May 6, 2010 - Incident Report - The OAC’s Internet Committee is gathering statistics on consumer problems evolving from the purchase of eyeglasses and contact lenses via the Internet.  Download this form to report problems you have resolved.  Photocopy the form for multiple reports.

October 23, 2009 - Opticians Council of Canada Warns Against Purchasing Cosmetic Contact Lenses From A Non-Licensed Professional - When it comes to Halloween safety, parents may consider their kids' costumes and whether to attach reflectors, checking candy is appropriately wrapped and safe to eat, but what about their eyes?

October 23, 2009 - October Is Eye Health Month - Did you know that 1 in 6 children have a vision problem that could lead to learning disabilities?

August 25, 2009 - Letter from OAC to College of Opticians of Ontario re: Great Glasses

October 29, 2008 - Disciplinary hearing for optician- Great Glasses founder faces allegations of professional misconduct
Hamilton Spectator - Hamilton,ON,Canada

A Dundas optician's cross-examination of a former customer during a disciplinary hearing yesterday inadvertently raised the possibility that at least one Great Glasses store was engaged in questionable insurance claim practices.... READ MORE

Posted October 29, 2008 - Company sets sights on total eye care   London Free Press - Canada

In a blink, London has become part of the latest eye- care trend.  Iris, the Visual Group -- the largest eye-care provider in Canada -- has opened a clinic in southwest London that employs optometrists, opticians and opthalmologists.... READ MORE

Posted October 14, 2008 -  Court rejects Great Glasses appeal bid. Panel upholds contempt fine of at least $34m.
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/448936

Posted October 1, 2008 - York Region District School Board Announces Success of Markham School Readiness Project
The York Region District School Board (YRDSB) will be joined by Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Markham MPP Michael Chan on Tuesday, September 30 at 9:30 a.m. at Wilclay Public School in Markham to celebrate the completion of its first school readiness screening project and the preliminary results.

Over 1,200 junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten children at 11 Markham area schools participated in a month-long screening of vision, oral health and nutrition to identify deficiencies or need for referrals.... READ MORE

Posted June 28, 2008 -  Screen Time Among Canadian Adults
This study was done as sedentary habits relate to obesity.  It includes statistics on demographics that watch television and spend time at computers.  Consequently it can just as easily be used to determine which of the two mediums you could use for advertising to your target market.

Posted May 22, 2008 - Practice Trends - Who gave the Internet a License to Practice?
Internet sales of contact lenses are by now a fact of life in the optical marketplace. And now consumers are able to make Internet purchases of eyeglasses. Optical professionals continue to ask themselves how this is allowed to persist? CLICK HERE to Read More.

Posted March 18, 2008 - Regulation of Non-Correction, Cosmetic Contact Lenses Approved in Parliament
The Opticians Association of Canada announces the following motion to regulate, which was passed in the House
of Commons in Ottawa on March 10, 2008. This motion affects the sale of non-corrective cosmetic contact lenses. For more information, CLICK HERE

Posted January 9, 2008 - Lucentis - A Treatment That Is Sight-Saving For Many People With Wet AMD
CNIB has launched a campaign regarding access to a new treatment for Age Related Macular Degeneration.
For more information, CLICK HERE

Posted December 6, 2007 - Ministry of Health - For Immediate Release

WHAT WE HEARD: BRITISH COLUMBIANS ON HEALTH- VICTORIA – The Province has released a summary of the input received from thousands of British Columbians during the year-long Conversation on Health. These comments, ideas and suggestions will assist government in making decisions about the next steps towards the renewal and sustainability of the public health system.

Posted October 29, 2007 - The College of Opticians of Ontario (COO) on October 24, 2007 published its Standard of Practice for Refractometry. In a letter to the President of the Opticians Association of Canada the COO has stated "...the Council is convinced that it is in the public interest to allow those Opticians who have demonstrated their competency to do so to refract, thereby enhancing the public's access to an important health care service as well as enhancing the public's choice among alternate provider of the service."

For More Information, click on the following links:
Letter to OAC President
Background
Thematic Report
Patient Consent Form
Standard of Practice

Posted August 4, 2007 - College of Opticians of British Columbia files injunction against Coastal Contacts Ltd. and Clearly Contacts Ltd. for the illegal sale of contact lenses over the Internet. To read more click here.

Posted July 24, 2007 - From time to time the Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) has received complaints from Canadian Opticians who have been denied access to purchase certain products and believe this denial represents an unwarranted breech of the Competition Act. As advocates for opticians the OAC has consequently followed up on each complaint with both the wholesale company involved and with the Competition Bureau. You may find the following information a valuable resource should you believe that you have faced or are facing similar anti-competitive practices.

(Taken from the Competition Bureau website) "Did You Know That, As a Businessperson: your suppliers can suggest resale prices, but cannot prevent you from charging less? your suppliers are not allowed to refuse to deal with you, or to discriminate against you, because of your low prices? your suppliers or competitors are not allowed to try to get you to raise your prices, or to try to discourage you from lowering your prices? These practices are called price maintenance and are illegal under the Competition Act."

To find out more about how Price Maintenance click here
To find out more about Refusal to Supply click here