Optical Prism March 2021 | Page 40

OPTICAL PRISM | GLIMPSES

LENSBOX PARTNERS WITH DRUGSMART

Lensbox , an eyecare technology company that provides a complete virtual healthcare and e-commerce solution , connecting eye care practitioners with patients , has announced a partnership with DrugSmart Pharmacy , an innovative , full-service brick-and-mortar and virtual pharmacy , with a network of partner pharmacies across Canada .

CORE RESSEARCHERS INDUCTE INTO ISCLR

Two researchers at the Centre for Ocular Research and Education ( CORE ) at the University of Waterloo have been inducted into the International Society for Contact Lens Research ( ISCLR ) in recognition of their contribution to the field .

William Ngo , OD , PhD , FAAO , head of biosciences and research assistant professor , and Chau-Minh Phan , MSc , PhD , FAAO , research assistant professor , have been invited to join ISCLR , an exclusive honour extended to the top 100 contact lens researchers worldwide .

Dr . Ngo is experienced in both clinical practice and research , with particular interest and extensive publishing on the study of ocular surface disease and contact lenses . He ’ s also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry .

“ We are thrilled by this industry-first partnership . DrugSmart Pharmacy is a bold and innovative forerunner in the marketplace . This partnership was an organic fit , where values aligned and visions synchronized to ultimately serve patients better through eye care practitioners ,” states Lensbox chair and CEO , Sheila Sanaz Bissonnette . “ Our Doctors of Optometry are receiving the news with deep gratitude , in a time when the pandemic is creating physical distancing and more lockdowns .”

The partnership creates access to DrugSmart Pharmacy ’ s fully stocked , user-friendly , 24-hour virtual services , delivering prescription medications and over-the-counter products to eye care patients through the Lensbox tele-health and e-commerce application , available in iOS and Android , at no cost to consumers .

Lensbox and Drug Smart Pharmacy are enhancing the eye care patient experience with subscription boxes that include prescription refills , same-day delivery and installment payment options through Sezzle . OP

Dr . Phan ’ s research interests primarily focus on developing biomaterials for ocular drug delivery and in vitro eye models . He ’ s also the co-founder of two start-ups , Tricolops Technology and OcuBlink , Inc .

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38 OPTICAL PRISM | March 2021