New year, new trends and new highlights. From January 13 to 15, 2023, opti, the international trade fair for optics & design, will open its doors at the fairground Munich. Behind those: upcoming trends, brand-new innovations, strong content, as well as surprising formats.

36 new exhibitors are taking part this year. With exhibitors from a total of 28 nations, opti 2023 is once again proving itself to be an international meeting place for the industry, albeit this year concentrated in three halls due to continuing economic uncertainties in the markets.

The opti SUSTAINBILITY HUB

The topic of sustainability has long since arrived in the industry. The opti SUSTAINABILITY HUB will be there for the first time. In Hall C3, experts will inform visitors at stand C3.350 about new ways to save energy, recycle sustainably, filter grinding water successfully and more in keynote lectures on Friday as well as on Saturday at noon and 3 p.m. and on Sunday at noon. Afterwards, visitors and exhibitors will come together in a fishbowl discussion and interactively discuss the individual challenges and solutions already in practice.

The Push for Social Media

Opticians and interested trade visitors who would like to receive professional advice on their social media presence can do so at the consultation hours in the opti CAFÉ powered by ZVA. There, experts offer 20-minute quick courses on all days of the trade fair. The experts: Sarah Schleicher, German optician and eyewear blogger (19,000 Instagram followers) and French optician Anne-Sophie Lapetitte (100,000 Instagram fans) from AnSoStyle.

Tours on Key Topics in Ophthalmic Optics

On the opti 2023 website, interested visitors can register for exhibitor tours, in cooperation with and organised by epitop GmbH. On this occasion, various key topics in ophthalmic optics will be addressed. On Friday, Jan. 13 at 2:30 p.m., the first tour will take place on the topic of “Smart imaging in ophthalmic screening”. The second tour, on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 11:30 a.m., will focus on “Best practice measurement methods and management concepts in myopia management”. The concluding tour “‘Enthusiastic’ is the new ‘Satisfied’ when it comes to customer marketing” is held on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2:30 p.m.

opti MYOPIA HUB

opti 2023 will be interactive: visitors will be invited to participate in lively exchanges and discussions. The opti MYOPIA HUB in Hall C3, is just one of the many focus areas dedicated to the topic of myopia management. Various approaches will be discussed in expert panels, lectures and one-on-one meetings with representatives of well-known exhibitors at the opti MYOPIA Hub powered by HOYA.

The Chance for Young Designers

At opti 2023, young designers will have the chance to present their products and prove why their innovations will set the trends in ophthalmic optics in the future. The best start-up will be chosen by an international jury of experts who will judge according to the new criteria of “innovation”, “design & function” and “sustainability”. The start-up will receive the opti BOX-AWARD and a credit towards the opti stand rental in 2023 and 2024 worth 1,000 euros each, as well as marketing PR support in the four-digit range from partners eyebizz and Ebner Media Group.

Click HERE for the full press release.

ECO is all about seeing things in a new light. That’s why we use recycled and renewable materials in our ECO frames and packaging. Because by being conscious of what really matters, we can make a big impact, one frame at a time.

Plus, ECO works with Trees for the Future to plant a tree for every frame purchased.
We’ve planted over 2.9 million trees so far – and that number just keeps growing!

Featured model: Bonaire

Distributed by Modo: www.modo.com

Transitions Optical and the Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) announce the winners of the 2022 Students of Vision Scholarship program: Samiha Reza, Kallisha Burk and Anil Adhikari.

• Samiha Reza, a student Optometrist at the University of Waterloo Optometry, will be awarded a grand prize scholarship of $2,500.
• Kallisha Burk, a student optician at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Opticianry, will be awarded a scholarship of $1,500.
• Anil Adhikari, a student optician at Georgian College Opticianry, will be awarded a scholarship of $500.

This year’s scholarship was inspired by research from Transitions Optical demonstrating the need for further education surrounding eye health for diverse patients. Entrants were tasks with developing a project about how they would advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in order to help educate patients and protect their vision. Submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges based on their demonstration of creativity, strategic thinking and ethics.

Samiha used spoken word as a catalyst to underline the pillars she feels are most important to increase multicultural efforts in eye care: learning, communication, education and community. Kallisha created an engaging presentation on cultural competence where she explained the existing medical bias in the optical industry and what solutions exist to create a more diverse, inclusive environment. Anil also created a presentation on relevant and tactical steps to better serve a diverse patient base.

“This year’s winners of the Students of Vision scholarship demonstrated an acute understanding of the different risks and eye health needs of the three largest and fastest-growing Black, Indigenous and people of colours (BIPOC) populations in Canada,” said Arnaud Rajchenbach, marketing and sales manager, Transitions Optical Canada. “At Transitions, we’re proud to support young eyecare professionals passionate about individualized and inclusive care.”

“We’re grateful to partner with Transitions Optical to support the next generation of optical professionals in hopes to create a more welcoming and understanding environment for patients from all backgrounds,” said Robert Dalton, Executive Director, OAC. “Congratulations to the scholarship winners and thank you to all who applied, your passion and creativity was certainly impressive!”

Click HERE for the full press release.

Myopia Profile, the internationally trusted clinical myopia management information center for eye care professionals (ECPs), has launched a major upgrade of its My Kids Vision website. This free resource for parents provides easy-to-digest, evidence-based information on myopia and its management.

My Kids Vision is designed as a one-stop, trusted, research-referenced resource to which ECPs can refer parents as they navigate through their child’s myopia management journey.  The updated Knowledge Center now offers more than 40 articles explaining myopia, treatment options, and children’s vision including age-specific and topic categories for babies and toddlers, children, teenagers, and young adults.

A new resource on the website offers printable graphics with QR codes that eye care professionals can share with parents during the consultation. These promote targeted reading and information on different aspects of myopia, treatment options, and management principles.

Myopia Profile co-founders and My Kids Vision developers Dr. Kate Gifford and Dr. Paul Gifford have a combined five decades plus of ocular science experience. They have authored more than 150 peer reviewed and professional publications and have presented more than 250 conference lectures around the world, primarily on clinical myopia management.

Dr. Paul Gifford said, “Communicating the entire myopia message can be time consuming and can be a barrier to managing myopia. Our substantially expanded My Kids Vision website helps overcome this barrier. ECPs can now display a webpage or print a QR code sheet for parents to immediately see relevant content on their phone while they are in the office, or to read after the appointment.”

My Kids Vision also offers a six-question parent survey and advice on addressing a child’s risk of myopia development or progression. Questions cover topics including genetic risks (e.g., myopic parents), environmental factors (e.g., screen time and outdoor activity), and individual risks (e.g., age and if a child already wears glasses for distance vision).

“Communication is arguably the key ingredient in successful myopia management. We developed My Kids Vision as an information tool for eye care professionals to assist parents in understanding myopia and steps to help their children. It is also a powerful public awareness tool, encouraging parents to speak with a professional,” said Dr. Kate Gifford. “Myopia is something that every parent should be aware of but may not know about. Our new Knowledge Center is designed to support parents and eye care professionals working together. That assists children with myopia to have the best possible vision now and best possible eye health outcomes into their adult lives.”

Several key features of MyKidsVision.org are currently available in six languages. Additional languages for the Knowledge Center and other content are in development. 

Click HERE for the full press release.

SILMO ACADEMY has set itself the goal of supporting ophthalmic optics professionals in their quest for excellence.

Since 2016 and every year, SILMO ACADEMY supports a research project in the field of optics and vision science.

SILMO Paris reveals the winner of the 2022 edition and his project. Selected by the Scientific Council, Denis SHEYNIKHOVICH of the Institut de la Vision, was awarded a €10 000 grant to invest in his research .

This study, « Impact of visual ageing on mobility in a real environment », carried out in SNCF train station, concerns the improvement of visual information supports for elderly people.

Click HERE for the full press release.