Blog

February 25, 2021February 25, 2021

Silmo’s Homage to Bernard Maitenaz

The Chairwoman of Silmo Paris, Amélie Morel, and the Silmo executive board were sad to learn of Bernard Maitenaz’s passing, an extraordinary figure whose contributions to eye health are acclaimed by the entire profession.

Lively and open-minded, a pioneer and a visionary, Bernard Maitenaz was always eager to share his knowledge, speak with colleagues, and take an enthusiastic view of the future.

He was close to the industry, and he was close to Silmo. From the launch of the first Silmo d’Or awards in 1994, he worked diligently as a panel member, bringing his keen expertise to the “lenses” category. When the Silmo Academy was founded in 2010, he assiduously participated in the Scientific Council, serving the vision sciences with acumen and clairvoyance. An enthusiastic researcher who was always looking forward, Bernard Maitenaz was sincerely involved in our industry, and he will be sorely missed by the professionals who were fortunate to work by his side.

The whole Silmo team pays tribute to this great man.

Click HERE for the full press release.

February 24, 2021May 20, 2026

SH-UTX Blends Scott Harris Style with High-Tech Materials

Europa Eyewear introduces ultra-thin acetates into their Scott Harris line with six new styles. Take everything you expect from Scott Harris and cut it in half. Well not everything- keep the fresh styles, vibrant colours, and premium quality. NOW make it roughly 50% thinner. That’s Scott Harris UTX. SH UTX combines handmade acetate with high-tech heat compression, resulting in ultra-thin acetate. Paired with stainless steel temples, SH UTX looks are lightweight, but heavy on style.

www.europaeyewear.ca

February 24, 2021February 24, 2021

CooperVision Specialty EyeCare Launches New Fitting Software for Paragon CRT and Dual Axis CLs

CooperVision Specialty EyeCare launched its innovative Paragon CRT^® Software for eye care professionals (ECPs). The easy-to-understand, topography-guided tool includes several features aimed at simplifying the fitting process for first-time CRT^® and CRT^® Dual Axis contact lens prescribers.

With a few on-screen clicks, ECPs will be able to seamlessly change lens parameters, assess fluorescein patterns of different lenses on the same patient, and see simulated lens changes on a patients’ eye prior to ordering warranty exchanges. In addition, ECPs can upload patient topography maps and customize CRT^® and CRT^® Dual Axis lenses for each patient.

The software is available to download at ecp.paragonvision.com/software.

“As trends and demands continue to change, it’s imperative for us to deepen our partnership with the specialty eye care community. Part of strengthening our clinical relationships and enhancing our support for the industry is to listen and evolve our portfolio and related tools,” said Dr. Juan Carlos Aragón, President, CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. “With the introduction of Paragon CRT^® Software, ECPs can more confidently fit our lenses on hard-to-fit patients, and ultimately, grow their practice.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

Transitions Extends Successful Certificate of Authenticity Contest in Canada

Transitions Optical announced it will extend its successful pilot contest to drive awareness about the importance of making sure patients receive authentic Transitions^® lenses when purchasing Transitions photochromic lenses. The contest rewards eye care professionals (ECPs) and patients for registering their lenses using the Transitions lens Certificate of Authenticity (COA) after receiving their lenses. The contest will run from February 1st through December 2021.

“We launched this contest last year and were blown away by the results – recording a 60% increase in registrations of the COA,” said Arnaud Rajchenbach, marketing manager, Transitions Optical in Canada. “The winners were thrilled to receive amazing prizes and more importantly, we drove awareness about the value of receiving authentic Transitions brand lenses.”

This year’s contest will include additional assets for ECPs to leverage in their practice – including a contest guide, poster, counter card and social media assets. These assets will include a QR code that will drive the consumer directly to the COA registration page, giving them faster access to the page. To register, the patient will need the ECP’s location ID number to write on the back of the COA that ECPs give to patients when dispensing their lenses. The patient should register their lenses on the Transitions Certificate of Authenticity page, including their ECP’s location ID. Once registered, patients are eligible to receive one (1) monthly prize, including Bose® headphones, Airpods, Bose frames, Sonos one wireless speaker or a JBL Flip 5 speaker. Eye care professionals are eligible to win Transitions lens branded gift packs.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Essilor Pays Tribute to Bernard Maitenaz, Inventor of the Varilux Progressive Lens

Bernard Maitenaz, the inventor of the Varilux^® progressive lens that redefined an entire industry, passed away in his home city of Paris on February 22, 2021, aged 94.

One of the founders of the Essilor Group and the Valoptec employee shareholders association, and at the helm of the company between 1981 and 1991, Bernard Maitenaz’s commitment to Essilor continued well beyond his retirement, as Honorary Chairman of the Essilor Board of Directors.

In the words of Paul du Saillant, Chairman and CEO of Essilor: “A true pioneer and inventor at heart, Bernard will also be remembered for the values with which he led Essilor between ‘81 and ‘91, and which he promoted within Valoptec throughout his more than 70-year career. Without him and the invention of the Varilux® progressive lens, the optical industry and Essilor would not be what they are today. We owe Bernard enormously, and he will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.”

Here is a video about Bernard Maitenaz’s life and career: