The Opticians Association of Canada would like to thank everyone who participated in our survey. Your participation will help us to better serve you and the profession of opticianry.
The survey results are still being analyzed, but please find below the first overview of collected data:
The Survey was conducted online with 1,179 opticians from March 15 to April 15, 2019. The data were weighted according to OAC membership data to ensure that the sample matched provincial distribution of OAC members.
There is broad support for a scope increase (2/3 of respondents), despite the need for more communication and education on the refraction issue (almost half of respondents have heard little to nothing about a scope increase).
The biggest point of contention around including refraction is “quality of care”:
Those who support including refraction see the most value in improving care through more patient access to services while those opposed claim that it will decrease the quality of care by confusing patients or allowing them to avoid eye health exams.
Support for refraction is strongest in Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic region, while central and western Canada are more likely to oppose the idea or are unsure.
Despite broad support for implementing refraction among opticians, a slight majority are anxious about the impact on relationships in their work environment: One in three (36%) say they are very/somewhat anxious, and 19% say they are a little anxious.
The human eye comes equipped with a crystalline lens as standard equipment. This lens makes up about one-third of the eye’s focusing power when it’s in a relaxed state. In its early years, the crystalline lens can change its focus (accommodate) quite dramatically -- about 15 diopters. However, there’s a design flaw that results in a gradual decrease in accommodation over the years: The lens is encased inside a thin capsule, but it continues to reproduce cells. The new cells are just added to the existing cells because the old ones cannot escape the confines of the capsule.
With each passing year, like a tree, the crystalline lens gets thicker and thicker. And, just like the tree, as it gets thicker, it becomes less flexible. Hence, the loss of accommodation. The metabolism of the lens also changes over the years, which eventually leads to a loss of clarity. If we think of a window in an old house, it is not as
clear as a brand new window. The same applies to the crystalline lens – a sixty year old person will not have lenses that are as clear as a 10 year old. This slight change in clarity is considered “age normal.”Continue Reading...
BC & AB GUIDE DOGS AT OPTICAL SUMMIT 2019
The OAC would like to thank Shep and Jupiter and their trainers from the BC & Alberta Guide Dogs who joined us for Optical Summit in Calgary this past weekend. This organization endeavours to change the lives of the blind/visually-impaired, individuals with autism, and military and RCMP Veterans. It takes two years and upwards of $35,000 to produce one certified dog, provided free of charge to the recipient.
Shep and Jupiter showed us their gentle, hard working natures, and their amazing focus. I decided I needed to go home and do some training with my own two dogs.
The Opticians Association of Canada is pleased to announce that attendees generously donated $325 dollars at the event and the OAC matched the amount and sent its donation today for a total of $650 dollars. If anyone was unable to attend but would like to donate they shared the following link with us.
If you are interested, a great way to make a donation to Alberta Guide Dogs right now is through the Shaw Birdies for Kids Presented by AltaLink program as donations made through this program will be matched up to 50%! The link below takes you to our personalized donation page where you can donate by credit card or have an invoice mailed to you so a cheque can be issued. https://shawcharityclassic.com/donate/abguide/
SPOTLIGHT ON NOVA SCOTIA By Paul Sim, Treasurer & Director – Opticians Association of Canada, President - NSSDO The Nova Scotia Society of Dispensing Opticians held its AGM and annual education day on April 7. Opticians could receive a total of 9 credits for the day and we had seminars from Essilor, Bausch and Lomb, Specsy as well as the always informative and entertaining Jim Thompson. Nova Scotia currently has a one-year cycle for CE. Eyeglass Dispensing Opticians are required to have 8 CE credits annually and 10 CE credits for Opticians who also hold a Contact Lens License. On April 7, 2019 we had 65 Opticians attend our education and AGM event out of a possible 155 OAC/NSSDO members. Continue Reading...
JOB OPPORTUNITY THE OPTICIANS OF MANITOBA IS LOOKING FOR A NEW REGISTRAR/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
To apply for this role, please submit your resume to Matt Erhard at Summit Search Group at matt.erhard@summitsearchgroup.com or for more information please call (204) 926-8896.
ONTARIO COURT OF APPEAL RULES IN FAVOR OF CLEARLY Friday, April 5, 2019 | optiknow.ca " The Court of Appeal for Ontario ruled that Clearly can continue selling prescription eyewear online in Ontario. The Court dismissed the Ontario College of Optometrists and the College of Opticians joint application to seek an injunction preventing Clearly from selling prescription eyewear in Ontario. The court stated that when Clearly, which operates in compliance with the laws of its home province, British Columbia, is delivering eyeglasses to an Ontario consumer, the act of delivery is not the “controlled act” of “dispensing” which Ontario law governs." Continue Reading...
Despite the disappointing decision by the Court of Appeal for Ontario, the Opticians Association of Canada stands firm behind the fact that consumers will ALWAYS see their best by choosing the services provided by a Licensed Optician.
FOUNDATION FIGHTING BLINDNESS CHANGED NAME
" Changing our name to Fighting Blindness Canada allows us to better communicate our vital mission to Canadians. Removing the term “Foundation” better reflects our action-oriented nature and emphasizes our need to prioritize vision
research in order to support the 5.59 million Canadians who are at significant risk of developing a blinding eye disease, the 1.5 million Canadians living with a seeing disability, and the countless family members and friends who care about them. Adding “Canada” reflects our national focus and distinguishes us from organizations in other countries." Click here for more information.
“ It is estimated that by 2050, half of the world population will be myopic; myopia is being diagnosed in many countries at increasingly younger ages (Holden et al, 2015). Children who develop myopia at a younger age progress more quickly and to higher amounts of myopia… Orthokeratology (OK) utilizes specially designed rigid contact lenses to reshape the corneal contour to temporarily modify or eliminate refractive error.” Continue reading...
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