EssilorLuxottica announces that it has entered into an agreement for the acquisition of Espansione Group, an Italy-based company specialized in the design and manufacturing of non-invasive medical devices, protected by international patents, for the diagnosis and treatment of dry-eye, ocular surface and retinal diseases.
Espansione Group is a med-tech pioneer delivering the highest medical standards in over 40 countries. with the photobiomodulation (PBM) technology – the Light Modulation Low-level Light Therapy (LLLT) – for use in medical fields such as ophthalmology and dermatology, along with the Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology.
The agreement represents for EssilorLuxottica another step forward in the med-tech space and it is consistent with the Group’s strategy in elevating industry standards and improving the quality of patient care solutions.
Francesco Milleri, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at EssilorLuxottica, commented: “We are pleased to welcome the pioneering Espansione into our Group. This investment, proudly made in one of our home countries, will expand our portfolio of medical devices and solidify our role in the optical industry. EssilorLuxottica’s med-tech journey, aimed at elevating vision health standards, will continue to be an open and collaborative one, where our products and services are accessible to all industry players.”
The transaction is subject to local regulatory review and other customary closing conditions.
The submission deadline for the NOW Trend Showcase and Awards at Vision Expo East 2025 has been extended to January 17, 2025. Eyewear companies exhibiting at Vision Expo East are encouraged to submit new designs and products for inclusion in the trend showcase, fashion shows and awards program, which will be featured at the inaugural Orlando, FL, show taking place February 19-22, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center.
The NOW Trend Showcase celebrates innovative, trend-setting eyewear designs, blending modern trends with heritage craftsmanship. Brands interesting in participating can submit product aligning with one of the following new themes for 2025:
Sensorial Design: Fresh/Bold/Innovative
Innovation: Modern/Tech/Wearable
Memories are Made Of: Timeless/Classics
Consciously Designed: Sustainable/Eco-Friendly
All products featured in the NOW Trend Showcase are automatically entered to win a NOW Award and/or featured in the Flaunt the Frame Fashion Shows. Visit the official website for all event details.
Awards categories include:
Best Sunglass (Independent & Branded)
Best Optical (Independent & Branded)
Best Direct to Consumer
Optical Achievement
People’s Choice
Best Emerging Brand
Ultimate Accessory presented by the Accessories Council
Submissions are free for Vision Expo East exhibiting eyewear brands. Product samples must be received no later than January 24, 2025, to be considered for inclusion in the NOW Trend Showcase.
For the third year in a row, in a special giving-back initiative, Eschenbach Optik of America sponsored two visually impaired students to attend the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS). The SCIVIS camp was held from October 6-10, 2024, at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, and was a 5-day/night educational adventure for those visually impaired students who had the opportunity to attend.
Throughout the week, students were immersed in astronaut training techniques using equipment adapted from NASA’s actual astronaut program. They learned about space hardware, experienced space flight simulations such as a 1/6th Gravity Chair and a multi-axis trainer, assembled and launched rockets, conducted a spaceflight mission, and performed an underwater scuba build—all while learning about aerospace career opportunities. Students also participated in daily contests like racing to climb a pamper pole, performing a search and rescue, and competing in the “around the world” challenge. Those in the Advanced Space Academy Program even had the opportunity to speak with NASA employees who have visual impairments and hear about their inspiring careers.
Eschenbach’s student winners this year were Jack J. from Greensboro, NC, who attended the Space Academy program, and Wyatt D. from Burleson, TX, who participated in the Advanced Space Academy program, both of whom successfully completed their space missions. The two scholarship winners not only had their tuition paid in full, but they also received a care package that included an Eschenbach Smartlux® Digital portable video magnifier that they could use at camp and keep for themselves afterward.
Upon completion of the camp, one of the scholarship winners reflected on his incredible experience:
“Thank you so much for this opportunity! It was an amazing experience to go to Space Camp and participate in all the exciting challenges and activities. I learned so much and had so much fun!” – Jack J.
Learn more about the Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students at http://www.scivis.org.
The FW24 collection from Etnia Barcelona embodies a bold expression of creativity and style, featuring designs that blend vibrant colours like striking orange with high-quality materials such as metal. This men’s eyewear showcases acetate temples with integrated fringe, asymmetric shapes in their contours, and meticulously crafted details, emphasizing masculine elegance and modern sophistication.
In the 1950s, Fulgencio Ramo—grandfather of David Pellicer, who is the current owner of the company—created his first eyewear factory. His children helped out there and quickly acquired all of the know-how of the business to take over the reins. This second generation designed, created and distributed the glasses all over Spain, but it was not until the 1990s when David Pellicer joined the company with the dream of creating something new.
AN INDEPENDENT EYEWEAR BRAND
David brought colour to a product that, up until that point, had only been brown or black. If there was one thing he knew, it was that he did not want to dedicate his efforts to just manufacturing glasses; he wanted something more. That something was creating a brand. A brand that embodied the idea of being free, human and respectful towards all ethnicities. He wanted a brand that thought of all people and forms of expression through colour and art. That’s how Etnia Barcelona was born.
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In response to widespread demand from eye care professionals to better understand myopia progression and intervention, the Centre for Ocular Research & Education (CORE) has themed Issue 81 of Contact Lens Update as “The Science of Myopia Control: What Every ECP Should Know.” The bi-monthly publication is available at no charge by visiting ContactLensUpdate.com.
“We are in the midst of a global myopia epidemic and public health crisis. Its prevalence continues to increase, with an estimated 50% of the world’s population projected to become myopic by the year 2050. High myopia is associated with the risk of serious ocular health problems which can lead to vision loss, such as retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma.”
Jill Woods, Head of Clinical Research, CORE
“It is crucial for practitioners to be aware of the latest scientific findings to ensure their patients are given the highest standard of care. Intervention to slow myopia’s progression is particularly important for children, preventing them from becoming highly myopic as they age.”
Debbie Jones, ClinicalProfessor and Lead Clinical Scientist at CORE, School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Waterloo, recaps the September 2024 International Myopia Conference in the issue’s editorial. Her conference highlights include ways of identifying people at risk of developing myopia, barriers to increasing the amount of time spent outdoors, and new potential treatments such as colored light therapies, pharmaceutical treatment using a caffeine derivative, and optical films for spectacle lenses.
The feature article is written by Vishakha Thakrar, an optometrist and owner of a specialty contact lens practice in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. She outlines the findings of a systematic review investigating the intervention-dependent rebound effect that may occur after stopping myopia control treatment. The review presents studies that examined a range of optical, pharmaceutical, and low level red light therapies, including spectacles and soft contact lenses designed for myopia control and orthokeratology.
The conferencehighlight is contributed by Lisa Ostrin, Associate Professor at the University of Houston College of Optometry, Texas, United States. The abstract summarizes a presentation from the 2024 International Myopia Conference describing the safety profile of an instrument used for low-level red light therapy. The work compares the emitted irradiance level to criteria established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to determine the class of laser, instrument group, and maximum permitted exposure time.
Optometrist Oliver Woo, founder and chief clinical director of his eponymously-named orthokeratology and myopia management clinic in Sydney, Australia, presents the issue’s clinical insight column. The case report details a young patient’s journey through different therapies to manage her myopia, with Dr. Woo delving into why it is important customize the replacement frequency of orthokeratology lenses to each patient.
Contact Lens Issue 81 authors (clockwise from top left): Debbie Jones, Vishakha Thakrar, Lisa Ostrin, and Oliver Woo
Published six times per year, Contact Lens Update provides a global platform for unbiased clinical insights based in current research. Since 2011, each issue has provided dependable and up-to-date ocular health information for more than 60,000 leading eye care professionals.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
The Canadian Association of Optometrists has appointed Joelle Walker as its new CEO, effective January 2026, succeeding François Couillard after more than 40 years of leadership.
The World Council of Optometry and Alcon have released a new video featuring eye care professionals from around the world sharing how they use the Dry Eye Wheel to support dry eye diagnosis, education, and management.
Silhouette unveils SPX Illusion 2025, featuring two new lightweight shapes— including a striking geometric design—offered in five trend-forward colors like Canary Green Havana and Smokey Blossom. A refined, featherlight way to express personal style with elegance.
EssilorLuxottica will acquire Signifeye, adding 15 Belgian clinics to its growing ophthalmology network and strengthening its integrated medical eye-care strategy.
CORE has published issue 87 of Contact Lens Update, summarizing key findings from the TFOS DEWS III dry eye reports. Expert-authored content and downloadable PDFs provide clinicians with practical guidance on diagnosis, management, and evolving best practices.
