still going full force. She recently released a new album – Vincerò – with songs written expressly for her by Quebec producer-arranger Marc Provençal. Faniel will tour globally to promote the album, with a Montreal concert scheduled for November 30. Arguably the most artistic optical professional in Canada, Faniel gives of her creativity to her art and her clients equally.

New Practice Management Software Excels by Every Measure

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By Paddy Kamen

eyeonindustry_ocucoThere’s a ‘new kid on the block’ in the world of practice management software and if you’re looking to increase sales, organize your office to a ‘T’, and have access to new business development tools, you’ll want to check out the latest player in the Canadian optical market: Acuitas by Ocuco.

While relatively new to Canada, having launched in May 2012, Ocuco is the number one software developer for optical practices in Europe and the second largest optical retail software company in the world. The company’s expansion into North America from its home base in Ireland adds to its already successful presence in 36 countries including the UK, Italy, France, Spain and Australia. As thought leaders in the industry, Ocuco has 17 years of solid growth under its belt, with over 100 employees, including 40 developers. The company has invested over $20 million in R&D, making it the practice management suite leader in the industry.

Ocuco software has been installed in over 5,000 locations world-wide since 1997. It serves independent eyecare professionals (ECPs), optical retail chains of all sizes, as well as optical lens manufacturing labs, for the fulfillment of all aspects of the patient’s journey. Customers include Vision Express in the UK and Salmoiraghi & Vigano in Italy. In each market, Ocuco has ‘localized’ its software so that health insurance plans, whether public or private, and the local vernacular are incorporated.

“Our software, for both opticians and optometrists, is less expensive and far more comprehensive in its offerings than that of our competition. We offer scaled versions for just retail alone and for electronic medical records,” says Dermot Walsh, vice-president of sales for North America. “With most other systems you need to change your process to work with it. But with Acuitas, we can configure our application and mold the system to best fit your business needs, making for an easy transition period.”

So easy, in fact, that Ocuco recently won a software “face-off” with the buying group Vision Source. The event allowed six vendors a one-to-one face-off where the names of the competing vendors were picked from a hat. Contestants were then read a script and had to demonstrate how quickly and easily they could incorporate it into their system. “All the other vendors used doctors who were experienced with their system to do the input,” explains Walsh. “I took a person from the audience and gave her 15 minutes of training to demonstrate the simplicity of the application. We won hands down with 54 per cent of the votes and are now the supplier of choice for Vision Source Canada.”

Yes, the software is easy to use but Ocuco doesn’t skimp on support. Their support team of 38 is the largest in the global optics industry. “Ocuco offers what we call ‘follow-the-sun’ support. Our engineers are always online waiting to assist you, no matter the time or time zone,” explains Walsh. “All new practices receive a welcome call, hardware review, stock setup, data migration, onsite training and go-live day support, follow up advanced on-site training and dedicated account management and consulting. Furthermore, our staff members resolve customer inquiries on the first call 94 per cent of the time, which is a remarkable record.”

Integration is the name of the game for Ocuco’s Acuitas, which was the first paperless practice management system with full integration of all imaging equipment and data systems. “Our customers can seamlessly manage the entire patient journey from marketing and appointment booking, through to exam, dispensing, order collection, recall and e-commerce,” notes Walsh. “All types of clinical systems are integrated for automated validation, electronic submission and reconciliation of insurance claims.

“Business Intelligence (BI) reports are a key feature of the system and essential to the survival of any business,” says Walsh. “These BI reports include revenues, exam outcomes, sales figures, stock availability, sales and brand performances, recall trends and return-on-investment (ROI). With 65 BI reports in Acuitas, there’s no more guessing about how your business is performing,” he adds.

The proven ROI of Acuitas is very impressive indeed. “We can demonstrate a six-month ROI,” notes Walsh. “Our software reduces the time needed for an examination because all the information is at the practitioner’s fingertips immediately through interfaces with optical equipment including the Rx, the diagnostics, previous lens and frame selections, stock availability and so on. Recalls are automated and can be accomplished by email, letter, text messaging or phone. A lot of administrative time is saved, in addition to chair time. Plus the conversion rate from exam to sale can be increased by up to eight per cent. This gain alone will pay for the application.”

Personalized demonstrations of the software are available via the Ocuco website at: http://www.ocuco.ca/demonstration.html. “I’d rather take a potential client through the demonstration personally, rather than conduct group webinars,” says Walsh.

So the ‘new kid’ is in fact, a well-seasoned global software developer for the optical community. Who knew?

Study Identifies Cause of Blindness

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By JoAnne Sommers

DiscoveringAn exciting gene discovery by a McGill University-led team of international scientists could soon pave the way for treatment of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA), a devastating genetic form of blindness that appears at birth or within the first few months of life. LCA affects about one in 80,000 newborns.

The team, led by Dr. Robert Koenekoop, director of the McGill Ocular Genetics Laboratory and chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, identified the gene, which is called NMNAT1. One of 18 genes which are responsible for LCA, NMNAT1 is crucial for the survival of neurons. It has never before been associated with any human disease.

“This is probably one of the most important discoveries in neuroscience and blindness in the past 15 years,” said Dr. Koenekoop. “Researchers have been looking for the link between NMNAT1 mutations and human disease in the brain or body for many years.”

The gene NMNAT1 is found in every cell in the human body. It produces a vital coenzyme called NAD, which is involved in hundreds of reactions in the cell. Interestingly, NMNAT1 is also part of a rescue mechanism that slows degeneration of neurons and thus helps to prevent the onset of many diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

To Dr. Koenekoop NMNAT1 is one of the most exciting of the genes known to cause LCA because it opens up a whole new pathway of disease. “We can now identify the gene responsible for LCA in 75 per cent of children,” he said. “We are getting closer to being able to identify all the genes for this form of child blindness and develop effective treatments.”

Because higher levels of NAD have been shown to significantly delay degeneration of neurons, the team’s work raises the possibility that giving NAD as a drug in young LCA patients with NMNAT1 mutations may be a potential therapeutic option to cure blindness in the near future, he added.

The team has already developed a one-hour genetic test that can determine whether a newborn with LCA has the NMNAT1 mutation and costs only $1 to administer. The ability to determine the existence of the mutation at such an early age is very important because LCA is a progressive disease; there is significant atrophy of the retina by age 10 so early treatment would be very beneficial.

“If you think a baby has LCA (it usually becomes evident at six weeks when the infant stops looking at the parents) a blood test will determine conclusively whether the condition is present,” said Dr. Koenekoop.

The project was funded in part by the Government of Canada through GenomeCanada, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Ontario Genomics Institute. Additional funding was provided by Génome Québec and Genome BritishColumbia. It was also funded in part by the Foundation Fighting Blindness (FFB), a national private charity that funds vision research to find the causes, treatments and cures for inherited, degenerative forms of blindness.

“Dr. Koenekoop and his colleagues have had tremendous success in uncovering and understanding the genetics of LCA,” said Sharon Colle, the Foundation’s CEO and President. “Identifying the mutations that cause LCA helps families struggling with this rare disease get a firm diagnosis, which is the first step towards potential treatments.”

In addition to Dr. Koenekoop’s group, the study involved the laboratory of Dr. Rui Chen, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine,Houston; the laboratory of Dr. Jacek Majewski at the McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre; The University of Leeds, UK team and FORGE Canada Consortium.

The study results were published in the journal Nature Genetics.

Munich Trade Show Full of Optimism

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By Paddy Kamen

eventFrom January 13 to 15, 2012, the premier German optical trade show thrilled both exhibitors and visitors with business and learning opportunities, along with an evening of fun in the heart of the Bavarian capital. The show, formerly known as opti Munich, is now branded simply ‘opti’ with the current iteration following the name – in this case opti ‘12.

Twenty-seven countries from around the globe sent exhibitors to opti ‘12, with products ranging from contact lenses, ophthalmic lenses and optical instruments to technology and retail set-up. As with every opti, several companies launched new creations at the show, including L.A. Eyeworks, Opo Design Sweden and The Norville Group, from Gloucester,England.

The high-end TD Tom Davies brand from Britain has been exhibiting at opti for several years. “opti has become our most important show,” says Managing Director Tom Davies. “I’ve been telling my opticians and fellow eyewear designers about our successes at Munich for some years now. It is a great place to present something new and innovative. For us, its position at the start of the year is really ideal; it represents the perfect opportunity to launch new products and collections in an intimate yet very well-attended setting.”

“Exhibitors like taking advantage of this first-of-the-year opportunity to show off their innovative new products,” said Dieter Dohr, CEO and president of GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH, the company that organizes the show. “We’re proud of the fact that opti acts as a guide for the industry as the year opens. We find that more companies are now gearing their production schedule to opti ‘12. It provides a good indication of how the year will unfold for them.”

The show is also eagerly anticipated by buyers, with 23,000 from many countries attending this year. A post-show survey demonstrates opti ‘12’s popularity with buyers. Almost 90 per cent of them rated the show as ‘good to very good’. Visiting retailers were able to take advantage of the chance to learn how to protect their products from shoplifting in a special section of the show reserved for manufacturers and distributors of protective technologies.

Relationships between buyers and sellers were strengthened at opti ‘12. Exhibitors surveyed reported higher order numbers than the previous year and increasing interest in their product from buyers from abroad. The overall mood was good and views were upbeat about economic prospects for the coming year. Over half the participants reported their expectations of the future as ‘good to excellent’. This is heartening indeed, especially in light of the troubled euro.

The most famous beer hall in the world, Munich’s Hofbräuhaus, was the scene for an evening of conviviality and networking, with exhibitors and visitors to the show relaxing, chatting and imbibing. The German association of eyecare professionals, known as Zentralverband der Augenoptiker (ZVA), had a presence at the event. ZVA President Thomas Truckenbrod, said, “It was an optimum evening and a real highlight of opti ‘12.” He added: “Our stand was always busy and we could feel the optimism of our colleagues for 2012.”

The next opti takes place January 25 – 27, 2013 in Munich.

Tamara Tedesco: Living Life on the Edge Pays Off

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By Evra Taylor

Three words – optic nerve glioma – don’t exactly roll off your tongue but it’s a condition Tamara Tedesco has lived with since infancy. Vancouver-born Tedesco was diagnosed with the condition at 18 months when her parents received what she calls a quick “spot-on” diagnosis.

Optic nerve glioma is an uncommon condition involving tumours that press on the optic nerve, causing blindness. In Tedesco’s case, there is a benign tumour on the optic nerve of each eye. She underwent 18 months of chemotherapy to shrink the tumours, an experience she “sailed through,” considering the trauma of both the disability and the treatment.

Now 26, Tedesco describes the treatment experience in a way that reflects her positive attitude. “People ask if it was difficult to go through. Actually, it wasn’t. I have no bad memories, apart from feeling nauseous much of the time I was on chemotherapy. My parents definitely had a harder time with it than I did.”

As often occurs with childhood illness, Tedesco thought her condition was just part of life because it was all she knew. “Being so young, I thought my reality was normal and that every kid had to do the things I did.” In one instance, her lack of sight proved a blessing. “When my hair started falling out, I couldn’t see that other peoples’ hair wasn’t falling out, too,” she said.

Tedesco now has roughly eight per cent vision in her right eye and light perception in her left. Her peripheral vision is completely gone, resulting in tunnel vision. Tedesco uses the word “lucky” to describe the fact that her condition is stable. She undergoes an MRI every two years, each of which has shown that the tumours are shrinking slightly.

Overall, Tedesco’s life experience has been positive. She attended mainstream schools and began learning Braille around age four.  She enjoyed school and had no trouble making friends. “I wasn’t shy. There was fear, curiosity and awkwardness on the part of other kids but I was a bit of a novelty and learned how to use my differences to advantage.”

Tedesco attended the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), graduating with a certificate in marketing and communications in 2010. She currently works as a communications coordinator, handling public relations, media relations and community outreach for the British Columbia and Yukon office of CNIB in Vancouver.

“This is exactly what I wanted to do. I really enjoy the fact that the work is different every day,” Tedesco remarked. Her future career plans include continuing to work in areas where her excellent communication skills can be put to use. “I can really get behind the idea of increasing independence for people who are blind or partially sighted”.

The hallmark of Tedesco’s life is her ability to advocate for herself – to look honestly at her needs and seek assistance when necessary. Now, she hopes to help others do the same. “By the time I reached post-secondary school I really knew how to advocate for myself. I took my laptop to class and asked the teachers for assistance. Whatever accommodations I requested were granted”.

In terms of navigating her life, Tedesco relies on the guide dog she has had since age 15. (At the time, she was the second youngest person in North America to have such a dog.) She describes the experience as “life changing”, increasing her independence tremendously. She counts herself fortunate to have parents who were extremely positive role models. “They encouraged me to try things and not to be afraid to take risks.” Tedesco did everything other children did, including climbing trees and riding a bike. Ever the daredevil, she also likes to rock climb and swim – activities she would, “never recommend to other blind people. It’s the way I was raised but it’s not for everybody.”

Tedesco’s self-advocacy takes the form of offering this advice to other blind or partially sighted individuals: don’t let blindness get in your way but be aware of the need to adapt your activities and of the effects blindness will have on your life. “I didn’t realize until just a few years ago that my blindness tires me,” she noted. “I wear out faster than other people so I take a daily 15-minute nap to recharge my batteries.”

As part of her commitment to defend the rights of the disabled and advocate on their behalf, Tedesco is a member of the board of directors of B.C.’s Access for Sight Impaired Consumers (ASIC), an independent, consumer-driven advocacy coalition addressing issues affecting people who are blind, sight impaired or deaf-blind.

“Allowing yourself to accept help is important. People are willing to make things as easy for disabled individuals as they can. It makes them feel good – and they certainly don’t look at you as less of a human being if you ask for help. This is something the blind person has to discover for himself.”

The REYvolution Continues

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The REYvolution Continues

More than seven months after its initial launch, and with an ever increasing following, the new J.F. Rey website is deemed a great success.

Besides the favourable comments on design and ease of use, the quality of the service comes out on top. The web concept redesigned by themarketingand communication team at J.F. Rey is confirmed, perfectly adapted to the needs of clients, even though the brand remains open to improvement.

Reactivity, reliability, high performance and quality all come together to make this useful tool part of daily life for optical partners. But that’s not all. Consumers have also adopted the www.jfrey.fr reflex, an extraordinary opportunity for the brand, to develop and reinforce its communication with the final wearer.

J.F. Rey’s progressing web presence is evidenced by the numerous customer testimonials posted daily to the site via the contact box. “Clients testify to the pleasure of wearing our models, congratulating us on the quality and originality of the collections, they send us their photos and ask for our advice for their future purchases! We hoped to create a strong, close relationship with the general public and that has now been done!” confides the communication andmarketingdepartment.

Now go and visit www.jfrey.fr. Gorgeous!

Winter Sun Promotion Winners

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Winter Sun Promotion Winners

As snow has been replaced by the summer sun, Vision-Ease Lens announces the grand prize winners of the Winter Sun Promotion offered in partnership with Riverside Opticalab in Ottawa, Superlab in Montreal, and AN Optical in Waterloo. More than 50 eyecare professionals (ECPs) participated in the promotion that ran from Jan. 1 through March 31, which introduced ECPs to Coppertone® polarized lenses and encouraged patient education in year-round eye protection.

The grand prize winners are:

1st prize – iPad II: Ottawa Optometry Clinic, Ottawa, ON

2nd prize – Kindle Fire: Lenz and Trenz, Uxbridge, ON

3rd prize – iPod Nano: Harding Optical, Calgary, AB

ECPs were automatically entered to win monthly prizes by registering for the promotion, which required watching a brief educational video about the dangers of solar radiation to the eyes, and the benefits of Coppertone polarized lenses. Each pair of Coppertone lenses sold earned ECPs a chance in the drawing to win a grand prize.

Optika Eyewear Brings Hello Kitty to Canada

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Optika Eyewear Brings Hello Kitty to Canada

Optika Eyewear is pleased to announce the Canadian debut of the Hello Kitty eyewear collection, launchedJune 1, 2012. The most recognizable Japanese character in the world, Hello Kitty was created in 1974 by the Sanrio group and has become a global sensation seen on everything from handbags to telephones.

Featuring 18 retro-inspired designs and with extensive use of tone-on-tone acetate colour combinations, Hello Kitty eyewear is anything but ordinary. With exciting rich purples, dark plums and vibrant peaches, the use of unique coloured crystal acetates makes this line perfect for today’s kids who want to make a statement.

The models demonstrate truly original temple designs and have beautifully crafted metal inserts. The results are gorgeous grownup-looking frames that perfectly fit children’s smaller faces.