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Data security is not just a buzzword, – it is a vital part of keeping modern businesses running smoothly. We have all seen real-world examples where data breaches caused massive headaches for companies that did not take their security seriously. But do not worry, we have got some positive news to balance that out! When data security is done right, it brings a ton of benefits.

The process of measuring the position of the spectacles frame in relation to a user’s face and pupils is called the centering process. Its purpose is to provide the optician with the necessary measurements to correctly order the lenses. For a long time, this process was carried out by hand, but there are now numerous digital methods and even technology using AI to improve the process.

AI has dramatically evolved across various industries, from gaming to manufacturing. A striking example is chess, where AI transitioned from rudimentary programs weaker than humans in the 1950’s to AlphaZero’s unprecedented dominance in 2017. This evolution mirrors the progress in cosmetic inspection of ophthalmic lenses, where machines are moving from simple assistance to eventual full automation.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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!

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.