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October 12, 2018

SILMO Paris 2018: A Trade Fair that Keeps its Promises

The 52nd edition of the International Optical Fair demonstrated its appeal on this rather dynamic global market with a satisfying turnover. Over four days, more than 37,000* professional visitors (56% of international) were able to admire the creativity of the 965 exhibitors in attendance, including 230 new companies exhibiting for the first time; and to enjoy all the features that help make SILMO Paris, the great professional trade fair, so unique and open to the world.

*Key figures of SILMO Paris 2018.
965 exhibitors including 77% foreign exhibitors
1 548 brands
230 new companies
80 000 sqm. of exhibition area

A global new space, SILMO NEXT took a look at the future with THE SELECTION of Trendy Products, which appears in the digital magazine TRENDS by SILMO. Unveiling the style and design forecast for 2019, the publication is available for consultation at all times on the trade fair website (silmoparis.com).

The concurrent and complementary FUTUROLOGY forum presented the products, services and technologies of tomorrow, drawing connections between well-established brands and start-ups to highlight four themes of the new markets: sports, well-being and health, entertainment, and 3D printing.

Technological companies such as Garmin, McLaren, Matérialise, Everysight, 5th Dimension, LightVision, Microoled, Atol, Cinemizer, and others presented their points of view, combining them with those of optics professionals to inspire future innovations to better rise to tomorrow’s challenges.

The international dimension of SILMO Paris has led the organizers to welcome this year the International Opticians Association, or IOA, which honored for the first time, one personality who has contributed to the development and excellence of the optical profession. This award was given by Fiona Anderson, President of IOA and Elaine Grisdale, Director of Development of IOA, to Robert Grimard – Canadian Optician.

The 9th edition of the SILMO ACADEMY scientific conference brought together more than a hundred opticians who learned about functional visual development with a training course on the theme “Vision and Growth, 0 to 20 years of age”, featuring a programme led by top scientists.

Following this day of discussion, the coordinators of the SILMO ACADEMY awarded a grant of 10,000 euros to Jan SKERSWETAT, from Department of Vision and Hearing Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. This grant encourages and acknowledges research in the field of vision. It offers an opportunity for researchers to publish their work and gain exposure.

Don’t miss SILMO PARIS 2019: September 27-30, 2019.

Click HERE for the full press release.

October 11, 2018May 20, 2026

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

October 10, 2018October 10, 2018

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.

October 10, 2018October 9, 2018

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.

October 9, 2018

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.

SILMO Paris 2018: A Trade Fair that Keeps its Promises

Crossing Design Barriers

Optical Coalition Champions Global Access to Eye Care

Transitions Now Accepting Transitions Innovation Awards Nominations

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