Author: Hanna Diewald

Essilor mourns passing of Bernard Maitenaz, inventor of the first Varilux progressive lens

Essilor announced that Bernard Maitenaz, the inventor of the Varilux progressive lens that improved the lives of millions of presbyopes globally and redefined an entire industry, has passed away in his home city of Paris, at the age of 94. Bernard Maitenaz’s pioneering work revolutionized the eyecare industry and transformed people’s lives: to date, more…

PSI celebrates 50 years!

  Practical Systems, Inc. (PSI) is celebrating its 50th anniversary serving the optical industry. Founded by Bill Hernandez in 1971, PSI quickly established itself as a leader of innovative practical systems for labs. Firmly planted in the industry with the AlumaLap, the first lightweight aluminum lap, PSI continued to find other practical systems such as…

100% Optical – trade show postponed, virtual event takes place

The organizers of 100% Optical announced the postponement of the 2021 trade show to January 2022. The 2021 event was scheduled for May 8-10 at ExCeL London, having already been pushed back from January 2021. 100% Optical will now take place from Jan. 29-31, 2022 at ExCeL London. In addition, 100% Optical announced a two-day…

WaveOptics and Luxexcel demonstrate prescription eyewear for Augmented Reality smartglasses

Luxexcel, the technology leader in 3D printed prescription lenses, and WaveOptics, the foremost designer and manufacturer of waveguides and light engines, have collaborated to create an innovative module integrating three of the vital elements required for developing consumer Augmented Reality smartglasses: a 3D printed prescription lens, a waveguide, and a projector. The module enables technology…

MIDO: Visitor registration opens

  On 28. January MIDO has opened visitor registration. Buyers, designers, entrepreneurs, opticians, ophthalmologists and professionals in the global eyewear supply chain can register for the forthcoming edition of the show, slated for June 5 – 7, 2021 on the MIDO website www.mido.com/en/entry-pass . This subtle yet significant positive sign arrives from the world of…

EssilorLuxottica expands employee shareholding reaching a record high

EssilorLuxottica announced the results of its 2020 international employee share ownership campaign (“Boost 2020”), increasing its employee shareholding to a record high of 44% at Company level. Recognizing its long-term commitment towards promoting employee shareholding, EssilorLuxottica has also been awarded with the “Grand Prix FAS 2020″ by the French Federation of Employee Shareholder Associations (FAS)….

Metamaterial acquires assets and IP of Swiss lens manufacturer Interglass

Metamaterial Inc. a developer of high-performance functional materials and nanocomposites, today announced it has acquired specialized lens casting production equipment and intellectual property, including more than 70 patents, from Interglass Technology AG (Switzerland) for USD 800,000. META will invest and expand its capabilities in design, development, and manufacturing of metaFUSION™ products for smart eyewear. This highly integrated…

PPG to invest $20 million by 2025 to advance racial equity

PPG and the PPG Foundation today announced a commitment to invest $20 million by 2025 to address systemic racism and advance racial equity in the U.S. by funding educational pathways for Black communities and people of color. The commitment strengthens PPG’s focus on education – a priority giving area for PPG and the PPG Foundation…

The next destination for eyewear shows — Dubai

FourPlus Media has announced VisionPlus EXPO 2021, an international optical trade fair which aims to attract buyers from over 50 countries in their maiden edition. While global eyewear companies are still coming to terms with the ‘new normals’ in their respective markets, Dubai is offering an opportunity to not just survive, but thrive. Coinciding with…

EssilorLuxottica and CooperCompanies announce joint venture for acquisition of SightGlass Vision

EssilorLuxottica and CooperCompanies, two of the world’s leading vision care companies, have entered into an agreement to create a 50/50 joint venture for the acquisition of SightGlass Vision, a U.S. based life sciences company focused on developing innovative spectacle lenses to reduce the progression of myopia in children. EssilorLuxottica and CooperCompanies will leverage their shared…