Luxexcel and IFB Solutions, a North Carolina based
nonprofit, celebrate one year of partnership. To mark the anniversary, nearly
20 local schoolchildren received a free pair of eyeglasses and a comprehensive
eye exam. The eyeglasses featured lenses made with IFB’s 3D printer developed
by Luxexcel. The 3D printer at IFB Solutions is the world’s first commercial 3D
printer of ophthalmic lenses.
For several of the children, this is their first pair
of eyeglasses. According to Prevent Blindness America, one in four school-age
children has vision problems that, if left untreated, can affect learning
ability, personality, and adjustment in school. Providing eyeglasses to the
school children is something both IFB Solutions and Luxexcel hope will help
them in the classroom.
“One of our biggest challenges in public education is
meeting all the needs of children. Their medical, health and physical needs
happen beyond the classroom, but those needs are critically important to a
child’s educational success. That’s why we are so grateful to have community
partners like IFB Solutions and Luxexcel. Their gift of eyeglasses gives these
students the gift of vision, something we could never do alone. At school and
at home, vision is a vital part of a child’s overall well-being,” said Michael
Pesce, WS/FCS Director of Social Work. IFB Solutions and Luxexcel have been
partners in bringing 3D printing to the optical industry.
IFB Solutions uses the technology to help service its
optical contracts with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. IFB’s optical lab,
staffed primarily by individuals who are blind, averages nearly 1,200 pairs of
eyeglasses per day with the majority going to military veterans and their
families.
Danny Kelly – Chief Operating Officer, IFB Solutions:
“What better way to celebrate our partnership with Luxexcel than to help
children in the classroom. We are not only joining forces to bring innovation
to the optical industry, but we’re also introducing the next generation to new
technology that will help them succeed. It’s a win-win for all of us.”
Over the past 12 months, 5000 lenses have been printed
on several VisionPlatforms™ installed in the USA and Europe, to bring the
technology to a level where commercial lenses are being shipped to customers
every day. Guido Groet- Chief Commercial Officer, Luxexcel: “The cool
technology of 3D printing is for everyone, especially for the next generation.
It is great to enable the children to succeed in the classroom by providing
eyeglasses together with IFB Solutions. A great way to improve lives and to
celebrate our innovative partnership”.
Click HERE for the full press release.
