Dr. Diana Monea Interviewed In Optical Prism Magazine

September 1st, 2010

It wasn’t the glass cases that housed delicate Cartier frames in Dr. Diana Monea’s office that won her the inaugural ECP of the Year award from Transitions Optical this spring.  Nor was it her office’s location in Calgary’s trendy Kensington neighbourhood that made her worthy of accolades.

One can, perhaps, gain the greatest insight into why she’s worth acknowledging by taking a look at her e-mail inbox.  It’s crammed with more than 13,000 messages – mostly from clients with eyecare concerns.  She takes the time to answer each of them personally.

The snapshots adorning the storefront walls show Dr. Monea holding babies just after their first eye tests, a clear indication of the priority she gives to pediatric care.

Office manager Diana McMillan holds down the fort in the Kensington practice, where top-of-the-line designer frames are made accessible to average Canadians, while the popular optometrist is busy keeping eye appointments at her other two practices in South Calgary and Regina.  McMillan has been working with Dr. Monea for five years and says her years of working in the industry have been topped by her time overseeing Monea’s office and clients.

“I managed large clinics in the city before I came to work for her here in Kensington, and before I came I was wondering if it was going to be a good fit,” she explains.  “Once I did, I realized that working with Dr. Monea was a fresh breath of air – she is extremely progressive, both in fashion and optical, and there is such a marriage between the two.  She is on the cutting edge in both of them.”

McMillan noted Dr. Monea’s uniqueness in being accessible to her patients 24 hours a day via email.

“She’ll respond at 2 a.m.,” McMillan says.  “Sometimes I’ll get calls from patients wondering if she sleeps.”

And as a result, Dr. Monea complains she doesn’t have enough hours in the day.

“The further away we get from human contact, thanks in part to the Internet, the more humans long for it,” she says on her one-to-one customer-care philosophy.  “Patients aren’t patients – they’re family.  They really are.”

That keen awareness of a client’s needs, coupled with outstanding sales in Transitions lenses (53 per cent of sales at her three practices include Transitions), earned her the award.

The founder of Eye Health Centre Optometrists is clearly dedicated to her vocation, making time for charity work, mentoring students and doing professional development.  The Saskatchewan born optometrist counts a number of industry firsts on her resume, including being the first optometrist in North America to profile case studies in optometry, beginning in April of 2000.  All digital pictures, corneal topography and field analysis illustrated were drawn from her office’s database of more than 110,000 eye exams she has personally performed so far in her career.  Along with state-of-the-art technology, the digital files are used when working in collaboration with other specialists to enhance the service provided to each patient.

Dr. Monea has come a long way from the Rockglen, Saskatchewan farm on which she was raised.  Over her 31-year career, she has cultivated a special interest in children’s needs.  In particular, she helped spearhead the Eye See I Learn program through Essilor, which aimed to educate parents about the need for early eye health exams.  One of the main goals was to advocate for government-subsidized eye health exams and a free pair of glasses for kindergarten students in Alberta.

“Vision is the most important sense we have,” Dr. Monea says.  “Eighty percent of learning is done through vision.  No child in this day and age should be unable to achieve full development.”

Part of Dr. Monea’s strategy is to show clients at a young age that wearing glasses isn’t the burden it was once perceived to be.  That’s where her self-admitted “passion for fashion” comes into play.  The doctor estimates that she owns close to 500 pairs of designer frames, and is adamant that her customers should take the opportunity to wear glasses in order to look their best while attaining perfect vision.

“Spectacles are a piece of jewellery on your face that serves a purpose,” she says.  “It’s so much fun to make a statement.”

Despite her busy work days, she makes sure to wake up early to research any new trends in the industry, in order to stay up to date and informed for her clients.  She attends local fashion shows and makes the annual Silmo and Vision Expo East international trade shows a priority.

As a result, she has been rewarded by a dedicated and growing patient base.

“I have now gone into the fifth generation of some families I treat,” Dr. Monea says.

Although the Transitions award was clearly hard earned, Dr. Monea wastes no time in doling out credit to her dedicated team at her Eye Health Centres.

“It was totally unexpected – it was a really humbling experience,” she says.  “This is not an ‘I’ award, it’s a ‘we’ award.”

Credit noted.

The above article is a reprint from Optical Prism magazine.

Diana Monea named the first-ever “Eyecare Professional (ECP) of the Year” by Transitions Optical, Inc.

July 15th, 2010

Transitions Optical, Inc. has named Diana Monea, O.D., Eye Health Centre, Calgary, Alberta, the first-ever “Eyecare Professional (ECP) of the Year” as part of the new Healthy Sight Awards program.

The Transitions Healthy Sight Awards program.

Transitions is pleased to introduce The Transitions Healthy Sight Awards. This program is designed to recognize and reward Independent Eyecare Professional locations who have demonstrated excellence in supporting the Transitions® lenses brand throughout the year. Laboratories will have the opportunity to nominate those partners they feel have shown outstanding support for Transitions lenses in the following four categories:

  • Sales Growth
  • Marketing Initiatives
  • Community Involvement
  • Employee Education/Training

Healthy Sight Awards, named Diana Monea O.D., of the Eye Health Center in Calgary Alberta, the first-ever “Eye Care Professional (ECP) of the year”.

The Healthy Sights Awards program recognizes one independent eye care
professional practice, nominated by a lab, for his or her achievement in four categories
throughout the year: sales growth, including share of Transitions lenses, marketing
efforts and promotions, community involvement, and employee education and training.

Monea was nominated by Essilor in Calgary and selected as the winner from three
finalists.The two other finalists, Hubert Dalpé, O.D., Bureau Dalpé et Besner
optométristes (East Region) and Tarik Kamel, Kamel Eye Centre (Ontario Region) also
attended the ceremony and were recognized for their achievements.

“Dr. Monea’s extraordinary support of Transitions products and programs, as well as her dedication to sight-saving efforts and industry education, made her an standout candidate for our first-ever ‘ECP of the Year’ distinction,” said Isabelle Tremblay-Dawson, marketing manager, Canada. “We are thrilled to recognize her for these efforts and reward her and her staff so that they may continue to provide quality eyecare and contribute to the optical industry in Canada.”

In addition to being honored as “ECP of the Year,” Monea will receive a trip for two to the Transitions Championship For Healthy Sight at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club; $50 gift cards and a celebratory dinner for her entire optical staff; and an “ECP of the Year” certification and window cling for office display, among other prizes. The staff at Essilor in Alberta who nominated her will also receive gift cards.

Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Golf Game

April 10th, 2010

Healthy Sight is par for the course, now that Transitions has been named Official Eyewear of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.

Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort
Tampa Bay, FL
March 15-21, 2010
Purse: $5.4 Million

Transitions is proud to announce a four-year global marketing partnership with the PGA TOUR. Transitions lenses have been designated the Official Eyewear of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.

Golf enthusiasts—professional and amateurs alike—depend on healthy sight and quality of sight for optimal performance. Golfers contend with varying light and playing conditions, as well as consistent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Transitions lenses block 100% of UV rays, reduce glare and adjust to changing light conditions. They are an ideal everyday lens choice for golfers and avid golf fans who want to achieve healthy sight and quality of sight on and off the course, today and tomorrow.

Transitions is also pleased to announce a new broad-reaching consumer education program—Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game—that uses tips and tools to link healthy sight and quality of sight to athletic performance.

Go to the Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game page for the Transitions golfer’s widget, golf tips, information on maximizing your vision, and a news feed with the latest updates from the PGA TOUR.

PGA TOUR Professionals named Healthy Sight Ambassadors

Transitions Optical is excited to welcome two of the PGA TOUR’s finest – Trevor Immelman and Kenny Perry – who will serve as Transitions’ newest ambassadors for healthy sight. Both Trevor and Kenny are intimately familiar with the impact that healthy, quality sight has on optimal athletic performance.

Symptoms of Colds versus H1N1 Flu

November 5th, 2009

Woman sneezing
Image via Wikipedia

The H1N1 swine flu and regular seasonal colds both have similar symptoms, but subtle differences will tell you which you are dealing with.  Know the facts so you can prevent the spread of either flu to others.

Fever

Fever is rare with a cold.

Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the H1N1 flu.

Coughing

A hacking, productive (mucus- producing) cough is often present with a cold.

A non-productive (non-mucus producing) cough is usually present with the H1N1 flu (sometimes referred to as dry cough).

Aches

Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.

Severe aches and pains are common with the H1N1 flu.

Stuffy Nose

Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.

Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chills

Chills are uncommon with a cold.

60% of people who have the H1N1 flu experience chills.

Tiredness

Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.

Tiredness is moderate to severe with the H1N1 flu

Sneezing

Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.

Sneezing is not common with the H1N1 flu.

Sudden Symptoms

Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.

The H1N1 flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.

Headache

A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold

A headache is very common with the H1N1 flu, present in 80% of flu cases.

Sore Throat

Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.

Sore throat is not commonly present with the H1N1 flu.

Chest Discomfort

Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.

Chest discomfort is often severe with the H1N1 flu.

Prevent H1N1

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

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Maui Jim Sunglasses

June 29th, 2009

Maui JimFrom Maui Jim a revolutionary experience in lightweight comfort and protection. Made from beta titanium, these rimless sunglasses weigh just eleven grams. Hingeless and revolutionary, they’re the latest expression of PolarizedPlus® Technology. Maui Jim®Titanium Sport available in your prescription. Eliminate glare that attacks!

Maui Jim Titanium Sport® sunglasses, with patented Polarized Plus® technology, give you the visual advantage. They eliminate glare that attacks your eyes from all directions.

Rated #1 in golf.
“Golf Digest, July 2004.”

Maui Jim sunglasses were created in the early ’80s in response to the ineffectiveness of most sunglasses to the brutal tropical rays of the Hawaiian sun. They were only available in the islands until the mid-’90s, when Hester Enterprises (which bought the small company in 1991) licensed RLI Vision to distribute the specialty sunwear on the mainland. Two years later, Maui Jim sunglasses bought RLI Vision, creating the company that is known today as the fastest-growing manufacturer of polarized sun protection in the world.

Why Choose Maui Jim Sunglasses?

Maui Jim is a recognized leader in sun protection technology.

. Their Polarized Plus and Polarized Plus 2 lenses block 100 percent of UV rays, and they “manage” blue light without interfering with color balance and perception. Maui Jim sunglasses are designed to compensate for all three types of glare: reflected, direct, and bounce-back. The Maui Jim polarized filters absorb 99.9 percent of reflected glare. The bi-gradient mirror coating mimics the effects of squinting, thereby minimizing direct glare. And the anti-reflective coating absorbs bounce-back glare, which is reflected from behind or to the sides.

What Is Polarized Plus Technology?

Maui Jim’s Polarized Plus technology is a multi-layered approach to sunglass construction which combines the best technologies to reduce glare. Polarized Plus is available in polycarbonate lenses in the Titanium Sport, Stainless Steel, and MJ Sport collections. Construction of these lenses begins with the polarizing filter, which is tinted to the lens color. This film is placed between two special polycarbonate lenses, which are then coated with a scratch-resistant application. An anti-reflective coating is applied to the back of the lens, and a bi-gradient mirror coating is applied to the front of the lens. Finally, a waterproof coating is applied to the entire construction, providing protection from water or snow, and making it easier to clean the lenses. These lenses are available in grey (transmits 12 percent of the visible light), rose (15 percent), and bronze (16 percent). Polarized Plus lenses are saltwater safe and effective for blue and infrared light.

What Is Polarized Plus 2 Technology?

In many ways, Polarized Plus 2 is very similar to the Polarized Plus technology. These lenses, however, are glass: standard glass in the Classic and Flexon collections, and superthin glass in the Pure Titanium Collection. The glass in these lenses contains three elements (neodymium, erbium, and praseodymium) which enhance color perception while improving both contrast and depth perception. The multi-layer structure consists of the tinted polarizing filter sandwiched between two layers of optically correct, distortion-free glass. The glass is coated with an anti-reflective coating on the back, and bi-gradient mirroring on the front. The lenses are then given a waterproof coating. These lenses are available in grey (transmits 8 percent of visible light), rose (10 percent), and bronze (12 percent).

Maui Jim Prescription Lenses

Maui Jim prescription lenses are also available. These designs feature the Maui Jim logo so you know that you have authentic Maui Jim sunglasses. They are available in both polycarbonate and superthin glass. The polycarbonate prescription lenses are available in gray and bronze, and progressive lenses are also available. Polycarbonate lenses feature the Polarized Plus technology. The glass prescription lenses are available in all three Maui Jim colors, but only in single vision lenses. It is important to note that Maui Jim glass lenses are not suitable for night driving or impact sports, and they should not be used as safety glasses. While they do meet or exceed FDA impact-resistance standards, they are not shatter-proof.

Characteristics of the Frame Collections

Maui Jim Sunglasses has six different collections of frame types to choose from, as well as two shield styles. Within each collection of frame types is a variety of shapes to complement any face shape. There is even a special feature on the company website that suggests various styles to match your face shape.

Classic: nylon frames tumbled in teakwood and bamboo, with nickel/silver alloy hinges.
Flexon: these frames are made of a titanium/nickel alloy that is strong but flexible.
Stainless Steel: this rimless design collection features polycarbonate lenses in two colors.
Titanium ST: superthin glass lenses in titanium frames.
Titanium Sport: touted as the “ultimate golf sunglasses,” this collection features hingeless and rimless frames made of ultra-light “beta titanium”, an alloy of titanium, aluminum, and vanadium that provides incredible strength and flexibility.
MJ Sport: the ultimate sport sunglasses. Featuring nylon frames and rubber nose-grips, these semi-rimless polycarbonate sunglasses have unique features like air vents on some styles.

The Website

The official website is one of the best of its kind. Not only does it show clearly what each style looks like, it explains the features available in each collection. The website is loaded with information on the technology behind the glasses, useful tips on choosing flattering frames, and even some fun features like a quiz about Hawaii and a list of common Hawaiian words and phrases. The website is worth a visit even if you’re not currently in the market for protective eyewear.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration Research

May 7th, 2009

A new article has been added to the Research section regarding Age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

To read the article, click here. For further information, see our eye health library article about macular degeneration.

Cartier Releases the Love Optical Collection

April 29th, 2009

Second Look

NEW YORK—The House of Cartier has introduced the Cartier Love collection of prescription eyewear.

Based upon the Cartier Love bracelet adorned with the ubiquitous screw motif first designed in 1969 by jeweler Aldo Cipullo, the Love collection of eyewear features two complementary shapes, one rectangle and one oval. It also includes two sizes, a small masculine or large feminine model and an average feminine model.

Both styles are finished in brushed gold or platinum and in accordance with the jewelry aesthetic, the love screw motif is present on the temples along with a discreet Cartier logo.

Anchored in Cartier heritage, the Cartier Love optical collection is priced to the dispenser at $446.

It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. They can express with ease what words cannot explain

Find out more about Cartier at the Cartier frames section of our website.

Cartier Frames Section at Eye Health Centres

April 29th, 2009

There is now a section dedicated to Cartier designer frames here on the Eye Health Centres website!

Please visit our section about Cartier Frames for history, facts and other interesting information about Cartier!

Varilux® Ipseo® New Edition Lens

April 29th, 2009

Varilux® Ipseo® New Edition was the winner in the lens categoryat the Silmo 2008. This new generation Varilux® Ipseo® lens offers image stabilization along with the numerous customized features available on the previous version. Varilux® Ipseo® New Edition leverages innovative Dual Digital Vision technology, which splits the addition between the front and back surfaces of the lens to best suit the wearer’s head and eye movements.

Ipseo New Edition – SOMETHING UNIQUE FOR YOUR EYES?

Tailored to suit each person’s requirements, Varilux Ipseo lenses are already the benchmark for wearers looking for customised lenses. We have gone one step further in the quest for greater visual performance…thanks to Varilux Ipseo New Edition, which offers an even higher level of personalisation. Dual Digital Vision is a new way of using both sides of the lens to tailor Varilux Ipseo New Edition to the physiology of each individual wearer. With Varilux Ipseo New Edition, prismatic effects are controlled by splitting the addition between the front and back surfaces of the lens, in order to best suit the wearer’s head and eye movements. The unique features of Varilux Ipseo New Edition are protected by two new patents.

Varilux Ipseo New Edition lenses are the first to have been tested in a virtual simulator developed entirely by Essilor’s researchers. The essential value of this type of simulator lies in its capacity to reproduce the visual effects of the lenses in a virtual environment. The experiments performed in this virtual simulator confirmed that the Dual Digital Vision concept used for Varilux Ipseo New Edition lenses contributes to improving the vision of both head and eye movers.

Eye See…Eye Learn – An Early Childhood Eye Health and Vision Project

April 13th, 2009

Eye See…Eye Learn ®
An Early Childhood Eye Health and Vision Project

The pilot project

In 2003 the Alberta Association of Optometrists partnered with Elk Island Public Schools, the Ministry of Children’s Services, the Capital Health Authority, and the East Central Health Authority to launch an exciting pilot project called “Eye See…Eye Learn ®”. The project was designed to ensure eye health and/or vision problems weren’t a factor in preventing children from reaching their full learning potential. Parents of ECS (Kindergarten) students were encouraged to obtain comprehensive eye health and vision examinations for their children through local optometrists or ophthalmologists.

The results of the pilot

Raising the awareness of the importance of eye health examinations resulted in 30% more kindergarten children having their eyes examined. In children at this age level, it is common for approximately 6% to be prescribed eyeglasses and about 8% to have a binocular or accommodative vision problems. This means that 14% of kindergarten-aged children will have some form of a vision problem.

Where we are now

Since our pilot project, ALL public and separate school divisions across our province have endorsed the Eye See…Eye Learn® program. This means that each fall about 48,000 parent information packages are sent home with kindergarten children. We hope that all parents/guardians will choose to participate.

Each package contains:

  • Information on why eye health is important to your child’s learning process
  • A copy of the form to be completed by the eye doctor at the time of the eye health assessment and then returned to the classroom. The 3-part Eye Health and Vision forms are available at participating optometrist’s offices.
  • A list of commonly asked questions and answers regarding eye health and vision
  • Information regarding the free eyeglasses

FRIBBIT® – our mascot

Fribbit® is our Eye See…Eye Learn mascot. Fribbit® is meant to make this project more fun for the children. Teachers have resource material for their classrooms where Fribbit® is highlighted as they teach about eye health and eye safety. Optometrists have Fribbit® in their offices as well so the children can identify with him at the time of their eye exam.

Free eyeglasses

Because of the generous donations of industry sponsors we are able to offer to kindergarten children from participating school divisions – one Free pair of eyeglasses if they are prescribed by an eye doctor.

Program sponsors

Sponsors of the Free Eyeglasses for Kindergarten Children Program:

Alberta Optometrists
Essilor Canada
Optiq
Metro Optical / KW Optical

If you have any questions regarding this program, you are asked to contact the coordinator at the Alberta Association of Optometrists at (780) 451-6824.