CORE director Lyndon Jones has been recognized with the Carel C. Koch Memorial Medal award at this year’s American Academy of Optometry Conference in Indianapolis.
The Carel C. Koch Award is presented annually to a person who has made outstanding contributions to the enhancement and development of relationships between optometry and other professions.
Lyndon is cross appointed to the University of Waterloo departments of Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and is adjunct professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department at McMaster University, Canada, and the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Australia.
Sharon Qiu
Congratulations to CORE PhD candidate Sharon Qiu, who was one of two winners of the Fighting Blindness Canada Clinician Scientist Emerging Leader award!
The award is endowed with $40,000 in funding towards Sharon’s graduate work, during which she will be designing and testing the next generation of scleral lenses. What a fantastic accomplishment, Sharon!
As the leaves start to change and we cozy up for the fall season, it’s time to update your patients on the latest eyewear trends. This season, we’re seeing a delightful mix of classic styles and bold new looks for both men and women. Here’s your guide to the top fall 2024 optical frames and sunglasses trends for Fall 2024, featuring both major brands and independent designers.
Women’s Fall 2024 Eyewear Trends
Retro Revival: Vintage-inspired eyewear is making a strong comeback. Think oversized frames reminiscent of the 70s and 80s. Brands like Gucci and Tom Ford are leading the way with chunky frames in warm, earthy tones like caramel and burgundy. Independent designers like Ahlem are also offering unique takes on these retro styles, adding a modern twist to classic designs.
Cat-Eye Sophistication: The cat-eye shape is being reimagined with softer, more rounded edges and lightweight designs. Look for styles from Prada and Fendi, featuring neutral colours and transparent frames. For a more unique option, check out Anne et Valentin, Coco and Breezy, known for their artistic and refined cat-eye frames. These glasses add a touch of elegance and can be seamlessly integrated into both casual and formal wardrobes.
Embellished Details: Frames with delicate embellishments are trending this fall. Brands like Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana are incorporating metal accents, pearl inlays, and subtle engravings into their designs. Independent designers such as Anna- Karin Karlsson are also adding luxurious touches to their frames, ensuring that every pair stands out.
Men’s Fall 2024 Eyewear Trends
Bold and Geometric: Geometric shapes are a major trend this season. Hexagonal and square frames offer a modern, edgy look. Check out designs from Oakley and Ray-Ban in dark, matte finishes like black and gunmetal. For something different, Kuboraum offers bold geometric frames that make a strong, artistic statement.
Classic Aviators: Aviators are a timeless favorite, but this fall, they’re getting an update. Persol and Maui Jim are offering aviators with thicker frames and tinted lenses in autumnal shades such as amber and olive. Independent brands like Regsonn continue to set the standard with handcrafted frames that blend classic style with modern durability.
Mixed Materials: Combining different materials in one frame is a significant trend. Brands like Barton Perreira and Oliver Peoples are showcasing frames that mix metal and acetate, wood and plastic, or even leather accents. Independent designer Francis Klein offers frames with unique material combinations and intricate detailing for a one-of-a-kind look.
Tech-Integrated Eyewear: Smart glasses are becoming more prevalent, integrating technology with fashion. Bose Frames and Ray-Ban Stories offer eyewear that not only corrects vision but also features built-in tech for notifications, music, and more. Lucyd is an independent brand leading the way in smart eyewear innovation, combining sleek designs with advanced functionality.
Unisex Fall 2024 Eyewear Trends
Transparent Frames: Clear frames are versatile and stylish, suitable for both men and women. Nike and YSL have great options in fully transparent or subtly tinted variations. Independent brands like Moscot offer clear frames that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
Oversized Shields: For sunglasses, oversized shield designs are making a splash. Dior and Versace are leading with these futuristic styles that provide extensive coverage and a bold look. Independent designers like Roka offer high-performance shields that combine functionality with cutting-edge style.
Colour Pop: Pops of bold colour are also on-trend. Look for vibrant frames in reds, blues, and purples from brands like Kate Spade and Mykita. For a unique, independent option, Lindberg offers colourful frames that are lightweight and durable, perfect for making a statement.
Equip your patients with the latest trends and help them find the perfect eyewear for Fall 2024. Whether they prefer classic styles or modern innovations, there’s something for everyone this season!
This course is accredited for 1 EC for NACOR and 1 CL/EG/RF for COO. NACOR #110.643 and COO #4250 Completion of online post-course test required at www.OptikConEd.com.
By Thomas Weissberger, RO
For those of you who follow my ABCs of Optics and wonder where M went, I didn’t forget about it, but instead I consider it covered by the Childhood Myopia article and CE course. For those that have no idea about what I am talking about, just enjoy N!
When you hear the words night vision, do you immediately have thoughts of spies and gadgets, or are you more inclined to think about how we see in the dark? Well, here we will cover both aspects.
Night Vision and Adaptation in Animals
All vertebrates share the same basic eye structure: a pupil that dilates or constricts to control how much light enters the eye, a lens to focus the image onto the retina, and nerves that relay the information to the brain. Nocturnal animals (those that are active at night) have evolved physical traits that allow them to see in the dark more effectively than diurnal ones. Their pupils are larger, with wider-set eyes and reflective layers behind their retinas.
Nocturnal animals have more rod cells (discussed below) in their retinas, which enhances their night vision to eight times that of humans. Animals with the best night vision include:
owls
cats
reptiles
frogs and toads
bats
some mammals like opossums and skunks
Owls and cats have pupils that, when open wide, cover the entire front of the eye, as do tree frogs. In owls, eye size approaches the extreme: their eyes occupy over half the volume of their skulls. Many nocturnal animals have a mirror-like layer, called the tapetum, behind the retina, which helps them make the most of small amounts of light. Light that passes through the retina is reflected off the tapetum, giving the retinal cells a second chance to sense it. This causes some animals’ eyes to shine in the glare of car headlights. The reflected colour seen is the pigment on the inner layer of the retina.
Night Vision Science: Rods and Cones Reviewed
As we know, all vision is triggered at the retina, containing two types of light-sensing cells: rods and cones. Cones account for colour vision but require bright, focused light, whereas rods can sense very dim, scattered light, but produce mainly a black and white image. While each cone has its own brain connection, multiple rods are wired to a single brain connector. This pools the information collected from the rods and creates a stronger signal, but the image is less defined. The retinas of nocturnal animals are packed with rods and have few cones, however, because their large eyes create large images that are focused on a big retina, they capture some detail despite the shortage of cones.
Human eyes take several hours to fully adapt to darkness and reach their optimal sensitivity to low light conditions. The quickest changes in light sensitivity are made in the first few minutes after exposure to darkness; many people think their eyes have reached their peak sensitivity in those first few minutes, but dark adaptation has just started.
The Practical Professor: Optical Solutions for the Real World
I am a second generation optician and have made all aspects of opticianry and optics my life. I have over 10 years of teaching experience as a former professor in the Dispensing Opticians’ program at Seneca College and at Georgian College. I was also responsible for modernization of the optical curriculum.
I am a trainer and trainee (One never stops learning!), and I am available to share my knowledge and experience with today’s eye care professionals. As the owner of Special Eyes Optical Services, I am dedicated to supporting the optical industry. You can reach out to me at Tom@SpecialeyesOpticalServices.com.
lool eyewear, the technical segment brand of Etnia Eyewear Culture, demonstrates its mastery in designing ultralight frames with the launch of its new FW24 collection, which is part of the innovative Stereotomic Series. With this collection, lool not only challenges traditional design principles but also reaffirms the role of innovation in creating accessories that combine beauty, functionality, and modernity.
A project that was born trying to create the best screwless hinge.
Since its inception, lool has recognized itself as a multidisciplinary design studio where different profiles collaborate with a common goal. Once we meet our goal of creating the best screwless hinge, we focus on designing and producing creative frames that are functional and lightweight.
lool is a multidisciplinary creative studio based in Barcelona. Our team is born from the mixture of different disciplines such as advertising, branding, design, fashion and journalism, which allows us to have a unique and fresh vision in the field of optics.
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Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) has announced that Donna J. Mikulecky, CPA, has accepted the organization’s Executive Director position. She replaces retiring Executive Director Lois Schoenbrun, FAAO, who has served in the role since April 2022.
Mikulecky has more than 25 years of experience leading healthcare organizations, most recently as Chief Operating Officer of Vision Source. Until her appointment as Executive Director, she served as Treasurer of OGS’s U.S. and Canada Boards of Directors.
“I’ve had the pleasure of serving with Donna for the last several years,” says U.S. Board Chair, Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón. “As a board member, she has been committed to our mission and a very valued colleague. I look forward to working with her in her new role.”
“She has the skills and experience to lead us forward. With Donna’s passion, business acumen, and industry knowledge, OGS will continue to invest in the international development of optometry to provide sustainable primary vision care to those in need.”
Dr. Susan Cooper, Canada Board Chair, Optometry Giving Sight
As “Optometry’s Charity™,” OGS raises funds from optometrists, optometry practices, and optometry- related businesses and corporations to award grants for sustainable, impactful projects that expand the profession and improve access to vision care in underserved areas of the world. During the last 20 years, OGS has: awarded more than 180 grants for primary eye care services for more than 8 million people; funded the training of more than 14,000 optometrists and eye care personnel; established more than 130 vision centers in underserved areas; and served individuals of all ages in more than 40 countries.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.
A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.
From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.
A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.
From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.
A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.
From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.
Prevent Blindness has declared July as Dry Eye Month and is offering no-cost educational resources to help the public and allied healthcare professionals better understand dry eye symptoms, risk factors and management.
ZEISS will host ZEISS Innovation 2026, a one-hour online event introducing new lens solutions designed to help ECPs strengthen their premium portfolio and grow prescription wear sales.
A new report from The Vision Council examines why 37% of U.S. adults do not wear sunglasses, pointing to comfort, fit, style and habit-related barriers as key factors.
From Change Islands to practice ownership and independent sales, follow Michelle Skinner’s journey through the Atlantic Canada optical industry. A story of honesty, grit, and resilience.
EssilorLuxottica and Meta have introduced Meta Glasses, a new AI-enabled eyewear collection aimed at expanding access to smart glasses with Rx-able styles and multiple lens options.
