Nov 18, 2022 | News
As the Secretariat Administrator for Accredited Standards Committee Z80, The Vision Council is pleased to announce the revision and publication of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z80.28-2022: Ophthalmics – Methods For Reporting Optical Aberrations Of Eyes. ANSI Z80.28-2022 was adapted by a group of experts within the ANSI Instruments and Low Vision Devices Subcommittee under the chair, Charles E. Campbell.
The Vision Council and volunteer members have produced and contributed to multiple standards and communications to assist the industry in serving the eyeglass wearing public. ANSI Z80 ASC for Ophthalmic Optics develops and maintains American National Standards within its scope and develops U.S. positions at the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
This American National Standard addresses the communication of aberrations of the eye and is a performance standard. With the dramatic increase in applications associated with aberrations, it is vital to have uniform methods for reporting data so that it is understandable across applications.
To purchase the publication, visit the ANSI webstore.
Nov 17, 2022 | News
Compact and complete, opti 2023 awaits trade visitors in three halls in mid-January. © GHM
In just under two months, we will see opti, the international trade show for optics & design, return to its traditional pole position at the start of the year. From 13 to 15 January 2023 the ophthalmic family will meet at the Munich Exhibition Centre to find out about new products and trends in the sector and place orders spanning the entire range of ophthalmic goods.
Three full halls are what will now await the trade public in Munich in mid-January. Hall C3 and C4 have been transferred into one so that the first hall now contains all the opti service areas but still adheres to the tried and tested hall structure. The link to the north entrance and the usual transition and circuit to Halls C2 and C1 are even more compact. This benefits exhibitors and visitors alike. Thomas Truckenbrod, President of the Central Association of Opticians and Optometrists (ZVA): “opti is and remains an important meeting point for the sector. Filling the halls more densely will support the industry’s need to exchange ideas – and in this way the trade fair will return to its healthy roots.”
Room and opportunity for exchanging ideas and talks by experts
With regard to making connections. The generous space set aside for the opti CAFÉ powered by ZVA in Hall C3 will provide plenty of room and opportunity for exchanging ideas and listening to talks by experts in January. Also, for the first time, trade visitors will have the chance to seek advice on their social media presence in short 20 minute slots. The social media consultations will be held in German, English and French every day of the trade fair. The experts are Sarah Schleicher, German optician and eyewear blogger with just under 19,000 followers on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sarah_schleicher_/) and Anne-Sophie Lapetite of AnSoStyle (https://www.instagram.com/ansostyle/), who is from Antibes, is also an optician and an international Instagram star with 100,000 followers. Anyone who would like to reserve their slot in advance can do so on the opti website from December. Meanwhile, the next generation of opticians and hearing experts will have the chance to find out about exciting basic and advanced training opportunities by speaking to the industry’s training providers in the opti CAMPUS, which is right next to the opti CAFÉ.
Newcomers and strong brands
Myopia management is the key focus of opti 2023, as it was at the special May event. Sustainability in optics is also a key issue, once again reinforced by the start-ups in the opti BOXES. 5Loops, for example, aims to personify five values: the use of natural materials, the prevention of waste, a strategy on recycling, cooperation and solidarity. The newcomers from Grasbrunn in the district of Munich will be making their first-ever public appearance and launching their first collection at opti 2023 – and also competing in the second opti BOX AWARD. Also taking part is YQU from Böblingen in Baden-Württemberg, inventors of the 2-in-1 spectacles. A unique spectacle hinge enables the arms of the spectacles to be turned 360 degrees. Combined with the frames, the lenses and a two tone design, the result is an individual pair of 2-in-1-spectacles – sunglasses as well as corrective glasses.
Nov 15, 2022 | News
The Vision Council has released Focused inSights 2022: Blue Light Snapshot. The report provides information on consumer awareness of blue light glasses, concern about the effects of blue light, blue light glasses usage, and interest in blue light glasses.
“We are pleased to release the fourth report in our Focused inSights series,” said Alysse Henkel, Senior Director, Market Research & Analytics, at The Vision Council. “These reports are in-depth special interest reports on rotating topics that are important to our members and the industry. In 2022, we’ve released Focused inSights reports on consumer sunglass usage, consumer digital habits around devices, and the consumer decision-making process relating to selecting an eyecare provider and purchasing vision care products and services. We’re pleased to continue this series with the blue light snapshot, which provides a close look at consumer awareness of blue light glasses.”
The Focused inSights Blue Light Snapshot uses data from multiple sources, including The Vision Council’s monthly consumer survey and a survey focused on consumer digital habits, which both contained questions about blue light. The consumer survey data was taken from monthly surveys conducted between April 11 and June 27, 2022, among a nationally representative sample of 15,105 adults. The digital habits survey was conducted August 16–22, 2022, among a nationally representative sample of 3,012 U.S. adults.
The report is available in The Vision Council’s Research Download Center as a complimentary download for members of The Vision Council and a paid report for non-members. In addition to complimentary access to the report, members of The Vision Council also have access to a complimentary one-page summary of the report.
Nov 14, 2022 | News
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 01: A general view of MIDO 2022 – Milano Eyewear Show on May 01, 2022 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images for Mido)
The calendar of events for the forthcoming edition of MIDO, the international eyewear show set to take place February 4th to 6th at Fiera Milano Rho, will soon be available. Countless opportunities for debate, reflection, exchange of ideas and interaction are in the works for opticians from around the world who flock to the show each year in pursuit of the latest innovations and trends in eyewear and, most importantly, ready to finalize sales agreements and conduct business. Only at MIDO will opticians find the entire eyewear supply chain represented – from manufacturers of lenses and machinery to the leading international producers of optical and sun frames, alongside small independent designers. OttiClub is the space where training and conferences with industry professionals are held, while the famous MIDO squares will be enlivened with meetings, conversations, enjoyment and entertainment.
Visitors who would like to attend the show can register by completing the form on the website https://www.mido.com/en/entry-pass. Italian opticians can, again this year, take advantage of complimentary train service from Rome, Bologna, Florence and Venice. All of the details will soon be available in the ‘participate’ section on the MIDO website.
Even though the calendar of conferences, events and meetings during the show is still being finalized, the exhibit areas and pavilions for the next MIDO are certain. In fact, six pavilions at Fiera Milano Rho will host MIDO 2023, one more than at the previous edition. The trade fair also returns to its ‘traditional’ location with stands in pavilions 1 and 3, 2 and 4, 6 and 10. Also confirmed are the exhibit areas – Fashion District, Design Tech, Design Lab, Lenses, FAiR East, Tech, Lab Academy and Start Up. The latter, introduced last year, will host emerging players at an eco-sustainable stand made with recycled and recyclable materials, in keeping with the show’s environmental accountability program begun in 2019. Also dedicated to the newest brands is a space promoted by ITA (Italian Trade Agency for the international promotion and internationalization of Italian businesses) and by MIDO, that will showcase the work of start-ups selected by ITA.
Exhibitors from around the globe, arriving from Europe (France, Germany, Spain, etc.) as well as from the UK and USA, to mention just the top countries, have already reserved their space at MIDO, reaffirming the show’s international reach. Excellent response also from Asian businesses that are returning this year to the area dedicated to their products. “We are extremely pleased with the participation by Asian countries, especially China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India, Malaysia and Thailand, that, despite the still-high Covid restrictions, will exhibit at the forthcoming edition of the show, remarked Giovanni Vitaloni, President of MIDO. Last May, as we closed the doors of MIDO 2022, we were determined to bring back the Asian exhibitors and, in spite of the difficult international situation, we are achieving our objective, another sign of the international appeal of the Milanese eyewear show.”
MIDO also means active participation by the visiting public. In fact, nominations are open for the BeStore award, decided by an international jury of experts and presented to optical centers that offer the best shopping experience, in the ‘Design’ category, and the most outstanding customer service, in the ‘Innovation’ category. To nominate your stand, complete the form available at the following link: https://www.mido.com/en/bestore-award no later than January 9, 2023. Now in its 2nd edition, the Stand Up for Green award will also be presented at MIDO 2023, in recognition of the most sustainable stand, in terms of focus on environmental impact and use of materials. To nominate your stand, please complete the form on the website by January 15, 2023: https://www.mido.com/en/stand-up-for-green. Award winners will be announced during MIDO 2023.
An earlier appointment with MIDO 2023 is set for November15, when the third subject of the new FRAMES campaign, designed by Max Galli in partnership with the Mixer Group, will be presented. Following the “New frames of contemporaneity” and “New frames of fashion”, the moment has arrived for the “New frames of culture”. The fourth and final campaign subject will be presented on December 15, 2022.
Show organizers are putting the final touches on some other innovations that will be revealed in the coming weeks. All updates will be available on line on the event website www.mido.com and on the official social channels: Instagram (@mido_exhibition), Facebook (@MIDOExhibition), Twitter (@MIDOExhibition) and LinkedIn.
MIDO will take place at Fiera Milano (Strada Statale del Sempione 28 – Rho), Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February from 9 am to 7 pm, and Monday, February 6th from 9 am to 6 pm.
Nov 11, 2022 | News
SDC, the recognized global leader in premium, high-performance specialty coating solutions, has acquired Coburn Technologies, Inc., an established innovator in the production, service and support of award-winning, high quality, precision ophthalmic lens processing systems and instruments for the eye care industry. For more than 65 years, Coburn has supplied optical labs and eye care professionals with products and services that have reinvented lens production methods with high-speed automation, machine intelligence, precision, and sustainable coating technologies. They also offer a state-of-the-art line of accurate and reliable diagnostic machines that eye care professionals use to conduct eye examinations.
“We are excited to partner with Coburn Technologies to broaden our range of premium coatings, automated coating equipment, and advanced lens processing technologies.” said Richard Chang, President, and CEO of SDC. “The synergy of these companies brings together the best combination of complementary breakthrough technologies to bolster SDC’s Total Vision Care Solution-based business growth and global footprint. This business integration establishes SDC as a leading provider of a single end-to-end solution in all phases of ophthalmic lens processing. With this acquisition, we will create new inventive product applications and step out technologies that combine the range of product offerings from Mitsui Chemicals’ high index monomers to SDCs’ specialty coatings to FSI Coating Technologies’ permanent anti-fog coatings to COTEC’s hydrophobic materials, and Coburn Technologies’ lens processing equipment, coatings, and coating equipment.” he added.
“This is a significant alliance expanding our collective product portfolio and allowing us to offer a complete end-to-end solution including high end lens surfacing and marking equipment, finishing systems, diagnostic instruments, automated coating equipment, and premium coatings for abrasion resistance, anti-fog, hydrophobic, and photochromic applications.” said Alex Incera, President of Coburn Technologies. “We also see tremendous opportunities to leverage each other’s technologies in ways that will benefit the entire ophthalmic industry. Coburn Technologies has found its place in the large lens production facilities with automated products like the Agility Automated Deblocker, Duality Automated Detaper and Cleaner, and Velocity 2D Automated Coater and believe the addition of SDC premium coatings will bring further value to the industry,” Incera added. “The Coburn team is excited to join SDC and their family of companies, all of whom share the same culture of technology, innovation, and customer service,” Mr. Incera concluded.
Oct 31, 2022 | News
Quantum Innovations is releasing its newest HEV-absorbing hardcoat technology, Energy Absorbing Technology (E.A.T.) hardcoat, to labs in the U.S., Canada, and South America.
Quantum describes its new blue light solution as “an innovative, easy-to-use process that absorbs 20 percent of the high energy light waves between 400-440nm without reflection and is aesthetically appealing.”
The 1.5 and 1.6 E.A.T. dip and spin thermal cure hardcoat promotes clearer visual acuity and improved low light transmission in lenses, according to Quantum, enabling wearers to see, feel and perform their best while preserving optimal eye health.
The E.A.T. hardcoat can make any clear lens HEV-absorbent, allowing labs to lower their inventory. No new equipment required to produce it. Labs can use their current spin coating equipment.
