In this podcast, Denise Balch is joined by Dr. Amanda Olsen, an Optometrist with South East Eyecare Ltd. in Estevan (south east of Regina) and Carnduff, Saskatchewan. Dr. Olsen is also the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Estevan, as well as Director for the Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists and the Optometry Examining Board of Canada.  Dr. Olsen speaks about the most common eye diseases experienced by patients and the impact these diseases have on their personal and working lives, including their mental health and activities of daily living. She also shares how filling in some of the basic gaps in care can reduce the impact of these diseases.--To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing from the Canadian Association of Optometrists by visiting dontlosesight.ca. Plus, look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations and best practices coming to you throughout 2023.

In this podcast, Denise Balch is joined by Dr. Lisa Morrison, optometrist based in New Minas, NS, and Vice-President of the Nova Scotia Association of Optometrists. Dr. Morrison discusses the signs and symptoms of eye diseases that she frequently encounters in her practice. She also highlights the importance of preventing vision loss through regular eye exams, as well as with modern diagnostic and imaging technologies that are not included in most group benefit plans. To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing from the Canadian Association of Optometrists by visiting dontlosesight.ca. Plus, look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations and best practices coming to you throughout 2023.Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

In this podcast, Denise Balch is joined by François Couillard, the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Association of Optometrists, to discuss some of today’s important issues in optometry and vision care. François will comment on why the scope of practice for optometrists is expanding, the place for virtual care, the concerns over online frames and lenses, and the valuable role of advanced diagnostics and imaging in today’s vision care plans. --To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations and best practices coming to you throughout 2023.--Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

In this podcast, Denise Balch from Connex is joined by Dr. Wes McCann, optometrist and owner of eight practices in the London and surrounding area, and professional consultant for Johnson & Johnson Vision Care.  In 2017 Dr. McCann was recipient of the Top 20 Under 40 Award, recognized for business achievements and community involvement in London, Ontario.Dr. McCann shares insights into how comprehensive vision care examinations have changed and the modern diagnostics and imaging tools that are part of best practices today. He will also discuss the important role of monitoring and early diagnosis.  To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations and best practices coming to you throughout 2023.--Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

Do vision care plans today cover the right tools to diagnose vision loss?In this podcast, Denise Balch from Connex is joined by Dr. Joshua Smith, optometrist and partner at the SD&G Optometry Clinic in Cornwall and Alexandria, Ontario. He has served on the board of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, including time as President, and on the Council of the Canadian Association of Optometrists. He has also participated in seven medical mission trips to Ghana, where he has witnessed the devastating effects of poor access to vision care.In this podcast, Dr. Smith will discuss how current diagnostic tools can help preserve vision and prevent irreversible vision loss. He will also explore the long-term impacts of poor access to vision care services and the tools that are now standard of care but were not available before 2000. Find out how vision care plans can be designed to meet the best practices discussed in this podcast. This is just one episode in our education series on how to care for your own vision and the vision of employees.--This podcast is free and delivers valuable information for you and your clients about the role of optometrists, the importance of adequate vision care coverage, and healthy lifestyles in visual health. Look for more in this series on the modernization of vision care, Don’t Lose Sight, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations and best practices coming to you throughout 2023.--Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

What is childhood myopia and how can it be managed? In this podcast, Denise Balch from Connex is joined by Dr. Deborah Jones, Clinical Professor, School of Optometry & Vision Science and a Clinical Scientist at the Centre for Ocular Research & Education, at the University of Waterloo.  Myopia typically starts in childhood and continues to increase in severity until the age of 20. Optometrists are concerned about rising rates of myopia, which is occurring around the world. After examination and diagnosis, there are options available to slow down and manage myopia. Early intervention results in better uncorrected vision and reduces the risk of sight threatening conditions later in life.Find out more about myopia, and its management and treatment by listening to this podcast. This is just one in our 2022 education series on how to care for your vision and the vision of employees and their family members. --This podcast is free and delivers valuable information for you and your clients about the role of optometrists, the importance of adequate vision care coverage, and healthy lifestyles in visual health. Look for more in this series on the modernization of vision care, Don’t Lose Sight, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations and best practices coming to you throughout 2022 and 2023.Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

Have you heard of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)?In this podcast Denise Balch from Connex is joined by Dr. Alexa Hecht, optometrist at Richmond University Vision Care in Toronto, Ontario. Dr. Hecht can also be found on TikTok and Instagram at @dr.alexahecht. She is an outspoken advocate for education and public awareness about optometry.AMD is a serious eye disease that results in the blurring of a patient’s central vision, which can lead to vision loss as the disease progresses. AMD can affect anyone, but there are factors that increase your risk. Using an ocular coherence tomography (OCT) scan, an optometrist can make an early diagnosis of AMD, but most benefit plans and provincial healthcare plans do not provide coverage for this important diagnostic tool.Find out more about AMD and the gap in coverage by listening to this podcast. This is just one in our 2022 education series on how to care for your vision and the vision of employees.--This podcast is free and delivers valuable information for you and your clients about the role of optometrists, the importance of adequate vision care coverage, and healthy lifestyles in visual health. Look for more in this series on the modernization of vision care, Don’t Lose Sight, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations and best practices coming to you throughout 2022.Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

In this podcast Denise Balch from Connex is joined by Dr. Michelle Lane, a practicing optometrist in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and the President of the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists.Ocular Surface Disease, or "Dry Eye", is a condition that slips under the radar for many people. In this episode, Dr. Lane speaks to the causes, symptoms and treatment options for the disease, as well as coverage options. This podcast is free and delivers valuable information for you and your clients about the role of optometrists, the importance of adequate vision care coverage, and healthy lifestyles in visual health. Look for more in this series on the modernization of vision care, Don’t Lose Sight, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing by requesting your copy of the White Paper on Vision Care Benefits in Canada and the Best Practices Guide for Vision Care Benefits from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations and best practices coming to you throughout 2022.Other resources mentioned in the episode:Canadian Association of Optometrists website:https://opto.ca/My Dry Eye:https://mydryeye.ca/--Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting. Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

In this podcast Denise Balch from Connex is joined by Dr. Andre Stanberry, Clinic Director and an Associate Clinical Professor, University of Waterloo to discuss glaucoma. Did you know that glaucoma affects individuals over 40, or that approximately 1,000,000 Canadians have glaucoma and roughly 50% are undiagnosed?There are often no signs or symptoms of glaucoma until the disease has already progressed, which is why comprehensive eye exams are so important. You’ll learn much more about glaucoma during this podcast including the risk factors, diagnostic tools, management, and treatment of glaucoma. Don’t Lose Sight. Left undiagnosed and untreated, glaucoma can ultimately lead to blindness.Don’t forget to register for our lunchtime webinar on June 2, 2022 - Vision Care and Eye Disease: Are You Covered?  Dr. Stanberry will join us once again. At this session he will explore glaucoma and other eye diseases that can impact your employees’ quality of life and ability to be fully productive at work.--Dr. Andre Stanberry is an optometrist and is the Clinic Director and an Associate Clinical Professor, University of Waterloo. Dr. Stanberry completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario and subsequently, earned a Doctor of Optometry degree from the State University New York (SUNY) College of Optometry and completed a residency in Ocular Disease and Family Practice. Dr. Stanberry was a faculty member at the SUNY College of Optometry, where he was involved in glaucoma care and hospital-based optometry. His research interests involve public health and eye diseases. He has written book chapters and has published in various peer-reviewed journals.This podcast is free and delivers valuable information for you and your clients about the role of optometrists, the importance of adequate vision care coverage, and healthy lifestyles in visual health. Look for more in this series on the modernization of vision care, Don’t Lose Sight, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing by requesting your copy of the White Paper on Vision Care Benefits in Canada and the Best Practices Guide for Vision Care Benefits from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care, comprehensive eye examinations, and best practices coming to you throughout 2022.-- Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

Dr. Kim Bugera and Denise Balch, from Connex Health, discuss risk factors, treatment and management of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Left untreated, AMD can progress to ‘low vision’ which can impede activities of daily living, and ultimately lead to blindness. Dr. Bugera will explain how access to advances in care improve patient outcomes and the importance of healthy lifestyle practices in the management of AMD.Dr. Kim Bugera is a practicing optometrist in Morinville, Alberta, where she is an owner and clinician at a group of five clinics in the greater Edmonton area. She has served the public and her profession by having been active on the Alberta College of Optometry as a council member and President. She is currently the Alberta representative to the Canadian Association of Optometrists.This podcast is free and delivers valuable information for you and your clients about the role of optometrists, the importance of adequate vision care coverage, and healthy lifestyles in visual health. Look for more in this series on the modernization of vision care, Don’t Lose Sight, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.To speak with the CAO, contact info@opto.ca. Learn more about how vision care is changing by requesting your copy of the White Paper on Vision Care Benefits in Canada and the Best Practices Guide for Vision Care Benefits from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts on vision care and best practices coming to you throughout 2022.--Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at connexhc.com.

Ryan Hooey, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of seven and lost his vision due to diabetic retinopathy at 25. Ryan is the Program Lead for ‘Come to Work’ at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and has bachelor degrees in sociology, marketing and public relations.Dr. Michelle Lane is a practicing optometrist in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and the President of the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists.In this podcast Ryan Hooey shares his journey from diagnosis with diabetes to losing his vision due to diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Michelle Lane speaks to how optometrists are able to catch diabetic retinopathy at a very early stage and help prevent its progression towards blindness. We will also address whether current vision care plans provide adequate coverage for those with a diagnosis of diabetes.This podcast is free and delivers valuable information for you and your clients about the role of optometrists. Look for more in this series on the modernization of vision care, Don’t Lose Sight, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.Learn more about how vision care is changing by requesting your copy of the White Paper on Vision Care Benefits in Canada and the Best Practices Guide for Vision Care Benefits from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts coming soon. Or you can reach out to us directly via our microsite.--Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

Dr. Michelle Lane is a practicing optometrist in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and has a special interest in ocular surface disease. Dr. Lane has been a council member of the New Brunswick Association of Optometrists since 2015 and is their current President. She is also active with the Canadian Association of Optometrists.In this podcast Dr. Michelle Lane provides insights into the role of optometrists as primary care providers for vision care, and their important role in prevention and diagnostics to identify the need for the early diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the eye. She will speak to the importance of recognizing symptoms, early diagnosis and treatment of diseases that include ocular surface disease and glaucoma. Join us to hear the fascinating case studies Dr. Lane shares from her patient population. This podcast is free and delivers valuable information for you and your clients about the role of optometrists. Look for more in this series on the modernization of vision care, Don’t Lose Sight, from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.Learn more about how vision care is changing by requesting your copy of the White Paper on Vision Care Benefits in Canada and the Best Practices Guide for Vision Care Benefits from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts coming soon. Or you can reach out to us directly via our microsite.Brought to you by the Canadian Association of Optometrists in association with Connex Health Consulting.Find out more information on upcoming podcasts and webinars at www.connexhc.com.

Featuring Dr. Harry Bohnsack, Optometrist and Vice President of the Canadian Association of Optometrists with Denise Balch, President, Connex Health.The field of optometry has changed and the vision care needs of many Canadians have changed too. That’s why we sat down with Dr. Harry Bohnsack recently. During this podcast interview Dr. Bohnsack provided some great insights into how comprehensive examinations have changed, told us why some patients may need additional services, and explained why employer sponsored vision care benefits must change to ensure the long term vision health of Canadians.Learn more about how vision care is changing by requesting your copy of the White Paper on Vision Care Benefits in Canada and the Best Practices Guide for Vision Care Benefits from the Canadian Association of Optometrists at dontlosesight.ca. Plus look for more podcasts, blogs and posts coming soon. Or you can reach out to us directly via our microsite.