Eyewear customers and eye care patients in the Powell River area are benefiting from a coming together of two companies. IRIS staff members moved into Powell River Optometry’s office at 106-4801 Joyce Avenue in Crossroads Village Shopping Centre on October 1 after IRIS entered into a partnership with Dr. John Wyse and his team. The partnership is intended to enhance retail options and optometry services for all clients.
“People in the community who have come to trust either office for their eye care and eyewear will receive the same quality of care, service and products all under one roof,” explains Dr. Wyse. “This is truly a bringing together of two offices.”
IRIS is the largest optical retailer in Canada with 150 stores across the country. The Canadian company started in 1990 and introduced the concept of collaborative eye care, which brought optometrists and opticians together under one brand.
According to Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast regional manager Scott Kling, partnering with Dr. Wyse is a perfect fit for IRIS.
“We run our business based on core values of passion, honesty and respect, and we knew Dr. Wyse possessed those same core attributes,” says Kling, who is also a licensed optician and contact lens fitter. “The commitment to quality IRIS has is very much in line with Dr. Wyse's ultimate goal for the Powell River community.”
The connection with IRIS will result in a much larger inventory of frames in the retail space and access to the IRIS Advantage program, in addition to many other options for Powell River Optometry customers.
“Patients who regularly come to us will benefit from a wider selection of eyewear and terms of protections for that eyewear,” says Dr. Wyse. “IRIS has some great policies relating to glasses, including a No Matter What Guarantee, where they can be replaced in the first year regardless of how they break.”
All customers will benefit from IRIS’ national presence and access to its many retail outlets, says Kling.
“You can go into a store in Quebec, or anywhere else, after breaking your glasses and receive the exact same service as in Powell River,” says Kling.
Dr. Wyse says regular IRIS customers will also benefit when visiting the Crossroads Village location instead of its former Town Centre Mall office, which is now closed.
“People who have previously gone to IRIS will find there is always going to be an optometrist in the office,” says Dr. Wyse. “They will also see the commitment we have always had to incorporating good technology into what we do and making sure we provide eye care in the same fashion.”
In addition to Dr. Wyse and Dr. Ekaterina Medina, who have been treating Powell River Optometry patients, an IRIS optometrist will also be available. For the sake of continuity, patients will continue seeing the same doctor, says Dr. Wyse.
Both business names will continue to be used for the foreseeable future and contact information, other than the IRIS address, will remain the same.
“We’re continuing on with the two names for now so people know the optometrists and other staff members who have been involved at both offices are still going to be here,” says Dr. Wyse. “There is not going to be any loss of jobs.”
Kling says while the name may change eventually, providing a smooth and comfortable transition for clients and patients is the most important aspect of the new partnership. IRIS and Powell River Optometry staff members will work together to ensure quality care and services continue to thrive and flourish, he adds.
“Our mission is to provide clients with the highest quality products and professional services in the world of eye care,” explains Kling. “For us to partner with somebody strong and like-minded such as John and his team is a beautiful match.”
For more information, including business hours:
• 604.485.9737 (IRIS)
• 604.485.7115 (Powell River Optometry)
• iris.ca
• powellriveroptometry.com
• [email protected]
• [email protected]
