NEWS
EssilorLuxottica plans to acquire A-Look, Seen and OWL retail stores in Malaysia
EssilorLuxottica announced the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of one of the largest optical companies in Malaysia operating over 90 stores under the A-Look, Seen and OWL banners.
In keeping with the new Disney/Pixar film “Elio” organizations provide free information about eye patches
Prevent Blindness and the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness (NCCVEH), are taking the opportunity to educate the public on a variety of children’s vision issues as excitement builds for the new Disney/Pixar film, “Elio.”
Hoya Vision Care acquires Centennial Optical
Hoya Vision Care proudly announced the acquisition of Centennial Optical, a Canadian distributor of ophthalmic frames, eyeglass lenses, sunglasses, lab supplies, and optical accessories.
Zeiss Group reports mixed performance for half-year figures 2024/25
The challenging geopolitical and economic environment has greatly impacted the business units within the Zeiss Group in different ways and results in a mixed performance. However, especially the Consumer Markets division, including the strategic business unit Zeiss Vision Care, shows a low performance.
EssilorLuxottica plans to acquire Optegra
EssilorLuxottica and MidEuropa announced that they entered into an agreement for EssilorLuxottica to acquire Optegra, a fast-growing and highly integrated ophthalmology platform operating in five key European markets: the UK, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and the Netherlands.
ISSUE 03/2025
Overview
Special: Sustainable Environments: “Supporting talent – regardless of if they are men or women“
// First German-Chinese school for optometrists in China established // Technology: Dry tinting technology // Live on Site: A visit at the EssilorLuxottica lens production facility // History: 50 years of developments in ophthalmic lenses | part 2 // Business: How fear prevents confidence and success // Market survey: Generators
FEATURED ARTICLES
Achievements of modern technology
Freeform technology brought the possibility, not only of optimizing the performance for any individual prescription, but also of varying the design characteristics of the lens by incorporating more fitting data relating to the facial characteristics of the wearer. That is, the lens could be optimized and personalized.
Supporting talent – regardless of if they are men or women
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 perfect surface – lenses between human and machine
The perfect surface – lenses between human and machine The EssilorLuxottica Group operates hundreds of ophthalmic lens production facilities worldwide. Some of them are located in Europe, and one plant is even in the middle of Germany. For 80 years, high-quality ophthalmic lenses have been manufactured in Braunschweig.
Dry tinting technology
Based on 20 years of experience, a world-renowned Japanese manufacturer has completed a fully
automated dry tinting system. The digital tinting method works completely differently compared to
traditional dipping and is said to have a number of advantages in terms of productivity, environmental
impact, and material versatility as a result.
50 years of developments in ophthalmic lenses
Without doubt, the most significant development in spectacle lens design is the change in the
manufacturing process from lapping to computer numerically controlled milling methods usually
referred to as freeform or digital surfacing. The first part of this paper is designed to remind you of the principles of design which have led to the modern personalized and optimized progressive power lens.
A strong IT foundation is not just a necessity – it is a game-changer
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.
Next generation centering devices
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.
NEWS
ANFAO exhibits “The lens of a time” in Italy
Consistently committed to promoting and enhancing the value of Italian eyewear around the globe, ANFAO – Italian Optical Goods Manufacturers’ Association, actively participates in the National “Made in Italy” Day by organizing “The Lens of Time – The History of Eyewear in Italy”.
Rodenstock extends its Executive Management Team
The Rodenstock Group, a leading global manufacturer of high-quality biometric ophthalmic lenses, has announced that Laurent Saada will join the Rodenstock leader team as Executive Vice President (EVP) Sales Europe and Søren Østergaard as Executive Vice President (EVP) Sales International.
The National Academy of Opticianry announces its 2025 award winners
The National Academy of Opticianry (NAO) has proudly announced the recipients of its prestigious NAO Hall of Fame, NAO Educator of the Year, NAO Optician of the Year Award for 2025.
The future of optical lab technology
Ocuco’s Innovations User Group Meeting (UGM) 2025 convened more than 50 optical lab professionals representing labs from across the globe for a three-day event filled with insights, learning and networking opportunities.
Ram Narayanan becomes Vice President AMEA at Coburn Technologies
Coburn Technologies, a leading global provider of ophthalmic lens processing systems and ophthalmic instruments is proud to announce the promotion of Ram Narayanan from Executive Director, AMEA to Vice President, AMEA.
Rodenstock closes optovision production facility in Germany
Rodenstock continues to press ahead with the realignment of the Group. The group has announced yesterday that optovision’s ophthalmic lens production in Germany will be closed and the production should be relocated to a large manufacturing plant in the Czech Republic. Last fall, Rodenstock had already announced the closure of the plant in Regen (Germany).
Bühler Leybold Optics and MIRAPRO announce collaboration for AI-driven lens inspection and more
AI is transforming both the industry and our daily lives. The collaboration between Bühler Leybold Optics, a German based leading supplier of vacuum coating machines, and MIRAPRO, a Japanese based renowned technical innovation and AI solutions provider marks a significant milestone in bringing the benefits of this technology to the ophthalmic industry.
Mido 2025 number of participants increased by 9 percent
Business, innovation, trends, sustainability and inclusion. These were the key themes at this edition of Mido, the international eyewear show that closed last Monday. The organizers report on more than 42,000 attendees from 168 countries, 1,200 exhibitors, of those about 930 international, that gatheres in 8 exhibit areas across 7 pavilions. Substantial growth at international…
Rodenstock Group positions international brands for steady growth
The Rodenstock Group announced that Rodenstock, optovision and Indo Optical are strengthening their collaboration even further to create a more unified and efficient approach to global distribution and to ensure that Rodenstock is well-positioned for continued growth.
flō Optics raises $35 Million – among the investors is also a well-known machine manufacturer
flō Optics, an Israeli technology company that has developed a solution for coatings on optical lenses using digital printing technology, is announcing today that it has raised $35 million in Series A funding.
opti 2025 – a powerful start into the optical year
opti 2025 in Munich once again sent out a strong signal for international ophthalmic optics over the past three days of the trade show.