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Effervescence, Creativity and Innovation at SILMO Paris 2022

SILMO Paris 2022 was announced as the recovery edition. The figures are now in, and they surpass all expectations, with a spectacular rise in the number of international visitors and an increase in participation by French opticians, confirming that SILMO Paris is back to its pre-crisis levels.

During the four days of the trade fair, the 750 exhibitors welcomed nearly 27,000 visitors, roughly half from France and half from abroad. In detail, the numbers of French visitors reached 13,462, for an increase of 21% compared to 2021. Foreign visitors, from 146 countries, reached 13,444, up by 107% from 2021.

“These figures demonstrate the appeal of SILMO Paris, a leading trade fair that remains an international platform for business and a hub of interaction for all the professionals in the optical and eyewear industry,” confirms Amélie Morel, Chairwoman of SILMO Paris.

While exhibitors ensure the success of a trade fair through their products, creations, innovations and services, SILMO Paris supports them through its unfailing organisation and a complete ecosystem that showcases, informs, and defends the stakeholders in the optical and eyewear industry. An overview of the highlights of the event:  awards and visions of the future.

SILMO OPTICAL DESIGN CONTEST

Inaugurated this year, the first SILMO Optical Design Contest awarded Adi Abramov, a student at the Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art in Ramat Gan, Israel.

The members of the jury, presided by designer Emmanuel Gallina, unanimously chose his project “Unfoldable. X”, eyeglasses and sunglasses with a sharp, minimalist aesthetic, in recycled plastic, with no screws or hinges, featuring temples that may be detached in a simple step thanks to an ingenious high-tech X-shaped construction.

Adi Abramov’s objective was to create eco-friendly designer frames of which the industrial process rationalises production and limits the use of materials.

International Opticians Association (IOA)

In a partnership with SILMO Paris, the IOA awarded the International Optician of the Year Award at the introduction to the SILMO d’Or awards ceremony. Among the four finalists – Wendy Buchanan (Canada), Grant Hannaford (Australia), April Petrusma (Australia) and Jean-François Porte (France) – the Australian Grant Hannaford won the award.

SILMO ACADEMY, the great comeback

A foremost scientific symposium, SILMO Academy seizes upon societal questions to guide and train opticians in knowledge and progress being made in optical and ophthalmologic matters.

This 11th edition addressed two current issues: myopia and the importance of good vision in an ageing population. Professors, doctors, scientists and lecturers shared their research work and shed light on broad themes:

MYOPIA

  • The latest news about managing myopia

Mark Bullimore, scientist, lecturer and professor in Sciences of Vision

  • Evaluation of the risk factors in the progression of myopia

Olga Prenat, specialist in medical marketing and professional relations

  • Case studies from the ophthalmologist’s point of view

Arnaud Sauer, professor and hospital practitioner at the ophthalmological department of the University Hospitals of Strasbourg

  • Facial anthropometry: glasses for children and positioning of lenses

Dr. Alicia Thompson, optician and director of education, research and professional development at the ABDO

  • Refractive error and visual development in the born-in-Bradford children cohort

Dr. Neema Ghorbani Mojarrad, optometrist, winner of the 2021 SILMO Academy grant

THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD VISION IN AN AGEING POPULATION

  • Visual and ocular manifestations of neuro-degenerative dementia

Kelly Malloy, professor and specialist of neuro-ophthalmic illnesses

  • Patient-centric dementia care in ophthalmic practices

Elaine Grisdale, development director of the International Opticians Association

  • The evolution of the world of low vision

Bill Harvey, professor and editor of the Optician Journal

  • Visual ageing, spatial cognition and autonomy

Dr. Angelo Arleo, researcher at the CNRS and director of Chair SilverSight and the Laboratoire Vieillissement Visuel et Action at the Institut de la Vision Paris

  • The role of visuo-podal integration in spatial orientation and mobility during ageing

Pierre-Olivier Morin, posturologist and specialist of visuo-plantar re-education, Laboratoire Vieillissement Visuel, Winner of the 2020 SILMO Academy grant

Save the Date: September 29 to October 2, 2023.

In the meantime, here are some SILMO Family upcoming events:

SILMO Istanbul – November 17 to 20, 2022
SILMO Singapore – April 12 to 14, 2023

Click HERE for the full press release.

The World of Optics Meets at MIDO 2023!

The world of eyewear meets at MIDO, MILANO, on 4-6 FEBRUARY 2023.  MIDO is the key appointment for companies, buyers and industry professionals all over the world: the last 2022 MIDO edition hosted exhibitors and visitors, across 5 pavilions and 8 exhibition areas, from over 50 countries.

MIDO – Milano Eyewear Show is open to all operators in the eyewear sector, whether they are producers, distributors, agents, representatives or exclusive retailers. All supply chain professionals can already reserve their spot at the 2023 edition of the most-anticipated eyewear show! To register you can fill in the form here: https://www.mido.com/en/become-an-exhibitor.

For all of you who want to visit: buyers, designers, opticians, ophthalmologists, entrepreneurs, journalists, students, you can book your place by filling in the form here: https://www.mido.com/en/entry-pass

What are you waiting for? Join and become protagonist of the most important B2B event in the eyewear industry!

Stem Cell Therapy for Inherited Retinal Disease and ARMD

Fighting Blindness Canada

Stem cells hold the promise of being able to restore vision for many types of retinal degenerative diseases, including inherited retinal diseases like retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. However, there are still many challenges such as low
survival and integration of transplanted cells.

In a new study funded through a FBC Restore Vision 20/20 grant, Dr. William Beltran (University of Pennsylvania) and Dr. David Gamm (University of Wisconsin) have overcome some of these significant challenges, moving this research one step closer to a potential clinical trial.

Published in the journal Stem Cell Reports, the researchers developed a robust transplantation methodology which they tested in the eyes of dogs. This involved developing a new way to inject cells under the retina and an immunosuppression regimen to prevent rejection of transplanted cells. Following this procedure, the team was excited to see that transplanted cells not only survived in the retina but also appeared to form connections with other remaining cells. This last step is crucial if new transplanted photoreceptors are going to be able to pass light signals on to other cells in the retina and finally to the brain to form images.

This FBC-funded project is ongoing, and the next stage is to continue to optimize the procedure and test if transplanted cells restore some vision in the animal model.

Rodenstock Polarized Lenses Now Available in Canada

Rodenstock polarized sun RX lenses, produced with 3D FreeForm technology, are now available from Centennial Optical. Rodenstock polarized lenses are available in Impression 2, Multigressiv MyView 2 and Progressiv PureLife Free 2 progressive lens designs, as well as Impression Mono 2, Multigressiv Mono 2 and Cosmolit Free single vision lenses. The polarized grey lenses are available in 1.50 and 1.60 indexes with Solitaire or Solitaire Pro AR.

Polarized lenses significantly reduce distracting glare while increasing and improving colour and contour perception. They improve contrast enhancement and achieve a sharper visual impression even in difficult lighting conditions.

Distributed by Centennial Optical: www.centennialoptical.com

AYA Eyewear Launches Two Highly Anticipated New Styles

AYA Eyewear announces the launch of two highly anticipated styles: Jax and Paxton. This woman-led eyewear brand continues to push boundaries with creative eyewear design, and this series is the first of its kind integrating multiple technologies. Inspired by Ts’msyen artist, Phil Gray’s iconic sculptural pieces, the new eyewear is truly wearable art.

AYA Eyewear, a conscious brand that has long supported First Nations artists and their communities, is releasing new styles Jax and Paxton featuring artwork by Ts’mysen artist Phil Gray.

These styles integrate metal inlay, CNC and digital print technology to produce striking pieces of art. The challenges of supply chain delays and COVID have not held AYA Optical back from creating their most innovative and complex production to date. 

After many months of prototyping and overcoming issues related to supply chain delays, COVID and even climate related challenges, Jax and Paxton are now launched online.

Ts’mysend artist Phil Gray

Phil Gray is an artist from the Ts’msyen and Cree Nations. Born and raised in Vancouver, Phil was able to interact with and learn from many accomplished artists throughout his formative years. Phil’s work focuses on the traditional Ts’msyen style of carving and formline design, a hereditary right passed down through his mother. His lifelong goals have been to help raise the profile of Ts’msyen art, and to create art for traditional use to enrich connections with his people and heritage. Phil enjoys displaying his artwork via non-traditional items and locations as a creative way to share Ts’msyen art with a broader audience. His work can be found in private collections around the world, in various galleries and museums across North America, on organizational logos and on people’s bodies in the form of tattoos. In 2014, Gray was awarded a British Columbia Creative Achievement Award in Aboriginal Art from the Government of British Columbia. 

AYA Optical creator Carla D’Angelo says: “My challenge is to work closely with the artist to help bring their vision and stories to life.  It isn’t always easy, but the greatest satisfaction comes for me when I can see that they are thrilled with the final product of our collaboration. Jax and Paxton have really pushed the idea of art integration into eyewear beyond anything I have seen to date.”

When researching Phil’s work, D’Angelo was particularly struck by a custom piece he did with TELUS Gardens in conjunction with Douglas Reynolds Gallery in Vancouver.  The beauty and fluidness of the design really resonated with her and Phil and D’Angelo discussed how they could bring that look into their eyewear collaboration, combining metal inlay, print and CNC technology.

Jax

Jax optical frame is an oversized glamorous silhouette that combines contemporary angles with soft crystal colours for a very feminine and flattering look. Striking eagle artwork by Phil Gray makes a bold and tasteful statement.

Paxton

This bold and assertive frame brings a new attitude to the classic silhouette. Warm Havana brown or classic gray. These frames are handmade and really the first of their kind. Spring hinges allow a little extra room to make for the perfect fit.

These newest styles can be found at www.claudiaalan.com or Hollyburn Eye Clinic and other opticians across North America.

Eagle Design by Phil Gray

The Eagle is a symbol of freedom and strength combined with grace. The Eagle down is used in ceremonies, honoring and respecting guests.

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