BC Doctors of Optometry to prescribe, dispense and administer anti-glaucoma medication

Vancouver, August 1, 2012— Amendments to the Optometrists Regulation took effect today that will allow BC Doctors of Optometry to prescribe medications to treat glaucoma – an eye disease that often has no symptoms and may result in permanent blindness. The changes will make it easier and faster for British Columbians to get the advanced eye care they need to prevent or slow down the progression of glaucoma– especially in rural and remote areas of the province, according to the British Columbia Association of Optometrists (BCAO).

Media release

TORONTO, ON (May 11, 2011) – Justin Bieber, Sarah McLachlan, David Foster and other great celebrities all have something in common: they’re helping Canadians rebuild their lives after losing their vision – by donating their sunglasses to CNIB for the charity’s upcoming Shades of Fun auction on eBay.

Opening to the public at www.cnib.ca/auctions on May 13, the auction is part of CNIB’s Shades of Fun campaign, an annual fundraiser that encourages Canadians from coast to coast to slip on their sunglasses throughout May to protect their eyes from UV damage, and raise funds to support CNIB services for people with vision loss.

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British Columbians who experience fall allergies are able to get fast, effective, prescriptive treatment from their optometrists.

Last year, the B.C. government expanded the scope of practice to allow optometrists to prescribe eye drops, which, along with other treatments, can work amazingly well, says optometrist Dr. Gurpreet Leekha, a member of the B.C. Association of Optometrists.

Check out tips from the B.C. Association of Optometrists on how to reduce, avoid and treat eye allergies.

Read full news release (PDF)

Although 80 per of a child’s learning is based on vision, the majority of B.C. five-year-olds entering school this year have not had a comprehensive eye exam. That’s something the B.C. Association of Optometrists is hoping to change with the launch of a new Facebook page for its a-b-See™ Children’s Vision Program.

One in five children has a vision problem, so it is critical that parents ensure an eye exam is on their child’s back-to-school checklist, says Mini Randhawa, a B.C. optometrist.

Read full news release (PDF)

Edelman Toronto is leading the influencer monitoring team for the Edge® Irritation Solutions program!

Edge® Deploys Irritation Solutions Team on Twitter®, Provides Real Solutions to Real Irritations

Shelton, Conn. – Sept. 15, 2010 – Officials at Edge® shave gel are announcing a new campaign designed to stamp out irritation, one tweet at a time. The Edge Irritation Solutions campaign provides real time irritation relief to people voicing their frustrations on Twitter. Irritation Solutions Team staffers, using the Edge Twitter handle @EdgeShaveZone, monitor for annoyed tweeters and then offer a helping hand in the form of prizes, gift cards or other items that might lend a little relief. To join the conversations, people can use and search #soirritating.

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