WHO publishes report on eye health
2.2 billion people worldwide have to live with visual impairment or blindness, with one billion of those cases being preventable or treatable. This is what the World Health Organization's (WHO) World Health Report (WHO) published for the first time. The most common...
DAC Technologies – New Latin America Sales Manager
DAC Technologies is pleased to welcome Nestor Paz as Latin America Sales Manager. Nestor will be responsible for supporting customers in Latin America and the Caribbean. Prior to joining DAC, Nestor worked 15 years in the optical industry, most recently focused on...
A&R changes its ownership
With his retirement in view, the founder and main shareholder of Automation & Robotics (A&R), Christian Closset, created a plan for the future of the company that combines his own wishes and the strategy of the Walloon Regional Investment Company (SRIW), i.e. to...
Jörg Spangemacher honored for his life’s work
The traditional Vision Council Lab Division Hall of Fame Dinner is always a highlight of the Vision Expo West. At the Hall of Fame Dinner – in festive atmosphere with cocktails and a splendid buffet – people are honored for their outstanding contribution to the...
Lothes to expand role to President and CEO at Satisloh
Pete Lothes, who became Satisloh’s worldwide President at the beginning of 2019, has been named the company’s President and CEO effective September 1st. “Satisloh globally over the last eight months has been fast-paced and rewarding. I am excited to take on the CEO...
Coburn Technologies introduces the new Duality AR
Coburn Technologies, a provider of innovative, end-to-end customer solutions to the world's ophthalmic lens processing industries, introduces a new version of the Duality lens processing platform – the Duality AR. “The Duality AR expands the family of Duality,...
A Space Odyssey – farewell words by Jörg Spangemacher
An ophthalmic optician like me is not directly involved in the optical industry. He only needs to know that they make spectacle lenses. However, this all changed for me in 1979 when I attended a seminar in Amsterdam on the question of how to prevent scratches on the...
Satisloh names Luis Cerqueira Head of Region Latin America
Following the move of Christian Jakober to VP of Global Strategic Accounts, Luis Cerqueira takes over as Head of Region Latin America effective September 1, 2019. “Luis’ expertise in directing sales teams, running manufacturing facilities, and managing large...
New sustainable eyewear material
“BD8 – Bio Plastics” is a 100% bio-degradable plastics which can be naturally broken into carbon, water and bio mass. In a world where approximately 8 million pieces of plastic pollution find their way into the oceans every day, “BD8 – Bio Plastics” offers an...
The Vision Council announce the publication of new eye protection standard
The Vision Council is pleased to announce the publication by ASTM of a new eye protection standard, ASTM F3164-19 Standard Specification for Eye Protectors for Racket Sports (Racquetball, Squash, Tennis). This new standard replaces the previous requirements for racket...
The IOT website now speaks Chinese and Portuguese
IOT continues to update its website to make t he information and knowledge available for all customers to manufacture the best lenses. From now on, all that information is available in two new languages, Portuguese and Chinese, which are added to the English and...
Speed Dating at Vision Expo West
Vision Expo West is pleased to introduce The Next Generation of Retailers - Speed Dating event at this year’s Show. For the first time ever, new and potential business owners will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with some of the industry’s most successful...
Coburn Technologies introduces the new Spectrum Prismatic Lens Blocker
Coburn Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce the newest innovation in Lens Blocking Systems, the Spectrum Prismatic Lens Blocker. Designed for compatibility with all common surfacing machines, the Spectrum Prismatic Lens Blocker provides extremely precise...
Replacing tape: Schneider’s new spin protection technology
Problems with wrinkles, bubbles, detaching, commonly known with tape, are a thing of the past thanks to the SPP Modulo. It replaces tape to optimally protect the lens during the surfacing process utilizing UV-curable liquid protection layers. Evenly distributed across...
opti to get a new home in 2021
Onwards to new horizons: in 2021, 2023 and 2025 opti will be held at the fairground “Messe Stuttgart”. The reason: in these odd years, fairground Munich is only able to give opti exhibitors a narrow window of time in which to construct their stands due to the “BAU”,...
EssilorLuxottica to acquire HAL’s 76.72% interest in GrandVision
EssilorLuxottica S.A. (“EssilorLuxottica”), a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of ophthalmic lenses, frames and sunglasses today announces an agreement with Hal Optical Investments B.V. (“HAL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HAL Holding N.V,...
Hall of Fame Inductees 2019
The Vision Council is pleased to announce the Lab Division’s Directors’ Choice Award recipient and the industry veterans who have been selected to be inducted into the Lab Division Hall of Fame for 2019. The Division has named Steve Sutherlin, The Vision Council’s Lab...
EssilorLuxottica confirms discussions to purchase ownership interest in GrandVision
EssilorLuxottica confirms it is having discussions to purchase the 76.72% ownership interest in GrandVision N.V. of HAL Holding N.V. No agreement has yet been reached and no assurance can be provided that these discussions will lead to such an agreement. In addition,...
Vision Expo West provides diversified education content
New education at Vision Expo West 2019 will offer attendees a wide range of tracks, courses, workshops and competitions featuring the latest in leadership, marketing, patient care and more with real-time planning and interactive demonstrations. With over 300 hours of...
New building extension @ FISA Ultraschall – Kandel – Germany!
In order to improve services offers and to better meet the customer’s needs, FISA has extended their site in Germany. 150 sqm more for the benefit of their customers: new technical office for the after-sales team, new spare parts store as well as new FIMM Germany...
SCHNEIDERs Modulo Line wins German Innovation Award
On May 28th, 2019, SCHNEIDER was honored w ith the German Innovation Award by the German Design Council for the invention of the Module Line – the first fully automated Industry 4.0 ophthalmic lens production system. Following its nomination, SCHNEIDER was chosen by...
Coburn Technologies launches brand new Consumables E-Commerce Website
Coburn Technologies, Inc. has officially launched a brand new e-commerce website for optical consumables and spare parts: www.ShopCoburn.com. Digital Surfacing, Traditional Surfacing, Finishing, Coatings & Chemicals, Diagnostics and Spare Parts are the primary...
Refrigerant gases and vacuum pump parts available at DAC technologies Europe
DAC Technologies Europe offers a line of non-toxic and non-flammable refrigerant gases and vacuum pump parts. These refrigerant gases are more efficient and provide better performance while producing lower temperatures faster with less power consumption. They are...
Registration now open for Vision Expo West 2019
Registration is now open to all for Vision Expo West 2019. Returning to the Sands Expo Convention Center in the iconic city of Las Vegas on Sept. 18 - 21, this year’s Show will feature new destinations, education courses, empowering panels and more. “In this ever -...
Contour Fine Tooling appoints new VP of Sales & Marketing
Contour Fine Tooling, a global leader in single-point diamond cutting tool solutions, appointed Bob Cassin as new VP of Sales & Marketing North America and General Manager of its USA subsidiary. Bob Cassin has been appointed per June 17th, 2019 as the new Vice...
Successful Optical Innovation Summit
The Vision Council hosted the second of four events in their new Summit Series. The Optical Innovation Summit—held June 5–6 in Boulder, Colorado—gathered C-level executives and emerging companies in the vision care space to discuss the inevitable changes affecting...
Coburn Technologies’ Velocity Spin Coater wins award
Coburn Techologies, Inc.announced that their Velocity Spin Coater has been named “Best Value Enhancer (Lab)” by the CiO VisionPlus Awards.“We are thrilled and honored to receive this award for our Velocity Coater, especially considering our focus on developing...
The Vision Council introduces new summit series
The Vision Council is proud to introduce their new Summit Series for 2019, facilitated by Bart Foster, strategic advisor to The Vision Council. This series of exclusive events will help feed the growing desire to better the optical industry and individuals’ careers...
EssilorLuxottica and Delfin sign settlement agreement
EssilorLuxottica announced that EssilorLuxottica and Deflin S.à.r.l. agreed upon a settlement agreement to overcome the governance issues and set the basis for a renewed start of profound collaboration between Essilor and Luxottica. The agreement settles any existing...
The Vision Council announces:
President Trump to increase third list of China duties, remaining Chines-origin products threatened with additional tariffs. President Trump tweeted his intent to raise the China 301 duties from 10 percent to 25 percent, currently being assessed on approximately $200...
UN road safety week
Essilor and Groupe Renault pool expertise to better integrate visual specifications to improve drivers’ experience and promote the importance of good vision for road safety. On the occasion of the 5th United Nations Road Safety Week, Essilor and Groupe Renault...
EVOlens improves the user experience through data
IOT presents EVOlens, a system that objectively selects the ideal lens for each patient by considering previous patients’ lens feedback. Based on the satisfaction of previous patients, the system selects the lens that best suits your visual profile by searching among...
Coburn Technologies welcomes Jason Frank
Coburn Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Frank as their new Sales Manager for the Latin America market. Jason will replace Pedro Parra, who is currently in the role and will be retiring after more than 38 years with Coburn. Parra will...
A great success: MAFO – The Conference 2019
The 20th ‘MAFO – The Conference’ was held in Milan on February 22, 2019. More than 60 participants gathered at the NH Hotel, just outside the Mido, to enjoy an exciting day with interesting lectures and discussions. Under the motto, “Future Technologies”, 13 speakers...
Coburn Technologies introduces new spin coater with dual-coating technology
Coburn Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce the newest innovation in lens coating equipment, the Velocity 2D. Velocity 2D is the next generation of the current Velocity Automated Spin Coater, now designed with dual-coating technology. Derived from the existing...
Schoolchildren receive free pair of eyeglasses with 3D printed lenses
Luxexcel, developer of 3D lens print technology and IFB Solutions a North Carolina based nonprofit, celebrate one year of partnership. To mark the anniversary, nearly 20 local schoolchildren received a free pair of eyeglasses and a comprehensive eye exam. The...
Luxexcel advances 3D printing technology for ophthalmic lenses
Luxexcel, the pioneer in 3D printed ophthalmic lenses, announces that its proprietary 3D printing technology has advanced from the pilot phase to printing commercial lenses. Over the past 12 months, 5000 lenses have been printed on several VisionPlatforms™ installed...
Satisloh to donate 50,000€ to Light for the World by holding an auction at MIDO
Satisloh will mark the production of their 1,000th VFT-orbit generator at MIDO 2019 in Milan by holding an auction on February 23rd at 2:30 pm, The company will donate 50,000€ of the winning bid to global vision disability and development charity, Light for the World...
Essilor International completed four transactions: Brille24, Union Optic, Indulentes, Metalizado Optico Argentino
Essilor International, an EssilorLuxottica subsidiary, is actively pursuing its acquisition and partnership strategy with the completion of four transactions worldwide, representing combined full-year revenue of around €48million. Essilor further strengthens its...
Coburn Technologies promotes David Kilfoil to marketing manager
Coburn Technologies, Inc. is pleased to announce the promotion of David Kilfoil as the new Marketing Manager for the company. Kilfoil has been with Coburn for more than three years now as the Marketing Specialist, with primary responsibilities including the full...
MEI to debut new solutions at MIDO for lens edging
MEI returns to MIDO again this year, confirming its now-traditional dual presence: once again, the institutional stand, targeting the industrial sector, will be joined by an exhibit space given over entirely to EZFit, the compact edger dedicated to retail users....
Bühler appoints Mark Macus as new CFO effective September 1, 2019
Andreas Herzog (61), who has held the CFO position for 17 years, will retire for age reasons effective September 1, 2019. His successor is Mark Macus (47), who was employed at Bühler before for five years and who currently serves as CFO of the Vitra Group. Andreas...
The Vision Council releases Annual Report
The Vision Council is proud to release its 2018 Annual Report, highlighting the organization’s many accomplishments throughout the year. In 2018, The Vision Council welcomed 54 new member companies and saw the success of the first year of the Optical Retail Division...
Interactive and creative education available at Vision Expo East 2019
Vision Expo East 2019 will introduce new and widely-requested education courses to this year’s Show. Various business- and healthcare-focused programs have been specifically designed to fit every professional agenda to afford attendees the complete education...
Richard Hughes named President Satisloh North America
Following the move of Pete Lothes to President and CTO of Satisloh globally, Richard Hughes takes over as President Satisloh North America, effective January 1. Hughes began his 22 year optical industry career as Director of Sales and Service for ophthalmic...
Coburn Technologies welcomes Al Bednar as new director of laboratory sales
Coburn Technologies is pleased to announce the appointment of Al Bednar as their new Director of Laboratory Sales for the United States and Canadian markets.“Al is a seasoned veteran in the optical industry, and his vast experience extends from ophthalmic lens process...
SIOF 2019 is going to shine again in the Pearl of the Orient
SIOF is pleased to announce that the 19th China (Shanghai) International Optics Fair enjoys a giant leap forward with a bigger number of participants. The annual event is scheduled to take place on 21- 23 February 2019 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition &...
Satisloh: Two optical industry veterans make career moves
After 19 successful years with Satisloh, first at the helm of North America and for the last 4 years as global President and Group CTO, Larry Clarke takes the opportunity to pursue a new leadership role within Essilor of America. Clarke will become...
Lensware International will celebrate 10 years aniversary at opti Munich 2019
A unique seminar will be organized on Saturday 26th of January in the conference room of the exhibition center - Conference room C51 - from 09h30 to 11h00, with the purpose to invite our partners and friends to join our commemoration. The...
Countdown to Vision Expo East 2019
Vision Expo East 2019 is gearing up to take over the Javits Center (Education: March 21 – 24; Exhibit Hall: March 22 – 24) with a Show everyone can count on to meet their professional needs. Vision Expo East 2019 will feature the latest in fashion, technology and...
DAC Vision to become DAC Technologies
DAC Vision in Europe will be renamed DAC Technologies for its operations throughout Europe, Africa as well as the Middle East, effective January 2019. DAC Technologies, the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of supplies, changed its...
Vision Expo Presents “7 Days of Giveaways”
Alexandria, VA – Dec. 4, 2018 – Vision Expo has announced the first-ever “7 Days of Giveaways” holiday contest. In collaboration with various merchandise and exhibiting companies, Vision Expo will reveal a new giveaway item on Instagram for seven days beginning on...
EssilorLuxottica held first combined Shareholders’ Meeting
Charenton-Le-Pont (November 29, 2018 – 8:00 pm) EssilorLuxottica held its first Combined General Meeting today at the Espace Grande Arche at La Défense, chaired by Leonardo Del Vecchio, Executive Chairman, and Hubert Sagnières, Executive Vice-Chairman, of...
Schunk Group acquires stake in OptoTech
Corporate succession is a significant topic of today. The sustainable protection and continuation of business operations for shareholders, customers, suppliers and employees are thus in the foreground. This question also arose for OptoTech as to what should happen in...
Essilor appoints Professor Kovin Naidoo Senior Vice President of Inclusive Business, Philanthropy and Social Impact
Essilor is proud to announce Professor Kovin Naidoo has been appointed Senior Vice President of Inclusive Business, Philanthropy and Social Impact. In this newly created position, Professor Naidoo will lead the Group’s efforts to reach the 2.5billion people living...
Jean-Claude Hache, a man of commitment
Silmo announced news of the death of Professor Jean-Claude Hache with a great deal of sorrow. A doctor of science, neuro-ophthalmologist and professor in ophthalmology, he was the first in France to develop a visual function exploration department at the CHRU of...
Essilor and Delfin successfully complete the combination of Essilor and Luxottica
Luxembourg and Charenton-le-Pont, France (October 1, 2018) - Delfin S.à.r.l (“Delfin”), the majority shareholder of Luxottica Group S.p.A. (“Luxottica”) and Essilor International (Compagnie Générale d’Optique) (“Essilor”), announced the successful completion of the...
SILMO Paris 2018: A trade fair that keeps its promises
The 52nd edition of the International Optical Fair demonstrated its appeal on this rather dynamic global market with a satisfying turnover. Over four days, more than 37,000* professional visitors (56% of international) were able to admire the creativity of the 965...
Vision Expo West 2018 breaks records
Alexandria, VA – October 3, 2018 – Vision Expo West’s 30th anniversary was a sweeping success, with the overall Show experiencing a nearly double digit increase in attendance compared to 2017. Pre-audited results show close to 13,000 eyecare professionals from across...
The Vision Council releases Tariff Impact Report: Potential Industry impact from Eyewear Tariffs
The Vision Council’s research team released a first-of-its-kind report in September, which attempts to gauge how potential U.S. tariffs on Chinese eyewear could impact consumer buying habits, intentions and spending. Through a questionnaire to recent eyewear buyers...
Luxexcel opens Customer Demonstration Lab in Atlanta, GA.
Luxexcel announced yesterday the opening of the new US-based Customer Demonstration Lab in Alpharetta, GA (greater Atlanta area). The facility will house a full Luxexcel VisionPlatform™ system and supports the Luxexcel customer base. Luxexcel Customer Demonstration...
IOT has a new corporate look
IOT is dedicated to innovation in optical technology. As a result, the company is in a constant state of growth and evolution. IOT’s change in brand identity is part of an overall strategy to better communicate its unique culture, values and approach to market. The...
Luxexcel breaks into the next phase
Luxexcel, the pioneer in 3D printing of ophthalmic lenses, announced today the appointment of Fabio Esposito as Chief Executive Officer to lead the company in its next growth phase. Fabio brings to the company a strong track record of transforming businesses from...
Transforming lives through the gift of vision
WestGroupe is a proud supporter of Optometry Giving Sight. The company offers in Canada a complete frames & lens package with the Superflex collection in partnership with Zeiss lenses. Together they have raised over $20,000 to date. From every package sold, WestGroupe...
DaTE 2018 – The exhibitors
MOSCOT introduced five new frames for Fall 2018 at DaTE with a nod to some of the brand’s most memorable characters from years past. Zack Moscot, 5th Generation, Chief Creative Officer, drew inspiration from the brand’s 103-year old archives, adding intellectual flare...
The Vision Council comments on third list of Chinese Tariffs – United State Trade Representative
On Sept. 6th, The Vision Council, on behalf of its members and the U.S. optical industry at large, submitted comprehensive comments to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) opposing the proposed imposition of a 25 percent tariff on imports from China through...
“Trip to L.A.” – Contest, EyeInnovate 2018 Ticket Giveaways, Randy Jackson Keynote and More…
Calgary, Alberta, Can.—Marketing4ECPs, the organizers and hosts of EyeInnovate 2018, have just announced some great, new developments to create even more excitement about the November 6, 2018 one-day conference event. - Win a “Trip to L.A.” for two to attend...
Programs aimed at millennial ECPs drive attendance growth at Vision Expo West
Alexandria, VA – September 10, 2018 – As of three weeks pre-show, Vision Expo West pre-registration for young professionals is trending strongly ahead of 2017. Vision Expo West (Education: September 26–29; Exhibit Hall: September 27–29) will feature various programs...
The Vision Council announces updated Data Communications Standard
Alexandria, VA – The Vision Council’s Lens Processing and Technology (LPT) Division is pleased to announce that the Data Communications Standard Committee—with Robert Shanbaum of Ocuco Inc. as chair—approved version 3.12 of the Data Communication Standard. The Data...
Laila Ali promotes annual eye exams on Hello Giggles, She Knows and More
Think About Your Eyes partnered with pro-athlete and lifestyle expert Laila Ali to promote annual eye exams to parents during the back-to-school season. Ali herself knows the importance of annual eye exams at a young age: she started wearing glasses at age 11 and her...
Coburn Technologies welcomes Marina Vaynberger as new International Regional Sales Manager
Coburn Technologies, Inc. announced the appointment of Marina Vaynberger as their new International Regional Sales Manager for the Russia, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa regions. “We are very excited to have Marina on board with us. She has extensive...
The Vision Council Lab Division announces Directors’ Choice Award Recipient and 2018 Hall of Fame Inductees
Alexandria, VA (August 3, 2018) –The Lab Division of The Vision Council announced the industry veterans who will be recognized during the Directors’ Choice Award and 19th Annual Lab Division Hall of Fame celebration on Wednesday, September 26, in conjunction with the...
Established and emerging Panelists announced for independent luxury eyewear panel
Alexandria, VA – August 29, 2018 – Vision Expo continues to deliver high value content and create unique networking opportunities for attendees in the Exhibit Hall. Building on its past success, the Boutique Buyer Panel at Vision Expo West 2018 will feature panelists...