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Crossing Design Barriers

The Protean 3D_X from adidas utilizes Digital Light Synthesis 3D printing technology, opening up unlimited design possibilities with a 3D printed diamond grid structure for the temples, with a tried and tested SPX® main frame. The result: lighter, better ventilated and extremely comfortable versions of the eyewear you have come to love. Protean 3D_X is prescription ready through direct glazing or clip-in inserts and caters to both sexes.

Distributed by COS: canadianoptical.com

Optical Social Media Experts Gather at Inaugural EyeStyle Influencer Lunch

Last week at Vision Expo West, industry social media experts gathered at the first EyeStyle Influencers event, with an aim to discuss the key trends and topics driving social media in the industry. The event brought together 30 of the industry’s most ‘followed’ and influential eyecare professionals and brand representatives to share stories, best practices and tips and to ultimately discuss ways to help further increase the number of eyecare professionals and practices actively using social media to interact with patients.

Sheena Taff, known on social media as “Optician about Town,” conceived and organized the event to drive partnerships and collaboration among brands and eye care professionals, as well as to recognize the best work being done in the industry today. VSP Global and Marchon Eyewear also sponsored the event, which was held at in an intimate setting at La Cave Wine and Food Hideaway in the Wynn Hotel.

“The influencers at EyeStyle are dedicated leaders in our industry, working hard every day to educate the public via social media on the benefits of seeing eyecare professionals and changing the perception of what it means to wear glasses,” said Taff. “These professionals should be recognized for their hustle and entrepreneurship in not only applying the latest social media trends into the optical industry but for first and foremost, helping patients. I hope this event will foster ideas and collaborations that come from putting innovators from all sectors of our industry together.”

During lunch, guests learned social media secrets from top industry influencers, Dr. Arian Fartash (@Glamoptometrist), Dr. Jen Tsai (@JenandJuice), Dr. Will To (@ThetravellingOD) and Ryan Walton, a senior member of VSP Global’s content and strategic social strategy team, in a panel style discussion.

Guests also had the opportunity to be among the first to see and try the latest trends in eyewear from Marchon Eyewear’s CALVIN KLEIN, CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC, Chloé, Longchamp, and Salvatore Ferragamo lines, as well as Altair Eyewear’s bebe and Cole Haan sun and optical offerings.

Click HERE for the press release.

Optical Coalition Champions Global Access to Eye Care

Leading global optometric companies and networks are coming together as a coalition to help the 1.2 billion people worldwide who are unnecessarily vision impaired, simply because they don’t have access to an eye exam and glasses.

Thanks to the campaign organized by Optometry Giving Sight, leading optical companies are part of a Coalition to raise money and awareness through the World Sight Day Challenge to help the significant global need for eye care.

Even with advances in eye health, the scarcity of resources confronted by people around the world is immense. Millions struggle to access basic vision care. To play their part in tackling this worldwide challenge, the Coalition is fighting the problem with a sustainable outlook.

The coalition members are collaborating towards a shared mission, supporting eye care programs around the world that offer immediate vision care assistance to people in need, long-lasting developments and training of local eye care provides to strengthen the local work force.

The impact of this work is evident. In 2017, Optometry Giving Sight supported 47 projects in 24 countries to get eye care to some of the most marginalized groups like women and children as well as funding optometry schools in some of the most poverty-stricken countries to train local people to become optometrists.

Company Coalition members include ABB Optical Group, Alcon Foundation, Bausch & Lomb, CooperVision, Essilor of America, Eye Recommend, EyePromise, Vision Source®, VSP Global®,  WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision.

Another 60 companies are participating in the World Sight Day Challenge and many more are signing up and donating every day. The World Sight Day Challenge runs throughout October and November, so there is plenty of time to get involved!

Here are some examples of how donations to this year’s World Sight Day Challenge can help:

  • $ 1,000 – Help provide glasses for 200 children
  • $ 2,000 – Clinical equipment kit to provide outreach services
  • $ 3,000 – Upskill clinical staff to provide eye examinations for children
  • $ 4,000 – Train 100 teachers to conduct child eye health screenings
  • $ 5,000 – Sponsor a school eye health screening for 2,000 children
  • $10,000 – Purchase equipment to set up a clinical eye health examination room

Click HERE for the full press release.

Transitions Now Accepting Transitions Innovation Awards Nominations

Until October 31, industry professionals can begin submitting nominations for the 2018 Transitions Innovation Awards Program at Transitions.com/Awards. Through this program, Transitions Optical recognizes loyal partners and individual optical industry professionals from the U.S. and Canada for their commitment to growing their businesses by supporting the Transitions® brand over the past year.

Open to independent eyecare professionals and practices; optical industry professionals and educators; national and regional retailers; and optical laboratories, the six Transitions Innovation Awards categories include:

  • 2018 Transitions Brand Ambassador (Individual-only award)
  • S. Retailer of the Year
  • Canadian Retailer of the Year
  • Eyecare Practice of the Year
  • Best in Training
  • Best in Marketing

Nominations for all Transitions Innovation Awards will be accepted online (at Transitions.com/Awards) from October 1 – 31, 2018. To enter, candidates must complete a nomination form and detail their 2018 efforts in the following evaluation areas: commitment and inspiration, goals, plan and creativity, and impact and results. Nominees are welcome to enter more than one category and can self-enter, or can be nominated by a lab, lens manufacturer, industry colleague or other industry organization representative.

All finalists in each category will receive a trip for two to the 2019 Transitions Academy, February 3 – 6, 2018 in Orlando, Fla., where the winners will be announced.  Award finalists will be notified no later than December 5, 2018 to secure travel plans.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Etnia’s Renewed Spirit

Etnia Barcelona presents a total of 75 new additions for this season: 40 optical glasses and 35 sunglasses. More than ever before, the new Etnia Barcelona collection focuses on the intricacies of design: from delicate frames with neat details to singular colour cominations to subtle shapes both in acetate and metal, all of which clearly reflect the brand’s DNA.

Model pictured: SINTRA

www.etniabarcelona.com

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