| mar_apr | 2007 - Opticians Association of Canada

ENVOIS DE PUBLICATIONS CANADIENNES • NO. DE CONVENTION 40052210
| mar_apr | 2007

PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY LUXOTTICA GROUP - MOD. RB 3025 - WWW.RAY-BAN.COM
CHANGE YOUR VIEW

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| CONTENT | mar_apr | 2007
| 10 | Sunwear for 2007: Hot Prospects in Cool Shades
| 24 | Caught in the Crunch?
| 28 | Audacious Kenneth Cole Makes His Mark
| Image on Cover : Silhouette Lady-6 |
| 30 | Avoiding the Pitfalls:
How to Recognize and Steer Clear of Common Investor Mistakes
| 38 | Floaters Usually Innocuous
| 42 | A High-Fashion Pedigree: Tura Innovates and Leads
| 44 | The Debate Over Delegation
| 48 | Transitions Academy Helps “Enlighten” Industry Leaders
| 50 | Issues and News from your Association
| 54 | The Chain Gang: The Only Way to Survive
Is to Stop Competing
| 56 | What’s New
| 66 | Classified Ads
| NEXT ISSUE | may_jun | 2007
High-End Frame Materials From
luxurious horn to the finest wood, frame materials
for the luxury segment are sensuous and
distinctive. We’ll also cover the newest highend
metals and acetates, not to mention jewels
and other signature elements that make a
frame stand out as something very special.
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4
VISION | may_jun | 2007

| EDITORIAL |
Paddy Kamen
Editor-in-chief
1.888.661.0404
I was surprised to learn recently that only nine per
cent of Canadians associate sun exposure with
possible damage to the eyes. This finding came out of
the recently released Transitions Optical/CNIB joint
study exploring ultraviolet awareness and protection
habits of Canadians.
Consumer understanding of the harmful effects
of UV radiation to the skin is considerably higher
than is the understanding of its effects on vision.
Compared to the citizens of other countries,
Canadian respondents had higher overall awareness
of the need to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful
rays. Canadian respondents were also more likely
to protect themselves, corresponding to their greater
understanding of the perceived dangers of UV
exposure. When adults know they are going to be
out in the sun for extended periods of time, about
four-out-of-five reported that they apply
sunscreen, more than half wear a hat, and 33 per
cent wear clothing to cover the skin. However, the
number of those who chose to wear sunglasses
when they prepare for extended sun exposure was
virtually the same between residents of both
countries, at nine per cent.
“This study emphasizes the lack of understanding
when it comes to the need to protect the eyes,” says
Carole Bratteig, manager of education and training
for Transitions. “However, the fact that Canadians
exhibit higher overall awareness of the harmful
effects of UV and report a higher tendency to protect
themselves makes us optimistic that they’ll take
action to protect their eyes once they are more aware
of the danger.”
Our sunwear feature in this issue explores how
ECPs can take advantage of these surprising findings
to educate clients. You’ll also learn about the latest
sunwear available from Canadian designers, manufacturers
and distributors, with a stellar lineup of
sexy, sporty and everyday sunglasses and sun lenses
designed to create a look for everyone, at any time
of day or night.
We’re also pleased to present you with several
articles to help your practice and career as well as
your understanding of issues of concern to the
profession. In addition, our finance article, by JoAnne
Sommers is the first of a two-part series on common
investor mistakes and how to avoid them.
So there’s sun, fun (news of the upcoming
conference in Kelowna) and something for everyone
in this issue. Thanks for reading!
ISI
6
VISION | may_jun | 2007

FEATURING TH 7225

EYEWEAR
TOMMY.COM

| Feature |
Research proves consumers need education about sunwear.
Is this good news? You bet!
| Transitions |
By Paddy Kamen
10
VISION | may_jun | 2007

|
Sunwear for 2007:
Hot Prospects in Cool Shades
When consumers are in the dark, professionals have a huge opportunity. Research
conducted by Transitions Optical Inc. in association with the CNIB shows that the majority
of consumers are not aware of the potential damage to their eyes arising from
exposure to the sun. In fact, only nine per cent of Canadians know that UV rays can
harm their eyes.
Eyecare professionals (ECPs) can seize the opportunity
presented by this study to educate their clients. In contrast to
other retail venues that may carry sunwear, the ECP brings
credibility to the transaction when education is on offer. The
proliferation of health-oriented websites, publications and reporting
makes it clear that consumers are hungry for information
about their health. With only 40 per cent of consumers
saying they always choose UV protection when buying corrective
eyewear, there are significant opportunities in both ophthalmic
and sunwear to educate about the necessity of UV
protection. And with a mere nine per cent of Canadians aware
that UV rays can harm their eyes, there is a huge market out
there.
The fact that sunwear is decidedly about fashion is further
impetus for ECPs to figure these products prominently in their
stores. Add to that the influence of sporting-associated sunwear
and you’ve got a winning formula to be sure. Let’s see
what’s on offer for 2007.
Cendrine Obadia of Zig Imports has noticed that people
on the street are wearing more interesting frames, which tells
her that the market for innovative sunwear is indeed growing.
This backs up Obadia’s experience at international eyewear
shows where the interest in designer-led companies has increased.
“When I began selling in Europe most buyers only wanted
names they were already familiar with. Since then I’ve seen a
really big change, with more customers looking for the kind of
product I create with Jean Reno and Ziggy. I’d say it’s a more
designer-oriented market now.”
The Opticians Association of Canada
Association des opticiens du Canada
2706-83 Garry Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4J9
(204) 982-6060 • 1-(800) 847-3155
E-mail : canada@opticians.ca
Web site : www.opticians.ca
2006-2007
PROVINCIAL DIRECTORS /
ADMINISTRATEURS PROVINCIAUX
LORNE KASHIN
President/Président
Thornhill, Ontario
(905) 881-1276
Alberta
DAVID MCGOWAN
Secretary Treasurer / Secrétaire-trésorier
Red Deer (403) 347-1020
British Columbia / Colombie-Britannique
To be announced
Manitoba
TODD SMITH
Winnipeg • (204) 788-4571
New Brunswick / Nouveau-Brunswick
ROBERT LEE
Saint John • (506) 632-0103
Newfoundland / Terre-Neuve
MARIAN WALSH
St. John’s • (709) 579-2605
Nova Scotia / Nouvelle-Écosse
ROBERT DALTON
Vice-President/vice-président
Halifax (902) 455-4305
Ontario
LORNE KASHIN
President/Président
Thornhill (905) 881-1276
Prince Edward Island /
Île-du-Prince-Édouard
DALIE SCHELLEN
Charlottetown (902) 566-2020
| ziggy |
Saskatchewan
JAMES HOLSTEIN
Rosetown (306) 882-3511
VISION | may_jun | 2007 11

| Feature |
| Spectacle eyeworks mod. XX-68 |
Obadia creates fashion frames, without a hint of bowing
to sport. “Most people don’t look very good in sporty frames
when they’re out on the street. I create for those who want to
look great when driving or walking outside or sitting on a
patio having a drink.”
Obadia predicts a move to more normal frame sizes with
earth and fire colours–brown tones and reds of all kinds in
evidence, along with green. “I also do a lot of black and white
because of the retro trend and I’ve come up with some
interesting colour mixtures that haven’t been seen before.”
Mehran Baghaie of Spectacle Eyeworks is another
designer who eschews over-large sunwear. “I find that large
frames on a woman’s face take away from her natural beauty.
They cover too much of the face, so in terms of concept and
design I’m not fond of that look.”
The proliferation of brand name mania makes it a
challenge for the smaller designer to get his or her work seen.
Baghaie’s solution is New Sun, a gothic design that harks back
to his early ophthalmic work. “I decided to go back to the
tribal concept and it is very extravagant, almost right on the
edge. I can safely say that there is nothing similar to it, which
makes it easier to justify purchasing for those who want
something original.”
New Sun comes in two models, available in six colours
each, manufactured from stainless steel with CR39 lenses.
According to Baghaie these are Rx-able by specialized
machines. “Because of the curve and wrap design the average
machine cannot make them prescription-worthy.”
12
VISION | may_jun | 2007

| Feature |
| Viva Mod. : SZ30446 |
| Mikli Mod. A0487 |
Viva International Group launches the Ermenegildo Zegna
sunwear collection in Canada and national sales manager Greg
Beers is excited. "We are extremely pleased with Zegna
quality and design. The initial response from our accounts and
consumers alike has been extremely encouraging with the
launch of the Ermenegildo Zegna ophthalmic collection in
2006. Ermenegildo Zegna addresses a segment of the market
that is lacking in a fashionable modern, yet edgy sunglass,
combined with functional appeal. The Zegna line will continue
to experience considerable growth with the addition of these
exciting men's polarized sunglasses to our existing ophthalmic
assortment this Spring."
One of Europe’s top designers, Alain Mikli, presents
several new collections, including dynamic black and white
sunwear, at Vision Expo East in NYC this Spring. “This is a full
range of frames with a classic yet retro feel,” explains Mikli’s
director of marketing, Gloria Maccaroni. There are over
40 styles in total, ranging from Mikli’s classic rectangle to the
popular oversized looks.
Mikli satisfies the sweet tooth in everyone with his new
Candy coloured acetate sunwear with exclusive organic
bi-shade lenses from Zeiss. Maccaroni says that even grown up
eyes can have a little fun with this collection in colours of blue
raspberry, cotton candy, grape, peach, sour-apple and cherry.
Those with asymmetric leanings will love Twist by Mikli,
a collection in many colour combinations that reflect back to
the looks first introduced by this wonderful designer in the
early 1980’s, although with a modern “twist”.
Some people dare to test the limits and take chances.
Mikli’s new Possibility collection will satisfy these folks with
acetate and metal frames in a balance of style of and comfort.
Check out the gorgeous red M0653-03 with dynamic temples.
Lacoste sunwear has been completely redesigned for
2007 and is creating quite a buzz, says distributor Adrian Maas
of Perfect Optical. “Charmant is the new license holder and
they have taken an assertive approach with the line. There are
13 men’s models, some with polarized lenses and 15 models
for women. We’re excited about the new look.”
14
VISION | may_jun | 2007

EXCLUSIVELY DISTRIBUTED BY VIVA INTERNATIONAL GROUP FEATURING SES 593S
WWW.ESCADA.COM

| Feature |
| wescan Mod. CL2112 |
Wescan Optical is launching sunglass collections by Chloe,
which is exciting news for this most-sought-after brand in
apparel and accessories like shoes and handbags. “Celebrities
all over the globe are in love with Chloe and the sunglass
collection is modern and sexy,” notes vice-president Beverly
Suliteanu. “The looks range from sexy aviators to dramatic
Hollywood glamour in this collection which is feminine and
delicate with a vintage touch. We’re seeing oversized dimensions
that recall the grand themes of the 1970’s in a mixture
of metal, acetate and combination frames. And rather than the
basic combination frames of plastic fronts and metal temples
(or vice versa), we are seeing a more playful approach to combinations
like metal accents on acetate frames and the use of
luxury materials like leather to accent a metal aviator. Colours
are important but used in subtle way. Earth tones create a
nuance to otherwise dramatic looks but for all out glamour,
black and gold are the ‘IT’ colours.”
Be sure to also check out Kenneth Cole sunwear from
Wescan.
Canadian Optical Supply (COS) is focusing on intelligent
sun protection for the eyes with the beautiful new Silhouette
sunglass collection. “It looks like the sunwear season is bringing
a lot of 80’s fashion with it,” says COS marketing coordinator
Monika Dygut.
Silhouette’s sunglasses come in six models and a range of
different colours and lenses, including the new aviator-inspired
styles. Lens options are based on extensive research on the
needs of wearers, with four different options for each model.
Complete protection against UV A, B, and C, radiation up to
400 nm, is guaranteed with all Class 1 polycarbonate lenses,
and all lenses possess high or extremely high levels of blue
light filtration.
“These are among the lightest sunglasses available in the
world and offer sophisticated optical safeguards, perfect design
and maximum wearer comfort. Moreover, most of the
frames can be fitted with optical lenses,” explains Dygut.
adidas Originals (also from COS) offer a true fusion of
sport authenticity and global street style. These products have
been brought back in limited numbers. They’re either new
favourites based on the original authentic sports product or are
remade with updated colours, materials and details. After the
successful premiere of the sunglass collection in 2005, adidas
Originals is presenting four hot new sun models consisting of
two metal and two high-tech synthetic SPXTM frames. Leading
the current fashion trends that have brought the flashy designs
from the 70s and 80s back to life, Originals eyewear
shines this summer with aviator-style sunglasses. Originals
eyewear is also giving a fresh look to the most popular
models from the previous year’s collection – Avinyo and
Palermo Viejo – offering them in vivid candy colours and
sophisticatedly subdued earthy tones.
| COS Mod. 6050 |
16
VISION | may_jun | 2007

| Feature |
| tura mod. B 434 |
| optika Mod. 3513 Black |
Keep Tura in mind for fantastic designer brands like Lulu
Guinness, Ted Baker and Tourneau. The fun and colourful
sunwear zyls from Lulu Guinness include the L441 Mitzi in
sparkle gray and Clara (L447) in marble brown and mother of
pearl. Combination frames from Guinness include Belle and
Sarah Jane.
Ted Baker offers Liberty, with a zyl front combined with
leather temples, as well as other combination models such as
Cash. The Ted Baker aviator known as Brewer (B430) is hot
and recently worn by Reese Witherspoon. The aviator from
Tourneau (TS15) is also a not-to-be-missed item.
ECPs looking for a high fashion, excellent quality sunwear
collection that is prescription friendly need look no further
than the Soho collection from Optika Eyewear. This unisex
collection has been expanded to 15 models for the upcoming
season, designed for the 25-50 year old client who enjoys
current styles. “Our customers are looking at Rx-able sunwear
as a profit center. When they sell the Soho brand with a lens
in it they are making a full optical sale,” says marketing
director Richard Allen. “They not only look good but feel good,
as they’re very comfortable as well as stylish.”
18
VISION | may_jun | 2007

PERFECT – 800-361-1900

| Feature |
| Oakley mod. VR35 Gold Iridium |
| Oakley mod. Disobey_Striped Plum with VR50 Brown Gradient |
The Xelios sunwear lens from Essilor is a strong contender
for prescription sunwear with its winning combination of 100
per cent scratch resistance, anti- reflection and total UV protection.
The lens is available in three collections. Sports
Polarizing was developed specifically for those who enjoy
outdoor activities; the Classic is for people who want
effective sun protection and a classic look; and the Fashion
collection offers broad selection of fashion colours while
delivering comfortable sun protection.
Oakley releases three new women’s sunglasses for Spring
2007, all featuring their impact-resistant Plutonite ® lenses that
filter out all UV while offering the unbeatable clarity of High
Definition Optics ® (HDO ® ). The new models, known as Behave,
Disobey and Speechless, are lightweight and contoured, both
sports inspired and very chic.
Oakley’s other big news this season is their partnership
with Transitions, making them the first frame company to
feature Transitions photochromic lenses. This offers a great
advantage to athletes who do not have the luxury of changing
lenses when in the midst of competition.
“We’re very excited to see high-profile and talented
athletes discovering the benefits of Transitions Photochromic
Technology,” said Dave Cole, general manager of the Americas,
Transitions Optical. “Users of Oakley Activated by Transitions
eyewear can be assured that their lenses will automatically
optimize visual performance, ensuring greater optical acuity
and eye health–benefits which have appeal whether you’re a
dedicated, professional athlete or a passionate, weekend
warrior.”
20
VISION | may_jun | 2007

TMS Optik negotiated Canadian distribution rights for
Demetz’s ROS (Revolution Optic Sunglass) line of optical sports
eyewear at the 2006 Silmo in Paris. The ROS system and the
ROS Bling (goggle) won Silmo d’Or awards in 2005 and 2006
respectively for sports eyewear. “This is a technically sophisticated
wrap-around frame with easily interchangeable corrective
lenses,” says president George Gignac. “I’ve only been representing
this product since January and it’s moving extremely
well.”
Demetz is a recognized leader in sports eyewear with over
fifty years experience in designing and providing specialized
optical products. Their development of innovative sports eyewear
always takes into account protection, comfort, visual
fields, performance, look and price. Products are designed and
tested with top athletes to meet their specific demands and
needs.
The ROS collection from Demetz is an excellent addition
to the Loubsol line of innovative sports eyewear, also represented
by TMS. “They’re two very different products, both
great for any kind of sport from skiing to fishing and tennis,”
explains Gignac. “Loubsol is a very nice stylish glass while
Demetz is perhaps a bit more risky in design. Loubsol offers
tremendous flexibility because it has an optical insert with a
choice of shields. The wearer can change the shield to adapt
to changing light conditions. This is very popular choice for
motorcycle enthusiasts.”
The new femininity is back for Rodenstock with a brand
new collection that speaks to a desire for glamour and the
excitement of haute couture. Marketing director Bjorn Ramsvik
draws attention to the contemporary design of model R 3167.
“These are created for classically elegant female spectacle
wearers, with areal eye shapes, three-dimensional metal lugs
and facetted plastic temples. It’s a self-assured, sculptured
look, available in black, red, brown and violet.”
| TMS Loubsol Profive |
| Rodenstock Mod. R 3167 |
VISION | may_jun | 2007 21

| Feature |
| Allison - missoni |
| Allison - missoni |
Other irresistible eye-catchers include the 1268 with open
temple décor and the sophisticated R 1263, in black, gun, olive
and copper.
Ramsvik is also delighted to recommend Rodenstock’s
ColorMatic lenses. “This is a top photochromatic product with
convincing advantages. It offers perfect protection with natural
colour perception and minimal basic absorption, combined with
fast phototropic reaction, high aging resistance and high mechanical
resilience. ColorMatic offers eye care professionals the
greatest consulting security, the best sales arguments, and
therefore, satisfied customers.”
Allison Canada’s new sunwear season is vibrant indeed.
Missoni’s plays with shield designs in contrasting colours both
inside and outside. The frame exteriors are deep black, purple and
burgundy with pulsating insides alive with bright peach, turquoise
and plum hues.
The new sunglass collection by Vivienne Westwood offers
punk references with stud details and flashy lenses for the younger
or more extreme customer, along with more refined shapes with
shining Swarovski details and topaz coloured strass for a refined
look. This is where the “royal” and “baroque” Westwood world
expresses itself, calling back the past and a more mature and
classic style. Colours become more neutral and come in mother of
pearl, powder pink and earthy colours.
Gianfranco Ferré is absolutely fashionable in a woman’s
sunwear line with wrapping acetate fronts and tall temples enriched
by the “F” monogram set on circles and rectangles. Colours
of red, green, blue, burgundy and Havana set off the lenses that
are either mirrored, flash coated, or shaded in smoke grey, brown,
or golden bronze hues.
Sunwear choices for 2007 are marvelous indeed. Just keep the
number nine in mind: only nine per cent of Canadians are aware
that extended exposure to the sun can harm their eyesight. Here’s
your opportunity!
ISI
22
VISION | may_jun | 2007

ART DIR: PAUL MARCIANO PH: YU TSAI FEATURING GU 6285

| Practice Trends |
Caught in the
Crunch?
By Mary Field
|
Some have expressed fear that the job of opticians is being relegated to that of an order-taker caught in a
crunch between company policy and responsibility to standards of practice as well as a duty to be mindful of
public safety. If opticians employed by a dispensing company have no decision-making power and limited
ability to influence optically related policies, it is clear that hiring an optician then becomes mere tokenism.
Opticians have noted that non-regulated individuals hold
many upper-level management positions in the corporate dispensing
world. In some cases opticians have been overlooked for
advancement opportunities and it is instead people with business
and marketing training or experience who are area supervisors
and now even store managers.
If you’ve asked yourself why this is, or if you feel stuck in a
rut, underpaid and under-appreciated, take heart; there are opportunities
out there in both the corporate world and the world
of independent dispensaries. But you need to be prepared to do
an honest evaluation of yourself. Identify your strengths and
weaknesses and take positive measures to climb out of the rut.
What skills does an optician need to have to be successful
in today’s dispensing environment? Who is earning the big money
and claiming the most challenging and satisfying positions?
A recent survey of opticians’ salaries revealed that 49.89 per
cent of Canadian opticians earn over $41,000 per year. A second
salary survey showed that an optician with 1 to 5 years of experience
earns $34,000 while an optician who fits contact lenses
with the same experience earns $50,000. Those with over 20
years of experience earn $57,000 as eyeglass dispensers and
$65,000 if they fit contact lenses. The two surveys, done independent
of one another and using a different polling base, seem
to validate one another.
24
VISION | may_jun | 2007

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NIKON DIGITAL SURFACING, the new mark of excellence in advanced eye care,
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Successfully launched on Seemax single vision lenses and Nikon W progressives,
Nikon Digital Surfacing is now offered on Nikon i and Nikon GO in 1.60 index Transitions®.
Plus, it will also be available in Polarized versions of these two lenses soon.
Offer the new standard in vision performance and go for Nikon Digital Surfacing.
For more information, visit www.nikonlenswear.ca or call 1-800-663-8654 today.

| Practice Trends |
26
A review of the job market is very instructive. The following
excerpts are reprints from the Opticians Association of
Canada classified section (www.opticians.ca). They represent a
mix of ads posted by independent and corporate dispensaries.
This is a high-end position. Applicants must be experienced,
organized, well presented and strong in sales. Extremely
competitive salary offered, based on experience.
Seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic full-time licensed
optician. The successful applicant must enjoy sales and
be able to interact well in the professional environment
of an established, fast-paced optical store. Strong
organizational skills and work ethics are required.
Willingness to learn new methods, a commitment to
excellence and the ability to work in a team environment
with a pleasant and positive demeanor are
desired. Salary offered at $40,000 - $55,000 per year
based on qualifications and experience.
These positions may be for you if you are motivated,
organized, quality conscious, customer oriented and have
pride in your profession. Our company offers industry
leading wage packages and benefit packages with the
opportunity for advancement.
The basic function of the licensed optician is to attract
and retain customers by delivering exceptional customer
service… ensures high quality through accurate
measurements, correct pricing, and realistic delivery
time quotes.
The Buying Group
Where YOU Come First !!
VISION | may_jun | 2007
Full Supplier Discounts
Supplier’s Dated Billing
Exclusive Promotions
Flexible / Reputable
To receive a no obligation
information package call:
1-800-263-0010
Serving Optical Professionals with integrity for over 18 years.
There’s a common theme that runs through these ads.
The successful candidates will be: motivated, organized,
quality conscious, committed to excellence, strong in sales,
and experienced. Who wouldn’t want to work for a company
that expects its employees to have “pride in your profession”?
And it’s reasonable for the owner(s) of a dispensary to want
employees who “enjoy sales”, are “strong in sales” and who
can work under the pressure of today’s delivery time
constraints. The people who will fill these jobs will be able to
effectively balance the two important mandates of a
professional optician: providing a high quality vision care
service and promoting retail sales.
How Can You Become The Person To Fill One Of Those
Positions?
Have you ever done a SWOT analysis of yourself? This is
a common technique that’s used to uncover your Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Ask yourself, “What
do I do well?” “Where and how have I achieved my greatest
successes?” “What could be improved?” “What are my
personal and professional weaknesses?” “Do any of my
strengths present opportunities I have overlooked?” It’s always
a good idea to have an objective opinion when doing a
SWOT analysis. Have a friend or colleague evaluate your selfevaluation.
Most people undervalue themselves in some areas
and overvalue themselves in others. For the SWOT analysis to
work you must be brutally honest with yourself. For a quick
course in how to do a personal SWOT analysis go to the
following website. It’s worth the trip. http://www.quintcareers.com/SWOT_Analysis.html.
If you’re still a little uncertain of how to shape your
professional improvement program try writing a résumé. Once
you start to put down the landmarks of your training and
career it will be a lot easier to see where there may be gaps.
For a quick course in creating a résumé go to http://www.10minuteresume.com.
All the energy you put into self-analysis will only profit
you if you take action to eliminate weaknesses, marginalize
threats and take advantage of opportunities. Training opportunities
are always available if you watch for them. The Chamber
of Commerce in your town will normally have mini-courses
and lectures that cost very little. Take a time management
course to improve your organizational skills.
Don’t forget to collect the paper trail of your accomplishments.
If you take a course, get that completion certificate. If
you volunteer in the community, get a letter of reference that
speaks to your leadership abilities. If you get a good review
from your manager, ask for a copy of the review to include in
your resume. If you’re asked to give a talk to a group –
regardless of the topic – have the attendees fill out an evaluation
questionnaire that assesses the success of your presentation.
Keep track of your personal sales. All of these things
create a paper trail that enables you to demonstrate your
positive attributes.
Watch for opportunities that can advance your career.
Train for promotion and don’t forget to ask for promotion. Be
prepared to say why you deserve the promotion and how you
can provide an additional benefit to the company if you are
promoted. Don’t be distressed if you get turned down but DO
ask politely for the reasons why you are not going to be
promoted and what steps you can take to become a better
candidate. Even a refusal is a learning opportunity. ISI

For more information,
please call (800) 863-7390
or (514) 938-4328

| DESIGNER STORY |
| 001 Kenneth Cole| 002 Mod. L643GLD | 003 Mod. L629PUR |
Audacious Kenneth Cole
Makes
His
Mark
When Kenneth Cole wants to succeed, watch out!
This resourceful marketer even conquered City Hall.
| 001 |
By Paddy Kamen
Twenty-five years ago Kenneth Cole wanted to start his own shoe
company. His funds were limited and he knew how important it was to sell
product before he ran out of cash. He was aware that he could get credit
from shoe factories in Europe so he traveled there, designed his shoes and
returned to the United States to sell them.
America’s largest trade show for shoes was held at the
Hilton in midtown Manhattan and Cole was determined to be
there. Trouble was, he couldn’t afford it.
“At that time, a shoe company had two options,” he
explains. “You could get a room at the Hilton and become one
of about 1,100 shoe companies selling their goods. This
didn’t provide the identity or image I felt necessary for a new
company. Plus, it cost a lot more than I had to spend. The
other option was to do what the big companies do and get a
fancy showroom near the Hilton. That offered more identity
but also cost much more money.”
THEN COLE HAD AN IDEA.
“I called a friend in the trucking business and asked to
borrow one of his trucks to park in midtown Manhattan. He
28
VISION | may_jun | 2007

| 002 |
said ‘sure, but good luck getting permission.’ I went off to the
Mayor’s office and asked how one gets permission to park a
40-foot trailer truck in the area of the Hilton. They told
me that the city only gives parking permits to utility companies
and production companies shooting
full-length motion pictures. So I went to the stationery
store and changed our company letterhead from Kenneth Cole
Inc. to Kenneth Cole Productions Inc. and the next day I
applied for a permit to shoot a full-length film entitled ‘The
Birth of a Shoe Company‘.”
With Kenneth Cole Productions painted on the side of
the truck, Cole and his staff parked across from the New York
Hilton on the day of the show. They opened for business in a
fully furnished 40-foot trailer with a director (sometimes there
was film in the camera and sometimes there wasn’t), models
as actresses and two of New York’s finest as doormen. “We
sold 40,000 pairs of shoes in two-and-a-half days – our
entire available production – and we were off and running,”
says Cole.
A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Cole credits his father, Charlie Cole, as his greatest
influence in business. “I grew up in my father’s shoe factory,
El Greco, and it had a huge impact on me,” he explains. “I saw
first hand how my father ran his business and the spirit and
energy of what he did inspired me. It was the best education
I could have received.”
Cole’s business philosophy stems directly from the way
he entered the marketplace. With creativity and determination
the company has grown into a multi-tiered global organization
with several lifestyle brands that service a full range of
consumer needs. There are five full lifestyle brands and 35
product categories.
The Kenneth Cole New York brand began with footwear
and accessories (jewelry, belts, handbags, watches), branching
into apparel for both men and women. The brand is a
portal into the lives of New Yorkers, with chic yet comfortable,
wear anytime feel-good pieces. Inspiration comes from the
people, the culture and the spirit of the city.
Kenneth Cole New York (KCNY) eyewear is licensed to
Marcolin and available in Canada through the Wescan
division of Westgroupe. In August 2006 the ophthalmic
collection was released with 18 models, with the sun
collection expected this April.
“Kenneth Cole New York is a well-known designer brand
that is a perfect addition to the Wescan brand portfolio,” says
vice president Beverly Suliteanu. “We were looking for a
designer label with strong brand recognition that is stylish
and modern with a clean aesthetic appeal. There is not a lot
of bling or flash in the brand.”
KCNY targets men and women ages 25-50. It is manufactured
in Italy and all models are available in two sizes to
provide the perfect fit for the consumer. Most models have
enough depth for a progressive lens.
“There is a sizeable men’s collection within the brand,
which is needed in the marketplace,” explains Suliteanu. “The
styles tend to blend the classic with the trendy, giving a very
modern look. Colours are muted earth tones, which are very
flattering on most faces. And the sun collection is fantastic,
with dramatic and trendy oversized plastics and modern aviators,
all of which are designed to be prescription-friendly.”
Suliteanu says the best-selling men’s model to date is
KC546, a rectangular eye shape in semi-rimless metal. “This
is very modern and stylish, with a discreet logo application.”
Another best selling model is KC552, a flat metal
stainless steel frame with a modified rectangular eye shape.
“It’s a strong, edgy look,” observes Suliteanu.
The response to KCNY has been fantastic. “The designs
appeal to a wide range of consumers and everyone is familiar
with the Kenneth Cole brand,” notes Suliteanu. “We are very
pleased with our new relationship with Marcolin and excited
about the continued success of the Kenneth Cole New York
collection.”
Kenneth Cole continues to grow Kenneth Cole Productions,
which went public in June 1994, and has been on Forbes'
annual list of the World's 200 Best Small Companies every
year since. Humanitarian work is also a big part of Cole’s life.
“I am the chairman of amfAR, the largest AIDS research
organization. I got involved over 20 years ago for what I had
hoped would be a short period of time. Sadly, millions are
still infected with this disease. As a community, if one of us
is infected we are all affected, and I have made it part of our
corporate culture at Kenneth Cole Productions to help in this
fight.”
Alluding to his beginnings in the shoe business, Cole
defines his philosophy thus: “I am a strong believer that what
we stand for is more important than what we stand in!” ISI
| 003 |
| DESIGNER STORY |
VISION | may_jun | 2007 29

| Finance |
Avoiding the Pitfalls:
How to Recognize and Steer
Clear of Common Investor
Mistakes
By JoAnne Sommers
First of two parts
|
Everyone makes mistakes. Unfortunately, those involving your investments can be extremely costly,
adversely affecting everything from your ability to finance your children’s education to enjoying a
comfortable post-retirement lifestyle.
It’s a lot cheaper – and less painful – to learn
from the mistakes of others. With that in mind,
here’s a look at some of the errors most commonly
made by investors, both novices and those
with experience, and suggestions about how to
avoid them.
He (or She) Who Hesitates Loses Out
A 2004 U.S. study for Merrill Lynch Investment
Managers (MLIM) found that the biggest –
and most painful – mistake reported by the 1,000
investors surveyed was waiting too long to start
investing. Forty-six per cent of respondents said
they had delayed too long and 29 per cent called
it their most painful error.
“If experienced investors deeply regret waiting
too long to start investing, imagine how large
an issue this is with the general population,” said
Robert C. Doll, president and CEO of MLIM. “The
benefits of compounding and investing long term
are substantial; unfortunately, too many investors
learn these important lessons in retrospect.”
The fact is that you’re seldom too young – or,
for that matter, too old – to start investing. But
the sooner you begin, the better chance you have
of realizing your financial dreams.
LACKING AN OVERALL FINANCIAL PLAN
Just as it makes no sense to begin a
cross-country car trip without charting your
course, it’s a huge mistake to start investing without
first having a written financial plan. Although
it’s no guarantee of success, studies have shown
that investors with written plans are more likely
to be successful than those without. A written
plan makes it more likely that the investor will
exercise discipline and stay focused on long-term
goals, and that kind of focus is essential for
success.
Your financial plan doesn’t have to be fancy
but it should include the following:
• proper insurance coverage, including extended
health, disability, auto, home and life
insurance;
• a plan for repaying consumer debt;
• savings goals for retirement, paying off your
mortgage, putting your children through
school, and any other financial goals you may
have;
• an overall asset allocation. This means dividing
funds among several asset classes, such as
stocks, bonds and cash (see below).
30
VISION | may_jun | 2007

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| Finance |
32
VISION | may_jun | 2007
MISJUDGING RISK TOLERANCE
Risk tolerance is a measure of your willingness to
accept investment risk in exchange for potentially higher
returns. Every investor has a specific risk tolerance level,
based on their investment time horizon and reasons for
investing. For example, someone with an investment
horizon of 20 years may have a higher risk tolerance than
someone with a five-year horizon.
Investors who do not recognize their risk tolerance
level may invest too conservatively, thereby missing out
on potential returns, or too aggressively, which may
result in the anxiety of short-term market volatility and,
possibly, financial loss if they’re forced to withdraw their
investments at the wrong time.
There are several ways to assess your risk tolerance,
including various tests and quizzes. (See the Vision
Magazine article Risky Business, March/April 2006). For
a more precise assessment, consult a financial planner.
ERRONEOUS DIVERSIFICATION
Diversification means spreading your money across
different types of investments, including stocks, bonds
and cash. That way, if one investment does poorly you
haven’t lost your whole nest egg. Having a portfolio
diversified across all of the asset classes is an effective
risk management strategy.
But the concept of diversification can be misapplied,
says James Kraemer, CFP of TFI Financial Services in
Winnipeg. “I call it ‘di-worseification’ when an investor
has several mutual funds in her portfolio but they’re not
helping her accomplish her goals. There are many
elements to proper diversification: it’s not just a matter
of choosing 10 different funds but of looking at diversification
by management style, geographic holdings, the
size of the companies they hold, as well as the sector or
sectors of the economy they represent.”
Another diversification mistake, according to
Kraemer, is to buy separate mutual funds for stocks,
bonds and, for example, resources, when you can buy
one balanced fund that will include all three. “By definition
a balanced fund should normally have 40-50 per
cent stocks or bonds and by mandate the manager can’t
deviate from that more than 4-5 per cent.”
Finally, Kraemer says some clients believe they are
diversified if they have more than one financial advisor.
“This is a huge mistake because unless each of them
knows what the others are doing, there may be duplication
and the investment products are certainly not
working in concert. The client does herself a real
disservice with this approach.”
In the next issue of Vision, we will look at more
common investing mistakes and offer suggestions for
avoiding them.
ISI

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| Event |
The World Comes to Munich Trade Fair
| Munich, Germany is the place for all things optical every January and the OPTI MÜNCHEN 2007
attracted more visitors than ever. About 35,000 trade visitors were on hand from January 26-28 for the
10th International Optics and Eyewear Exhibition at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre.
By Paddy Kamen
36
VISION | may_jun | 2007
OPTI MÜNCHEN is a wonderful mirror of the
optical sector, says Dr. Arno Jäger, managing
director of the organizer, O.K. Messen. “OPTI
MÜNCHEN is considered to be an international
contacts and business forum. We are particularly
pleased that the fair has broadened its international
representation considerably this year, both
in terms of the exhibitors and the visitors.”
Visitors to the show represented 70 countries,
and one third of the total visiting population was
from abroad. The top ten countries of origin for
visitors, after Germany, were: Austria, Switzerland,
Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, France,
Great Britain, Slovakia, Poland and Russia (in that
order). “There was a remarkable increase in
interest from the East European countries,” notes
Dr. Jäger.
An independent survey of attendees found
them to be the high caliber decision makers that
exhibitors like to see. Over 89 per cent of visitors
were primary or secondary purchase decision
makers. And well over 90 per cent of all said that
the Munich trade fair plays an “important” or
“very important” role in looking for new trends
and products to support their purchasing
decisions.
Six hundred exhibitors from 48 countries
came together at this intensive B2B event. One of
the draws for exhibitors is the fact that the
population of the German speaking countries –
Germany, Austria and Switzerland – is huge, at approximately
100 million inhabitants, which makes
a lot of people who need eyewear. Accordingly, a
large majority of exhibitors said that the results of
the trade fair were excellent. Business was very
good for both suppliers of frames and lenses as
well as for suppliers of contact lenses, optical
instruments, machinery, tools, shop fittings,
computer systems and merchandise for opticians.
Many exhibitors reported record sales at the
show.
“Without a doubt Germany is the best
optical market in Europe,” explains Dr. Jäger. “The
majority of German-speaking opticians are still
independent and the chains are not as strong as
in other markets. This means that the industry
and wholesalers still achieve reasonable prices
for good products.”
OPTI MÜNCHEN offers the biggest trend
design area of any optical show, according to
Dr. Jäger. “This area houses the leading fashion
trends and outlines the rules for the eyewear of
tomorrow. All the international trendsetters
exhibit in Munich. And there are also a number
of lesser-known German and European eyewear
designers who operate on a small scale but still
offer great designs with new looks. Indeed, one
of the main attractions of OPTI MÜNCHEN is being
able to find something different.”
Munich is, of course, not only known for its
world famous breweries, fantastic beer and the
Oktoberfest, but also for it’s attractive surroundings,
with the Alps and many resorts very close
by. Dr. Jäger says that international flight packages
to OPTI MÜNCHEN from North America are
available at very reasonable prices.
As of March 2007 the organizing of OPTI
MÜNCHEN will fall to GHM (Gesellschaft für
Handwerksmessen), a company based in Munich
that runs a variety of international trade fairs.
GHM has a firm foundation on which to raise
even further the international reach of OPTI
MÜNCHEN.
The next OPTI MÜNCHEN takes place from
January 11-13, 2008 at the New Munich Trade
Fair Centre. Contact: www.ghm.de for further
information.
ISI

Allison Canada, Inc. 866-811-2011 www.allisoncanada.com Mod. MI 080

| Eye on Health |
Floaters Usually
Innocuous
By Belinda Clarke, B. SC., N.D.
| Like many ocular complaints, vitreous floaters are a symptom rather than a diagnosis. A common
complaint in adults, floaters or muscae volitantes, are usually without medical significance.
Floaters are most often seen as small, black
spots that swim in and out of the vision of one
or both eyes. Most noticeable against a light
coloured homogeneous background, they seem
to move slowly across the visual field. They often
appear quite suddenly and will gradually fade
over time. Sometimes they appear in the morning
and are gone by later in the day. They are usually
caused by normal degenerative changes involving
a contraction or condensation of the vitreous gel,
the fluid that fills the rear portion of the eyeball.
Often more apparent in the area of the optic
nerve, where the vitreous is most dense, their
fate is commonly to break up and disappear, or
to sink out of sight. As the cause is technically an
anomaly in the vitreous, what the eye perceives
as a floater is actually the reflection of that
anomaly on the retina. The experience has been
likened to a shaken snow globe; eventually they
all settle down.
Floaters are more prevalent in people who
are highly myopic (near sighted), those who have
had cataract surgery, and older persons. Rarely, a
complaint of floating spots can be due to the
presence of small aggregations of mucus on the
cornea. These may appear in cases of conjunctivitis,
but are often without any clear cause.
Similarly, debris such as make-up may accumulate
38
VISION | may_jun | 2007

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| eye on health |
FLOATERS
Vitamin C
500 mg
3x day to start
Bioflavinoids
500 mg
3x day
Vitamin K-1
alfalfa capsules
3x day
in the film of tear over the eye. Patients with oily
tears may also perceive debris in the tear layer.
In these cases, there may be a sensation of a
foreign body in the eye, and repeated blinking is
usually enough to clear it. Any visual disturbance
should be carefully evaluated by a qualified
health care provider.
There are other, more serious possible
causes of floaters. They can indicate a tear in the
retina caused by traction, as in a vitreous separation,
which leads to a leakage of blood into the
vitreous cavity. Patients with this kind of floaters
will report a multitude of small, floating spots,
which will enlarge and take on a red or purple
hue. This may be followed by a rapid loss in
vision depending on the extent of hemorrhage.
Vitreous hemorrhage can also occur spontaneously
with the proliferative retinopathy seen in
disorders such as diabetes, sickle cell anemia or
venous occlusion. Occasionally the neovascular
growth of macular degeneration can lead to a
hemorrhage and floaters.
Retinal detachment is occasionally preceded
by a shower of “sparks” or floaters. The “curtain”
of visual loss associated with a detached retina
only occurs after the retina has actually separated
from the underlying epithelium. Floaters
may also be caused by inflammatory conditions
such as uveitis or vitritis. Occasionally, asteroid
bodies, which are accumulations of calcium that
attach to the vitreous, will manifest as floaters.
They will move slightly with eye movement, but
will return to their original position. Repeated
examination is warranted if the floaters become
worse, or affect vision. Recent appearance of
floaters, or any accompanied by sparks or flashes
of light must be assessed immediately by an
ophthalmologist.
Treatment of floaters obviously depends
primarily on the cause. According to conventional
medicine, the only way to get debris out of the
vitreous is surgical removal. This procedure however
is sufficiently invasive and, as with any
surgical procedure, carries sufficient risk that it is
rarely performed. The world of complimentary
medicine offers some suggestions that can help
to reduce the frequency of floaters.
Vitamin C is a very important factor in
improving blood vessel integrity and strength.
Always beneficial as an antioxidant, extra Vitamin
C is indicated in any disorder in which blood
vessel integrity is compromised. In such cases,
Vitamin C is often prescribed “to bowel tolerance”,
which means starting at a dose of about
500 mg 3 times per day, and working your way
up, usually in 500 mg increments, to a dose that
causes frequent, loose bowel movements. Then
drop the dose by 500 mg and continue at that
dose for about one month before increasing
again by 500 mg.
Mixed bioflavinoids, especially a blend
containing rutin, are also highly recommended
for any problem with poor circulatory strength.
Another factor in leaky blood vessels is Vitamin
K. Care must be taken with Vitamin K, as some
forms can be toxic in high doses. Vitamin K-1,
found naturally in alfalfa, is very safe and can
easily be supplemented through diet. Vitamin A is
another familiar recommendation for anyone with
visual complaints, and can be used to aid in the
treatment of any eye disorder.
Although floaters are usually more of an
annoyance than an indication of any serious
medical conditions, it is important to remember
to seek the care of a professional to receive a
proper diagnosis.
ISI
40
VISION | may_jun | 2007

| company profile |
A High-Fashion Pedigree:
Innovates and Leads
Is fashion eyewear a relatively new phenomenon?
Pioneering Tura has been promoting the link for almost seventy years.
|
It took pure inspiration to see the link between fashion and eyewear back in the 1930’s. Monroe Levoy
had that inspiration and was certainly one of the first manufacturers to market eyeglasses as fashion
accessories. And amazingly, almost seventy years later, Levoy’s company, Tura, now under different
ownership, continues to present exciting new eyewear fashion with designers like Lulu Guinness and
Ted Baker, plus the distinctive Tourneau collection.
42
VISION | may_jun | 2007
Tura, based on Long Island, New York, can
boast several “firsts” in both innovation and
marketing genius.
Back in 1938 when Monroe Levoy began his
business (originally a dispensary called House of
Levoy), spectacle temples and fronts were sold
separately. In 1947 Levoy patented the Tura
Aluminum Frame, which was the first metal die
cast spectacle frame in the entire optical industry.
The frame was face-formed, curved to fit any
corrective lens, fully adjustable and virtually
unbreakable.
Another industry first was quite astonishing
for the time: Levoy hired an all-female sales
team. “He believed that women gave the Tura
sales pitch greater fashion credibility,” says John
Weir, Tura’s COO.
Weir points out that Tura was also the first
company to apply colour to a frame. And in 1949
it launched a sales and advertising campaign
called “Matched to Fashion”. This was developed
in partnership with leading designers and was
based on a palette of colours selected by Vogue
magazine, the leading fashion authority at the
time. Every retailer doing business with Tura had
an easy-to-use point of purchase device like a
colour wheel, and a scarf draping kit that helped
women choose frames based on their personal
colour analysis and profile.
Tura launched the first branded eyewear –
Christian Dior – in the late 1950’s. “The company
creates collections in the same manner today,”
says Weir. “The iconic values and exclusive
attributes of a brand are incorporated into the
eyewear.”
A good case in point is Tura’s relationship
with British designer Lulu Guinness. In a fascinating
case of serendipity, it was a pair of
vintage Christian Dior evening glasses, found by
Guinness in a shop in New York City, that set off
a series of events that led to Lulu Guinness
Eyewear, by Tura.
“I found these lovely blue enamel frames
with little seed pearls, and matching earrings and
a pendant and I was captivated by the concept of
evening spectacles,” explains Guinness. “Around
this time, I also began to need eyeglasses
myself. And then serendipitously, I met with
Tura – a wonderful company that was looking for
new designers – and it turned out that they had
originally produced the Dior eyeglasses under
license.”
Tura was convinced that there was a strong
match between the company and Lulu Guinness.
“We knew that the unique and whimsical characteristics
of the Lulu Guinness handbag designs
would speak to women who enjoy wearing high
quality eyewear that has enough detail to stand
out, but is not obtrusive,” says brand manager
Tiffany Chi. “And having Lulu herself closely and

| design TE445 |
A 1949
Tura advertisement:
Because women who wear
glasses realize that there is no
such thing as inconspicuous
glasses, spectacle frames
assume their logical place as a
fashion accessory.
By Paddy Kamen
| design TE501 |
passionately involved with the eyewear collection
adds a special touch and ensures continuity of
the brand.”
A similar synergy has been created with Ted
Baker, an innovative and quirky eyewear collection
that appeals to the demand for everyday
attitude, and Tourneau eyewear, which embraces
the luxurious feeling of the Tourneau brand.
James Ahola, Tura’s Canadian sales manager,
says the company’s designer labels are building
a loyal following. “The response has been excellent,
and we also continue to develop our house
brands: Tura and Turaflex. These brands have
built Tura’s reputation in Canada, with both high
quality, fashionable women’s designs and a wide
variety of men’s products, including the Turaflex
memory metal men’s collection.”
Tura has a direct sales force of six representatives
across the country. Products are shipped
from Tura’s warehouse and distribution facility in
Muncy, Pennsylvania. The company has an office
in Quebec for customer service in French.
Ahola points to another first from Tura: “The
company began to educate consumers back in
the mid-eighties on the need for multiple pairs of
eyewear. The Tura Eyewear Selection System
(TESS) promoted the purchase of multiple pairs
through a frame board that was divided into
lifestyles such as career, evening and casual.”
“Tura still focuses on the independent
eyecare practitioner looking for customized
services, particularly in the areas of dispensing,
frame board management, styling and fashion
trends,” says Ahola. “And I hear many comments
from our retailers that they love Tura product
because they can dispense and never worry
about the customer coming back with a problem.
We offer superior products, with careful attention
to details, touch, feel and quality.”
Weir agrees. “The company has a solid foundation
as a leader in the industry and will remain
dedicated to independent practitioners, helping
them to strengthen customer loyalty. We’ll
continue to build our brand portfolio while also
offering pricing strategies that meet the needs of
clients who fund their purchase through
insurance. With this combination of products and
services Tura intends to grow partnerships with
independents who wish to distinguish their
practice from the competition.”
ISI
| design TE447 |
VISION | may_jun | 2007 43

| business Management |
The Debate Over
Delegation
By Paddy Kamen
| In all provinces that have introduced omnibus health professions legislation, the Health Professions
Act contains a list of activities which may only be performed by those individuals who are trained to
safely perform them. The list is limited but forms the basis for determining which health care professionals
are allowed to perform which activities under which conditions and on whom they may be performed.
These activities are variously named “reserved”, “restricted” and “controlled”. For the purposes
of this article, the term “controlled” should be understood to include all three terms.
The health professions have debated for
years, and continue to debate, the validity of delegating
controlled activities. On one hand, if performance
of an activity is considered to place
consumers at risk, surely it should only be performed
by someone with the appropriate training
and experience. Health professionals argue that
with delegation will come an erosion of quality of
care. There is fear among some professions that
their jobs will become redundant if too many of
the controlled activities assigned to their profession
are delegated to unregulated people. Not
only will the ratio of regulated to unregulated
personnel be reduced but many believe the professional
will become no more than a supervisor
and troubleshooter. These fears are not unwarranted.
The other side of the argument is one of
economics. Governments continually struggle
with finding ways to manage the cost of health
care. From government’s point of view, a huge
part of that cost is the wage component. We see
this particularly in the area of hospital personnel.
From any employer’s point of view – whether it’s
the government or the owner of a retail optical
store – the wages of a regulated person outstrip
those of an unregulated person and detract from
the net profitability of the business. If you reduce
wages you move in the direction of reducing or at
least controlling costs.
Governments around the world universally
believe that delegation of controlled activities is
a positive concept. In fact, governments have instructed
health professions regulatory bodies to
develop delegation policies if such policies don’t
already exist. For governments, the argument
boils down to the profession having to demonstrate
that in delegating all or part of a controlled
activity, there will be a risk of harm to the public.
If there is no evidence to demonstrate risk of
harm, then as far as government is concerned
there’s no reason why it can’t be delegated.
Governments will not support regulatory
bodies’ regulation or by-laws that place unreasonable
restrictions on delegation of controlled
activities. A good example of this is the recent
Health Professions Regulatory Advisory Committee’s
(HPRAC) report to the Ontario Minister of
Health, in which the College of Opticians of Ontario
(COO) was quite stridently directed to develop
a delegation policy (although ironically the
COO already had a delegation policy in place).
44
VISION | may_jun | 2007

| business Management |
The government views an outright
refusal by a profession to delegate as a
measure designed to protect turf. In the
case of vision care, it believes the consequence
of this is to artificially inflate the
price of optical products.
Should delegation be viewed as a
positive or as a negative? It depends on
whether you are delegating the activity to
someone else or receiving the delegation
from someone else. If you as a professional wish to receive
delegation of a controlled activity that is within the scope of
practice of another profession, delegation could be viewed as
a good thing. It enhances your career challenges and perhaps
provides you with better financial return for your services. If
you are delegating the activity to someone else you are
delegating the task but at the same time you retain the
responsibility for the result and as a professional you would
also want the authority to decide what tasks you feel comfortable
delegating and to whom you are prepared to delegate
it. If your position in a company doesn’t afford you that
authority you are indeed in a compromising position.
Delegation is a good thing if you’re accountable for the
profitability of a business and can show a better bottom line
by manipulating the ratio of regulated-to-non-regulated
personnel. Delegation is a threat if your job is at stake
because your presence is no longer required to cover the
hours of operation.
We know where government stands on the matter. Given
that the government mandates delegation, what is the
responsibility of the regulatory body? The regulatory body is
an arm of the Ministry of Health. Its job is to administer the
policies of the Ministry. As such the regulatory body has to
develop a standard on delegation that describes conditions
under which delegation can take place, with an eye to
maintaining protection of the public. It is the practice of
regulatory bodies to invite stakeholder comment on their draft
policy in order to receive constructive input.
Arguing the case for prohibition of delegation is not an
option. Not only does government instruction make it
impossible but also, training of opticians is based, to some
extent, on the ability to delegate performance of controlled
activities under the supervision of a regulated person. It is
the role of the associations, as advocates for
opticians, to make certain that whatever policy
is developed is reasonable and doesn’t
erode the authority of or diminish the role of
the optician. The association has to make
every attempt to ensure that the delegation
policy doesn’t place opticians in a position of
compromise between the Standards of Practice
and an employer’s business model.
But the association has to balance the interests
of the optician/employee with those of the
optician/employer. Some opticians are owners of dispensaries
and as such the association needs to make sure the delegation
policy is not overly rigorous and punitive to someone
who is trying to run a profitable business.
Some of the questions that need to be asked are:
• What tasks performed by the professional are considered
controlled acts?
• Does the controlled task need to be performed by a
regulated person or is it sufficient that the regulated person
supervises the performance of the task?
• Can the task be broken into sub-tasks that may be safely
performed by non-regulated personnel?
• What constitutes appropriate supervision? Does the
regulated person have to be present and available when
an unregulated person is performing the task or is it
sufficient that the regulated person checks out the final
product?
• What standards of training would be required of the
unregulated person receiving delegation? Is the standard
left up to the optician? Is the standard left up to the
dispensing company?
• What tasks would I like other health care providers to
delegate to me (likely prescribing) and what rules should be
in place in this scenario (bearing in mind that the receiving
and delegating of controlled acts must have common
principles)?
Where do you stand on delegation? Your association
should encourage input from you on these matters as it
develops commentary on any proposed or existing delegation
policy. To best manage your practice you need to participate
in the process. Write, phone or e-mail your comments so that
your voice can be heard.
ISI
46
VISION | may_jun | 2007

| Transitions |
By Paddy Kamen
Transitions Academy Helps “Enlighten” Industry
Leaders
|
Empowering their partners to better serve customers is a goal of Transitions Optical Inc. and the
company does this throughout the year. But once a year those partners get together in the
beautiful setting of a Disney resort in Orlando, Florida, for the Transitions Academy.
48
VISION | may_jun | 2007
February 25-27, 2007 saw the Academy
provide veteran attendees and newcomers alike
with educational curriculum and events, along
with very special entertainment.
The theme of the 2007 Transitions Academy
was “Seeking Enlightened Leadership.”
“Part of being ‘enlightened’ is sharing that
enlightenment with others,” says Dave Cole,
general manager of the Americas. “Our programs
are brought to life through our partners. Helping
them recognize their individual assets and leverage
strengths to create a more successful business
will move us toward a more enlightened
industry as a whole.”
The three-day event drew an international
audience of more than 1,000 industry professionals,
who heard Brett Craig, chief operating
officer, talk about how this year’s Academy
program would help to bridge the gap between
patient interest and action. Grady Lenski, director
strategy and commercial operations, then spotlighted
new programs and tools from Transitions
Optical that can be used to accelerate growth.
During this portion of the presentation, attendees
learned about the new Transitions ® Healthy Sight
for Life Fund and expanded consumer outreach
efforts, which include a significant advertising
partnership with From the Ground Up season two,
with Debbie Travis, and the Time for a Change
promotion. Connie Falvo, director of sales, emphasized
the role of partnership in bringing these
programs to life and creating educated and
engaged consumers.
An interactive session based on eyecare
professional and consumer research conducted
by market research and consulting company
Gallup, encouraged participants to utilize talents
identified through the company’s Clifton
StrengthsFinder assessment test. In addition, a
new business simulation – called “Zodiak: The
Game of Business Finance and Strategy” – helped
participants hone operational skills.
The Lab of the Year award is always a muchanticipated
event at the Transitions Academy. This
year’s Canadian Lab of the Year award was presented
to Ottawa-based Riverside Opticalab Ltd.
“It’s wonderful that a major supplier to our
industry has taken the initiative to recognize the
efforts of labs to promote a product,” says Bruce
Calhoun, Riverside’s vice-president of business
development.
Riverside staff had set the goal of being a
serious contender for the award at the beginning
of 2006. They are celebrating their 30th year in
business this year and felt that winning the award
would be an excellent way to lead off the
celebrations.
“We had a remarkable year,” says Calhoun.
“We engaged in a number of promotions with
Transitions and incorporated a number of Transitions
materials in a variety of indices to our new
high definition digital progressive lens. The credit
goes to all our staff whose hard work paid off.”
Transitions representatives visited Riverside
Opticalab recently to present a trophy to
employees. Calhoun says the event was a
wonderful follow-up to the award ceremony at
the Academy.
ISI

| OAC News |
Issues and News from your Association
Vision Canada 2007
By Mary Field
|
You have already received your postcard for Vision Canada 2007 and know why we are so excited
about the upcoming show in Kelowna on October 13 and 14, 2007.
As is the pattern with Vision Canada there
will be two days of continuing education presentations
available for your selection, but this year
Vision Canada is adding some sidebar mini-workshops
for those who are interested in a more intense
learning experience. The mini-workshops will
require pre-registration but you can be certain
that you’ll get plenty of notice to sign up for the
experience of your choice.
There’s even more exciting news about the
Vision Canada program for Kelowna. You’ve asked
for a motivational speaker and your going to get
one of the best. We have been able to engage
Dave Rodney, one of the few mountaineers to
successfully summit Mt. Everest twice. Rodney’s
name might not be a household word in your
part of the country but in Nepal, Rodney is King
of the Mountain. But climbing is only a hobby for
Rodney who is an elected member of the Alberta
legislative assembly and is widely known for his
humanitarian work and organizational abilities.
Rodney’s one-of-a-kind personal account of
overcoming life’s hurdles has been of incredible
assistance to others who want to succeed in
climbing to higher places in their own lives. His
presentation style is dynamic and interactive and
brings his audience as close to Mt. Everest’s
challenges as they will ever come. His personal
accomplishments, his “can do” attitude and his
ability to enthrall an audience all add up to a
stimulating wake-up call of encouragement and
empowerment for those of us who have ever
questioned our own abilities.
50
VISION | may_jun | 2007

| OAC News |
CORPORATE FELLOW PARTNER
The OAC is pleased to welcome Transitions
Optical, Inc. as its first Corporate Fellow partner.
Transitions has consistently focused on providing
education both to the industry and to consumers,
which makes for a symbiotic partnership with the
OAC. With their extensive network of consumereducation
tools, such as the “Eyeglass Guide”
and “Eye Didn’t Know That!” website and school
curriculum, Transitions has always looked for
innovative ways to prepare potential patients for
a more meaningful dialogue in your offices. The
company also offers a wide array of eyecare
professional support, such as the Transitions
Online Marketing (TOM) tool and professional
education through the Transitions Partners in
Education program. As a Corporate Fellow,
Transitions will join with the OAC in providing
regional educational seminars for opticians right
across the country. The first of these events will
be held in British Columbia in April. Transitions
and the OAC, working with the Opticians of
British Columbia (OBC) and Douglas College, will
present seminars in New Westminster (April 3 rd )
and Coquitlam (April 4 th ) as well as in Victoria
(April 5 th ). The tour will return to B.C. in the Fall
to include other regions. Tour dates will be
published well in advance to give you notice of
the opportunity. You can also look for continuing
education from Transitions on the OAC website.
CANADIAN SAFETY EYEWEAR PROGRAM
AND VISION CANADA OPTICAL SERVICES
BUYING GROUP
We’ve got two exciting new business tools
to tell you about in this issue. We’re pleased to
announce the OAC’s Canadian Safety Eyewear
(CSE) program as well as the opticians national
buying group – Vision Canada Optical Services
(VCOS) Buying Group.
First, the safety program. Originally an
Alberta Opticians Association (AOA) project and
now available nationwide, the CSE program
offers members of the OAC the leveraged pricing
afforded by group purchasing and the administrative
advantage of central invoicing and payment.
The OAC organizes the pricing negotiations
with the suppliers of safety frames and sets up
the pricing with the industrial contracts. The OAC
processes the invoicing and payment. And what
do you get? You get a pretty good fitting fee for
providing the dispensing service to the contract
AND you get a finder’s fee if you bring a new
contract lead, which is successfully signed, to the
OAC.
Any lab can participate in the CSE program
as long as it is prepared to ensure the lenses
meet the Canadian Safety Association industrial
safety standards and as long as it is prepared to
abide by the safety pricing.
Here’s how you can make this work for you.
Let’s say you have a dispensary near an industrial
park. It’s possible that all of the companies
are required by provincial workplace regulation
to provide protective clothing and eyewear for
their workers. Wouldn’t it be great to have that
safety eyewear traffic coming to your dispensary?
Instead of trying to develop a program yourself,
the OAC can provide you with what you need
to go and sell the CSE program to the human
resources (or safety) officer, including folders,
catalogues, pricing, and PowerPoint demonstrations.
Once you’ve got the company interested in
the program the OAC will follow up and get the
necessary contracts signed. That’s where the
finder’s fee comes in. PLUS you get an additional
$5 for every pair of safety glasses that are sold
to that company regardless of whether or not the
purchase is made through your dispensary. Think
of what that might mean if you attract a national
contract.
The VCOS Buying Group is another great
opportunity for independent opticians. Many of
you may already belong to a buying group. It’s
the smart thing to do if you want to increase your
bottom line in this competitive marketplace. But
if you haven’t previously considered connecting
with a buying group you’ll want to check out
VCOS. There are frame, lens (both eyeglass and
contact) and accessory suppliers included in the
list that services the group.
You don’t need to be an OAC member to
join. In addition to getting best pricing on
product you’ll rid yourself of some administrative
tasks. Instead of writing a cheque to each of the
companies from whom you make purchases,
you’ll write a single cheque to the VCOS Buying
Group, AND you’ll receive an end-of-the-year
rebate based on the volume of your purchases.
For more information on either the CSE
program or the VCOS Buying Group visit the OAC
website at www.opticians.ca or call the OAC office
at 1-800-847-3155.
ISI
52
VISION | may_jun | 2007

The Chain Gang:
The Only Way to Survive
Is to Stop Competing
By J.A. McKay
Feeling beat up by the chains?
|
These days it’s hard to compete with the discount chains. They lower the price, we lower the price. Round and
down we go. How can we make a living with $20 frames and $40 lenses being slung out like fast food? The labs
are selling the same baseline products to everyone. This seems impossible for the small business owner. Chains
have the advertising budget, the power to undercut, and the time to wait for profits. We don’t have that kind of
time or money. In the meantime the little guy gets pushed out.
54
VISION | may_jun | 2007
However we DO have something, and its
better. When you’re small you’re also flexible and
can change fast. As an independent you can
change direction on a dime. No committees, time
wasting meetings, no memos and no “lost in
translation.” It can take months for a chain to
make a change to the colour on the walls.
You can take the focus from the chain down
the road, to the customers in your surrounding
area, and specialize in them. I’ve learned that
when you try to do the same thing as your
bigger advertised competitor you give consumers
no reason to see you. Do they even know you
are there? Are you causing a stir doing something
different? Are people talking about you? If you are
doing the same thing as the rest, the answer is
NO!
By imitating you are contributing to the
credibility of your competition. Doing the same
as the big box store is contributing to the very
thing that is killing your business. Its time to stop
blaming our independent business struggles on
suppliers and competitors. You are your own competition,
it’s long time to steer your own course.
The only way to survive with chains is to pull
out of their ring. The way to win is to do something
different: be unique and specialize. So
many places try to include everyone in their
customer base fearing that they may turn
someone away. But the truth is if you try to sell
to everyone you focus on no one. Why are we so
focused with competing on price?
Take a peek into your own life. Choose 10
random things you have, think about why you
bought that instead of the competitors brand.
Think about who you purchased it from, why
there and not from a competitor. In some cases
you will buy from the place with lowest price but
in other situations, you want the attention of a
qualified sales person and lots of information
before you buy. You may not want to buy a
product that affects your vision in the same way
you buy ketchup.
Good business people make sure the
customers hear them. Minivans aren’t known for
their 0 to 60 acceleration, that isn’t their market.
Rather they are attracting young families who
need space and safety. Who are you attracting to
your office? Are you sending the right message?
Specializing can seem risky, closing out
some potential buyers. But if you know who you
want to attract you’re going to attract a more
appropriate customer, one who is more likely to
buy. Spending time trying not to leave anyone
out has the consequence that you are not
leading anyone in. When you narrow your market
you can service them better, anticipating what
their needs are before they know.
Customers are more relaxed when they are in
an environment created for them. People are
comfortable with like-minded, mirroring people.
Look around your industry. Who is successful and
seemingly unscathed by discounters? I bet you
dollars to donuts it’s a specialty shop. I’m not
suggesting that you copy the other specialty
store. Do the exact opposite, be as different and
special as you can.
Specializing gives you an implied aura of
being the “crème de la crème”, a cut above. This
puts you in a position of respect, a place where
customers take your recommendations because
you are the expert. You may find that you aren’t
sweating through selling anymore, rather you are
simply educating for a handsome fee. Higher
sales, more revenue, less stress, happier customers,
and respect in the industry, all because
you stepped out of the competitors ring. ISI

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| What’s New |
EXCESS ALLOWED
| Excess 2759 |
| AB52210 |
There are no limits to the excitement
around the Exess collection distributed
by Perfect Optical. Created in Milan
and manufactured in the Dolomite
mountains north of Venice, the line
captures the essence of contemporary
Italian design.
Bold construction, innovative use
of materials and refined colour
techniques typify this forward-looking
collection. The Exess line features
10 models in three colours each,
targeting design-conscious men and
women looking for that elusive
“something different”.
“I have been seduced by these
Italian state-of-the-art frames, all
different and designed by authentic
creators. They bring new ideas and
override conventions”, says Adrian
Maas of Perfect Optical.
NEW SPANISH LINE FOR
PRISME OPTICAL GROUP
Prisme Optical Group distributes a new collection of frames for men and women from
the Spanish designer Armand Basi. His brand, created in the 80s, has become a reference
point in the fashion world with state-of-the-art designed garments and extraordinary quality.
Young, strong, original and cosmopolitan are key definitions for the new Armand Basi
collection. It consists of 28 daringly shaped models, highlighting the use of different
techniques (laser, multi-colour silk screen printing, acid etching) to obtain highly visual
decorations. Micro drawings of imaginary views and landscapes that we can find in the
clothing collection are applied to the frames, offering rich and original product.
The tints come directly from the colour palette proposed by the designer for this winter
(black, blue, grey and golden tones). They are combined with more striking colours such as
yellow, red or indigo.
2007
ULTIMATE REWARDS
PROGRAM
Vision-Ease Lens announces its new
2007 Ultimate Rewards Program
based on co-op funds to finance marketing
programs that will help grow
individual ECP businesses.
“In 2007, our focus is on building
strong and lasting relationships with
eye care professionals,” said Barry
Resnik, marketing director, Vision-
Ease Lens. “A co-op fund has more
value to ECPs than a spiff program, as
it provides an opportunity to grow
business by paying for various marketing
initiatives.”
The 2007 Ultimate Rewards Program
now incorporates a more robust
line up of Vision-Ease Lens products
than in previous years. In addition to
progressives, LifeRx photochromic
and SunRx® polarized lenses will also
be included in the program. By
awarding specific dollar amounts for
the Vision-Ease Lens premium products
dispensed, ECPs build their co-op
funds to help pay for marketing initiatives
such as advertising, staff training
sessions, educational programs, sales
tools, merchandising or open houses.
Co-op funds benefit everyone
within the business through the added
value of Vision-Ease Lens support.
However, ECPs can also opt for a cash
payout through an online account and
a check will be automatically sent in
the mail.
56
VISION | mar_apr | 2007

| What’s New |
BO OPTIK
WELCOMES
CYNTHIA ROWLEY
AND JHANE BARNES
LINES
Doing it right means only doing it once.
LET THE MODULAR DISPLAY SYSTEM WORK FOR YOU.
Simply put, the patented Modular Display System is the industry’s quickest,
most cost effective way to rejuvenate your frame dispensary. If you’re looking
to increase your bottom line with minimal effort, then give MDS a call.
1-800-663-8527 www.modular-design.com
| CR019 |
Bo Optik extends its range of products
with the introduction of the well-known
Cynthia Rowley and Jhane Barnes
collections.
Cynthia Rowley is an award-winning
fashion designer who is known for her wit,
originality and creativity. Over a decade
ago, she launched her first line of women’s
apparel, and today her collection has
expanded to include fragrance and
cosmetics, menswear, shoes, handbags,
watches, hosiery and eyewear.
Always on the cutting edge of
fashion, each optical and sunwear model is
created through inspiration from Cynthia
Rowley’s clothing designs. Several styles
feature a unique engraving technique,
which reveals multi-layered coloured
accents. For a fashion-forward look in
eyewear, several temples are decorated
with Swarovski crystals, metal studs and
colourful beading accents. Frames are
available in vibrant colors of red, turquoise
and purple. The oversized sunwear
models, which will be offered later by
Bo Optik, make a true fashion statement
in eyewear.
As for the Jhane Barnes line, her
love of science and math was the
inspiration for each frame. The geometric
and architectural nature of her patterns
and furniture designs became a central
inspiration for creating a new professional
look in men’s eyewear.
Jhane Barnes Eyewear is an upscale,
modern optical and sunwear line for men
and is available in two collections, Jhane
Barnes Axiom and Jhane Barnes
Platinum. The first offers 15 ophthalmic
styles that utilize cutting-edge technology
and innovative techniques. The collection
provides a complete offering of titanium,
three-piece mounts and handmade zyl
frames. Inspired by her custom-designed
furniture cubes, each frame is finished
with a signature Jhane Barnes square
temple tip, featuring four, stainless steel
inserts.
Jhane Barnes Platinum is more
prestigious and high-fashion. The initial
collection unveils six ophthalmic styles in
full rims, semi-rimless and handmade zyl
frames. Jhane Barnes Platinum utilizes
cutting-edge technology and features the
finest materials, including titanium
construction and heavy gold and
palladium plating. The sunwear models
will be available in Canada at a later
date.
58
VISION | mar_apr | 2007

| What’s New |
AND THE WINNER
IS…
Melfort Optical is the winner of briot/Weco Canada’s TV give-away. Dr. Degelman and his staff
were drawn out of all the entries in last years contest. Just in time for the holidays, the lucky winners
got their brand new Sony Bravia 32’’ Flat Panel LCD TV.
“We never thought we would win. So you can imagine our surprise when we got the call from
briot/Weco. We love our new Weco edger and the TV is just the icing on the cake,” said
Dr. Degelman.
HOYA’S
BIGGEST
GIVEAWAY
PROMOTION
EVER
HOYA Vision Care Canada announced
that it is holding its most exciting contest
ever for Canadian eyecare professionals.
The promotion is billed as the “Set Your
Sights on Greece” HOYA Getaway
Contest and the lucky winners will jet
over the Mediterranean to embark on a
dazzling 9-day adventure in Ancient
Greece. The trips will be given to
Canadian ECPs through a random draw
contest.
The promotion is built around
ECPs dispensing qualifying products
from HOYA, specifically, HOYALUX
iD, HOYALUX Summit ecp and
HOYALUX Summit cd progressive
lenses and HOYALUX TACT – a
vocational Progressive lens and HOYA’s
SUPER Hi Vision anti-reflective coating.
Professionals will receive a sticker
with each qualifying order of a HOYA
product for application to “Set Your
Sights on Greece” HOYA Getaway
game cards available from HOYA or a
HOYA Quality-Preferred distributor.
Completed game cards will be redeemable
for valuable prizes and also
serve as entries into the random draw to
determine the Greece trip winners.
“We’re extremely excited about
this promotion,” said David Pietrobon,
President HOYA Vision Care, Canada,
“It provides a great incentive for more
customers to experience the HOYA
difference.” The “Set Your Sights on
Greece” HOYA Getaway promotion
runs through June 15, 2007. The big
trip for six very fortunate travelers is
scheduled October 7-15, 2007.
VISION | mar_apr | 2007 59

| What’s New |
A LENS DESIGNED FOR EMERGING PRESBYOPES
CooperVision introduces Proclear ®
EP, the only lens specifically designed
for emerging presbyopes. This lens
will help to easily address the
changing vision needs of the over
1.2 million Canadians who turn 40
every year – many of whom are
long-time contact lens wearers.
Proclear EP fits as easily as a
sphere, but offers all the advantages
and performance of a true multifocal.
Fitting is as easy as selecting the
patient’s refraction. There is no need
to determine eye dominance or to
compensate for ADD power. It
delivers excellent vision, offering
superior binocular vision at the
distance, intermediate and near
zones. Proclear EP is specifically
designed for patients with less than
+1.50 ADD. This is a great way to
transition patients from single vision
to a multifocal. This lens offers a base
curve of 8.7 mm, a diameter of 14.4
mm and Sphere Powers from +4.00
to -6.00 (in 0.25D steps).
| JF1106 |
JF REY PLAYS RECTO-VERSO
The Jean-François Rey Collection, offered in Canada by Sagi Distribution,
presents the topic « Recto-Verso » with three amazing new models that play
with graphics on both the inside and exterior of the frame.
The originality of this line is the result of an in-depth study of possible
associations of graphic patterns and colours. Graphics of different colours are
superimposed around the frame. Vertical lines, much like code bars, are on the
outside and horizontal lines are inside. The checkerboard effect
results from a layer of crystal acetate placed between the colours.
The milling process on interior and external tints gives an infinite choice of
variations. The selection features ten exclusive colours.
Forms are modern, dynamic and wrapping. These glasses for men,
women or mixed, are open and airy on the sides. The models of the
Recto-Verso series express without reserve the “French touch” of frame
designer JF Rey.
TOPCON CANADA
DISTRIBUTES
EYEMAGINATIONS
SOFTWARE
Topcon Canada has concluded a
distribution agreement for Canada with
Eyemaginations, the manufacturer of 3D
interactive patient education systems.
Eyemaginations’ popular 3D-Eye
Office is a software program with about
200 3D animations that cover all topics,
including ocular anatomy, ocular
pathology, refractive errors, clinical
procedures, optical dispensing and contact
lenses. These animations are narrated in
several languages for the purpose of
patient education. The software is
designed to run anywhere in the practice,
including the reception area, pre-test area,
exam room, consultation room, optical
dispensary, contacts area and drop area.
“Eyemaginations has revolutionized
the way ophthalmic practitioners
communicate with their patients.
The addition of Eyemaginations to our
product mix will further reinforce Topcon
Canada’s reputation as a provider of
quality, and innovation," said Al Brooks,
Topcon Canada’s Vice President, Sales
and Marketing.
60
VISION | mar_apr | 2007

| What’s New |
|Sarong |
LAFONT
CELEBRATES
2006 was an unforgettable year for
Laurence and Philippe Lafont, who
won the city of Paris “Designers of the
Year” award, the Silmo d’Or in the
sunglass category for the Surprise
model and the “Best Women’s Optical
Frame” prize for Roxanne at the
IOFT show in Tokyo. Celebrations are
still in the air, as 2007 marks the 20 th
anniversary of Lafont’s New York office.
In appreciation of its loyal
customers in North America, the
eyewear company has created a
special frame, which features a
fun cut-pattern commemorating this
special event.
2007 will also see the release of
the new Sarong sunglass style,
primarily designed for women. With
this frame, Lafont gives up its fabulous
carved out stainless steel models and
goes back to nature, using natural
organic materials. Sarong is environmentally
friendly sunwear with
comfortable temples made from
natural bamboo. This woody grass,
very abundant in Asia, is renowned
for its high-resistance, which makes
it a favourite material in scaffolding.
|Models 8134 and 8154 |
THREE MORE COLLECTIONS
FOR RONOR
Ronor has added three new collections: Smarties – for kids
of course –, Coleman and Flex Factor. These lines will get
everyone talking and smiling.
Smarties offers six metal models in two or three
colours and four styles in two sizes. All these children’s
frames feature spring hinges, ultra-thin stainless steel as well
as contemporary and narrow eye shapes for ages
four-to-twelve. Smarties is keeping pace with a young
fashion-conscious clientele.
Coleman presents 12 unisex metal styles with up-to-date
clean line styling, providing an exceptional product that you
can count on for reliability.
Flex Factor appeals to people on the go. The eight
models, available in two or three colours, are made of flexible
memory retentive materials, keeping their original shape
through the rigors of an active lifestyle.
All these frames come with a two-year warranty against
manufacture defects.
CENTENNIAL APPOINTMENT
ANNOUNCEMENTS
62
|Emily Bolanos |
VISION | mar_apr | 2007
Centennial Optical has announced the appointments of Emily Bolanos and
Violet Shahbod as lens sales representatives in Ontario. Emily comes to
Centennial with significant experience in pharmaceutical sales and Violet is a
licensed optician with over ten years of retail experience. Both will call on
eyecare professionals in the Greater Toronto Area and Emily will also call on
accounts in central and northern Ontario.
Emily and Violet will represent Centennial’s portfolio of ophthalmic lenses,
lens treatments and contact lenses, including all SOLA, AO and ZEISS lenses,
Teflon ® Clear Coat Lenses and UTMC coatings, Extreme H2O and Definition
AC contact lenses. Emily’s strong healthcare background and Violet’s breadth of
optical knowledge and experience in the eyecare industry will enable them to provide
Centennial customers with expert service and assistance.
|Violet Shahbod |

Is your practice reflected in her eyes?
Yo u r s u c c e s s o f t e n d e p e n d s o n h o w s a t i s f i e d y o u r p a t i e n t s
are with your vision correction recommendations.
Add Focus ® DAILIES ® with AquaRelease TM
as an option and allow patients to express their
excitement with their contact lenses.
It will reflect well on you and your practice.
© 2006 CIBA Vision

| What’s New |
CHLOE:
EDGY AND SUBTLE
NEW
IN THE VARILUX RANGE
Since the end of January, more lense of the
Varilux ® range are available in TL 1.74TM and
Airwear ® polarizing. These lenses help answer the
needs of presbype customers more accurately :
_Varilux ® Ipseo ® TL1.74 TM
_Varilux Physio ® 360° TM TL1.74 TM
_Varilux Physio ® TL1.74 TM
_Varilux Physio ® 360° MC Airwear ® polarizing
_Varilux Physio ® Airwear ® polarizing
| Advertisers Index |
Alain Mikli________________________17
Allison Canada____________________37
Canadian Optical Supply Co. _____46, 61
Centennial________________________41
CIBA Vision ___________________39, 63
Elite Eyewear ______________Back Cover
Essilor _______________________34, 35
Fashion Excellent__________________32
Gerber Coburn ____________________47
Hongli International Enterprise ______49
J.F. Rey/Sagi Distribution____________53
Luxottica ___________Inside Front Cover
Marca Eyewear _____________________7
Mido ____________________________57
Modular Design Systems ___________58
Nikon Optical__________________25, 31
Opal Optical ______________________45
Optika Eyewear ___________________13
OPTI-NEWS_______________________65
Optique Vision 2000 _______________33
Perfect Optical ____________________19
Plastic Plus ______________________55
Spectacle Eyeworks _________30, 44, 56
Split Vision Eyewear ________5, 40, 59,
___________________Inside Back Cover
The Optical Group _________________26
Timon Lunetterie ___________________6
Topcon Canada____________________51
Transitions ________________Cover Flyer
Viva International Group ____8, 9, 15, 23
Western___________________________3
Younger Optics ___________________27
|CL 2119 |
Wescan Optical, a division of Westgroupe,
distributes a new line, Chloe, further to a
distribution agreement concluded this summer
with L’Amy USA.
Chloe is a luxury designer brand that
is one of the most sought worldwide. Its
ready-to-wear fashions, as well as shoes
and handbags are worn by celebrities, socialites
and fashionistas all over the globe.
The new Chloe eyewear collection is chic
and elegant, and marked by design elements
featuring an edgy, subtle and vintage spirit.
The line of 18 ophthalmic styles shows refined
luxury that is achieved by using exclusive
materials combined with masterful artistry that
is made in France. The models are extremely
varied and always echo the Chloe word, its look
and its colour codes.
The ophthalmic collection is understated
and elegant, discreet yet confident. The monochromatic
colours feature gold, silver and earth
tones, while the logo placement is discreet yet
luxurious as with Chloe’s accessories.
The Chloe sunglass collection presents
16 modern and sexy styles. Models are feminine
and delicate with a vintage touch. Their oversized
dimensions recall the grand themes of the
icons of the 70’s. There is a mixture of metal,
acetate, and combination frames. Looks range
from sexy aviators to dramatic Hollywood
glamour.
GT2 PROGRESSIVE LENSES BY ZEISS
Carl Zeiss Vision and Centennial Optical introduce GT2 by ZEISS – the latest
progressive lens in the highly successful Gradal ® series. Along with well-known features
pioneered by ZEISS, such as patented Horizontal Symmetry and variable near
inset, the design of GT2 includes refinements based on new insights into wearer behaviour
and satisfaction.
GT2 progressive lenses by ZEISS have been carefully engineered around the
visual and physiological requirements of the wearer using the proven total aberration
control of ZEISS Optical Optimization and Management. This process maximizes
both the physiological and optical interaction of the lens design with the visual system
of the wearer to ensure the most natural, satisfying viewing experience possible.
To create a new, higher level of patient satisfaction, GT2 progressive lenses by
ZEISS feature wide, clear distance and exceptional clarity in every direction; precision
aberration control throughout the lens; an ergonomically designed near zone for
exceptional reading comfort and a 17mm fitting height which allows a wide variety
of frames.
GT2 is now available in Canada through Carl Zeiss Vision and ZEISS-approved
laboratories, in a wide variety of materials including 1.67 High Index, 1.59
polycarbonate and 1.50 hard resin, in both clear and Transitions ® grey and brown.
64
VISION | mar_apr | 2007

| classified ads |
✁
| BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY |
I am looking to purchase an optical store
for sale. Location is not an issue. I am
highly motivated, and willing to relocate.
If there is any available, please contact
Najeeb at (416) 816-0513 or naeem_najeeb@yahoo.com.
____________________________________
Excellent Opportunity! Growing Optical
dispensary for sale in Ottawa. Open for
3 years now. Experienced 17% increase in
sales over previous year. Owner wanting to
pursue other interests. Please contact
Patrick at 613-521-1222 or vezinaherongate@rogers.com.
____________________________________
THE OPTICAL GROUP - Over 500 opticians
and optometrists from across the country
benefit everyday from their membership in
one of Canada’s largest buying groups. For
more information on how we can help increase
your profitability with discounts from
over 50 of the industry’s leading suppliers,
call 1-800-263-0010.
____________________________________
Optical store for sale in Zellers department
store. No rent, just small percentage of
sales for peace of minds. Excellent,
verifiable sales of over 250 k/year. Willing
to sale with or without inventory and
doctor office equipments opened for many
years with steady clients. Contact zellersvision@rogers.com.
____________________________________
Prestigious Bloor St. optical for sale
(Toronto). Since 1968 with finishing lab and
contact lens room, including equipment.
Elegant wood finish décor frames included,
low rent and overhead, street location,
European style area with dedicated street
shoppers (not mall shoppers). www.opticalstudio.ca.
Current owner relocating out
of town. (705) 252-2842. Please call after
7:00 pm or on weekends.
____________________________________
Wanted to purchase optical dispensary
(705) 845-8235.
____________________________________
OAC
yes!
| EMPLOYMENT |
Karir Fashion Eyewear is looking for an energetic,
fashion oriented optician to join our
team. Great opportunity to work with premiere
quality products within a company
that has been Canada's leading trendsetter
for over twenty years. If you are interested
in joining this dynamic team please email
your résumé to kariryorkdale@bellnet.ca,
attn: Gabriela.
____________________________________
Optician bilingual. Lab and contact experience.
Seeking full time employment. Please
leave name and telephone number to (705)
845-8235.
____________________________________
Ronor Int’l has an opening for a sales
representative for our accessory product
lines as well as our value frames
collections. The territory is Calgary and
surrounding areas. No overnight travel
required. For information, contact Wayne
Callan, Regional Sales Manager at
1-800-363-6704 ext: 4570.
OPTICIANS ASSOCIATION
OF CANADA
Individual Membership
Application - (Opticians only)
I wish to become a member of the OAC
I wish to receive copies of Vision Magazine
I wish to receive OAC correspondence
____________________________________
SALES REPRESENTATIVES REQUIRED -
TEK CANADA Optical is seeking experienced
sales representatives to sell Internationally
recognized DA VINCI ROMA Eyewear, SPICY
EYES by DA VINCI and other company products
in Canada. You may review our Web
site at www.tekoptical.com for further information
on our company and products.
Agents are welcome to apply. Please fax résumé
to (519) 652-5008 or email to
sales@tekoptical.com!
____________________________________
| EQUIPMENT |
Completly new Dr's equipment on sale.
Phoropter, autoprojector, slitlamp with
tonometer and power table, autolensometer,
manual lensometer. $13000. Call (416)
892-2380
____________________________________
For sale: 2 Kirk chem safety units. Currently
set up for photochromic lenses. One a 2
hour treatment for regular index lenses, the
other a 16 hour hi-index format. Each unit
capable of treating 20 lenses per cycle.
$150 each or $250 for both. 1 B&L thermal
hardenening unit $100. Also have a 5 foot
full view glass display cabinet. $250. All
cash and carry (519) 765-2084 or email
dao@amtelecom.net.
____________________________________
For sale: 6 frame display units with acrylic
rods and top lightings. Holds up to 450
frames. Also a dispensing table and wall
mirror. Best offer. Please call (416) 690-
5787.
____________________________________
For sale: Coburn 113 Generator - Quick
Change System - $13500.00 - and we will
delivery within 1000 km of Kelowna BC.
Also, Coburn 302 Lap Cutter - $1200.00 -
Delivery charges negotiable. Please contact
Diane Westfall at (250) 878-1839.
____________________________________
For sale: Contact lens equipment : Topcon
slit lamp, model LS-1E, Amtek keratometer,
model SO-10, Amtek motorized table, double
table top. Call Graham at (519) 256-
8130.
____________________________________
For sale: Topcon autorefractor, B&L Keratometer,
B&L Greens' phoroptor , AOprojector
with stand and slides. Office being
renovated, all offers will be considered.
Call (604) 736-6355 or email focus_optometry@yahoo.ca.
____________________________________
For sale: Used optometric equipment for
sale: Green's phoroptor, B&L keratometer,
Zeiss slitlamp with it's own table, AO projector
with stand and slides, Topcon autorefractor
and old WA hand instruments.
All offers will be considered. Call (604) 736-
6355.
____________________________________
Seeking used Mardan filing cabinet. Please
call Dr. Stephen Code at (519) 745-0310 or
email s.code@sympatico.ca
____________________________________
Used equipment for sale: Complete Dr's
refracting lane. Older chair and stand, slit
lamp, keratometer, phoropter, projection
system. Also Nikon lensometer, Kirk hardex,
VISION +
$499.00
Comprehensive software at a reasonable price.
Point-of-Sale Software, Inventory Control, Automatic order pricing,
Patient Invoicing, Marketing Tools, Sales Reports, Demographics
Ability to submit orders electronically to various labs
(519) 749-0374
MSF Computing Inc.
B&L hardex, 2 Kirk optical chemical units,
Briot layout, Weco 1061 and Weco 1061
parts available, hand stone, hot air
blower.slit lamp and keratometer on adjustable
stand. E-Mail gregorysoptical@sympatico.ca
in London,Ontario.
____________________________________
| SERVICE OFFER |
EyesWest – BC’s Optical Staffing Solution.
Provides licensed and insured opticians on
a temporary or permanent basis throughout
the Lower Mainland, the Interior and Vancouver
Island. Part time, full time, holidays,
weekends, evenings, maternity leave, extended
leave of absence, emergencies, hiring.
BOOK YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAYS EARLY
! Call (604) 767-4936 or visit www.eyeswest.com
____________________________________
Licensed bilingual optician with 20 years
experience wanting to relocate to Northern
Ontario… Sudbury, North Bay, Sturgeon Falls.
Lab experience. Résumé available. Reply in
strict confidence to : www.lookingoptician@hotmail.com.
www.visionplus.cc
____________________________________
Titanium Eyeglass Repair! Our laserwelding
technique creates a seamless result on all
metal frames. Please send $40.00 payment
with each frame which includes : laser
repairing, return priority shipping and one
year guarantee to : Laserfix Ltd., 13 Mission
Ave., St. Albert, AB, T8N 1H6 or call Darrel at
(780) 460-2943 to set up a commercial
account.
PLEASE NOTE...
Our classified ad section is a free service for all
optical practitioners, in the canadian optical
industry.
All submitted classified ads will be included on
the Breton Communications Web site :
www.bretoncom.com/classified
PLEASE SEND YOUR CLASSIFIED AD BEFORE
APRIL 27TH, 2007 TO:
c/o Vision Magazine
Breton communications Inc.
495 St-Martin Blvd. West, #202
Laval, Québec H7M 1Y9
Fax : (450) 629-6044
E-mail : yvonne@bretoncom.com
Name: __________________________________________________________________
(as it will appear on your certificate)
Address: ________________________________________________________________
City & Province: __________________________________________________________
P.C.: ________________________________Phone #: ____________________________ My payment of $75 is enclosed
License #: _______________________________________________________________ Cheque ❑ Visa ❑ MC ❑
Recruited by:_____________________________________________________________ Card #: __________________________
Phone #:_____________________________License #: ___________________________ Expiry Date: ______________________
PLEASE RETURN YOUR PAYMENT TO THE OPTICIANS ASSOCIATION OF CANADA : 2706-83 Garry Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4J9
✁
66
VISION | may_jun | 2007