NEWS
EssilorLuxottica announced acquisition of french startup to achieve long-term goals in hearing solutions
EssilorLuxottica plans to strengthen its presence in the hearing space with the acquisition of an AI-driven tech startup in France.
New CEO of Hoya Vision Care
Hoya Corporation (HOYA) announced the appointment of Mr. John Goltermann Lassen as the new CEO of Hoya Vision Care, its eyeglass lens division, effective January 1st, 2025.
Coburn Technologies celebrates their final shipment of the iconic SGX Pro lens generator
Coburn Technologies, on the heels of the company’s 70th anniversary, are announcing their final shipment of the renowned SGX Pro Surface Lens Generator in December of 2024, ending over 33 years of production.
New technical standard for eye protectors
The Vision Council announces the publication of an updated standard, ASTM F3164-24, that provides performance requirements for both plano and prescription eye protection devices.
Mido announced changes in layout and digital tools
In 2025, the Mido exhibition layout and the digital tools will undergo significant changes to provide visitors with an even more engaging and innovative experience.
ISSUE 01/2025
Overview
Special: Lab Management: Blockless lens surfacing technologies // A radically new way of subjective refraction // Additive manufactured coatings // Spotlight: MAFO – The Conference timetable and more // Live on Site: Visit at Morrow: Addition at the touch of a button // Market Surveys: Cleaning machinery
Get your ticket now!
FEATURED ARTICLES
Creal: A radically new way of subjective refraction
What does the future of subjective refraction look like? A Swiss start-up has an answer: refraction should be digital, offer almost unlimited display options, and also be independently manageable by the customer. Subjective refraction with the help of light field displays would therefore change the traditional way of doing the subjective refraction with a phoropter or trial frame set tremendously. Even a “refraction automate” in a shopping center is theoretically conceivable in the future.
flo: Additive manufactured coatings
The eyewear industry has long relied on conventional methods for lens production and coating. In terms of coatings, the start-up flō Optics now wants to revolutionize this market. The first market-ready machine will soon be presented. Find out what’s behind the technology.
Morrow: Addition at the touch of a button
A Belgian start-up has a product that many people have long dreamed of: glasses with combined far and near correction, but with the comfort of a unifocal lens. The addition is done electronically and activated via touch of a button. The 3D-printed smart glasses are already on sale in some regions. MAFO visited the company to see the production process and test the smart glasses.
Blockless lens surfacing technologies
In the ophthalmic industry, the process of lens surfacing has been largely dominated by alloy blocking. A blocking alternative is Alloy Replacement Technology (ART) which has been widely adopted in hundreds of lines around the world. Now, however, a new technology is emerging, and the industry faces a significant question: to what extent will the future of lens surfacing be blockless?
A&R: Making the invisible visible
Almost every optical lab in the world has at least one inspection machine from Automation & Robotics (A&R). Every day, 1,500,000 spectacle lenses worldwide are inspected by the manufacturer’s machines and just recently they included one innovative feature more: the automatic cosmetic inspection of lenses.
Cyber security series | Part 2
Protecting your business against cyber-attacks is crucial for success in this technology driven times ‒ and it is important that every single person is aware of that. This article is about knowing the hacker’s strategies and current trends, about algorithms that suggest a false sense of reality and about practical tips to not letting the bad guys win!
ECOO: “Optometry and optics can do much more than it does now”
Overall, the provision of visual aids in Europe seems to be relatively good. But at the same time opticians and optometrists are facing various challenges. MAFO has talked to Gabriëlle Janssen, the new ECOO-President, about these challenges, the competencies of ECPs and the potential of artificial intelligence and screenings.
NEWS
Silmo Paris 2024 offered a rich panorama of emerging trends
At Silmo Paris 2024 the optical industry gathered for four intense days. This year, 32,125 professionals came to discover the new products presented by more than 900 companies.
Vision Expo West 2024 successfully concluded
Vision Expo West 2024, concluded satisfactory at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas from September 18-21, 2024. The event attracted over 10,000 industry professionals from 98 countries.
Zeiss announced change of CEO in 2025
After almost 20 years at Zeiss, the President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG, Dr. Karl Lamprecht, has decided not to extend his contract. Therefore, the Supervisory Board of Carl Zeiss AG has decided to appoint Andreas Pecher as the new President and CEO of Carl Zeiss AG effective 1 April 2025.
Italien eyewear sector shows an decline in exports
ANFAO released figures on performance of the eyewear sector in the first half of 2024. Italian eyewear ended 2023 on a positive note, driven by exports, despite the fact that overall world goods trade fell back sharply.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta Platforms extend partnership on smart glasses
EssilorLuxottica has announced that it extended its partnership with Meta Platforms by entering into a new long term agreement, under which the parties will collaborate into the next decade to develop multi-generational smart eyewear products.
Rodenstock relocates lens production from Germany to the Czech Republic
Rodenstock announced major job cuts at its German site. This goes hand in hand with the relocation of the production site from Germany to the Czech Republic.
PPG appoints Amy Mercante general manager of specialty products
PPG announced it has appointed Amy Mercante as general manager of specialty products, a role in the Company’s Specialty Coatings and Materials (SCM) strategic business unit.
Silmo 2024 – where the future of optics takes shape!
From 20 to 23 September, inspired by the Olympic values of performance, innovation and talent, Silmo Paris opens its doors to all industry professionals. With more than 900 exhibitors and 1,500 brands spread over 75,000m2.
Mister Spex closes foreign stores
Mister Spex has adopted the “SpexFocus” transformation and restructuring program for the years 2024 and 2025. The aim is to significantly increase profitability. As a result, all Mister Spex stores outside Germany will be closed. A new Chief Restructuring Officer has also already been appointed.
The Vision Council established a new philanthropic foundation
The Vision Council is introducing The Vision Council Foundation, its philanthropic arm that expands the knowledge, access, and opportunities needed for professionals and consumers alike to make informed decisions about eye health.
Parents worry about their children’s eye health
A new ZEISS study confirms that many parents have concerns about how an increasingly digital-centric lifestyle will impact their child’s eyes. Special lenses, designed to meet the needs of children, can help.
