Introducing new Transitions® Vantage™ lenses, the photochromic lenses you know and love plus the added benefits of variable polarization — polarization that increases as the lenses get darker in outdoor light. That means, as Transitions® Vantage™ lenses get darker, vision gets crisper, sharper and more vivid. While glare is reduced in even the brightest outdoor conditions.

Visit http://www.transitionsvantage.com/ to find out more about these innovative lenses.  Coming Spring 2012 to Eye Health centres.

www.chromeheartseyewear.com

New Chrome Hearts Frames Collections are in stock at Eye Health Centres locations now!  Stop in today!

www.saltoptics.com

If you wear SALT. Optics eyeglasses or sunglasses, you probably already know that less is more. You know that they represent superior craftsmanship, high quality and simple designs. They’re modern and streamlined, with a timeless, retro flair.

Salt has frames for men and women that range from contemporary, rimless frames to classic, chunky styles. If you’re an out-of-the-box thinker, these glasses are for you. While they feature vintage style, they are engineered to meet the most exacting standards for quality and superior performance.

Frames are handmade with optical-grade plastics and metals. Shapes range from the classic aviator style to the trendy oversized frame. Retro horn rimmed glasses are updated with modern, high-impact materials to keep them like new for many wears and years to come.

Each year, the Transitions Healthy Sight Awards program recognizes independent eyecare professionals from each of the three regions in Canada for their commitment to advancing eye health and their overall support of the Transitions brand. In addition to being honored as the Transitions Eyecare Professional of the Year, the winner will also receive rewards such as a celebratory dinner for his or her staff; a trip for two to attend the 2012 Transitions Championship^®, a PGA TOUR event; and Transitions-branded apparel and cash prizes for each staff member.

“During the selection process, it was clear that the driving force for all three finalists was a strong passion for educating their patients and local communities about the importance of regular eye care,” said Christine Underhill, business manager, Canada, Transitions Optical. “We applaud each finalist for challenging and inspiring their staff to promote healthy sight year-round, and for arming them with the education and resources to confidently recommend Transitions^® lenses as an everyday eyewear solution.”

About the Transitions Healthy Sight Awards Program

Now in its third year, the Transitions Healthy Sight Awards program recognizes and rewards independent eyecare professionals who demonstrate excellence in supporting Transitions Optical’s family of products and programs, and who actively promote healthy sight within their practices and the community.

To be eligible for the Transitions Eyecare Professional of the Year award, eyecare professionals must be part of an independent practice with no more than 10 locations and have at least a 15 percent share of Transitions lenses. All nominees are evaluated on their sales growth; marketing initiatives and promotion participation; community involvement; and employee education and training. Eyecare professionals can self-nominate, or can be nominated by a laboratory, lens manufacturer or Transitions Optical representative.

Additional information is available online at www.Transitions.com/HSAP, or by calling Transitions Optical customer service (877) 254-2590.

Dr. Kerrie Schwandt of Medicine Hat, and Dr. Diane Monea of Calgary both received media attention when they brought in a parent and child from their respective practices who benefitted dearly from the Eye See … Eye Learn program.

The Medicine Hat News wrote about the gains made by Riley Wilks, a young boy who has made “big strides in learning” since having his eyes examined and receiving his first pair of glasses. Riley’s mom noticed a problem when one of Riley’s eyes seemed to be turning. Now, with glasses, he is able to see better and is doing much better in school.

Meanwhile, CTV Calgary featured Jasmine Walia, a Kindergarten student who started to complain about not being able to see the board at the front of the class. Through ESEL information distributed at the school, Jasmine’s mother took her in to see Dr. Monea who worked to correct the vision problem. Jasmine is now doing great.

Working with optometrists to find the “human interest” angle on a story, has allowed us to gain some of the media attention that the ESEL program so richly deserves. However, the media release generated stories beyond the large media outlets and found its way into a variety of mediums.

These include:
• Alberta Education’s Website
• Alberta Health Services
• Community papers
• Contact lens site out of Britain
• Daily newspapers throughout Alberta
• Internet blogs
• Rural Weekly newspapers and Internet site
• You Tube – Calgary Breakfast TV upload

Since September 2011, the ESEL program has provided almost 800 pair of glasses to students outstripping last years pace which resulted in 1,600 free eye glasses. Much thanks has to go to our industry partners, Hilco, Optiq, and KW Optical (Calgary) and KW Optical (Edmonton) for their generous contribution.

If you are interested in participating in a similar media story as outlined above, please contact Karen Hollingsworth at the AAO Office for details. We are always looking for assistance in promoting ESEL and optometry across Alberta.

Some sites where ESEL has been mentioned:

Medicine Hat News

CTV Calgary

Alberta Education

The Prairie Post – Rural Paper
Breakfast TV

Vegreville News

Internet Blog

Edmonton Community paper

UK Internet

Optometrists in Alberta are taking part in an initiative to bring attention to the importance of eye health and are focusing on children in kindergarten.

Poor eye sight can contribute to poor grades and make it tough on a child when they enter the school system.

The Alberta Association of Optometrists is aiming to change that through the Eye See… Eye Learn (ESEL) program.

The program is funded by Alberta Education to ensure that kids are not prohibited from reaching their maximum learning potential because they can’t see.

“Why wouldn’t you, in terms of development of children, get your child’s eyes examined because remember many careers are based on whether you can see or not,” said Dr. Diana Monea, Optometrist.

Jasmine Walia is just four and a half and started kindergarten this year.

Jasmine was doing alright in school until her teacher moved her to the back of the class.

That’s when she started to complain about not being able to see the board at the front of the class.

Jasmine’s mother heard about the ESEL program and decided to take advantage of it.

AHS covers eye exams in children under 18 but parents are on the hook if they need glasses.

The ESEL program offers a free pair of glasses to kindergarten children, from participating school divisions, who need them.

Eye doctors say an early eye exam can prevent learning difficulties for many students and Jasmine’s mom says she’s seeing a difference in her daughter already.

“She’s clearly writing in those three lines like pearls in a necklace. So beautiful, and she told me she’s very happy after getting the glasses,” said Raj Walia.

About a third of the approximately 50,000 kindergarten students in the province took advantage of the ESEL program last year and 1600 of those received new glasses.

For more information on the program, visit the Alberta Association of Optometrists website.

Original article appears at ctvcalgary.ca

• Stop the fog with Optifog
• Introducing Optifog

But when he returned on Wednesday as a volunteer with the group, the emotions from that first trip came flooding back.

“I felt pure joy,” said 30-year-old Skauge.

“Just seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and how excited they were brought me back to when I was a kid and how neat it was to be here with a group of other kids. Even though we didn’t know each other, it was just such an exciting thing for all of us.”

Skauge was one of the volunteers, crew and sponsors who escorted the 138 kids for the 21st flight taken by the Calgary chapter over the past 19 years. Air Canada supplies the Boeing 767 aircraft and employees donate their time to operate the flights.

In 1993, Skauge was undergoing treatment for a brain tumour. A nurse on his unit at the Alberta Children’s Hospital submitted his name and on Oct. 16, 1993, Skauge and 49 other kids from Calgary made the trip to Anaheim for the day.

“There was so much bad stuff going on at the time with the doctors and hospitals,” said Skauge, who added the trip gave him a light at the end of the tunnel. “It was something to focus on other than the bad things that were going on at the time.”

Having once been in their shoes, Skauge said it gives him special insight into the kids and what they are feeling.

“I was just like them at one time,” he said.

“When you are a kid and you are sick, there is a tendency to focus on all the bad things that are happening and that could happen,” said Skauge.

“There are so many tests and medications and Dreams gave me something to focus on. It was something really positive to look forward to. To this day, it was one of the best days of my life.”

The charity has gone on to impact him throughout his life. Dreams Take Flight was the first charity he had any experience with. Skauge said his experience showed him that people care and that people will help perfect strangers out of the goodness of their hearts and that has inspired him to do that himself.

He added that he hopes that the kids will come full circle like he has from being a participant to volunteering when they grow up.

“If at some point in time if they get into a position where they can give back, I think they should because everybody would be just a little better off.”

Mayor Naheed Nenshi joined this year’s flight as a special guest.

“It’s the first-year anniversary (of the mayor’s election)and I thought what better way to celebrate it than to take the day off and do some volunteering with some kids from Calgary, so I am just thrilled to be doing this,” said Nenshi. “It’s wonderful that they are going to get this incredible experience today.”

“I am so happy to do it. The kids are so thrilled (to be here),” added Nenshi. “I thought it would be a day off with some kids, but it has actually been very touching to understand the lives of these Calgarians.

“This charity looks after kids from every spectrum. Kids who are chronically ill, kids who terminally ill, kids who have physical diseases or intellectual disabilities or who have social issues,” Nenshi said, adding it is nice that the day allows participants just to be kids for a day.

Nenshi’s participation marked the first time a serving mayor of Calgary has made the trip with the group.

Dreams Take Flight sends children aged seven to 12 who have special needs, including terminal or chronic illnesses, as well as children who have mental, physical, social or emotional challenges to Disneyland for a one-day trip. A total of 25 different sponsoring agencies are represented with the participants.

Prior to the departure early Wednesday morning, Dreams Take Flight made a donation of $90,000 to the Calgary Handi-bus Association to purchase a new vehicle. Due to successful fundraising over the years by the charity, Dreams Take Flight officials said they wanted to give back to the community with the purchase of a bus.

Story from : http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Dreams+Take+Flight+volunteer+gives+back+years+after+first+visit+Disneyland/5576579/story.html

Fall Newsletter 2011

What’s New?

New Doctors have joined us!

Please go to our web site for review: www.eyehealthcentres.com

Regina: Dr. Michelle Vickers – Saskatchewan born.

Dr. Tracey Matthews- Calgary born

Calgary: Dr. Shelly Taneja- Calgary born!

New product

opticalshopinternational.com/Chrome-Hearts

www.cartier.com

The EyeGlass Guide can help direct your discussion of lens products— Start turning eyeglasses into MY glasses by using our interactive eyeglass tool. Answer a few questions about you, your lifestyle and your vision, and get printable recommendations you can take to your next appointment. Click. Build. Print. It only takes a few minutes!

EyeGlass Guide is brought you by Transitions Optical.

Revoluntionary!

The world’s first single vision lens indicating a reduction of myopia progression by an average of 30% in East and Southeast Asian children aged 6 to 12 years with a history of parental myopia.¹

Ask us!

Please let us know if you would like to participate in a trial study!

Coming in November! Essilor Launches a New Category of Lenses: Optifog

A real scientific breakthrough, Optifog lenses prevent eyeglasses from fogging up, thanks to a hydrophilic coating, while simultaneously offering all the optical and anti-smudge performance of Essilor lenses.

What we are doing to help?

Mother Teresa Middle School opens in Regina

Paul Hill says “The greatest need in our community is what’s happening in our inner city,” he said. “We’re losing a generation that are dropping out of high school in a high percentage and not breaking out of that cycle of poverty and that cycle of despair that exists with many of these people. We discovered a network of schools in the U.S. that addresses these very issues.” This year, 17 students in Grade 6 were selected for the program. Families pay a small fee, but the majority of the $25,000 tuition cost is covered by private donations to the school, which does not receive public funding.

The Eye Health Centres will provide complimentary eye-health exams and glasses for these children, annually. 80% of learning is through vision! We want these kids to have every chance to learn!

Please note: if you know any child who needs visual help please contact Dr. Diana Monea directly @ dr-monea@hotmail.com and we can help through our own program: Anna’s Vision –please refer to our web-site for details : www.eyehealthcentres.com