Archives de l’auteur : Envision Magazine

New Lens to Fit a Modern Home & Office Lifestyle

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New Lens to Fit a Modern Home & Office Lifestyle

Nikon has developed a new lens called Home & Office, specifically designed for comfortable indoor vision focusing on extended intermediate vision.

Research suggests that Canadians spend up to 90% of their time indoors, with an average of nine hours a day in front of a screen. The majority of screens are positioned at what is considered an intermediate distance.  Nikon researchers had this changing lifestyle in mind when they designed the Home & Office lens which provides a 50% wider intermediate zone than the traditional progressive lens.  In other words, it allows the wearer a clear view whether it’s of a computer/tablet or simply looking across the room.

As compared to a progressive lens, Nikon’s Home & Office improves natural head and eye movement and helps alleviate many symptoms that may be caused by increased time spent indoors using your intermediate vision. Home & Office lenses – designed to fit your prescription, lifestyle and visual needs.

The Nikon Home & Office lens is suitable for many professions: physicians, surgeons, musicians, hairdressers, customer service agents, architects, accountants, seamstresses, artists, assembly line workers, air traffic controllers, electricians, technicians and the list goes on.

In fact, Nikon Home & Office is recommended to any presbyope working or spending time indoors and desiring an extended intermediate field of vision. A digital task specific lens, Nikon Home & Office is available in indices 1.50, 1.60, 1.67 and 1.74, from total sphere +8.00D to -12.00D, cylinder -6.00D. Available in Nikon renowned coatings:  SeeCoat Blue, SeeCoat Plus, ICE and HCC.

Subtlety

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Subtlety

Cenoco unveils two new ophthalmic frames from their Cinzia line that will surely turn heads. Designer Cynthia Shapiro created her signature collection as the hallmark of her personal style. Defined by expert craftsmanship and a colour palette that ranges from discrete to daring, these dynamic pieces balance classic sophistication with chic style. Cinzia’s styles are perfect for the contemporary and versatile woman who is looking for the timeless staples of a well-rounded wardrobe.

Featuring a savvy mix of materials including Mazzucchelli acetate, titanium, and laser-cut stainless steel, these looks are urbane, confident and completely wearable, allowing the wearer’s personal style to take center stage. Classic styles get a modern twist with bold curving brow lines, geometric eye shapes, and flared endpieces. Neutral yet unconventional colour schemes, some previously relegated only to sunwear, create a fresh spin that goes with any outfit.

The CIN-5004 Mazzucchelli acetate model boasts an oversize teacup eyeshape, a two-tone front, and spring hinges. A keyhole bridge lends a classic detail to a modern style. CIN-5004 is available in three eye colour-enhancing combinations: variegated jade with crystal amber, variegated rust with crystal grey, and blue horn with smoke.

With a curvy brow line and narrow temples accentuated with contrasting colour, the CIN-5005 model brings a fresh perspective to an iconic style. The two-tone acetate offers a slightly oversized teacup eye and spring hinges for a comfortable fit available in three colours: grey with pearlized raspberry, plum with pearl bronze, and black with forest green.

What’s New Pussycat?

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What’s New Pussycat?

Spectacle Eyeworks adds three sleek new styles to their infamous Pussy Galore eyewear collection. 

Pussy Galore, originally inspired by and adapted from the authentic cat-eye styles of the 1950’s and 60’s, has stayed true to its vintage roots with these additions while getting tweaked in all the right places. The result is a slightly larger, simply sexy frame with a more modern appeal. 

Mehran Baghaie, operations director and chief designer at Spectacle Eyeworks, says “I wanted to take the authentic essence of the cat-eye frame with all of its femininity and character but make it a little bigger in order to fit and flatter a more diverse range of face sizes and shapes.” 

Another new element of these designs is the special finishing technique utilized.   After the frame fronts are rough polished, a glossy topcoat is added to enhance color dimension and create a more unique product. Sultry and strong, bold yet simple, versatile and inspiring, Pussy Galore is the expression of modern femininity. 

Each new style is available in five vibrant and classic layered colour combinations including marble and violet. All frames include a signature case, point-of-purchase display, and one-year warranty.

Patient Privacy Regulations in Canada: Safeguarding the Public’s Information

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By Evra Taylor

legalangleAmid growing concern about access to patient information, questions have been raised about how to protect patients’ privacy in terms of information gathering, record keeping and safeguarding confidentiality.

David Fraser, a Halifax-based privacy lawyer with the firm of McInnis Cooper is familiar with the ins and outs of Canada’s privacy laws and their application for optometrists and opticians. He points out that one cannot refer to “a privacy act” in Canada because the laws that govern privacy in this country are a patchwork of provincial and federal acts and updates that compose a tapestry of legislation.

Interestingly,Quebec was the first province to enact privacy legislation. However, the legislative principles are the same across the country and Canada’s privacy regulations are quite comprehensive, according to Fraser. The laws encompass patient information from the moment it’s collected, through its lifecycle in a professional’s practice.

“Some pharmacies, for example, have consulting rooms so that if the client has questions about their prescription, they can address them privately. If such a room isn’t available, that may be an infraction,” he explained. In addition, the practitioner must obtain the individual’s consent for disclosure of personal information. The optician or optometrist must collect and disclose only the minimum amount of information about patients and their practice must have safeguards in place against the loss or misuse of patient records.

One of the most important privacy requirements is that an optician with a retail practice is obliged to designate an individual who is responsible for privacy regulation compliance. This can be the optometrist-owner, an administrator or an office manager. Fraser points out that in the case of a multi-location optical chain, it makes sense to have someone responsible for compliance onsite at each location; this is essential in creating accountability.

Staff training – and refresher sessions – in issues relating to safeguarding patient information are crucial, he adds. In fact, this training is recommended by Jennifer Stoddart, the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. “In my experience, people become de-sensitized and deal with private data quite casually. Sometimes you lose sight of how sensitive this information is,” explains Fraser.

Naturally, any healthcare professional needs to be aware of their reputation. If an optician becomes known for not caring about consumer privacy, their practice will no doubt suffer. And for regulated professionals, engaging in unprofessional conduct can expose them to discipline by a regulator.

A highly publicized breach of privacy occurred in 2010 when a Canadian optical firm disclosed a client’s personal information without his consent and subsequently failed to provide him with access to that information. The firm didn’t suffer any real consequences; as Fraser points out, the Privacy Commissioner doesn’t have any powers to levy fines or to issue orders. “The worst consequence in a case like this is to name and shame the company.”

Is Canada’s privacy legislation adequate? “Yes,” Fraser contends. “If the legislation is followed, it’s adequate”. That’s a big ‘if’, however. “Breaches occur every day. Awareness of privacy issue laws isn’t high, particularly in smaller practices, which probably are not even aware of them and most likely inadvertently breach these laws all the time.”

Fraser advises optical practitioners to take time to educate themselves about their obligations.Canada’s Privacy Commissioner has helpful resources, “and people should also be looking to their provincial regulators and associations. Some of them have made the effort to put together materials for opticians,” notes Fraser, adding, “Complying with Canada’s privacy legislation is not that difficult.”

For more information on Canada’s privacy legislation, visit the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada’s web site at www.priv.gc.ca.

Passion Has Always Been in Fashion at Ferragamo

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By Paddy Kamen

designer_ferragamoPassion is the key to understanding the allure and success of the Salvatore Ferragamo brand. It all began with the founder, Ferragamo himself, who was born in 1898 in Bonito,Italy. His passion for shoes and shoemaking was such that he became an apprentice to a shoemaker at age 11 and opened his first shop in Bonito when only 13. Ferragamo really came to prominence, in the U.S., however, when he opened the ‘Hollywood Boot Shop’ in Tinseltown in 1923. From there he soared from one success to another, fitting the stars associated with the burgeoning film industry and becoming, arguably, the first global name in elegant footware.

Continuing his legacy, Massimiliano Giornetti was appointed creative director in 2010 after spending over 10 years with the label. Previously overseeing the men’s collection, Giornetti has brought a rich and revitalized understanding to the Salvatore Ferragamo heritage through the collections since assuming his new role.

From ready to wear to shoes and accessories, Giornetti has a clear understanding and vision of the Salvatore Ferragamo brand, which is translated into the new Salvatore Ferragamo Eyewear Collection. Giornetti works closely with Giancarla Agnoli, Marchon Italia managing director and senior vice president design, who shares the passion of this iconic fashion house.

Agnoli, like Ferragamo himself, had an early inclination toward design and creativity. « Already in my childhood I showed a passion for interior design, photography, pottery. Later, in my teens, I started designing and making my own clothing, from sewing to knitting – all by hand.”

Agnoli was dissuaded from a career in architecture by her parents and steered instead toward international business economics. “This definitely helped me to widen my horizons,” she allows. “I was fortunate to grow up and study inSwitzerlandand subsequently in theUK, which gave me an international background. In 1981 I started working in the eyewear industry with Marchon and one year later, I was put in charge of developing theU.S.business. This allowed me to become more involved in product design in order to optimize sales.

“My natural inclination finally found expression and my passion was rewarded,” she continues. “In 1992, when Marchon signed the global license for Calvin Klein Eyewear, I was completely involved in developing the collection. In 1995, I established theItalianDesignCenterto foster the research and development of all global brands within Marchon’s brand portfolio. Working directly with world-class designers like Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Silvia Venturini Fendi, Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Massimiliano Giornetti  — just to mention a few — is a continuous source of stimulation. My love of traveling, nature, architecture, art and lifestyle did the rest.”

Agnoli works closely with extensive design teams throughout Marchon’s global design centers inItaly,New YorkandTokyo. Together, they work to ensure that all the designer’s and the brand’s aspirations are translated into the current season’s eyewear collection.

Claudio Gottardi, president and CEO, said, “In order to guarantee the brand identity is fully captured in eyewear, our design team and myself believe in supporting a collaborative process. We’re very proud of all that our partnerships have accomplished throughout our entire global portfolio.”

Marchon became the licensee for the eyewear line of Salvatore Ferragamo quite recently, with the product first seeing distribution in January 2012. The agreement covers the design, distribution, promotion and sale worldwide of sunglasses and prescription eyewear for both men and women. Agnoli works closely with the Ferragamo team and peers to marry all aspects of the creation of Ferragamo eyewear. Her comprehensive abilities have stood her in good stead as she shepherds this iconic brand into reality, with sensual and glamorous shapes, refined materials and warm, deep, and rich colours. The collection is vibrant and detailed, with adornments that are the quintessence of Ferragamo’s heritage. The collection targets men and women, aged 25-plus, who are self-confident, elegant, refined, and appreciate classic craftsmanship.

Craftsmanship is a word that harkens back to the brand’s founding father, who began learning his craft as a young man; he never stopped learning and never looked back. Agnoli is likewise a dynamic and curious person with a youthful spirit. “I’m a working mother with two sons who are currently in college,” she says. “Their youth and vitality inspire me to remain young-spirited, a quality that is essential to design, where we have to be in touch with both current and future generations.”

AR Reflections: The Keys to Selling More Coating

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By Brian P. Dunleavy

lensfocusDennis Wong sells a lot of anti-reflective (AR) coating. “99.9 per cent of the lenses we sell have it,” says the Vancouver-based optician and owner of EyeCity Optical.

Wong may be exaggerating but only slightly. Older patients who had bad experiences with AR in the past or those who balk at the cost are the only ones who leave his shop without it. Wong takes pride in the amount of AR he sells, and rightfully so: his numbers dwarf the national average, which, according to industry estimates, is slightly higher than 50 per cent.

Even though this number is likely to increase as the use of free-form lenses (which must be treated with AR) continues to grow, Canadian opticians have a lot of work to do to catch up to their colleagues overseas. In Europe, according to industry reports, roughly 75 per cent of all spectacle lens pairs sold are treated with AR; in Japan, this number is a stunning 99 per cent.

Given the obvious benefits of AR, both optical (reduced glare improves visual acuity and reduces eye fatigue) and cosmetic (the coating cuts down on glare reflecting off the front of the lenses), Canadian eyecare professionals should be pushing to increase the numbers of AR coated spectacle lenses they dispense, experts say. AR is a must for myopes, for example, as well as those opting for polycarbonate lenses (because of increased chromatic aberration). Thankfully, some recent changes in the coating marketplace should spur growth in AR sales.

First, as Madelaine Petrin, RO, B.Sc., notes, the quality of AR coatings available in Canada has improved significantly in recent years, making the peeling and scratching issues associated with the product largely a thing of the past. Still, the professor of opticianry at Toronto’s Seneca College emphasizes that even with the improvements, opticians must caution patients when dispensing glasses to care for their AR coated lenses properly.

“[AR coated lenses] still must be handled with care,” she says. “And not all coatings are equal.” She advises opticians to research coating products carefully and to avoid using them on certain lenses, such as some safety glasses (depending upon the conditions in which they will be used) and lenses for hyperopes (some say AR highlights wrinkles around their eyes), unless they are also fitted with aspheric lenses. Wong tried a number of coatings before working with a lab that imports its AR from Germany, where quality has traditionally not been an issue. Even so, fitting patients the right way is crucial in dispensing AR, he says.

Another factor affecting AR sales that’s unlikely to change is that provincial health care plans do not currently cover the coating, meaning patients must pay for it out of pocket. This can mean an extra charge of $20 to $30, if not more. However, all is not lost: to mitigate this extra cost, Wong suggests offering AR as part of a “package” with other premium lens features.

In the end, avoiding some of the barriers to AR sales and taking advantage of the opportunities comes down to educating patients. Wong believes strongly that education begins in the optometrist’s exam chair. If your optical shop is part of an optometry practice, encourage doctors to “prescribe” products such as AR coating by touting its optical and cosmetic benefits; if you’re an independent optical shop, partner with optometrists in your local area, if possible, and develop a patient education program.

“Education is key,” Wong says. “In my shop, I’ve made AR mandatory and I’ve found that when I explain the benefits – and the concerns – patients will try it and be happy with the results.”

Celebrating Women in Canadian Optical

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By Paddy Kamen

featureLast March, Envision: seeing beyond magazine sent out a call for nominations of women who are leaders in various sectors of our industry. The response was terrific and the honorees were notified in early June.

Each of their stories is truly inspiring. We congratulate these fine women on being nominated by their peers. And the honorees are…

Category: Entrepreneur
Wendy Buchanan

Listening to our instincts about where we can best serve others while realizing our potential is something that many of us aspire to.Wendy Buchanan has lived this process and her successful career path proves the wisdom of her approach.

Wendy started out as dental technician – not a great choice for someone with her love of social interaction and an entrepreneurial streak. Then a friend who knew a successful optician suggested it might be a good career for her. “I spoke to him and he offered me a job in his lab. I worked there on the weekends while doing my dental assistant job; then he moved me into the store part time. I enjoyed the challenges in the optical field so I obtained my opticianry diploma from Georgian College.”

Good move but that wasn’t all. Buchanan eventually tired of retail. “I couldn’t see myself doing that for another 20 years, so I trained to be an image consultant and began my own business. Clients asked me to help them choose eyewear and over time, I realized I could be an image consultant for eyewear alone, running a mobile eyewear boutique. When I left my retail job in 1998, I had no clients so I began networking through the fashion industry, starting out with a dozen frames on consignment.”

Buchanan simply loves the job she created for herself, going out to meet with clients in their homes and offices. “It’s about matching the eyewear to the individual’s face shape, personality, wardrobe and career. My clients come to me for every season and for specific events, such as weddings. I provide the personalized, individual touch that people can’t get in a store and many clients buy two or three pairs at a time.”

Having the flexibility to make her own schedule suits Buchanan to a ‘T’; she can take time off during the day for special school events with her children and makes a point of a weekly golf game with friends during the summer. She also enjoys the freedom to make her own business decisions as well as individual decisions that are best for her clients. “I’m not bound by bureaucracy, politics, procedures or store policies. If an opportunity comes up I base my decisions on how I feel. I don’t need to analyze the pros and cons just to please someone else.”

Fun is also key to Buchanan’s success. “The clients and I have a really good time and we both get excited when we make changes. It’s a positive and fun experience.”

In 2007 Buchanan started training other people to help their clients choose eyewear. She created and sells BeSpectacular™, a training system that helps fashion consultants and eyecare professionals take the guesswork out of choosing the perfect frame.

What is the biggest contributor to Buchanan’s success as an entrepreneur? It’s simple, she explains: “The biggest thing for me is to pay attention to how I feel about things, trust my instincts and base my decisions on them.”

Category: Leadership
Christine Breton*

Young people are typically full of energy, yet few lead organizations before they’re 30. And Christine Breton admits that her age was a bit of a handicap when, in 2001, she became general manager of Montreal-based Opto-Réseau at age 28.

Opto-Réseau is a buying club and business ‘banner’ group (each member owns their store under the name Opto-Réseau). Optical retailers can join the buying club only or become full members using the Opto-Réseau banner (along with buying club privileges). When Breton came on board the business had 14 full members out of a total of 20 buying group members.

How was Breton’s youthful enthusiasm received? “Sometimes, too much energy and too many new ideas disturb the established order, but fortunately, with time I learned to better calibrate my efforts in order to accomplish my goals,” she explains.

And accomplish them she certainly has: Opto-Réseau now has 53 full members and 30 buying group members.

How did she do it? “We revamped the program completely,” says Breton. “We developed a portfolio of tools to help our members, including media promotion, training and customized management tools that include finances, inventory and human resources, in addition to our excellent clinical management software.”

Breton is quick to point out that she didn’t achieve this single-handedly. “Everyone on our team has worked extremely hard to deliver the goods and for that I am enormously grateful. We’ve grown from a staff of three to 11 employees.”

Current challenges for Breton include ensuring that all members receive the ‘human touch’ from her staff. “It was one thing to provide that when we were small but now that we have 53 outlets, it’s more of a challenge. This is definitely the most important thing for us and it’s what we are known for. We want our members to succeed with their customers so we lead by example.”

The realities of today’s market make the services of Opto-Réseau valuable indeed. “The market has been tough for many people. Today, each customer is hard to win and you have to be well-organized to reach them,” says Breton.

‘Effort’ is a key value for Christine Breton. “I thank my parents for instilling it in me. Change doesn’t happen without effort. I see this effort from my head office team and I’m very proud of them and what we represent.”

Teamwork and flexibility come into play in Breton’s family life as well. “Having children has brought me a lot more humanity and patience. And I have to add that I’m very lucky to have married an amazing man with a big heart, who is patient and understands that I need to invest myself fully in my work to be satisfied.”

Still young at 41,Christine Breton can look forward to many more years of productive work, especially in light of the fact that her energy and drive remain in full force. Opto-Réseau and Quebec’s eyecare professionals are fortunate to have her!

*Note: Christine Breton is not related to Envision: seeing beyond publisher Martine Breton.

Category: Trailblazer
Dr. Diana Monea 

Imagine taking out a loan to start a business back in 1978, when interest rates were an incredible 24 per cent. That’s when Diana Monea, then 22, and a new graduate of the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry decided to launch her first practice in Regina.

“I had little to my name besides my license to practice but fortunately, a female loans officer believed in me. I promised to work really hard and pay it back.”

From that first practice, this farm-raised trailblazer began traveling to underserved rural communities throughout southern Saskatchewan, eventually starting two additional practices in Calgary. There she lives with her husband, Don, a computer engineer, who runs the business operations behind the scenes.

Diana Monea has really led the way in bringing optometry to people wherever they are. In addition to 34 years of optometric practice, she served the elderly community at a nursing home in Regina for 15 years. She also worked with inmates at a correctional facility for over a decade, and as a low vision consultant at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina for many years, assisting both children and adults with visual handicaps to live as independently as possible. Her Calgary clinics also offer comprehensive health services to people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Her work also includes service as the chairperson of the Eye See Eye Learn programme, an eye-health programme for children in Alberta. In association with Essilor, every kindergarten child in Alberta has access to a free eye examination and those who need them receive free eyeglasses.

‘Street kids’ have also benefited from Monea’s efforts. As part of a Calgary-based charity programme known as Anna’s Vision, Monea provides eye exams and free glasses. “I say to them, ‘We’re going to get you seeing properly so you can be anything you want to be’. I want them to know that someone believes in their potential. I had one young man from China who didn’t speak English and could not see. After getting his glasses, he emailed me later to let me know that he had learned some English and that he found employment. That was so exciting.”

It’s hardly surprising that Diana Monea was the first optometrist in Canada to create a website dedicated to providing eye heath information (www.eyehealthcentres.com). And in 2000, she was the first North American optometrist to profile case studies in optometry, drawing from an extensive database of over 200,000 eye exams she has personally performed. Monea has presented these cases at many professional conferences over the years, to much acclaim.

You may have guessed by now that Diana Monea is motivated by strong altruistic values, in addition to being incredibly ambitious. “My career has given me many blessings and I really want to give back and make a difference. Especially when I’m mentoring young grads, I emphasize that a wonderful practice isn’t about money but about helping other people. When I get up in the morning I say, ‘Great, I have another day to make a difference!’”

Category: Research and Development/Design
Beverly Suliteanu

Few women today begin working in the family business at the tender age of eight but Beverly Suliteanu fondly remembers how it all began for her. “Our family would rent a ski cabin for the winter and during the Christmas holidays, Dad would bring three-ring binders and all the pages for the Western Optical catalogues. My brother and cousins and I would sit on the floor and put them together. We were each paid a nickel per catalogue.”

The company her father, Rodney, began in 1962 is now known as WestGroupe and Beverly is vice-president, responsible for marketing and product development. The firm has expanded in a fashion-forward direction under her guidance but the transition wasn’t seamless. “My first model was too loud and colourful for our customers at that time. It wasn’t the runaway bestseller I had anticipated,” she says, with a smile.

Both Beverly and her brother Michael, the company’s president, shared the goal of creating brands with the ability to go far beyond the conventional concept of a house brand. “In order to continue to grow and evolve our company, it was necessary to move beyond the value segment of the market, which was our strength. We focused on developing more of our own products and slowly we began to change our product positioning and company image,” she explains.

The big turning point for WestGroupe was the launch of KLiik Denmark in 2004. “I took everything I had learned about product, from the manufacturing of our house brands to the licensed brands we distributed for other companies, with the goal of creating a unique, fashion-forward, quality collection for the Canadian market,” she recalls. “The fact that it has resonated around the globe still amazes me. The brand is now sold in 40 countries.”

Suliteanu followed this success with Fysh (for boomer-generation women) in 2006 and Evatik (for men) in 2010. Each collection bears her signature creative stamp.

Traveling internationally for the business is a big part of Suliteanu’s job and her MBA in marketing and international business from Queen’s University helped prepare her for this role. Initially she accompanied her father and brother on buying trips to Italy and Asia, and as her experience grew, she assumed the leadership role in this area. Were suppliers comfortable in dealing with a woman?  “It’s been an evolution but it was up to me to make sure they understood the role each of us plays in the company,” she explains.

Suliteanu continues to grow in her role. “I am definitely more confident now and trust my instincts. I push the limit a bit more when it comes to design and colour.”

Recently married and a part-time stepmother to twin pre-teens, Suliteanu is committed to carving out more personal time in her life. “In the past, work tended to outbalance my personal life. I’m making much more of an effort now to have a more balanced life and enjoy my new family.”

From her love of working on catalogues as a young girl to her life now as one of Canada’s leading designers and brand creators, Beverly Suliteanu has come a long way indeed. Let’s see what she comes up with next!

Category: Educator
Sheree Watson

Sheree Watson learned the art of a successful career switch out of necessity, and now shares her hard-won wisdom with the opticianry students she teaches.

“Although I began a career in nursing, I married young and wanted to be home with my kids,” says Watson. “Then I was diagnosed with cancer and my life shattered. I found myself on my own with four sons to support. I needed something that was physically undemanding and opticianry fit the bill, so after obtaining my diploma, I opened an optical store in Gibsons, B.C. in 1993.”

For a woman going into business for herself in the 1990s, it wasn’t easy getting a bank loan. “I wanted to work for myself and prove I could survive in a man’s world,” she says. “I had the shop for more than 10 years and it met my needs in terms of family life. I didn’t work evenings and my sons could come by after school and do their homework in the back of the store. Likewise, I could take paperwork home and do it in the evenings. It was very successful and I enjoyed the work.”

When Watson was asked to teach at the B.C. College of Optics (BCCO) in Surrey, she was initially reluctant. “I wanted to make sure my kids were finished school before I took it on full time, but when I did, it was fantastic and has proven to be a very positive development in my life.”

The main influence on Watson’s values growing up was her grandmother, with whom she lived until age six. “I also spent most of my summers with her,” she recalls. “She let me know that nothing was too hard for me if I just put my best foot forward. ‘You’re not made from sugar,’ she would say, and she led by example, working hard and giving her fullest to whatever she was doing. Everything in my life has stemmed from her influence.”

Watson, in turn, influences her students profoundly and they speak glowingly of her dedication to their success. Many of the students who enter the six-month diploma program choose it because it allows them to return to the work force quickly.

“I’ve taught optometrists and ophthalmologists, dentists and engineers from other countries who need a new career in Canada. Our program at BCCO may be shorter but it doesn’t compromise on knowledge or practical experience. I’ve worked very hard to make the program applicable to the work environment. For example, I’ve honed the practicum component so students will gain the experience needed to apply their skills.”

Seeing her students become opticians is Watson’s greatest reward.  “I love to see them gain knowledge of optics and learn to apply it. I’m so happy that I chose this career at a point where my life was very difficult. It’s been wonderful for me and for many of my students as well.”

A hearty thank you to all our readers for nominating these amazing women. Thank you, also, to our honorees: we appreciate you taking time from your busy lives to share your personal stories with us. Inspiration is the music in life that keeps us going: each of you has inspired us, as you have countless others.

Eye On Allergies

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By Netan Choudhry, MD FRCS(C) and Jennifer George

eyeonhealthThe weather is warm and the flowers are in full bloom; this is the season for sandals, sunscreen and – for many of us – allergies. Outdoor allergies such as pollen and ragweed affect millions of people each allergy season but indoor allergies to substances like pet dander and dust can torment allergy sufferers throughout the year. While we often associate allergies with sneezing or skin rashes, they can also impact the health of our eyes.

The most common type of eye allergy is allergic conjunctivitis, a condition that results from the immune response set off by our bodies coming into contact with an allergen. When this occurs, the immune system produces immunoglobulin (IgE), antibodies which trigger cells to release histamine, the chemical responsible for allergic reactions. This histamine response results in eyes characterized by redness, tearing, itching or puffy eyelids. It is also common to experience dilated vessels in the conjunctiva, the thin clear membrane covering the eyelids and white part of the eye (sclera). Other symptoms include stringy eye discharge, burning and sensitivity to light. People who suffer from chronic allergic conjunctivitis may have persistent dark circles known as allergic shiners. Allergic conjunctivitis is not communicable and cannot spread from one person to another like bacterial or viral conjunctivitis.

Eyecare providers can usually diagnose allergic conjunctivitis easily. Using a slit lamp microscope, an ophthalmologist can identify signs of allergies, like enlarged blood vessels on the eye’s surface. Eye specialists will also look for small raised bumps on the inside of the eyelids (papillary conjunctivitis) or perform a simple, non-invasive test for eosinophils, a type of white blood cell that appears in areas of the eye affected by allergies. Patients will also be asked to provide a family history of allergies, if any, to determine whether there is a genetic link.

Avoiding contact with the allergen is the best treatment for allergic conjunctivitis; it’s also often impossible. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options for those who suffer from eye allergies. Artificial tears can reduce eye dryness by adding moisture and washing allergens from the eye. Antihistamine/mast-cell stabilizers are eye drops with both a mast-cell stabilizer to help prevent eye allergies and an antihistamine to relieve itchiness. Prescription eye drops such as Patanol, Optivar and Pataday can also help soothe watery, itchy eyes caused by allergic conjunctivitis.

In addition to allergic conjunctivitis, there are three other primary forms of eye allergy. Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is much more severe than allergic conjunctivitis and occurs primarily in boys and young men. Most patients suffering from this disease also suffer from asthma or eczema and experience the sensation of having something in the eye (foreign body sensation) and an aversion to light (photophobia). If left untreated, vernal keratoconjunctivitis can impair vision. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis results in similar symptoms, but mostly affects older males with a history of allergic dermatitis. If left untreated, it may result in scarring of the cornea. Lastly, giant papillary conjunctivitis is a form of eye allergy linked to wearing contact lenses. Symptoms include tearing, puffiness, mucous discharge and difficulty wearing contact lenses.

While avoiding allergens is the best way of staying allergy-free, eyecare professionals (ECPs) don’t necessarily have to advise patients to give away the cat or avoid Mother Nature. Encourage clients to make an appointment so they can find out how to treat allergies with over-the-counter or prescription treatments such as eye drops or oral antihistamines. The client may even be a candidate for immune therapy, which will gradually increase immunity to allergens. Thankfully, giving Fluffy away is seldom necessary.

Going Blind Documentary: Shedding Light on Living in Darkness

Publié le par

By Evra Taylor

American filmmaker Joseph Lovett sits in front of a Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer and makes a searingly honest statement: “The prospect of going blind terrifies me. And my way of dealing with fear and terror is to confront it.” Lovett’s way of confronting blindness was to make the documentary Going Blind, a film tracking his vision loss and that of others.

Lovett has been losing his vision to glaucoma – a condition he aptly describes as ‘a thief in the night’ – for over 20 years. When he realized that his doctors were not comfortable discussing sight loss with him, he started talking to others who had lost their sight. In the film, he profiles a number of people, including an Iraq War veteran and an art teacher whose near-total vision loss has forced her to discover alternate ways of expressing her art.

Acting as the film’s narrator, Lovett shows his subjects navigating the densely populated streets of Manhattan, where he lives, and delivers a cogent, almost dispassionate explanation of glaucoma and its workings: the function of the optic nerve, his diagnosis and vision loss, and its effect on his life.

Lovett says the film was intended for a broad audience, including sighted individuals, so they can better understand what life with vision loss is like, and physicians, so they will better understand their patients’ needs and concerns. Of course, Going Blind is also a film for people who have lost their vision, “so that they will become aware of all the help that is available to them in terms of training and new technology.”

People tend to grow up with a fear of blindness because we know so little about it, according to Lovett. “The fear turns into a prejudice against the blind. Sighted people tend to ignore blind people — they don’t talk to them, don’t engage with them and don’t learn about their lives. As a result, they remain ignorant of how people can lead totally regular lives but in a different way without sight. However, this can be turned around if you’re lucky enough to meet the incredible people I met while filming Going Blind. ”

Reaction to the film has far exceeded Lovett’s expectations. More than 200 organizations have purchased it and it has had multiple screenings by community groups, libraries and universities. (CNIB presented the official Canadian premiere of Going Blind in January 2011 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Theatre.) It is also being used for physician training and will air on U.S. public television in October 2012.

Said CNIB President and CEO John Rafferty: “It’s a great film that depicts both the emotional challenges and technical needs of someone learning to cope with vision loss. The film helps to show that – with the right support – it really is possible to see beyond vision loss, whether you’re a filmmaker, a war veteran, a teacher or anyone else”.

CNIB has described Going Blind as a film about hope beyond vision loss, even for people who, like Lovett, have made lives for themselves working in the visual world of television. In an interview with USA Today, Lovett recounted a visit to an art gallery that brought this realization into focus.

“I found myself in front of a very large canvas and looking at one aspect, one area of the canvas, that was very beautiful; (the paint was) very worked. I wouldn’t have noticed that detailing and wouldn’t have remarked on [the artist’s] craft and skill if my vision was working,” he said. “When you’re losing your vision and you’re paying attention, you begin to know what you don’t know and what you don’t see. You know that you should look deeper.”

Toward the end of the film’s preview, Lovett poignantly asks, “What will it be like to no longer be able to read a newspaper?” The preview concludes on a positive note with his statement, “What was once unthinkable is actually very doable, and it’s time for all of us to come out of the dark about vision loss”.

A preview of the film can be seen at www.goingblindmovie.com, along with Going Blind and Going Forward, the film’s Outreach Toolkit that shows step-by-step how an individual or organization can use the film to best serve their community. The Toolkit explains how to reach the largest number of people using media and news outlets to publicize a screening and draw an audience.

Going Blind was produced with major support from Pfizer Ophthalmics and The Readers Digest Partners for Sight Foundation.

Is There a PRPP in Your Future?

Publié le par

By JoAnne Sommers

Your-MoneyThere’s good news on the horizon for small- and medium-sized employers who want to offer retirement savings plans to their employees.

In June 2012, federal legislation governing Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs) received royal assent. This means that a new kind of defined contribution pension plan will be available to employers, employees and the self-employed across Canada once federal tax legislation is passed and the provinces pass their enabling legislation.

The legislation will allow regulated financial institutions – banks, insurance companies and investment companies – to begin offering PRPPs to small businesses and self-employed individuals who would otherwise not have a pension like those available at larger companies.

PRPPs will enable smaller businesses to offer their employees registered pension plans that will be simple to administer, says Dan Kelly, president of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), which represents 109,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country. Only 15 per cent of Canada’s small employers currently offer some form of retirement savings to their employees, Kelly notes.

“PRPPs will be an excellent addition to the retirement savings options for small business owners and their employees. Small firms tell us that the main reasons 80 per cent of them do not have any form of company retirement plan for the business owner or their employees are the costs and administrative burden of offering a plan. If properly implemented by the provinces and financial institutions, we expect PRPPs to move the ball forward on both fronts.”

New CFIB member data recently revealed that one-third of small firms would consider offering a PRPP in their workplace, while another one-third would like to receive more information about them.

Current pension plans are beyond the reach of most entrepreneurs and Group RRSPs quickly become unaffordable because employers must also pay Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan (CPP)/Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) and Workers’ Compensation premiums on top of any contributions to the plan. RRSP management fees are often very high (in the range of 2-2.5 per cent) compared to other forms of retirement savings, Kelly says.

PRPPs should enable smaller firms to offer pensions at a cost usually available only to very large pension plans, said The Honourable Ted Menzies, Minister of State (Finance). “Because PRPPs will involve pooling large funds, Canadians will benefit from lower management costs. In effect, they will be buying in bulk, leaving more money in their pockets when they retire.”

For smaller businesses, one of the principal attractions of the PRPP is that it is fully voluntary, says Kelly. Employers may choose whether to offer it and, if so, whether they wish to contribute to it. Employees would be automatically enrolled but could opt out.

The employer’s role would be limited to deducting the employee’s contribution from his/her pay cheque and remitting it to the financial institution. All other responsibilities, including how the funds are invested and the associated costs, would rest with the financial institution and the individuals who participate. The financial institution would act as both trustee and plan administrator.

“Unlike CPP, small business owners can decide whether or not they wish to participate,” Kelly notes. “CPP is the biggest payroll tax of all and we pushed back against recent proposals for increased premiums. This is a much better solution to the problem of insufficient retirement savings.”

PRPPs could also help small businesses to attract and retain key employees, he adds. “Many smaller companies are trying desperately to find and hang on to workers and this will put them in a position to compete with larger firms for top talent.”

Kelly doesn’t consider PRPPs a panacea, however, and he warns that, “They could easily be screwed up by the financial services industry or the provinces. Regulatory headaches are a possibility and the financial services sector must ensure low-cost administration. We will be monitoring financial institutions to ensure that administration fees are significantly lower than those associated with current RRSPs.”

CFIB is also calling on the provinces to move quickly to implement the necessary legislation and to ensure that PRPPs remain entirely voluntary.

“We hope the provinces don’t implement a patchwork quilt of policies. We want PRPPs to be fully portable so that a worker who switches employers can take their pension with them, even if they’re moving to another part of the country.”

Ontario has already announced that it won’t proceed with implementation of the PRPP until Ottawa agrees to increase CPP premiums. “They’re using it as a political football,” says Kelly, adding, “We’re deeply disappointed with them.”

Quebec proposed legislation to implement PRPPs earlier this year but it died when the provincial election was announced.

Kelly says CFIB is hoping that a western province – Saskatchewan, Alberta or B.C. – will take the initiative in passing enabling legislation. “We need a larger province to move this forward because financial services companies are unlikely to develop PRPPs for smaller provinces alone,” he explains.