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Karen Walsh Appointed to Lead CooperVision Global Professional Affairs

CooperVision
Karen Walsh

CooperVision announced the creation of a unified, full scope Global Professional Affairs organization. The group will be led by Karen Walsh, MCOptom, PGDip, FAAO, FIACLE, FBCLA, who has been promoted to Senior Director in conjunction with the development.

“ECPs are central to patient prescribing choices and influential advocates whose views and decisions shape the contact lens category. Establishing a singular, ECP-led Global Professional Affairs team will better inform our product development, commercialization strategies, scientific publishing, product support and education outreach,” said Simon Seshadri, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing & Life Cycle Management, CooperVision. “Working hand-in-hand with their regional Professional Affairs colleagues, Karen’s group will help CooperVision colleagues and our customers thrive as the eye care and ocular health sectors evolve.”

Dr. Walsh is a widely recognized ophthalmic opinion leader. Prior to joining CooperVision in 2021, she built international acclaim as an educator, researcher, and author at the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo. Following a decade working in clinical contact lens-focused practice, she also served with Johnson & Johnson Vision as Professional Affairs Manager for the U.K. & Ireland.

Dr. Walsh is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, the International Association of Contact Lens Educators, and the British Contact Lens Association. She also is a member of the U.K. College of Optometrists and holds a post-graduate diploma in clinical optometry from City University, London.

Click HERE for the full press release.

For more related content on Optik NOW, click HERE.

Lightec, Where the Lightness is Paramount

While the comfort and the lightness are at the heart of Lightec’s philosophy, the design is never compromised. This model, part of the Omicron 69 concept, embodies the perfect alliance between the ease of wearing and the distinguished look, not only thanks to its refined lines and its fine acetate, but by its hinge without screw or welding.

Distributed by Morel Canada: morel-france.com

Using Gene Therapy to Treat Genetic Eye Disease Aniridia

Fighting Blindness Canada

In 2020, Fighting Blindness Canada awarded Dr. Elizabeth Simpson at the University of British Columbia a research grant of $297,000 to support the development of a potential gene therapy for the inherited eye disease, aniridia.

What is Aniridia

Aniridia is an inherited eye disease where the iris is partially or completely absent. Individuals with aniridia usually have low vision from birth and develop glaucoma and cataracts, which can lead to blindness. Most cases are caused by a mutation in the PAX6 gene. While current treatments may slow the progression, there are no cures or treatments.

With Fighting Blindness Canada funding, Dr. Simpson’s team has been developing a minimally invasive gene therapy for aniridia which they are testing in an animal model.

Gene Therapies for Eye Diseases

Most current gene therapies for inherited eye diseases deliver the new gene directly into the eye, often using a subretinal injection, a delicate process. Injecting the gene therapy into the eye, ensures that target cells in the eye receive a sufficient dose while also reducing the amount of gene therapy that reaches other parts of the body, hopefully reducing the potential for side effects.

Dr. Simpson is testing if gene therapy for an eye disease can be delivered without injections into the eye.

 Dr. Elizabeth Simpson

Dr. Simpson’s team tested an intravenous injection directly into the bloodstream to deliver the gene therapy. Not only is this less invasive than a subretinal injection, but because PAX6 mutations can impact other organs, a treatment may be able to improve symptoms in multiple parts of the body, including the eye.

Over the course of the research grant, Dr. Simpson’s team produced and tested multiple PAX6 gene therapies in an animal model to identify the optimized approach.

After testing different doses in animal studies, Dr. Simpson was excited to show that an intravenous injection delivering PAX6 gene therapy reached retinal cells and was still present after five months. Importantly, there was no “toxicity” from the treatment.

The team did not see any strong impact on vision after the gene therapy and they think that a greater number of cells will need to receive the gene therapy for improvement to occur. This research will continue and hopefully bring a new gene therapy to a human clinical trial in the future.

Winners of the 30th SILMO d’Or

And here are the winners!

CHILDREN

ETNIA BARCELONA with « BA-BAAAANG ! »                                                                        SP

Introducing “Cartoons for Kids”, a fresh collection inspired by the comic world. « BA-BAAAANG ! » stands out with its explosive design while being environmentally conscious. Thanks to their innovative temple flex, « BA-BAAAANG ! » maintains high quality performance while reducing metal consumption by 20%. Additionally, the new flex system in the acetate temples cuts acetate usage by nearly 10%. In case of flex system breakage, easy replacement by the optician is possible. Enjoy unique style and durability!

SPORT

MARCHON with « Flyfree » – Nike                                                                                       US

The Nike Flyfree sunglasses offer interchangeable lens options that latch securely into the frame to help you effortlessly adapt to any environment.  Injected frame material is derived from at least 40% castor bean oil. The 4-base flat lens and slim profile provide everyday coverage, and the nose pad and temple arms are flexible and self-adjust to the shape of your face for a comfortable, personalized fit. Lenses with 100% UVA/UVB protection.

VISION

Santé visuel

ESSILORLUXOTTICA with « Varilux XR Series »                                                                                 FR

We live on the go, hyper connected, so it is crucial to have a very natural eye navigation. Varilux® XR Series is the 1st progressive lenses designed with behavioral artificial intelligence. It predicts wearer’s visual behavior for each unique prescription. Therefore Varilux® XR Series offers +49% volume of broadband vision vs Varilux X® series. It offers instant sharpness even in motion, with seamless ocular navigation between 30 cm and infinity.

Système optique

MORROW with « Morrow eProgressives »                                                                         BE

Introducing eProgressives These glasses redefine comfort, using advanced lens-in-foil tech to mimic eye focus. A touch activates the lens with electric current, shifting light refraction in 0.6 seconds, up to 1D. The innovation reduces passive lens power, expanding distant and intermediate vision, corridor clarity, depth perception. Advantages include less blurriness, quick adaptation. In “on-mode,” the lens excels at precision and contrast. A revolutionary visual experience.

MATERIAL / EQUIPMENT

SAARGOS with « Quicksee Free » – Plenoptika                                                                          US/FR

The QuickSee Free is the only portable refracto-keratometer to use wavefront aberrometry technology. It is by combining aberrometry and dynamic vision (through the device) controlled via AI, that it offers the most precise measurements (<=0.25d / ref Subj for 60-70% and of <=0.5d / subj ref for 90% of adult patients). Its design and intuitive conception make it the preferred tool for all practitioners thanks to its light weight and more than 5 hours of autonomy.

OPTICAL FRAME « BRANDS & LABELS »

ODLM-SEAPORT with « CC1086 – VEDO » – Carven                                                             FR

The square shape offers a touch of timeless sophistication. The combination of two acetates, one crystal green and the other speckled green, is sure to captivate the eye. Golden details:The graphic nose with striations and the calisson on the temples add a subtle touch of luxury. The hinges are also worked with the calisson metal piece.

SUNGLASSES « BRANDS & LABELS »

ODLM-SEAPORT with « CC4091S NOVE » – Carven                                                             FR

Artistic combination of three acetates. Perfectly matched laminations on the face and sleeve create a striking, eye-catching aesthetic. The square shape, a timeless symbol of elegance, is enhanced by bevels cleverly designed to catch the light from every angle.Every detail is carefully crafted to perfection, and the openwork gilded metal calisson on the temple is the final touch that sets these glasses apart from any other pair on the market.

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN EYEWEAR

SBRUSSET&CO with « Meyro-nde OP »                                                                                           FR

innovate on both functions and form… A frame generated by artificial intelligence interpreting an HD scan, in order to create a unique frame that is completely tailor-made. Manufactured using 3D titanium printing in one piece, the Meyro-nde OP benefits from fully optimized volumes to provide both ultimate comfort and perfect lens fit, without screws, glue, or thread. Its shape pays tribute to the Meyrowitz opticians’ glasses and represents the combination of modernity and tradition.

SUNGLASSES « EYEWEAR DESIGNER »

ANDY WOLF with « Blossom col.05 »                                                                                              AT

The BLOSSOM sunglasses by Andy Wolf are a stylish, unique accessory. BLOSSOM is inspired by the wildflower meadow that surrounds the headquarters. Since 2022, the brand has been recultivating and preserving 1 square metre of wildflower meadow for every Andy Wolf frame sold. Handcrafted from exclusively developed Acetate Renew, BLOSSOM is equipped with a removable acetate inner ring in the shape of a 3-dimensional petal. The pastel shades of the triple gradient underline the femininity.

OPTICAL FRAME « EYEWEAR DESIGNER »

CUTLER AND GROSS with « 9126 Lunettes Cat-Eye »                                                         UK

An archive frame first worn by Cutler and Gross customer Elton John was reworked through a modern lens, resulting in the 9126 optical. The eccentric silhouette pairs a curved browline with angular lugs and chamfering. It’s sculpted with a split-layer construction that lightens the Black acetate with transparent temple-edges. Design details include Horizontal Oyster frontal pins, 5-barrel hinges, Compass Star temple pins Hazard core wire, Gold-foil logo inside temple Minimal temple tips.

JURY’S SPECIAL JURY

LAFONT avec /with « Ouvrage »                                                                                              FR                      

Maison Lafont has teamed with Sekimoto to mark the occasion by creating a unique frame. Satoshi Sekimoto, Meilleur Ouvrier de France in Haute-Couture embroidery, and Thomas LAFONT, combined their passion and together created an exquisite, embroidered frame, Ouvrage. Based on an Haute Couture concept developed by Thomas Lafont, Satoshi Sekimoto has crafted onto these original medium embroidering pearls and embellishments ornamenting the frame like a dress.

PRIX 1ERE CLASSE

VERONIKA WILDGRUBER with « LANE »              DE                                                       
Brutalism meets elegance A raw aluminum bar fits perfectly onto its geometric acetate counterpart. The acetate is visible through skylights—two cutouts permitting the light to shine through. A straight line perfectly aligned with the aluminum not only separates the two colors of the acetate but also transparent from translucent, shiny from matte. This minimalist design crafts a sci-fi aesthetic, remarkably bold, undeniably audacious—a brutalist piece of eyewear with a tender soul.

Click HERE for the press release.

For more related content on Optik NOW, click HERE.

Memory of Maria Luisa Pramaor: Founder, Guiding Light, and Heart of Blackfin

On Friday, September 22, Blackfin heartbreakingly and suddenly bereaved of Maria Luisa Pramaor. An elegant yet tenacious woman, she epitomized dedication, positivity, and hard work. Maria Luisa was instrumental in founding the company back in 1971. As the 18th employee of Luxottica, at a time when the leading eyewear multinational was but a nascent venture nestled within the Belluno mountains, she had the foresight and prowess to carve out a path that positioned her as one of the first female entrepreneurs of the region and the eyewear industry.

Life presented its fair share of challenges to Maria Luisa, yet she faced them with an unwavering optimism. She always stressed the importance of leading by example to both her collaborators and her family.

Those at Blackfin will remember her for her radiant smile, unwavering determination, and gracious courtesy which subtly hinted at a gentle yet firm conviction that nothing in life is random, and in all its forms, life is indeed beautiful.

It is with profound sorrow that I announce the sudden passing of my mother, Maria Luisa Pramaor, the founder of our cherished company. She wasn’t just my wonderful and tender-hearted mother; she was a beacon of positivity, energy, and resolve, radiantly optimistic, deeply in love with life, and always envisioning the future. While such words might often be seen as cliché, those fortunate enough to have known her understand they genuinely capture her essence. We’ve lost our shining guiding light, the beacon that lit our way. Her legacy continues within us, and from this day forward, we commit to pouring even more passion and dedication into all we do, to honor her memory and unparalleled legacy. I know she’d want us to respond with strength and resolve, and so we shall. For you, Maria.” – Nicola Del Din, CEO.

Click HERE for the press release.

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