Automated Refracting Course - Only 2 More Intakes Available

1/27/2012 7:09:20 PM

As previously announced, the future of training for Sight Testing is changing. The NAIT/OAC Automated Refracting Theory course has been approved by the College of Opticians of British Columbia (COBC) until December 31, 2012. In 2013, the Automated Refracting Theory course may no longer be the course of choice in B.C. Future Opticians may be required to complete an Advanced Practice Sight Testing program. Due to this change, the OAC may only be offering 2 more intakes of the Automated Refracting Theory course. These intakes will take place starting March 1, 2012 and September 10, 2012. The application deadlines are February 15 & August 15 respectively. These courses can only be run if there is a sufficient number of applicants. Interested in registering or receiving further information? Contact the OAC Education Department at 1-800-847-3155 or via email at education@opticians.ca

Focus on the Future

1/4/2012 1:02:27 AM

Leslie Hughes is a self-employed mom on the go who, like half of all adults in Canada, has not had an eye exam in five years or more. For Hughes, 41, it’s been 10 years, despite the fact that she wears corrective lenses — contacts she orders online using her decade-old prescription. “I’m an ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ kind of gal,” she admits, in a telephone interview from her home in Newcastle, Ont. “It’s just one of those things that’s not on my to-do list, with all the other appointments we have going on. I force myself to go to my annual physical. I do go to a dentist. I did, at one point, put that off and it caught up with me.”

Old-Age Vision Problems Linked to Dementia

12/2/2011 5:59:58 PM

Untreated vision problems in older age are associated with an increased risk of decline in cognitive function and Alzheimer's disease, data from a cohort study showed.

Uncorrected poor vision was associated with a five- to 10-fold greater risk of Alzheimer's disease and a five-fold greater risk of cognitive decline without dementia, compared with older people who had very good or excellent vision.

CooperVision recalls more contact lenses

11/21/2011 4:17:30 PM

Contact lens maker CooperVision is expanding its recall of the encore 100 brand lenses. The company announced Wednesday it is recalling certain lots of encore100 Sphere contact lenses that may have silicone oil residue. CooperVision previously announced a recall of certain lots of encore100 Toric contact lenses. CooperVision "The presence of the residue [silicone oil] on encore100 Sphere contact lenses may cause hazy vision or discomfort, severe eye pain or eye injuries requiring medical treatment," the company said in a statement.

Better Business Bureau Doesn’t ‘Like’ Coastal Contacts’ Facebook Campaign

11/21/2011 4:10:23 PM

VANCOUVER, British Columbia—In response to a recommendation by the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, online retailer of eyeglasses and contact lenses, Coastal Contacts Inc. (TSX: COA) (Stockholm: COA) revised a promotion that offered consumers “Free Glasses” for “liking” its Facebook page. The NAD made this recommendation, and others, after reviewing offers of free glasses, free shipping and savings of 70 percent and over 70 percent made by Coastal Contacts. The claims at issue were challenged before NAD by 1-800 Contacts, Inc. NAD noted its appreciation of Coastal Contacts’ voluntary discontinuation of the challenged savings claims.

Minister backs bill to regulate cosmetic contact lenses

11/3/2011 1:05:47 AM

OTTAWA — Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq is getting behind legislation to regulate cosmetic contact lenses as medical devices — almost guaranteeing the bill's passage into law. Conservative MP Pat Davidson won the high-profile backing for her private member's bill Monday, after opposition MPs stood in the House of Commons to also voice support for amending Canada's Food and Drugs Act to treat non-correction cosmetic contact lenses just like corrective contact lenses.

Safety and compliance of prescription spectacles ordered by the public via the Internet

10/28/2011 6:21:48 PM

This study investigated prescription spectacles ordered from online vendors and delivered directly to the public for compliance with the optical tolerance and impact resistance requirements for eyewear dispensed in the United States.

To download the article, click here

Cosmetic contact lens legislation sees the light of day!

10/19/2011 1:53:12 PM

Ottawa, October 5, 2011 – It is appropriate as we approach Halloween, that legislation (Bill C-313) has been introduced in the House of Commons by MP Pat Davidson (Sarnia-Lambton) to amend the Food and Drug Act to classify cosmetic contact lenses as class II medical devices, the same as corrective lenses are now classified.

Optician Council of Canada Urges Trick or Treaters To "See" Halloween Safely

10/18/2011 1:52:38 PM

The Opticians Council of Canada (OCC) urges consumers to heed their warnings when considering cosmetic contact lenses (non-corrective coloured lenses) for their Halloween costumes. Cosmetic lenses, sold over-the-counter as costume accessories at some retail outlets and online, are used to change the colour and/or appearance of eyes. While cosmetic lenses are readily available, consumers need to make the right educated choices.

New York Girl Loses Sight After Buying Illegal Contacts

8/25/2011 7:25:38 PM

A New York girl needs a cornea transplant after she illegally purchased a pair of colored contacts at a local beauty store, WPIX.com reported.

8 Education Webinars - Member ($89)

8/30/2011 9:46:14 PM

Group Discount Rates on: VISA and Mastercard

7/15/2011 7:32:40 PM

*NEW* Significant Savings on Visa/MasterCard Processing Fees with Pivotal Payments Pivotal Payments is a long established full service Merchant Services Provider to point-of-sale merchants, Internet business owners, and mail order/telephone order businesses. We provide credit & debit card processing, gift/loyalty/stored value card programs and terminal management solutions in both Canada and the USA.

The Optical Group is the preferred buying group of the OAC

7/8/2011 8:43:03 PM

Automated Refraction One Year Anniversary

7/8/2011 4:12:58 PM

Draft Standards of Practice

6/8/2011 5:25:51 PM

The COBC has been engaging registrants and other stakeholders in updating the Standards of Practice document to incorporate recent changes in the opticianry regulations.
A final draft of the Standards of Practice has been adopted by the COBC Board, pending circulation to the members for further comment.
This document is dynamic and will evolve depending on anticipated and actual changes in our professional responsibility.

We encourage BC opticians to read and embrace these guidelines and provide any further comments to Jenelyn Torres (jtorres@cobc.ca) at the COBC office by June 15, 2011.