Since its inception in 2012, Envision: seeing beyond has been an independent optical trade magazine with a specific purpose – providing all categories of eyecare professionals the information they need to succeed.

Covering the multitude of challenges and realities faced by Canadian ECPs on a daily basis, Envision has everything from frames and lenses to merchandising and store design, to the latest medical breakthroughs and practice management tips, to human resources and financial planning…

The combination of experienced, knowledgeable writers and editors along with top-notch graphic direction allows Envision to deliver high-quality, engaging content to its readers.

*Based on the September/October 2017 edition

January / February
The Changing Face of Eyewear Shopping
How are eyewear companies responding to the growing popularity of online optical retail? How has this channel changed the face of the industry in Canada? Is it a threat or an opportunity? We look at how shopping for eyewear is increasingly a hybrid experience and how savvy retailers can best respond.

March / April
Sunglass Trends for 2023: Looking to the Future and the Past
Consumers are searching for the best ways to shine beautifully under the sun this summer. Nostalgia, otherwise known as “the new retro,” will nod to the ‘70s with red, orange and yellow hues. In contrast, also look for futuristic, angular shapes with oversized, tinted and flat lenses. Eco-friendly eyewear in shades of green, and made of wood, coffee, cork and bio-acetate, will be huge for 2023. This story will also cover advances in protective lens technologies that enhance sunglass functionality.

May / June
Eyewear as Fashion: Creative Collaborations
Eyewear is more than vision correction – it’s also high fashion. This feature will highlight important collaborations between well-known fashion designers and those who create eyewear. How do professionals from the two industries work together successfully? What does the creative process involve? What is the value of adding an eyewear line to a high-profile fashion house? This feature provides the answers.

July / August
Meeting Children’s Optical Needs
Fitting kids with eyeglass frames and lenses requires special consideration of each child’s particular needs. As the back-to-school season approaches, ECPs need to brush up on the best ways to work effectively with children. Kids’ frames need to well-priced and durable, while featuring generous warranties. It’s also important to recognize the problems that can affect a child’s vision, including amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus, and other conditions. Here’s a look at what the burgeoning children’s eyewear market has to offer for 2023-24.

September / October
Annual Lens Issue
Innovations in lens science continue to advance rapidly, thanks to continuing technological breakthroughs. In response to wearers’ increasing use of digital devices and the postural and vision challenges they create, some lens manufacturers have developed new products that correct for each reading distance. Others believe that the future of ophthalmic lenses lies in the field of neuroscience, while some industry experts feel that smart lenses hold the key to the future. We look at the latest improvements and advances in this exciting field.

November / December
Diverse Features, Different Solutions
The features of certain populations – Asians, African-Americans, Indigenous people and others – include flatter nose bridges that can present a challenge when it comes to fitting glasses. How do eyewear manufacturers accommodate this and provide an ideal fit for these clients? Are there manufacturers who specialize in this?

JoAnne Sommers 
Senior Editor
Envision: seeing beyond Senior Editor JoAnne Sommers has spent more than 40 years working as a journalist and communications professional. In addition to her work on Envision magazine, her credits include The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s, Canadian Business and Investment Executive. She has been associated with Breton Communications since 1997.

Evra Taylor
Features Writer
Over the course of twenty years, Evra Taylor has been senior writer for leading communications agencies and publications in Montreal and Toronto. An accomplished journalist, Evra has worked as a features writer for Montreal’s daily The Gazette, for which she launched HealthWatch, the first-ever Evidence-based Medicine newspaper column. Evra’s talent lies in her ability to write informative content with an original twist.

Shirley Ha
Associate Editor
Dr. Shirley Ha started writing her first article for Envision: seeing beyond in 2012 and has been contributing ever since to the Making Contact column. She is a graduate of the University of Waterloo’s School of Optometry and Vision Science and a Board-certified Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Therapy (COVD).  She served as an Advisory Member to the Board of the  Neuro-Optometric Rehabilitation Association (NORA) in the United States, as well as Director of Membership and Treasurer for Vision Therapy Canada. Dr. Ha was on the Ontario Association of Optometrists Board of Directors from 1999 to 2006 and held the position of OAO President in 2004-2005. She is also a contributing member to the Optometry Examining Board of Canada (OEBC), as well as a Clinical Skills Assessor to verify skills competencies through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE).

Margaret Osborne
Associate Editor
Margaret Osborne is a full-time marketing professor at Seneca College, and a registered optician in Ontario. Her  education includes a BSc from Carleton University, an MBA from the University of Toronto, and a social media  management graduate certificate from Georgetown University. Margaret’s goal is to bring a fresh eye to optical retail  management combining academic research, the breadth and depth of 30 years of industry experience, and   an admittedly geeky love of all things techie and digital to independent retailers.
 

Caroline Breton Brider
Associate Editor
Caroline Breton Brider, a registered dietitian, is an associate editor for Envision: seeing beyond magazine. She has published several articles on eye health and nutrition. A member of l'Ordre professionnel des diététistes du Québec and Dietitians of Canada, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Science from McGill University and a marketing degree from Ryerson University.