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Protect Your Eyes, See the Skies

The Vision Council logo

A nonprofit member association, The Vision Council represents the U.S. during the creation and maintenance of international optical industry technical standards by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which includes ISO 12312-2, the standard that all ‘filters for the direct observation of the sun’ should meet.

“Industry standards help protect both manufacturers and consumers; they ensure everyone is aware of the minimum safety requirements necessary to preserve one of humanity’s most critical senses – sight. Check that your eclipse glasses are marked with ISO 12312-2 and keep your eyes safe while viewing this once in a lifetime experience.” 

Michael Vitale, VP of Membership, Government Relations and Technical Standards, at The Vision Council

An expert on optical industry standards, Vitale leads The Vision Council’s participation in ISO and serves as Secretariat for the Accredited Standards Committee of Ophthalmic Optics (ASC Z80) at the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Beyond the Standards

Throughout history, major celestial events have inspired both fear and wonder and the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is guaranteed to leave viewers in awe.

Celebrate this wonder with The Vision Council’s Total Solar Eclipse Guide:

1. Check your ISO

If you’re planning to watch the eclipse in person, make sure you wear eclipse glasses marked with ISO 12312-2 for the duration of the event.

2. Prepare to safely take eclipse photos

Want to snap some photos of the eclipse before it reaches totality? Snag an extra pair of ISO-compliant glasses for your smartphone – this will act as a solar filter for your camera lens. Before you begin snapping, be sure to turn off your phone’s flash, and turn on the burst setting for the best chance of capturing the eclipse.

3. Countdown with eclipse cinema celebrities

Compared to other astronomical events like asteroid threats or space travel, solar eclipses are depicted less often in film. See how eclipses on the silver screen compare to the real thing and stream one of these movies that feature the phenomenon:

  • King Solomon’s Mines (1937)
  • A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1949)
  • 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
  • Little Shop of Horrors (1976)
  • A Knight in Camelot (1998)
  • Judy Berlin (1999)
  • Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)
  • The Wild Thornberry’s Movie (2002)
  • Apocalypto (2006)

4. Celebrate with an eclipse (of the heart) playlist

Hosting a viewing party on April 8? Follow the stages of the solar eclipse through song with The Vision Council’s Total Solar Eclipse Playlist, available here.

  • Great Balls of Fire, Jerry Lee Lewis (1958)
  • Bad Moon Rising, Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969)
  • Steal My Sunshine, LEN (1999)
  • Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler (1983)
  • Eclipse, Pink Floyd (1973)
  • Ain’t No Sunshine, Bill Withers (1971)
  • Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles (1969)
  • Blinded by the Light, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (1976)
  • Soak Up the Sun, Sheryl Crow (2002)
  • Solar Power, Lorde (2021)

Download The Vision Council’s Total Solar Eclipse Guide here.

For more information and resources about the April 8 eclipse, including a social media toolkit and links to authorized eclipse glasses retailers, visit thevisioncouncilfoundation.org/eclipse.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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Specsavers and Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario Partner to Make Eye Health More Affordable for over 36,000 Members

Specsavers logo

Specsavers has announced a partnership with the Municipal Retirees Organization Ontario (MROO), the largest organization supporting OMERS pensioners.

Beginning today, MROO members can visit one of the over 50 Specsavers locations in Ontario to save when it comes to maintaining their eye health.

“We’re delighted to partner with MROO and bring our passion for making quality eyecare and eyewear affordable and accessible to all their members. This partnership marks a great milestone in our mission to help change the lives of Canadians through better sight.”

Bill Moir, Managing Director of Specsavers Canada

For those eligible over 65, the cost of a standard eye exam, inclusive of OCT, is covered by provincial health care plans.

“The focus on eye health and great value makes Specsavers a perfect partner for MROO. We are proud to partner with a company that will offer not just great prices but also comprehensive eye exams that will benefit our members.”

Keith Robicheau, President of MROO

Click HERE for the full press release.

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X-Ide New Generation

X-Ide is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the creation of a capsule collection that presents 8 styles with double temples, distinctive characteristic of the collection at its launch, here in a contemporary version inspired by the Cyberpunk concept.

Featured model: Rigel

Distributed by Mood Eyewear: www.moodeyewear.com

About Mood Eyewear:

At Mood Eyewear we take pride in presenting the best of the current cutting edge European Optical trends, which incorporates fashion as an aid to vision. Our commitment is to provide our partners with the personal prompt and professional service they deserve. Our exclusive collections are the fruit of creativity with innovation, art, design, knowledge and the highest standards of new technology with a multitude of carefully selected pieces.

Founded in 2006, Mood Eyewear imports and introduces to the Canadian market prestigious optical collections. The group distributes the renowned European brands Adidas Originals, Blackfin, Cremieux, Enrico Cecchi, KunoQvist, KunoQvist Young, Marc Cain, Rye & Lye, UX, X-iDE and now has the Canadian exclusivity of the creative Italian brand Italia Independent.

About X-Ide:

An incisive expression of creativity and Italian style, this is X-Ide, a brand that marries design and artisan craftsmanship, inspirations of yore and contemporary concepts. Ideas come to life through deeply-felt perceptions of the surrounding area, interpreted in light of the most modern trends. “Our passion is fueled by non-stop curiosity, by a quest for the most elusive details and careful observation,” in the words of the creators.

This is how our ideas originate: fascinated by the beauty concealed in every detail. Our vision is to transcend the mundane, distancing ourselves from the conventional. For us, creative thought is to contemplate life as a constantly evolving work of art”. X-IDE is a creative hive where the values of creativity, originality and savoir faire combine, giving rise to a unique alchemy, fueled by the constant quest for excellence.

We are led by a talented group of passionate, dedicated individuals who make design, research and Italianness the signature traits of our identity. Our commitment goes beyond the simple act of creationThrough the fusion of aesthetics and functionality, we express the essence of Italian artistry, combining tradition and innovation. Being creative means getting out of the comfort zone of a creative routine and embracing innovation. X-Ide is a brand capable of moving beyond the dominant mental stereotypes.

EssilorLuxottica and WCO Partner to Establish Global Standard of Care for Presbyopia and Aging Eye

On the occasion of World Optometry Week 2024, EssilorLuxottica and the World Council of Optometry (WCO) announced a global partnership to raise the awareness and understanding of presbyopia and the aging eye, with the aim to establish standards of care for eye care professionals to follow when managing the condition. This initiative will also help eye care professionals with the latest evidence-based scientific approaches, tools and resources focused on the three pillars of mitigation, measurement, and management of presbyopia.

Presbyopia is a naturally occurring condition that people typically begin to develop when they reach 40-45 years of age. Currently, there are an estimated 2.1 billion people worldwide with presbyopia1. As the world’s population is aging, it is estimated that by 2050, more than 4 billion people in the world will have presbyopia (approximately 40% of the world’s population)2.

WCO EssilorLuxottica woman getting an eye exam by an optometrist

With the extension of life expectancy, the majority of individuals will experience an intervention for the vision changes due to presbyopia for about half of their lifespan. Consequently, the different vision care solutions allow them to engage more in visually demanding near activities at older ages compared to previous generations. The demand on our eyes has significantly increased over the past three decades, notably due to the widespread use of digital devices. These changes highlight the importance of effectively evaluating, measuring and managing presbyopia among patients, particularly as it will likely have an impact on their daily activities and quality of life.

Aside from raising global awareness, the program will also feature insights from several international experts in the field, to build the standard of care resolution and bring the latest research and evidence in easily accessible educational materials available to all individuals interested in learning more about presbyopia. To ensure accessibility, assets will be published on both the WCO microsite and EssilorLuxottica’s learning platform, Leonardo. Further updates on the available content and resources will be announced in the coming months.

“We are excited to partner with EssilorLuxottica to bring the importance of addressing our patients’ needs to see well up close. There are many new options to address presbyopia, and we agree that it is important to bring the information to the eye care practitioner so they can provide the best care for the patients. Along with helping to ensure evidence-based techniques are used, the partnership will highlight the eye health changes that are on-going as the patients grow older.”

Dr. Sandra Block, WCO President

“We are thrilled to partner with the World Council of Optometry, an organization that shares our vision to contribute to better eye health and vision care for people everywhere. Through this important program, I am certain that we will raise the global conversation around presbyopia and together make an even greater impact by providing a standard of care to manage the condition, but also providing the resources and support needed to help eye care professionals improve patient outcomes.”

Olga Prenat, Head of Medical and Professional Affairs at EssilorLuxottica

As part of its long-standing efforts to advance knowledge and education on vision care globally, EssilorLuxottica has been partnering with WCO since 2015 at their first World Congress of Optometry, and from then on, actively participating in all their congresses, and supporting other WCO global awareness initiatives such as the Global State of Optometry Survey. The survey will include information on scope of practice, competency levels, demographics, optometric education requirements, and regulatory information.

1 Eliminating poor vision in a generation © Essilor SAS 2019 Market Scope, Global Presbyopia-Correcting Surgery Market Report, April 2012
2 Global population of 7.6 billion people in 2020 and 10 billion people in 2050 Source: United Nations, internal analysis

Click HERE for the full press release.

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The Art of the Frame: Unveiling GIGI STUDIOS’ Fashion‑Forward Vision

Elegant GIGI STUDIOS glasses with tortoiseshell frames on a clear, shattered glass surface with green foliage accents

By Mark Matthews

GIGI STUDIOS is not just an eyewear brand; it’s a manifesto of individuality and creativity. With a 60-year family legacy, the brand combines artisanal wisdom with a youthful passion for innovation. At GIGI STUDIOS, eyewear is more than an accessory—it’s an extension of your unique style.

Continuing a Six-Decade Legacy

Originally a family-run business, GIGI STUDIOS has successfully translated decades of experience and craftsmanship into contemporary eyewear designs. The brand stands as a tribute to the art of fashion, fostering a blend of sophistication and innovation
in each piece it crafts.

The Five Pillars Behind GIGI STUDIOS

  1. Innovative Designs: From trendsetting to timeless, meeting the fashion needs of a diverse audience.
  2. Extensive Collection: The broad spectrum of designs ensures that there’s something for everyone.
  3. Quality & Reliability: From production to after-sales service, quality is non-negotiable.
  4. Optimal Deliveries: Timeliness is key, made possible by the brand’s efficient production processes.
  5. Flexible Partnerships: Customized strategies are the backbone of their business relations, guaranteeing mutual growth.
Fashion-forward woman in a smart beige suit and blue-striped shirt, showcasing GIGI STUDIOS' bold patterned eyewear
Stylish man in a beige jacket holding a small dog, wearing GIGI STUDIOS tortoiseshell glasses

Exploring the Collections

GIGI STUDIOS caters to a variety of tastes through its five distinct collections:

  • VANGUARD focuses on high fashion with cutting-edge designs.
  • LAB introduces lightweight, groundbreaking innovations.
  • ICONS revives timeless styles with a modern twist.
  • XS offers bold but petite options.
  • MEN delivers modern masculinity through its array of frames.

A Commitment to Sustainability

GIGI STUDIOS is devoted to responsible operations. From recycling acetate and stainless steel to partnering with NGOs, the company continually strives to make a positive impact on both society and the environment.

The Le Club de Lecture Campaign

Launching their Fall/Winter 23/24 campaign, “Le Club de Lecture,” GIGI STUDIOS takes us to a forgotten Parisian library where nine distinctive personalities come together over their shared love for books. This campaign introduces new designs in the VANGUARD collection, featuring intricate geometries and daring color palettes, and expands their MEN collection, demonstrating a commitment to both aesthetic purity and unique character.

GIGI STUDIOS is more than a fashion statement; it’s a lifestyle. Through a careful amalgamation of heritage, innovation, and a comprehensive product range, the brand provides not just eyewear but a full fashion experience. A look through the frames crafted by GIGI STUDIOS, one sees a world of limitless potential, where each piece is a portal to a unique vision.


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