Specsavers has acquired Canada’s Image Optometry from owner Dr Alan Boyco, establishing a presence in North America.  

Specsavers chief strategy officer Nigel Parker told Vision Monday that the acquisition made perfect sense. "Like many of our existing markets, such as the UK and Australia, the optometry industry in Canada is a full-scope, highly regulated environment, which we are very familiar with, so it was a logical step for us to welcome Image Optometry and its franchisees, colleagues and customers to the Specsavers family.” 

Image Optometry employs 55 people, including a business support team, and operates 10 company-owned and eight franchise stores in and around the Vancouver area of British Columbia.  

Although Specsavers is the largest privately owned optometry group in the world, with practices in eight European countries, plus Australia and New Zealand, according to Vision Monday, it has no further expansion plans at present.