Essilor^® has taken advantage of the 30^th anniversary of Crizal^® in 2022 to unveil a new line of coatings.     

Crizal^® coatings act as an invisible shield against glare, scratches, smudges, dust and water. They protect the eyes and lenses, while amplifying the correction through protection, and provide a feeling of ease and uninterrupted visual comfort.

For the brand’s 30^th anniversary, the Essilor^® R&D team has expanded the range of properties of Crizal^® products.

Two new coatings are available for surfaced and finished lenses: 

• Crizal^® Sapphire™ ^HR coating
• Crizal^® Easy^Pro coating

Additionally, Crizal^® Rock™ replaces Crizal^® Kids coating on Essilor^® Stellest™ ^HR lenses to provide children with an excellent myopia control solution.

The Essilor^® Crizal^® Story: Beyond Clarity of Vision

In 1992, the Essilor^® Research and Development teams, led by Alain Colonna, revolutionized the world of anti-reflective coatings with Crizal^®.

The success and quality of this coating is based, among other things, on a thorough understanding of the daily hassles of eyeglass wearers:

• 80% of wearers experience glare indoors or outdoors
• 72% clean their lenses frequently to remove dust or fingerprints
• 47% of wearers replaced their damaged lenses due to scratches and wear

“Not only did we manage to combine several nanoscopic layers of mineral elements that form an antireflective coating on organic lenses, but we also managed to replicate the production process everywhere in the world without any compromise on the coating quality,” said Alain Colonna.

Since the launch of the first Crizal^® coating generation, Essilor^® experts have been reinventing Crizal^®, innovating and redefining the standards of antireflective coatings. 

In 2022, after 4 years of research, followed by rigorous technical and consumer tests, the new generation of Crizal^® coatings was launched, including:

• Crizal^® Easy^Pro is the anti-reflective coating that is three times easier to clean after extensive smudging vs premium competitors thanks to its High Surface Density Process Technology™.

• Crizal^® Rock™ is the best combination against scratches and smudges, embedding the same easy-to-clean technology as Crizal^® Easy^Pro in addition to being up to 70% more scratch-resistant versus previous generation Crizal^l® thanks to the High-Resistance Technology™.

• Crizal^® Sapphire™^HR is the best antireflective coating overall integrating the same technologies as Criza^l® Rock™ and 360° multi-angular technology that results in best-in-class transparency⁸.

Crizal^® compiles in a single product multiple nanoscopic layers that confer benefits to the wearer’s eyes and lenses: antireflection, easiness to clean, scratch resistance, dust and water repellency and protection against UV rays.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) is pleased to announce a newly expanded partnership with VuePoint IDS publications, including CRO (Clinical & Refractive Optometry) Journal and Optik Magazine for the 2023 calendar year. VuePoint IDS, a long-time supporter of OGS, was honored at the Beacon of Light Recognition Event held at Vision Expo West this past September in Las Vegas. The event recognized those individuals and companies that had generously donated more than $100,000 to OGS over the lifetime of the organization so it could meet its mission to end preventable blindness and vision impairment in underserved communities around the world.

This longstanding partnership will be expanded during 2023. VuePoint IDS will provide more than $100,000 of in-kind advertising to OGS in 2023 alone, across all of its Optik print and digital publications, as well as its Clinical & Refractive Optometryonline continuing education platform, enabling OGS to reach an audience it may not have had easy access to before. The type and level of market saturation and reach being made available with this expanded partnership will enable OGS to continue to meet its mission to reduce the prevalence of preventable blindness and vision impairment.

Doctors of Optometry will also be able to donate to Optometry Giving Sight when registering for CE courses through CRO.

Click HERE for the full press release.

The organizers of 100% Optical have once again pledged to champion independent eyewear designers and manufacturers, with its biggest line-up ever when the three-day show returns in 2023, from 25-27 February at ExCeL London, UK.

Focus on Independents
A record number of its exhibitors will be independent frame designers, featuring independent brands including VAVA Eyewear, Vysen Eyewear, Salt, Nine Eyewear, Studio Optx and Bevel, and FFIN, who will be showcasing their latest innovations and designs which hero sustainability and environmentally friendly materials at the 2023 show. 

Furthermore, there will be an exciting new feature which further champions independent eyewear and sustainability.

Situated in the Eyewear section of 100% Optical, Makers Corner will be an area that highlights creative makers and designers in the optical industry. 

Nathan Garnett, 100% Optical show director, commented: “100% Optical was born out of a desire for independent frame designers and manufacturers to have a London based international show which is why independents have always been a highlight and key focus and this year is no exception. We’re taking it a step further in 2023 with a newly added Makers Corner featuring interactive sessions which shine a spotlight on unique crafters creating innovative optical designs that hero sustainability. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on this exciting new feature at 100% Optical in the coming weeks.”  

100% Optical has also revealed the judging panel for the Love Eyewear Awards, which are dedicated to celebrating the exciting world of eyewear, showcasing and promoting all things optics amongst independent and major designers, manufacturers and retailers.

Nathan Garnett added: “It’s not only been the number of entries that have blown us away this year, but the quality – and from some of the biggest names in the industry. The Love Eyewear Awards are growing year on year and since premiering in 2020 they’ve quickly become a calendar staple in the optical world.”

The shortlist will be announced on January 16, 2023, followed by the official awards ceremony which will be held at 100% Optical on February 25th 2023.

This year, there are a total of 12 diverse categories, including New Designer 2023, Sustainable Frame of the Year and Kids Frame of the Year.

Organizers have also announced the launch of 100% Optical’s wide-ranging 2023 education program, alongside a new process for delegates to book their places at the hugely popular CPD sessions during the show. 

Details of the first phase of the program are being released today (October 24th), with further releases of sessions in November and December. Bookings will open in early January, with priority access given to delegates registered in advance.

In collaboration with the AOP, the event’s longstanding education partner, 100% Optical will once again deliver a world-class education program, with the first release ready to view here.

A myriad of topics and opportunities will be available, with key elements including:

Main Stage
Sunday – Elizabeth Lumb will explore what more can we all do to speed up the changes needed within the profession to slow down the progression of myopia.

Monday – Miriam Minihan will discuss the most common vitreoretinal conditions and outline how to recognise them, the degree of referral urgency and how they are managed.

AOP Lounge
A series of peer review sessions will take place across all three days and will also feature content delivered by CooperVision and Johnson & Johnson Vision.

Future Practice Hub
Will feature a range of clinical sessions across all three days in four distinct areas.

Dispensing Workshop
A broad suite of content will be provided to meet the needs of all registrant types including dealing with complaints, myopia management and highlight the role of the dispensing optician.

Optical Academy
This hub will host a packed schedule of activity including a session to showcase the role of independent prescribers, discussed-based content on the use of OCT in contemporary practice and a workshop on scleral contact lenses. 

Dr Ian Beasley, AOP head of education and Optometry Today clinical editor, commented: “As the official education partner, the AOP is delighted to deliver a world-class program of education once again. As the new CPD cycle enters its second year, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the GOC’s requirements at an early stage in the year, consolidate and update their knowledge on key clinical topics and network with clinical and commercial contacts.”

100% Optical brings together nearly 10,000 optical professionals from across the globe. To register for free, go to 100percentoptical.com

Click HERE for the full press release.

Conference and Exhibit Hall Registration is now open for Vision Expo East 2023, taking place March 16-19, 2023 in New York City at the Javits Center.  The show’s organizers, The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions (RX), are planning a robust Show experience, including a reimagined Show Floor layout, engaging programming and a premier education program.

To register for Vision Expo East 2023, click here.

The Show’s conference program, developed by the Education Planning Committee together with the OptiCon® Advisory Board, will open Thursday, March 16, and the Exhibit Hall will open Friday, March 17.

New this year, Vision Expo East 2023 will debut a reimagined and more unified Show Floor layout.  All of Vision Expo’s Show Floor neighborhoods will be located on Level Three of the Javits Center. The Focus neighborhood, previously located on Level One, will now be located on Level Three, creating a seamless Show Floor that is more reflective of the full scope of the vision care industry and enabling attendees to more easily navigate and explore the latest technology, trends and vision care innovations.

“We are excited to bring the industry together in New York this March,” said Fran Pennella, Vice President, Vision Expo at RX.  “The new, more unified Show Floor is going to create incredible energy and excitement and enhance the experience for exhibitors and attendees alike.”

Additionally, NOW by Vision Expo, the trends showcase that debuted at Vision Expo East 2022, will return at Vision Expo East 2023. Expanding on last year’s showcase, which featured eyewear trends, the 2023 trends showcase will also feature new innovations in fashion lenses and lens technologies that are shaping the direction of the industry, in addition to frames. An application is required to be considered for inclusion in NOW by Vision Expo and final products will be selected by an Advisory Committee of industry leaders. To view the application and instructions, click here.

Vision Expo’s accredited Conference program includes more than 200 sessions, 300 hours and 100 speakers who will be presenting topics ranging from the latest business strategies and optical technology to patient care and cutting-edge innovations.

OptiCon®@Vision Expo will return with an unmatched education program and Exhibit Hall experience for opticians, contact lens professionals, allied ophthalmic professionals, optical assistants and office managers, frame buyers and lab technicians.

For more information on Vision Expo, visit visionexpo.com and follow Vision Expo’s social media channels, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Click HERE for the full press release.

The World Council of Optometry (WCO), in partnership with myopia management category leader CooperVision, has issued a Myopia Management Standard of Care Pledge challenge. More than 35 global eye care organizations and 25,000 practitioners have so far pledged to adopt myopia management as the standard of care. 

 Learn more and take the pledge.

WCO President-elect Dr. Sandra Block said, “We challenge optometrists worldwide to adopt myopia management as the standard of care. Myopia has reached epidemic levels and we know that myopia can lead to eye health issues that reveal themselves in adults.  It is our hope that early diagnosis of myopia and management can help reduce the long-term eye health complications.  Taking the pledge sends a clear message that organizations and practitioners understand the seriousness of myopia as a public health threat and that they are taking active measures to manage that threat.”

The World Council of Optometry and CooperVision introduced the myopia management standard of care resolution in April 2021, defining an evidence-based standard of care comprised of three main components:

• Mitigation — Optometrists educating and counseling parents and children, during early and regular eye exams, on lifestyle, dietary, and other factors to prevent or delay the onset of myopia.
• Measurement — Optometrists evaluating the status of a patient during regular comprehensive vision and eye health exams, such as measuring refractive error and axial length whenever possible.
• Management — Optometrists addressing patients’ needs of today by correcting myopia, while also providing evidence-based interventions that slow the progression of myopia, for improved quality of life and better eye health today and into the future.   

The World Council of Optometry has a myopia management online resource featuring the standard of care resolution, pledge signup page, and practical tools and information for optometrists available at https://myopia.worldcouncilofoptometry.info/.

Click HERE for the full press release.