Blog - Page 545 of 907

August 20, 2018

Vision Expo OptiCon Program on Track to Surpass Successful Launch at East

Opticians and Contact Lens Technicians can experience OptiCon @ Vision Expo for the first time at Vision Expo West 2018 (Education: September 26 – 29; Exhibit Hall: September 27 – 29) in Las Vegas, NV. Vision Expo’s partnership with OptiCon brings the industry’s premier Optician and Contact Lens Technician education program to the largest gathering of eyewear and eye care professionals.

At press time, more OptiCon @ Vision Expo packages have been sold as of six weeks pre-show for Vision Expo West than were sold by the close of Vision Expo East.

Building on a strong debut at Vision Expo East 2018, OptiCon @ Vision Expo West attendees can expect access to a personalized and value-based experience package, including:

Up to 15 hours of continuing education
Exclusive breakfast and general session on Thursday, September 27, 7:00 AM – 8:15 AM
OptiCon welcome party at Public House on Thursday, September 27, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM, sponsored by Europa Eyewear
Exhibit Hall access
Access to discounted rates at a dedicated OptiCon hotel
The opportunity to take ABO & NCLE review courses and Certification Exams (Please note that sitting for Certification Exams requires a separate registration and an additional fee.)

Opticians and Contact Lens Technicians can connect in a dedicated OptiCon @ Vision Expo Hub in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #16093), an area for networking with peers and access to key representatives from ABO & NCLE and its partners. The OptiCon Hub will also feature:

Thursday, September 27 at 2:00 PM: A presentation on eyewear’s hottest trends from Eyecare Business’ Editor-in-Chief Erinn Morgan
Friday, September 28 at 11:00 AM: The National Academy of Opticianry Awards Ceremony, which will honor outstanding leaders in the eye care profession with the Educator of the Year and Optician of the Year Awards
Friday, September 28 at 1:30 PM: A presentation on eyewear’s hottest trends from Eyecare Business’ Associate Editor Kerri Ann Raimo

In addition, the OptiCon @ Vision Expo Advisory Board has curated top education picks for attendees in the areas of Business, Contact Lens and Spectacle Lens.

ABO & NCLE began producing OptiCon® (formerly known as the National Opticians Education Conference) in 2009 to bring together Opticians and Contact Lens Technicians for a premier event produced for Opticians, by Opticians.

Earlier this year, OptiCon @ Vision Expo was honored as a TSNN Best of Show Award finalist.

To register and learn more about OptiCon @ Vision Expo, click here.

August 17, 2018

Essilor Delivers Strong Second Quarter Growth

Consolidated revenue reached €3,726 million in the first half of 2018, an increase of 4.4% at constant exchange rates including 4.0% in like-for-like terms.

Revenue growth of 4.1% in constant currency at the Lenses & Optical Instruments division, highlighted by the success of new branded lenses, notably Varilux® X series in the United States, Crizal® Sapphire 360° in the United States and in Europe and Eyezen^TM around the world.

Transitions sales through their own networks grew at 6%, and the Sunglasses and Readers division grew at 8%.

Commenting on these results, Hubert Sagnières, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Essilor, said: “Essilor delivered solid results in all regions and divisions in the first half of 2018, while at the same time preparing for its proposed combination with Luxottica. This performance reflects the mobilization of our teams around a powerful and unique mission: “Improving lives by improving sight”. This translates into a clear growth strategy with an aim to improve and protect the vision of more than 7 billion people around the world with solutions for consumers with any level of means. Our innovations are particularly appreciated in many countries where needs remain significant, from the United States and China to Brazil and elsewhere. This allows us to continue investing more in the future well-being of populations, and increases our confidence in the future.”

Click HERE for the full report.

August 16, 2018July 11, 2018

Micro Sunnies for Summer

Etnia Barcelona introduces the concept of a micro pair of glasses with warm-coloured lenses that are either soft tinted or midnight. The Carytown style features a very trendy retro-futuristic flair. Mineral lenses come in pink, blue and orangish for metal frames that have been reduced in size with an anatomical bridge without nose pads. www.etniabarcelona.com

August 16, 2018August 15, 2018

Hoya Announces Increased Revenue in First Quarter

HOYA announced financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2018. During the quarter, revenue increased 9.2% year on year, reaching 138,891 million yen ($1.6 billion CAD). Profit before tax amounted to $422 million, representing a year on year increase of 15.1%.

Sales of eyeglass lenses rose due to growth in Asia and the Americas, combined with the acquisition of Performance Optics. New store openings of Eyecity contact lens specialty stores resulted in higher sales for contact lenses.

Overall, the Life Care segment grew 10.1% year on year. “Profit margin of the Life Care segment reached 19% this quarter and is in line with our expectations for annual margin of 20%,” said Hiroshi Suzuki, chief executive officer of HOYA. “We continue to remain committed to the target margin while investing in the growth opportunities.”

Click HERE for the full report.

August 16, 2018August 15, 2018

The Chemistry of How Blue Light Accelerates AMD

Chemists at the University of Toledo say they have found the mechanism that explains how blue light from digital devices can transform retinal molecules into harmful forms that lead to age-related macular degeneration.

“We are being exposed to blue light continuously, and the eye’s cornea and lens cannot block or reflect it,” Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said. “It’s no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye’s retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop.”

According to the paper published in the July edition of Scientific Reports, the culprit is a photoreceptor chromophore called 11-cis retinal (11CR). Upon exposure to blue light 11CR transforms to all-trans retinal (ATR).

When exposed to blue light, 11CR and ATR bind to and disrupts the membrane bound phospholipid named PIP2, eventually leading to cell death. The presence of 11CR on its own did not cause any cell death, nor did exposure to blue light without the presence of 11CR/ATR, but blue light in combination with the chemicals did lead to cell death.

“It’s toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves,” Kasun Ratnayake, a PhD student researcher working in Karunarathne’s cellular photo chemistry group, said. “Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they’re dead, they’re dead for good.”

The news isn’t all bad, however. Alpha tocopherol, a natural antioxidant, can prevent the cells from dying. But as people age they produce less of this antioxidant and our eyes lose this natural protection.

Karunarathne advises that people should wear UV and blue light filtering sunglasses while outdoors, and avoid looking at digital devices in the dark.

*pictured in the image above: Dr. Ajith Karunarathne

Vision Expo OptiCon Program on Track to Surpass Successful Launch at East

Essilor Delivers Strong Second Quarter Growth

Micro Sunnies for Summer

Hoya Announces Increased Revenue in First Quarter

Featured Posts

New Vision Council Research Shows Stable Consumer Vision Care Habits in Q4 2025, with Modest Spending Increases

CLI and United Opticians Association to Co-Produce OptiCon ’26 Panel on Contact Lens Care

MIDO 2026 Exhibitor List Goes Live as “The Lens of Time” Exhibition Debuts

World Council of Optometry Announces 2026 World Optometry Week Theme

From Dr. Google to Your Exam Lane

New Vision Council Research Shows Stable Consumer Vision Care Habits in Q4 2025, with Modest Spending Increases

CLI and United Opticians Association to Co-Produce OptiCon ’26 Panel on Contact Lens Care

MIDO 2026 Exhibitor List Goes Live as “The Lens of Time” Exhibition Debuts

World Council of Optometry Announces 2026 World Optometry Week Theme

From Dr. Google to Your Exam Lane

New Vision Council Research Shows Stable Consumer Vision Care Habits in Q4 2025, with Modest Spending Increases

CLI and United Opticians Association to Co-Produce OptiCon ’26 Panel on Contact Lens Care

MIDO 2026 Exhibitor List Goes Live as “The Lens of Time” Exhibition Debuts

World Council of Optometry Announces 2026 World Optometry Week Theme

From Dr. Google to Your Exam Lane

New Vision Council Research Shows Stable Consumer Vision Care Habits in Q4 2025, with Modest Spending Increases

CLI and United Opticians Association to Co-Produce OptiCon ’26 Panel on Contact Lens Care

MIDO 2026 Exhibitor List Goes Live as “The Lens of Time” Exhibition Debuts

World Council of Optometry Announces 2026 World Optometry Week Theme

From Dr. Google to Your Exam Lane