The famous optics and eyewear trade fair in Paris has made it its mission to increase the trade-related capacity of businesses in the industry via a new layout.

 

Silmo 2014 will be held September 26–29, and organizers have one thing in mind: to generate sales momentum for companies across the optical and eyewear sector and help them meet their buyers. Almost a thousand exhibiting companies will occupy an area of about 80,000 m². To help visitors avoid getting lost, the organizers divided the space based on 11 thematic sectors. At the entrance to Hall 5, the Ab Fab Lab (Absolutely Fabulous Laboratory) brings together some of the latest innovations in the manufacture of lenses and frames.

 

The Frames, Lenses and Contact Lenses sections will draw major companies who specialize in these fields, whereas the Village will continue to be the intersection of trends and designers. The trade show will also have areas dedicated to luxury and sports frames, as well as equipment for opticians, poor vision and point-of-sale equipment.

 

Silmo has also developed a new ad campaign, the graphics of which are reminiscent of the 2013 campaign, that places visitors firmly in the spotlight. It is made up of a series of four portraits of opticians, photographed during last year’s exhibition, who are clearly embracing the “Silmo effect.”

 

Novartis Pharmaceuticals, through its eye care subsidiary, Alcon, recently entered into a licencing agreement with Google to use its smart lens technology for medical purposes.

 

The objective of the agreement is to combine Google’s advances in the miniaturization of electronics with Novartis’ pharmaceuticals and medical device expertise.

 

In a media release, the Swiss group said that this agreement could “transform eye care” and address health issues in a non-traditional way. Novartis is focused on two patient groups: people with diabetes and people with presbyopia.

 

Smart lenses could be used to manage diabetes by providing a continuous measurement of the body’s glucose levels, which would be an ideal replacement for the famous “daily injections.” This could be achieved by measuring the eye’s lachrymal fluid level.

 

Smart lenses could also restore the eye’s natural focus, for example, thus helping people living with presbyopia who can no longer read without glasses.

Source:

http://www.lesechos.fr/industrie-services/pharmacie-sante/0203641609213-lentilles-intelligentes-novartis-passe-un-accord-avec-google-1024775.php

Last Friday, July 18^th, ClipInfo announced the sudden passing of Dr. Francis Jean president founder of Iris The Visual Group.  See the link below to read the full story published on the 18^th.   

Ceremonies in his memory: 

July 30^th in Montreal

Centre Mont Royal

2200 Mansfield

3:00 – 5:00 pm (reception to follow)

 

 

According to the information M2L Media obtained, Dr. Francis Jean, founder and president of IRIS, The Visual Group, died suddenly yesterday. More details about the circumstances of his death and his career to follow.

 

Our sincerest condolences to his family, loved ones, and the IRIS team.

 

President and founder of IRIS The Visual Group, Dr. Francis Jean, died suddenly yesterday, July 17, in Jasper, Alberta, at the age of 56. Dr. Jean experienced discomfort while cycling in the IRIS Challenge, an activity he created to raise funds for cancer research.

 

In a press release, IRIS officials, naturally in a state of shock, expressed great sadness, describing Dr. Jean as an exceptional leader with a big heart, a passion for life, and remarkable generosity. “Thanks to him, IRIS was built on strong values,” they said.

 

A graduate from McGill University with a bachelor in Neurophysiology and from the University of Montreal with a degree in Optometry, Dr. Francis Jean opened his first practice in 1986 in his hometown of Baie-Comeau, Quebec. He always dreamed of creating the largest network of optometrists, opticians and ophthalmologists in Canada. And he pulled it off brilliantly, by first founding a buying group then adopting the IRIS trademark in 1990.

 

IRIS presently has 166 locations across Canada, with most being in Quebec and in the West, and is starting to expand into the Ontario market, where is has 14 places of business. Its network includes over 238 opticians, 280 optometrists and five ophthalmologists. The group also has two laser surgery clinics, one in Quebec and one in British Columbia. Annual sales in 2012 were $132 million.

 

Dr. Jean is survived by his wife, Denise; his sons, Jonathan and Guillaume, and daughter, Marilanie; his parents; his brother and sister-in-law; and his nieces and nephews.

 

We would like to extend our condolences to his family and friends as well as to the IRIS team. Funeral arrangements are being made in Baie-Comeau, Quebec.

 

For more details, click HERE to read the IRIS press release.

 

Click HERE to read an interview with Dr. Jean, published in the September 2008 issue of Opt!k Magazine, reproduced posthumously.