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February 26, 2020February 26, 2020

Essilor Supports Coronavirus Relief Efforts in China

From ensuring employees’ safety, to providing generous financial support and in-kind donations to support the Wuhan region as well as other areas in need, Essilor Group together with its partner entities have activated quickly to help address the outbreak.

The Group leveraged its global and local interconnected lab network to ensure full business continuity for customers worldwide; this includes the restarting of its domestic business production in China.

Throughout its 170-year history, the Group has had a legacy of helping local and global communities, as part of its mission of improving lives by improving sight.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which originated in China, is alarming public health authorities across the world and has now spread to more than 25 countries. To further support the government in its strong and unprecedented response, Essilor has mobilized quickly to provide donations and support from across its businesses to help those impacted.

To help ensure that people who are on the frontlines of this public health crisis in China have adequate protection, Essilor has donated over 200,000 face and eye masks, protective goggles, and anti-fog goggle cloths.

Here’s a look at the Group’s efforts to date:

Implemented key internal health and safety measures for its employees
Over 200,000 masks, protective goggles and supplies have been donated to front-line respondents including local police forces, custom officers and healthcare workers
Leveraged its global network of laboratories and plants to ensure full business continuity for its customers worldwide

“Essilor takes this situation very seriously and is committed to doing what it can to support the efforts of the Chinese government and local authorities. I am extremely proud of the response and the outpouring of support from Essilor employees which have been both exemplary and heartening. Our heart is with the people of Wuhan and other parts of China, as well as our employees who are confined at home in Hubei because of the situation. We truly recognize the efforts and commitment of our teams in China and worldwide in handling the situation and their work going forward,” said Arnaud Ribadeau Dumas, CEO of Essilor Greater China and Global Instruments Division.

Click HERE for the full press release.

February 26, 2020February 26, 2020

CORE Offers Insights on Contact Lens Industry Growth, Safety, Wearer Satisfaction and Pediatric Use at NCC 2020

Scientists from the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) will have their largest-ever presence at the 8th Dutch Contact Lens Congress (Nederlands Contactlens Congress / NCC), which runs March 15-16 in Veldhoven, The Netherlands. CORE researchers are scheduled to present multiple papers, posters and education sessions on some of the most critical issues in contact lens prescribing and development, including industry growth, contact lens safety, wearer satisfaction and pediatric use.

“The theme of the conference is ‘Beyond 2020’ and we consider this an apt description of what we have in store for NCC this year,” said CORE Head of Clinical Research Jill Woods, MSc, MCOptom, FAAO, FBCLA. “Our topics are central to what’s ahead for the entire contact lens category. CORE’s independence, the breadth of our research capabilities, and our work with a range of sponsors globally generate unique perspectives—ones we’re excited to share in Veldhoven.”

Dr. Woods is the lead author of “5 years of daily disposable contact lens wear in children,” which will be presented in conjunction with the MiSight® 1 day clinical study group. She will also deliver a podium review of the “Satisfaction of habitual wearers of reusable multifocal lenses when refitted with a daily disposable, silicone hydrogel multifocal lens” poster in addition to co-moderating the larger session.

Doerte Luensmann, PhD, Dipl. Ing. (AO), FAAO, a senior clinical scientist at CORE, will speak on new digitally aided techniques for successful lens fitting as part of two paper presentations.

CORE Clinical Scientist Karen Walsh, BSc(Hons), PGDip, MCOptom, FIACLE, FBCLA, and Director Lyndon Jones, PhD, DSc, FCOptom, FAAO, FBCLA, are teaming up at NCC for two continuing education programs that are sure to draw sizable crowds.

Click HERE for the full press release.

February 26, 2020February 26, 2020

MIDO 2020: New Dates Announced for 50th Edition

After the February 22 announc e ment of MIDO’s postponement made made its way around the world, the international eyewear exhibition is immediately getting back on track. Today the organizers announced the new dates to celebrate the fair’s 50^th anniversary, which will now take place from Sunday, July 5 through Tuesday, July 7 2020, dates compatible with any coming provisions made by the competent authority for the health crisis and for the evolution of the national and international situation.

“After the decision to postpone MIDO, the wisdom of which we are ever more convinced of after seeing how the emergency has escalated in the past few days and the relative precautions adopted by the Italian government – comments the President Giovanni Vitaloni – we have worked nonstop in the last 72 hours to be able to define the new dates, carefully chosen to meet the needs of the sector. Thanks to the tireless work of the whole staff and to the collaboration with Fiera Milano, we are already able to announce the new dates. In addition to the support of the most important companies, in these hours we have met with our exhibitors, buyers, and stakeholders, because MIDO is the reference point for the sector, and, above all in this delicate moment, it is the reflection of Italian and international eyewear, a unique resource recognized worldwide as an important economic segment for our country.
The new date will allow the brands to present the new collections in preview, as it always happens in February at MIDO, and to meet with buyers that arrive from all around the globe, in order to understand the coming season’s trends.”

In the last few days the access to the digital platform MIDO4U has been activated for all the exhibitors: connecting to the website www.mido4u.com , the companies can upload their collections, giving the registered buyers for MIDO 2020 the chance to see the products and make direct contact with the exhibitors. Starting from Tuesday, March 3 until Friday, July 3 the platform will be open to visitors as well.

The program of appointments for the 2020 edition of MIDO is still being defined. All the updates will be available online on the website www.mido.com .

Click HERE for the full press release.

February 24, 2020February 24, 2020

Statement Regarding Vision Expo East 2020

Over the last few weeks, The Vision Council and their partners at Vision Expo have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 virus and the threat it poses to members of the global vision care and services community. The Vision Council expresses their concern for everyone impacted by the COVID-19 virus including those in China who play such a critical role in the delivery of eyewear and eyecare in the United States. In addition, thoughts are with everyone at the MIDO eyewear show as they made their announcement over the past weekend. It is their hope that this health crisis subsides as quickly and safely as possible.

At this time, the upcoming Vision Expo East will take place as scheduled at the Javits Center in New York City. The Show will open on Thursday, March 26 at The River, one of three new neighborhoods set to debut at Vision Expo East 2020. Education at Vision Expo will take place March 26–29, 2020. The Vision Expo main Exhibit Hall will be open from March 27–29, 2020. They are working with the Javits Center to implement enhanced on-site safety measures, including increased cleaning and sanitization across the show. In accordance with the recommendations set forth in the U.S. EPA’s Emerging Pathogen Policy regarding cleaning disinfectants effective against the COVID-19 virus, sanitizing and disinfection materials will be made readily available for public use.

Vision Expo is following local, state and federal public health guidelines, including those issued by the CDC. The Vision Council encourages all show attendees to use their best judgment in helping prevent the potential spread of all germs.

The well-being of everyone at Vision Expo, from attendees and exhibitors to staff on-site, is of the utmost importance to The Vision Council and their partners. They will continue to work diligently to ensure Vision Expo and other events live up to their high standards and they will continue to provide updates as we get closer to Vision Expo East.

For more information and updates on the measures in place for Vision Expo, please refer to the statement on the Show website.

February 22, 2020February 24, 2020

MIDO Postponed Due to Corona Virus

In response to the CoVID-19 virus emergency, MIDO Board of Directors have announced the postponement of the prestigious 50-year MIDO anniversary to an undefined date between late May and mid June. MIDO was planned Feb 29th to March 2nd.

In a statement posted on the MIDO website, Giovanni Vitaloni, President of MIDO said, “We took this decision out of respect for the current alarming situation and for our exhibitors and visitors.”

While corona virus originated in China in December, several clusters of confirmed cases and deaths have occured in other countries, including Italy. According to press reports, Italy has locked down 11 towns and asked more than 50,000 people to self quarantine. A second Italian victim, a woman, died in the northern region of Lombardy according to an Italian government spokesperson.

Other countries, including South Korea, Iran, Israel and Lebanon have also reported cases and deaths from the virus.

View statement from MIDO Board of Directors.