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The Optical Foundry Innovates Industry-Leading Augmented Reality Shopping Experience

The Optical Foundry, holding company of prominent indie eyewear brand OGI Eyewear, announces the launch of its Optical Foundry Mobile App, that allows for a best-in-class Virtual Try-On (VTO) experience. The free web application utilizes state-of-the-art technology for visually accurate, hyper-realistic remote fittings. The App is available across each of The Optical Foundry’s member brands, including collections of award-winning optical, lifestyle, and activewear frames. 

“We are so proud to offer an actual tool versus the other toys in the crowded VTO product space,” said Rob Rich, President of The Optical Foundry. “By innovating at the leading edge of eyewear and technology, we are able to achieve our goal of supporting independents in their independence. Our App facilitates an unprecedented level of convenience and a curated eyewear fitting experience for Opticians, Optometrists, Ophthalmologists, and individual patients for pre-selection.”

We Put in the Work; You Have the Fun

The Optical Foundry’s app utilizes industrial Computer-Assisted-Design (CAD) drawings of each frame paired with Apple’s True Depth Camera to map 30,000 dots of the face in real-time, scaling to size for the most accurate fit possible.

Users will have access to hundreds of frame styles and colour options from their phones. The application allows for a true 360-degree try-on experience: turn any angle, catalog the frame fit, and capture ambient light. The user can take and send screenshots to friends and select their favorite styles before even stepping foot in an Optician’s office.

The Optical Foundry app is compatible with Safari browser and any iPhone (10 or above) or iPad Pro with Facial Recognition. 

To experience The Optical Foundry app visit optical-foundry-ar-app.web.app.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Marcolin: Lara Marogna New Group Style & Product Development Director

Lara Marogna

Marcolin announces the appointment of Lara Marogna as Group Style & Product Development Director, with immediate effect.

Lara Marogna will oversee the management and development of the Group’s eyewear collections, directly reporting to CEO & General Manager Fabrizio Curci and working closely with the creative directions and style departments of the brands in the portfolio.

Lara Marogna, originally from Belluno, Italy, joined Marcolin in 2011; she studied Industrial Design at the University IUAV Ca’ Foscari in Venice and then continued her artistic training, in the jewelry sector first and then in the eyewear industry.

She takes on the role of Alessandro Beccarini, who concluded his experience at Marcolin to pursue other interests.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Strak Eyewear by Teka Sweeps VEE with Favorite Product Award and People’s Choice Award

Strak Amsterdam has won two prestigious awards at Vision Expo East. The company was awarded the Favorite Product Award and the People’s Choice Award. The awards were presented at the highly anticipated industry event that took place over the weekend, drawing in a large crowd of eyewear enthusiasts, professionals, and retailers.

The recognition is a significant achievement for Strak Amsterdam and speaks to their commitment to creating exceptional eyewear products that meet the needs and preferences of consumers.

Strak Amsterdam is the latest addition to the portfolio of Teka Eyewear, created by designer Tom Kramer.

Strak Amsterdam was a part of the nominees for the NOW Awards which were created this year, one year after the NOW Pavilion, established in 2022. This pavilion was created to showcase the latest trends and direction of the entire eyewear industry.

The first edition of the NOW Awards was presented on Saturday, March 18, 2023, by Nico Roseillier, creative director of Europa / State Optical Co. / American Optical, and the NOW Advisory Committee.

Strak Amsterdam is distributed by COS in Canada.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Nautica Intros New Tenite™ Renew Collection

Conquer the sun in style with Nautica Eyewear’s trendy round sunglasses from their Tenite Renew collection. Model N6256S is crafted with Tenite Renew, a lightweight, sustainable material. The temples feature a recessed texture pattern, along with the iconic Nautica and N83 logos. Available in a variety of energetic colours.

Distributed by Marchon: www.marchon.com

Repeated Stress Can Speed Up Aging in the Eye and Glaucoma

Fighting Blindness Canada

A new research study published in the journal Aging Cell, shows that stress including higher eye pressure from Glaucoma can cause changes in retinal cells similar to what is seen in natural aging.

 A University of California Irvine study showed that the repeated high eye pressure stress causes premature aging in young retinal tissue. Some of the changes that occurred affected the epigenetics of the cell. Epigenetic changes impact what genes turn on and off. As we age, epigenetic changes can affect how different genes work and thus how a cell or organ work.

Scientists now have a new tool to measuring stress in the eye: measuring epigenetic changes. It’s also possible that if these epigenetic changes are halted or reversed, it could be a potential treatment for glaucoma. While more research will need to be done, this research gives us a better understanding of the causes of glaucoma.

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