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August 16, 2023August 16, 2023

OGI Eyewear Releases Virtual Try-On App to the Optical Industry

OGI Eyewear has officially released its best-in-industry virtual try-on app to the optical community. Full catalogs from OGI, Seraphin, Red Rose by OGI, Seraphin Shimmer, and SCOJO New York are now available to optical professionals and their patients for the entire fitting experience. This immersive tool is OGI Eyewear’s way of investing in the independent optical community that continues to support our creative endeavors.

“This app is the culmination of years of effort by dozens of people to achieve our goal of bringing a best-in-class, useful tool to the optician,” Rob Rich, CEO of The Optical Foundry, OGI Eyewear’s parent company, shared of this long-awaited app. “Unlike so many other VTO solutions, this is no toy. This is a tool that augments any dispensary with easy, accurate access to literally thousands of options to help promote sales to their customer base. When shared with an end user, it can help expedite the frame selection process. Expand your inventory, curtail wasteful patient approval processes, and increase your overall productivity. We have invested in tools like this to be that trusted partner. And best of all, it’s free. “

Your Board Just Got a Lot Bigger

Users have access to hundreds of frame styles and colour options from their phones. The OGI App allows for a true 360-degree try-on experience: turn any angle, catalog the frame fit, and capture ambient light. The user can take and send screenshots to friends and select their favorite styles before even stepping foot in an Optician’s office. Opticians can efficiently manage their inventory and keep tabs on the newest releases on the go.

Seeing is Believing

Our virtual try-on experience allows you to create a truly unique fitting process for your patients. The passion and talent of independent optical practitioners will shine through even more brightly with this amazing styling tool.

“Virtual try-on apps can be an excellent PR and marketing tool for independent optical practices,” OGI Eyewear Marketing Director Katja Beier shares. “Our app offers a convenient, personalized and seamless shopping experience and engagement. By leveraging the power of technology, you can elevate your PR and marketing efforts, attract new customers, and foster loyalty among existing ones.”

Easy as Pie

The OGI Eyewear app is compatible with the Safari browser and any iPhone (10 or above) or iPad Pro with Facial Recognition.

Check it out: https://ogi.theopticalfoundry.com/

To Install the App from this URL on an iPad or smartphone:

Navigate to the URL in your Safari browser
Click “Share” (the paperclip icon)
Select “Add to Home Screen”
Click “Add”

Click HERE for the full press release.

For other related articles, click HERE.

August 16, 2023August 16, 2023

COS Celebrates Indigenous Children Eye Examination Project, Impacting 6,000 Lives to Date

August marks Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, and as good vision is significantly important for a child’s growth and well-being, the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS) wants to raise awareness about the importance of eye exams and highlight the work that’s being done by the Indigenous Children Eye Examination (ICEE) project.

To date, ICEE has helped provide eye care to over 6,000 Indigenous children in the towns of Moosonee, Moose Cree First Nation, Attawapiskat First Nation, Fort Albany First Nation, Kashechewan First Nation, Weenusk First Nation and, most recently, Île-à-la-Crosse across Canada.

ICEE, founded by COS member and pediatric ophthalmologist Dr. Kourosh Sabri, is developing a first-of-its-kind, self-sustaining model of eye care for Indigenous children and youth aged six months to 18 years. This model is designed to benefit Indigenous children in underserved areas of Canada and involves training local youth to assess children for eye problems.

The next trip to Attawapiskat First Nation, scheduled for September 15-17, will include a team of five ICEE members, who will be providing training to local youth and will also assess and treat children for possible eye problems.

“Eye screening for children is crucial to detect issues that may go under the radar and cause problems later on in life,” says Dr. Kourosh Sabri, Pediatric Ophthalmologist & Strabismologist and founder of ICEE. “Many children in these Indigenous communities have to travel over one hour by plane to see an eye care professional. Through the ICEE program, we discovered that over 50% of the Indigenous children in these communities have never had an eye exam before. It is critical to develop a national vision screening strategy to prevent long-lasting vision loss, especially in children. ICEE aims to become the national outreach program for delivering eye care to Indigenous children living in the remote and under-served parts of Canada.”

Indigenous Children Eye Examination (ICEE) Project (CNW Group/Canadian Ophthalmological Society)

Click HERE for the full press release.

For more related articles, click HERE.

August 14, 2023May 20, 2026

A Fresh Breeze Is Blowing

With the CORI (col. Blush) sunglasses, you are ready for summer. This cool and elegant 3D-printed eyewear features a narrow and bold shape, bringing a fresh breeze to the Götti DIMENSION collection. Definitely the new must-have for this summer – bring back that beach feeling!

Distributed by Götti: www.gotti.ch

August 14, 2023August 10, 2023

A Child’s Eyes: A Profile on Danielle Crull and Truffles the Kitty

By Sarah Bureau, RO

If you’ve spent any time on the Opticians on Facebook page, you will have undoubtedly heard of Truffles the Kitty, the mascot and famous furry face behind paediatric optical ‘A Child’s Eyes’ in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Truffles has become a sensational ambassador and champion of children’s vision, having been featured on TV and in National Geographic for Kids to name a few! Although Truffles has achieved fame and accolades for her ability to help children feel comfortable in their new eyewear (she has quite the collection herself), it is her fur-mom Optician Danielle Crull who is really the star.

During my conversation with Danielle, we discussed her work in paediatric opticianry, her unique dispensary, and of course everyone’s favourite opti-feline, Truffles!

A Kitty Comfort Zone for Kids

Danielle’s dispensary specializing in children’s vision had been thriving for 17 years before she adopted Truffles. She discovered early on that Truffles was very food motivated and she began teaching her tricks like “sit”, “jump up”, “high five” and to wave to the kids in her office. One day, Danielle decided to try training her to wear a pair of glasses as a fun social media post. As Truffles progressed with even more tricks like pointing to an eyeglass case to indicate where the glasses go when not being worn, Danielle discovered Truffles could also encourage her little clients to become comfortable with their new glasses wearing experience.

By the time these children visited Danielle for glasses, some had been through many doctors’ visits and surgeries and had become justifiably nervous in clinical settings. Seeing Truffles confidently strut out in her specs was the perfect way to break the ice and build trust between the children and Danielle.

‘A Child’s Eyes’ is a truly unique dispensary, hosting a variety of critters which also include hermit crabs and a bird, a variety of toys and visually stimulating decorations, and a wonderfully child-loving staff. This space has been purposely designed to create a safe and comfortable environment for the child with engaging visuals for their first clear vision experience. Over the years, Danielle has developed relationships with the surrounding optical community of paediatric ophthalmologists and referring opticians who find children a challenge and has become the top dispensary for children!

Here are Danielle’s insights to some of the most common questions we all have about children’s vision.

Q: What is the most overlooked issue pertaining to children’s vision?

A: Compliance…you can have the best prescription and the best pair of glasses and if they are not worn, vision is not going to work. Vision is a process which is still developing for the first 7-9 years and compliance is a huge factor in that development. If the glasses aren’t fitting well or the child is having a hard time adjusting to the new visual experience, that needs to be attended to quickly. We all discuss what kids want but not how they actually will wear it.

Q: If you could educate parents on one issue, what would it be?

A: Glasses don’t just fix a problem. It’s just part of the process. Sometimes people will say to their child “Can you see better?” the moment they put on their glasses. How do they know what “better” is yet, they are seeing differently. Parents need to know that wearing glasses isn’t a cure all and that frequent follow ups and changes to their prescription and frames as they grow and develop are critical.

Q: What do you think Opticians are missing about paediatrics?

A: Fit, for sure. The whole fitting process for kids is so different than for adults. As an optician we are trained to listen to what is bothering the patient and based upon what they’re saying we know what the solution is. With kids, it’s more about observing than listening to the patient. Children don’t know what a good fit is and cannot express what is bothering them. By watching their mannerisms and taking the time to let them play in store while observing if they are pushing their glasses up or touching specific areas will indicate what needs to be done to create the perfect fit.

Creating a positive narrative around eyewear is equally important. Empowering a child by reframing the need for glasses from “you have to” to “you get to” and giving them credit for doing the difficult work to improve their sight and taking care of their eyes will help create a positive experience instead of it being a chore.

Danielle Recommends:

For toddlers: Tomato Glasses (fully customizable) and Dilli Dalli

For durability: TurboFlex by Aspex, Lindberg

For feminine: Gwen Stefani, Lilly Pulitzer, Kensie

For the scholastic look: Lucky Brand

For the sporty look: Fila, Converse

Working with a child to create their first vision is a gift that all Opticians should experience!

Read Sarah Bureau’s article from the July-August issue of Optik HERE!

August 10, 2023August 10, 2023

What’s Up at SILMO Paris

SILMO Paris has consistently supported professionals in the optical and eyewear industry by providing valuable information and opportunities. The trade fair has introduced a new layout in Halls 6 and 7 to enhance visitor experience and display approximately 1,000 exhibitors. The renovated space presents a broad range of offerings curated by SILMO Paris.

Futurology

The discussion platform, SILMO NEXT, focuses on futurology and presents an overview of recent technological advancements. This platform aims to highlight significant developments in Smart Eyewear, phygital experiences, and sustainable design. Furthermore, FUTUROLOGY offers interactive zones for visitors to engage with smart products, explore current virtual reality trends, and understand sustainable production processes, such as using recycled plastic for eyewear frames.

TRENDS Forum

Eyewear trends are presented in a space inspired by the digital magazine TRENDS by SILMO. Selected optical and sunglasses frames from attending exhibitors illustrate these trends.

TRENDS By SILMO: The Digital Magazine

SILMO Paris presents Trends by SILMO, a digital magazine, in each edition. The magazine provides insights into the design outlook for 2023-2024 and analyzes the industry’s various influences. It offers a comprehensive look at changes and trends in optics, encompassing brands, products, innovations, marketing, and materials.

2023 Optical and Eyewear Design Competition

Following the 2022 edition, SILMO Paris’s Optical Design Contest returns. This year, design students globally are invited to create concepts around the theme of sports. A jury, including optical and design professionals and led by Marie-Christine Dorner, will convene on Friday, September 29th, to select a winner based on submitted files and a 3D printed prototype.

SILMO d’OR Awards

The SILMO d’OR awards, now in its 30th edition, recognizes innovation and creativity in the industry since its inception in 1994. This year’s chair is Nicolas Fafiotte.

SILMO ACADEMY

The 2023 theme for SILMO ACADEMY is centered on performance optimization in ocular care. This theme coincides with the upcoming Rugby World Cup and the 2024 SILMO trade fair, aligned with the Paris Olympics. On September 30th and October 1st, the 12th edition of this conference will discuss optimizing performance from two perspectives: the optical professional’s performance and the patient’s vision.

IOA: The International Optician of the Year Award

The International Opticians Association (IOA) collaborates with SILMO Paris to award an optician for their professionalism annually. This year, five finalists have been selected for consideration: Jean-François Porte (France), Phernell Walker and Carrie Wilson (USA), Angela Mitchell (New Zealand), and Vitor Manuel Simoes Martins (Portugal).

Click HERE for the full press release.