Empowering women in the optical industry is the goal of the Optical Women’s Association (OWA). The organization has long been popular in the USA. Now it is also taking its first steps in Europe. MAFO has spoken to Nancy Gries, Co-Vice Chair International Expansion Committee and Co-Founder of Coti Vision Limited.
The 23rd China (Shanghai) International Optics Fair (SIOF2025) took place from February 20 to 22, 2025 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. 140,000 visitors came to the famous eyewear show.
Ophthalmic optics is one of the most important future industries in the German economy. This is shown by a recent study conducted by the FutureManagementGroup in cooperation with the German industry association SPECTARIS.
EssilorLuxottica receives FDA clearance and EU certifications for Nuance Audio, making it available to consumers in the U.S. and Europe.
The German industry association Spectaris presents current market figures for 2024 at the leading industry trade fair opti Munich: Sales increased by around 1% to 4.96 billion euros despite challenges due to consumer restraint and inflation effects.
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.
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.
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.
An overview: from audio glasses to AR glasses It is exactly ten years since one of the first pairs of smart glasses – Google Glass – came onto the market over the counter for everyone. But the model flopped. Since then, a number of companies have turned their attention to data glasses projects. It soon…
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.