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October 3, 2024October 3, 2024

MIDO 2025: Nominations for Awards Now Open

Nomination applications are now available for the MIDO 2025 Awards. Application forms are available in the Awards section of the mido.com website.

Through December 13, MIDO 2025 exhibitors can apply to participate in the Certified Sustainable Eyewear (CSE) Award, now in its 3rd edition, created by MIDO in partnership with ANFAO and Certottica, that assesses sustainability in the eyewear industry at an international level.

Participants can nominate a pair of sunglasses, eyewear frames or an eyewear case. A panel of expert judges will evaluate the competing products which must have been produced in compliance with the principles of sustainability – recycling of materials, reduced consumption in the production and distribution processes, and maximization of the supply chain are some of the criteria the jury will use to determine the winners.

Up to January 15, MIDO exhibitors can also nominate their stands for participation in the Stand Up For Green Award, that recognizes the most sustainable stand in terms of its focus on environmental impact and use of materials. The award grew out of the idea to acknowledge a commitment to safeguarding the environment and emphasis on good practices for sustainable living. The jury will base its decision on stand display, level of innovation, originality and the ability to convey a positive message to the public about the importance of green choices for the future of humanity and the planet.

Through January 8, opticians from around the world can apply to participate in the Best Store Award, which this year is in its 10^th edition. It recognizes the best international optical shop and is divided into two categories: Design and Innovation. An international jury composed of design and retail experts, managers, creative directors, journalists and designers will decide the winners based on outstanding shopping experience, atmosphere, furnishings, and materials, or a special layout of the retail space (for the Design category); and for digital and traditional communications, interaction, customer services offered, as well as the history of the store and its human and emotional qualities (for the Innovation category).

New this year is the 1^st edition of the Sergio Cereda Design Award that recognizes emerging Italian talents in eyewear design. The award, announced at the last edition and honoring Sergio Cereda, influential designer in the optical industry, was envisioned by Harvey Ross, founder of the Viva International Group, CEO of Optyx Retail Group and founder of HMR Holdings, in collaboration with the Cereda family and MIDO.

Worth $10,000, the award revolves around the theme “Eyewear in its pure form: Balance between proportions and harmony, innovation and breaking point”. Participants are invited to create designs that show an in-depth understanding of styles and models, balancing innovation and creativity. Candidates must be at least 30 years of age and must currently be enrolled in or have just completed a program in a design school in Italy. Applications can be sent via this link https://optyx.com/sergio-cereda-award-application-europe/ and must be received by November 30, 2024. For further information, please contact marketing@optyx.com.

Presentation of the MIDO Awards and Sergio Cereda Design Award winners will take place with an official ceremony during MIDO.

Click HERE for the press release.

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October 2, 2024October 3, 2024

Expert Panel Discusses How to Reduce Contact Lens Dropout

A recording of the “Disrupting the Dropout Dilemma: Bold Moves to Keep Patients in Contact Lenses” panel from Vision Expo West 2024 is now available for viewing at https://youtu.be/oKiCJ9osn-E. Presented on the Innovation Stage in Las Vegas, the 30-minute discussion previews new Contact Lens Institute consumer research that points to straightforward, high-return actions by eye care practices have the potential to increase retention rates among new and long-term contact lens wearers.

Panelists include Jennifer Seymour Brusven, LDO, NCLE-AC, ABO-AC, Yesnick Vision Center; Janelle Davison, OD, Brilliant Eyes Vision Center; and Shalu Pal, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, FIAOMC, Dr. Shalu Pal & Associates. Contact Lens Institute Chairperson Carla Mack, OD, FAAO, Dipl AAO, FBCLA, moderates the conversation.

Disrupting the Dropout Dilemma Panel. L to R: Carla Mack, OD; Janelle Davison, OD; Shalu Pal, OD; Jennifer Seymour Brusven, LDO

The research was commissioned by the Contact Lens Institute and conducted by Prodege from August 9-21, 2024, via an online survey. Respondents were U.S. residents ages 18-64 who reported wearing soft contact lenses at least once per week, inclusive of new wearers (n=200) and long-term wearers (n=201). A comprehensive report, part of the Contact Lens Institute’s See Tomorrow initiative, will be published in early November.

The Contact Lens Institute advances the latest innovations in safe and effective contact lens and lens care products and services that provide unique benefits to patients while satisfying the evolving needs of eye care professionals. CLI undertakes activities that properly assess, enhance, promote, and balance contact lens and lens care industry welfare and growth, including the safe use of products in the marketplace. Its members include Alcon, Bausch + Lomb, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson Vision. For more information, visit contactlensinstitute.org.

Click HERE for the press release.

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October 1, 2024September 9, 2024

GIGI STUDIOS Unveils New VANGUARD Striking Gradient Acetates

Voila September-October 2024 GIGI STUDIOS Penelope

Penelope, one of the latest additions to the VANGUARD Optical collection from GIGI STUDIOS, captivates with its distinctive and delicate gradient acetates. Each pair, perfected through numerous trials, boasts flawless shades that redefine elegance and innovation in eyewear. Elevate your collection with GIGI STUDIOS’ unparalleled craftsmanship and vanguardist aesthetic.

Distributed by GIGI STUDIOS: gigistudios.com

About GIGI STUDIOS:

GIGI Studios is a brand founded in Barcelona by a family that has always been surrounded by glasses. This family spirit has led to partnerships with independent eyewear sellers and distributors in more than 45 countries. At GIGI Studios, we transmit knowledge and experience while passionately embracing the future.

Without distinction, GIGI Studios wants to support people in their self-expression by making them feel more creative and self-confident. GIGI Studios’ designs are the result of constant improvement, a process of exploration through materials, shapes, and colours seeking designs that enhance the uniqueness of the individual.

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September 30, 2024September 26, 2024

Nikon Optical Canada Launches New Era of Progressive Lenses – Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES

Nikon Optical Canada announces the launch of new Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES, inspired by Nikon’s camera lens contrast assessment method.

For the first time, Nikon Lenswear merges this proprietary contrast evaluation method with its deep understanding of human vision to create an innovative design system for progressive lenses.

According to Nikon’s study, 80%* of progressive lens wearers are dissatisfied with the vision experience of their current lenses even with the correct prescription. They encounter the struggle of trying to see at a near and intermediate distance. Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES, offers a portfolio of progressive lenses, meticulously designed to optimize the visual field in the corridor.

Progressive lens designs have always focused on improving the width of the visual field, but now, thanks to Z-Contrast Technology, Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES bring the proximal zone higher up where the wearer needs it most. The proximal zone is used for all tasks within arm’s reach but, it is located in the lower part of the corridor which makes it less accessible. When looking through the corridor, the eyes capture lateral aberrations and power changes thus, resulting in a loss of sharpness and reduced contrasts.

With Z-Contrast Technology the heightened contrast transmission in the progression zone enhances the clarity of the clear vision area, enabling wearers to enjoy a broader focal range for close-up tasks. This offers patients greater vision freedom and seamless clarity with greater precision of contrast.

Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES are available as of September 30th 2024 in SeeMax Ultimate Z and Presio Power Z. In addition, Seemax Ultimate Z also offers Personalized Contrasts Perception. Thanks to this additional measurement, the progression zone is personalized to improve the contrast performance while suppressing lens aberrations making the vision experience more personalized and unique to the wearer.

For more information about the new Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES, visit the Nikon Lenswear website or contact your Nikon Business Development Partner.

References:

* 1 Pain points faced by existing progressive lens wearers from the Quantitative Acceptability Study of New Progressive Lens Concept, Aug 2023 – in Japan, UK, Canada, France, and China, (n=500)

2 Question: Please indicate your level of dissatisfaction with the glasses you are currently using on a scale from «Not at all dissatisfied (1 point)» to «Very dissatisfied (10 points)» with respect to the problems that occur despite the use of glasses with progressive lenses. The percentages referred to the proportion of wearers out of 500 who have given a score of 3 or higher for the listed problem.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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September 26, 2024September 26, 2024

Discover the Winner of the Optical Design Contest

The Optical Design Contest is intended to be a stepping stone for the next generation, and an opportunity for them to stimulate their creativity through a responsible design approach.

Launched two years ago, the Optical Design Contest is preparing a new opus with the same objective: to be a stepping stone for the next generation and to stimulate creative innovation in eyewear through the eyes of students from design schools around the world. Based on the highest standards, this second edition takes on an essential theme: the evolving role of accessory eyewear.

The contest is open to all students enrolled in a design course at a level equivalent to or higher than the third year post-baccalaureate and presents a detailed set of specifications designed to provide a comprehensive framework for the projects and a clear commitment to design. Lenses, frames, connected products, low vision or equipment for opticians and manufacturers, these designers of tomorrow will be able to create their concept by drawing inspiration from the vast world of optics and eyewear.

Chaired by Olivier JAULT and made up of optics and design professionals, the jury will meet to assess the projects received from the various design schools and select the most relevant.

And the winner is…

DISTROAL by Thomas DENEUFBOURG & Adrien GALLOIS – École de Design Nantes Atlantique Glasses as support accessories for users that have specific needs, including people affected by disorders on the autism spectrum and anxiety disorders. Distroal means “calming’ in the Breton language.