NEWS

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  opti 2027: “For us, Next. means bringing the future into business”

  In this interview, opti Director Cathleen Kabashi explains why “Next.” is more than a claim, why the DACH market plays a particular role in this context and how opti “Smart Tech” translates future themes into market-relevant impulses.

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  Mido presents new show identy “Eyewear Milano”

  Following the launch of the Welcome to Eyewearland communication campaign, Mido takes another step forward in the evolution of its identity, introducing a new element that will define the show in the years to come: the “Eyewearland Milano” payoff.

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  Horizons Optical celebrate its 10th anniversary

  Horizons Optical marks its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade Horizons Optical has evolved from a small spin-off of an optical design department into a multinational company whose technology is now used to produce more than 15 million lenses every year.

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  SDC Technologies deepens partnership with flō Optics

  SDC Technologies, a manufacturer of high-performance specialty coatings and flō Optics, a pioneer in digital lens coating, announced a significant follow-on investment by SDC Technologies.

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  Ocuco appoints Dr Mark Clark as Sales Executive for North America

  Ocuco has appointed Dr Mark Clark as Sales Executive for North America. In his new role, Dr Clark will support Ocuco’s omnichannel practice management platform and more.

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FEATURED ARTICLES

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  Transitions: Breaking out of the niche

  Over the past years, Transitions Optical has undergone a significant product and brand evolution. Over the course of five years, the company produced approximately 450 prototypes and conducted more than 100,000 tests to lay a solid foundation for the next generation of Transitions lenses. Today, they come in many vibrant colors and even with dynamic polarization. This required not just a manufacturing facility, but an innovation center – which MAFO visited in Ireland.

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  Empowering labs

  Until recently, block-less free-form lens production was widely perceived as a technology reserved for innovators – an advanced but not yet universally trusted alternative to traditional alloy-based processes. However, as recently pointed out by several market players, 2026 marks a decisive turning point. Will the future of lens production be block-free?

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  Oculomics: “Eye health is general health”

  The eye as a gateway to overall health, and AI as an assistive technology: in this interview with MAFO, Dr. Norbert Gorny, Chief Scientific Officer at EssilorLuxottica, shares his perspective on where optometry and eye care are headed and about the opportunities and limitations of Oculomics.

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  The customer is not a data point

  A sales manager recently said, “Our people are much faster these days. But I am not sure if they are also better listeners.” There is a lot of talk in sales right now about AI – about conversation summaries, chatbots, quote templates, automated follow-up emails, and systems that assess how promising a lead is. Much of this saves time, and some processes do actually improve as a result. But a customer should not be reduced to just a case number in the process.

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  DigiCON 2026

  In June, machine manufacturer Schneider Optical Machines hosted its well-known in-house trade show, DigiCON. In addition to showcasing innovations, the machine manufacturer also provided answers to important questions – such as whether Schneider is embracing the blockless trend or how realistic fully autonomous “lights-off” production is for the future.

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  GoodVision: “The world would be a good deal fairer and better”

  To this day, people – especially in the Global South – still lack access to even the most basic vision aids, eye exams, and more. One organization working to address this problem is GoodVision. MAFO has spoken with founder Martin Aufmuth about why basic care is still lacking and how this affects education and social participation.

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  How IXI glasses merge adaptive optics, eye tracking, and optician-led distribution

  Progressive lenses completely reimagined: Finnish start-up IXI is working on electronically controlled glasses that dynamically switch between near, intermediate and far ranges – without any visible external mechanics or cameras. Together with a large French optician group, preparations are now underway for market entry.

NEWS

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  Meta expands retail footprint with in-store labs at Best Buy

  Meta is set to expand its physical retail presence through a new partnership with Best Buy, introducing dedicated “Meta Lab” spaces within more than 50 stores across the United States and Canada.

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  New section 301 tariffs loom for the optical industry

  Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s February decision limiting presidential authority under IEEPA, Section 122 duties have been in effect, but are set to expire July 24, 2026. Now, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has announced proposed new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, citing forced labor concerns across more than 60…

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  Stephan Schenk to head the Consumer Optics Trade Association at Spectaris

  Stephan Schenk will take over as head of the Consumer Optics Trade Association at the German industry association SPECTARIS effective July 15, 2026

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  A new framework for low vision care in Ghana’s Ashanti region

  The joint “Low Vision” project between Munich University of Applied Sciences (HM) and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana has established a three-tiered care system for people with visual impairments in the Ashanti Region

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  EssilorLuxottica opens new R&D center in Thailand

  EssilorLuxottica announced the opening of a new R&D center in Lat Krabang, Thailand, designed to accelerate how it develops, scales, and delivers the next generation of vision care solutions, wearables and medical technologies.

• President for Silmo d’Or announced

  For this new edition of the Silmo d’Or, Silmo Paris has entrusted the presidency of its jury to Joachim Froment, an industrial designer and creative director based in Brussels.

• NAO members approve initial steps toward UOA merger

  The National Academy of Opticianry (NAO) and the United Opticians Association (UOA)
  announced that the NAO Fellow Members, and the UOA Board of Directors, each voted to
  authorize the beginning of the formal merger or asset-transfer process between the two organizations.

• Obituary: Dr. Mo Jalie

  It is with deep sadness that we must announce the passing of our long-time author, Dr. Mo Jalie. For decades, Mo shaped the optical industry and education– as an professor, author, consultant, and speaker.

• The Vision Council opens registration for the 2026 Lab Leadership Forum

  The Vision Council announced that registration is now open for the 2026 Lab Leadership Forum, the organization’s signature event for optical lab members.

• Scott Jens appointed to the Board of Ocuco

  Ocuco announced the appointment of Scott Jens, OD, FAAO to its Board of Directors. The announcement comes as the company accelerates its strategic focus on expanding within the United States eyecare market

• EyeCare4Kids and Xenon Ophthalmics partner to broaden vision care access for kids

  EyeCare4Kids announced a strategic partnership with Xenon Ophthalmics, a New Jersey–based medical technology company, to expand access to comprehensive vision care in underserved communities.