OTTAWA, April 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The inaugural 2015 Vision Champion Award has been awarded to Pat Davidson, M.P. (Sarnia – Lambton) for her tireless commitment toward protecting the eye care and vision health of all Canadians.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) and its members, applaud the leadership, dedication and tireless efforts which Mrs. Davidson's Private Members Bill has brought towards lowering the risk of injury and increasing eye safety for all Canadians.
The Vision Champion Award is the only award presented to the general public (non-optometric community) by the CAO. It honours individuals or organizations for distinguished service to the eye care and vision health of all Canadians.
Pat Davidson's Private Members Bill, Bill C-313, An Act to Amend the Food and Drugs Act (non-corrective contact lenses), will bring non-corrective (also known as cosmetic) contact lenses under a Class II medical device categorization in line with the same regulations for prescription contact lenses. Bringing federal oversight to the contact lenses industry will ensure that producers, importers and retailers throughout Canada possess the necessary licensing associated with a Class II medical device and greatly enhance consumer protections concerning the cosmetic lenses industry. Bill C-313 was unanimously endorsed by all MPs in the House and passed easily in the Senate and received Royal Ascent on December 12, 2012.
"With her Private Members Bill, Pat Davidson has succeeded in bringing the same set of regulatory and professional oversight mechanisms in place as corrective contact lenses which ultimately contributes towards protecting the most sensitive organ in the human body, our eyes. CAO would like to recognize and congratulate Pat Davidson, M.P., for seeing the dangers being posed and taking the initiative to bring attention to this important health issue." says CAO president, Dr. Paul Geneau.