Opticians Rave about OpticalCEUs Continuing Education/Seminar Goes "Hollywood"

The reviews of OpticalCEUs Continuing Education Seminar for opticians this past April are in, and opticians are cheering. As required by the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Assn., participants in ABO/NCLE approved continuing education (CEUs, CECs) must ask participants to respond to five questions posed by the ABO/NCLE.

Some 150 opticians learned about contact lenses on the job and for athletes, fitting irregular corneas, the fundamentals of sight, diseases of the eye, and use of the slit lamp at OpticalCEUs seminar with ABO/NCLE approved courses. See their evaluations of each seminar. One attendee summed it up best when he described the seminar as being “consciously planned.”

If you want a taste of what these opticians saw, enjoyed, and tasted during a day of ABO/NCLE certified classes, watch our short movie above.

Researchers Make Connection between AMD and High Blood Pressure

"There may be a connection between taking vasodilators and developing early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss and blindness among Americans who are age 65 and older, according to a study published online in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology," reports Medical News Today. "AMD - the deterioration of the eye's macula, which is responsible for the ability to see fine details clearly - affects an estimated 11 million people in the United States." Read more.

Mapping Tear Movements May Improve Dry-Eye Treatment

National Science Foundation (NSF) Logo, reproduction allowed. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"A treatment for dry eye -- a burning, gritty condition that can impair vision and damage the cornea -- could some day result from computer simulations that map the way tears move across the surface of the eye," says Science Daily. "Kara Maki, assistant professor in Rochester Institute of Technology's School of Mathematical Sciences, contributed to a recent National Science Foundation study seeking to understand the basic motion of tear film traversing the eye. 'Tear Film Dynamic with Evaporation, Wetting and Time Dependent Flux Boundary Condition on an Eye-shaped Domain,' published in the journal Physics of Fluids on May 6, is an extension of Maki's doctoral research under her thesis advisor and co-author Richard Braun, professor in the University of Delaware's Department of Mathematical Sciences." Read more.

China Reportedly Fines Essilor, Johnson & Johnson, Meditec, Valeant, Bausch & Lomb, Zeiss, and Nikon

People's Republic of China Emblem (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"China on Thursday fined several foreign eyewear makers more than 19 million yuan ($3.1 million) for 'price manipulation,' the government said, in the latest targeting of overseas firms in the giant market," according to Yahoo! News Singapore. "The powerful National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, launched an investigation last August into alleged violations of anti-monopoly law in the sector, the agency said in a statement. Five companies -- all foreign -- were given penalties ranging from 1.7 million yuan to 8.8 million yuan, it said. They included units of France's Essilor, Germany's Carl Zeiss, and Japan's Nikon Optical, as well as Bausch & Lomb and Johnson & Johnson -- both of the United States -- according to the statement." In other news stories, Meditec and Valeant Pharmaceuticals were also said to have been fined. Read more.

New Eyewear from A&A's Quiksilver Brand

"Quiksilver is recognized world-wide for stylish surf wear and board sport-related equipment, connecting with young, athletic and young-minded people everywhere,"reports Midwest Lens. "Quiksilver eyewear exemplifies the perfect combination of modern aesthetic design and functionality. The collection offers sporty, contemporary and retro looks infused with Quiksilver’s adventurous, board riding heritage." Read more.

Oakley and Ferrari Team Up

Traditional Scuderia Ferrari logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"Inspired by Ferrari's engineering technology, Oakley has designed a special-edition eyewear range that celebrates a new multi-year partnership between the two companies," notes Moodie Reports. "Named after the racing team, the new Scuderia Ferrari Collection was unveiled by Scuderia Ferrari driver and former Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen at an event in Barcelona. In addition to the launch, the partnership will see Oakley become the eyewear official licensee and supplier to Scuderia Ferrari. The team’s racers, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen, Pedro de la Rosa and Marc Gené, will carry the Oakley logo on their F1 helmets throughout 2014 and wear the Oakley Scuderia Ferrari eyewear on and off the track." Read more.

New Eyewear from XOXO

"To truly live like a rock star you have to have the perfect wardrobe," says Midwest Lens. "The latest XOXO Eyewear collection features the latest in trendy shapes and design details for the perfect combination of smart and sexy. Mesmerize, Thrill and Trendsetter are bold and fashion-forward looks for the woman who works hard and plays hard." Read more.

Luxottica Closes Canadian Lens Plant

"Eyeglass manufacturing giant Luxottica has confirmed it is closing its Winnipeg lens-making operation that serviced a substantial portion of the Canadian market," according to a Canadian Press report on Yahoo! Finance Canada. "The Italy-based company behind such retail banners LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut among others and the maker of more than two dozen brands including Ray-Ban, DKNY, Chanel, Prada, Versace and Ralph Lauren, gave few details about the closure in an email response to questions." Read more.

Let's Go See the EyeGo

"Over the past year, a small team of researchers at Stanford University has been tinkering with iPhones, Legos, and 3D printers. Their efforts have resulted in a new device that has the potential to prevent blindness in millions of people. Called the EyeGo, the inexpensive device is an adapter that attaches to an iPhone and in some ways performs the work of much more sophisticated medical equipment," reports CNET News. "'The EyeGo is helping someone who is taking the picture to do what we call a portable slit lamp -- getting a picture of the front of the eye, the cornea, seeing the lens of the eye,' explains Robert Chang, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University. 'It also helps you take pictures of the fundus which is the retina or the inside lining of the back of the eye.' The CNET News team visited the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford to see the EyeGo in action." See the video here.

Vision Program Recognized for Excellence

A free online resource that helped get eye care to more than a half a million people and help to dispense 88,000 eyeglasses in developing communities was awarded the Excellence in Innovation Award by the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Association. The manual and toolkit has helped professionals to manage successfully eye care facilities.  “Our research found that while many vision centres had good clinical skills, infrastructure and equipment, the actual operations of the centre – systems, processes and governance were often lacking,” said Stephanie Looi, manager of the Vision Centres Effectiveness Project. The project developed these resources to help eye care workers effectively to refract and dispense. “We also recognised that a limitation to creating sustainable eye care services in developing countries is a lack of appropriately trained [individuals]...This faculty not only teaches, but drives research agendas." To find out more about the Vision Centre Toolkit click here.

Recapitalized, Hilco Looks to Expand in China

The private equity firm Blue Point Capital Partners recently recapitalized the 58-year-old, Plainville, MA, optical company, Hilco (Hilsinger Company).  Hilco supplies more than 20,000 optical products such as prescription eyewear, consumer and professional optical accessories, and ophthalmic products through five primary brands: Hilco, Wilson Ophthalmic, Leader, OnGuard Safety and i-Promotions.

Hilco CEO Bob Nahmias claims that "Blue Point's access to exceptional resources, including its presence in China, will be invaluable...as we look to expand." The China connection appears to be a big element to this deal, as indicated by Blue Point partner John LeMay: "We plan to support the company in executing additional domestic and international acquisitions and optimizing its sourcing capabilities with our Shanghai-based supply-chain team." Read more.

New Guide Available from Younger Optics

With Younger Optics new Availability Guide, you can learn the science behind each of its NuPolar, Drivewear, Image and Adage progressives, Trinity Trivex lenses, its Transitions lenses, and many more. The guide explains the benefits of each type of lens for your patients. In addition, it shows what the company offers in terms of patient support tools and educational/marketing materials. To view a downloadable PDF click here. For a free copy, email marketing@youngeroptics.com. Include your shipping information in the email.

You See What You Hear

The extrastriate cortex (shown in orange and red) is believed to be involved in perceptual priming (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

"Scientists studying brain process involved in sight have found the visual cortex also uses information gleaned from the ears as well as the eyes when viewing the world," reports Medical News Today. "They suggest this auditory input enables the visual system to predict incoming information and could confer a survival advantage. Professor Lars Muckli, of the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology at the University of Glasgow, who led the research, said: 'Sounds create visual imagery, mental images, and automatic projections. So, for example, if you are in a street and you hear the sound of an approaching motorbike, you expect to see a motorbike coming around the corner. If it turned out to be a horse, you'd be very surprised.'" Read more.

New Sunglasses from Costa

"For outdoors enthusiasts looking to add a little pop of color to their spring season, Costa released five new limited edition frame options to select sunglasses for 2014," says Midwest Lens. "New frame color choices include the red-to-orange ombre Matte Sunset Fade and the fading blue Matte Caribbean Fade, available in Costa’s Caballito, Cut, Cat Cay and Prop styles. Lens colors vary, with retail prices of these sunglasses ranging from $149 to $219. Cut and Prop are also new with the Matte Tortuga Fade, featuring a gradual tortoise-to-green frame." Read more.

New Sunglasses from Carrera

"Carrera once again shakes up the world of fashion, celebrating the iconic glasses of its latest eyewear collections with glamorous re-editions of the brand’s models that made history: the legendary Champion and Carrera 6000 sunglasses are now presented in an exciting new metal version with a pure design." That's the word from Midwest Lens. Read more.

Almost Half of Americans Don't See the Dangers of UV

Many of your patients and potential patients don't know that prolonged exposure to UV will damage their eyes, says The Vision Council's 2014 Sun Protection Survey. After interviewing more than 10,000 adults in 10 cities, the council found the following:

• 46 percent of adults only wear sunglasses when it's sunny.
• 35 percent of sunglass wearers did not know if their sunglasses provided UV protection.
• 49 percent of Americans didn't know that prolonged UV exposure can accelerate cataract growth.

American cities with a high risk of UV damage include obvious locations such as San Juan, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami, but there are also less obvious cities such as Cheyenne, Little Rock, and Oklahoma City. You could offer your patients an opportunity to learn by posting the Vision Council's web address on your Facebook or store website or you could tweet them. For more information on the methodology, click here.

Online Refraction Coming to a Home Near You

Here comes online refraction. Chicago-based Opternative is "the world's first online eye exam [without a web cam]. Opternative's refractive exam delivers a valid prescription, signed by an ophthalmologist," according to the company's Facebook page. The upstart hopes to perform refractions for myops--temporarily presbyops need not apply--within the next five months. It also is working with the National Institutes of Health to ensure the efficacy of the prescription, which the company says might be better than the traditional prescription. Finally it wants to hook up with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and "large" online retailers, thereby making the purchase of contact lenses and eyewear as seamless as possible for the patient. The company executives quickly note that individuals need eye exams at least once every two years. 

Don't confuse this development with devices that transform iPhones in autorefractors, such as EyeNetra's Netra G, which primarily is a tool for eye care professionals attempting to refractor in locations where it would be difficult to bring traditional equipment.

The Best Optical Illusions of 2014

"Each year, the Neural Correlate Society holds a contest among experts on perception and visual illusions. The top 10 entries get selected by a panel, and the three best are then picked in an international gathering that I imagine as some sort of wizards convention. Here are are the winners." So says Gizmodo's Sploid. "The Dynamic Ebbinghaus [one of the winners; see below] takes a classic, static size illusion and transforms it into a dynamic, moving display. A central circle, which stays the same size, appears to change size when it is surrounded by a set of circles that grow and shrink over time. Interestingly, this effect is relatively weak when looking directly at a stationary central circle. But if you look away from the central circle or move your eyes, or if the entire stimulus move across the screen, then the illusory effect is surprisingly strong – at least twice as large as the classic, static Ebbinghaus illusion." Read and see more.

Asian CL Manufacturers Need to Upgrade

A 57-page report from Japan's National Consumer Affairs Center is questioning the quality and safety of colored and limbal ring contact lenses sold in Japan and Asia Pacific. The report, entitled "Safety of Color Contact Lenses," states that some manufacturers inaccurately claim "no pigment on the surface" of their lenses when in fact they do. The report also stated that where and how these pigments are embedded has been a key source of claims from various manufacturers. The report, co-sponsored by the Japan Ophthalmological Association (JOA) and the Japan Contact Lens Society (JCLS), focused on product attributes and side effects. Issues raised by the NCAC report ranged from lenses being out of specification for base curve or diameter; lenses being too thick and potentially affecting oxygen transmissibility to pigment found on the surface of lenses; and side effects like corneal swelling.

It has four "demands" for manufacturers: 1. meet their product specifications; 2. improve CL design for such things as pigment on the surface of the lens; 3. avoid misleading, and difficult to understand advertising and 4. make patient literature available. The report also highlighted that Johnson & Johnson's 1-Day Acuvue Define CLs and Acuvue2 Define had no color pigment on the surface of its lenses. Read more of the release on Yahoo! Finance Canada.

New Eyewear from ClearVision's Ellen Tracy Collection

"A perfect balance between youthful spirit and grown up glamour, the polished, mature styles enhance the 40+ woman’s natural beauty with uplifting, geometric eye shapes; tailored designs; lightweight laminates; and organic colorways including azure, eggplant, and coffee. Soft animal-inspired patterns also make a splash throughout the beautiful styles, giving the collection a bit more attitude." That's how Midwest Lens describes ClearVision's new Ellen Tracy Collection. Read more.

Temporary Headaches from Google Glasses?

"After Betabeat tried Google Glass for the first time at Google HQ in New York, both writers experienced a sharp pain after about ten minutes, which went away shortly after we took it off," reports Betabeat. "On our second visit, we asked the team at Google Glass base camp in New York how they were managing the headache issue. They seemed baffled by the question. To be fair, scientists and doctors have always had trouble figuring out what causes some common kinds of headaches, and there’s no easy explanation for why users would get headaches." Eventually Google put Betabeat in contact with Dr. Eli Peli, the Harvard optometrist whom Google consulted with about ocular discomfort. "To keep the user’s head up, they placed it to the upper-right. While this positioning can keep the user from crashing into things, it can also cause sharp eye pain....'You’re on one leg [or the other] as you walk, but try to stand on one leg for a long time and you’ll feel tension, because you’re not using it how it’s normally used,' Dr. Peli said. 'If you’re looking at the Glass for a minute, you’re holding it there for sixty times longer than normal.' Google Glass wasn’t designed with the hope users would stare at it at length, but for 'micro-uses.'" Read more.

New Eyewear from ClearVision Optical's BCBGMAXAZRIA

"ClearVision Optical introduces the newest release from BCBGMAXAZRIA, completing the stylistic update of this iconic fashion collection," according to Midwest Lens. "Eyecare professionals and eyewear enthusiasts alike can expect to see refined eye shapes and colors that express the fashion forward brand as never before. Sleek, directional silhouettes, architectural details and highly fashionable elements like color blocking and textured materials are evident throughout. Plus, the adornment of the brand’s iconic stud bar hardware and its noteworthy butterfly logo aligns the eyewear collection closer to the retail brand. The May release makes a powerful statement, reflecting the brand’s emphasis on fit, construction, and fabrication." Read more.

Another CL Helps People with Low Vision to Navigate

"Combining computational geometry, artificial intelligence, geo and ultrasound techniques, among others, scientists from the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) created ​​a device to help people with low vision or blindness to navigate more easily," notes Medical News Today. "This project, developed in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, began formally in 2009, and in less than five years a prototype was created and is about to be transferred to the technology company Qualtop, said Eduardo José Bayro Corrochano, project leader. The navigation device consists of glasses with stereo sound sensors, GPS technology and a tablet, which guides the blind person to a specific point and avoids hitting static or moving obstacles, also recognizes money bills of various denominations, and color of clothing." Read more.

GlassUp Challenges Google Glass

"Italian startup GlassUp is reportedly stirring up some controversy with Google. GlassUp is offered at almost one-fourth the price of Google Glass. One costs $399, the other $1500," reports Yahoo! Finance Canada. "In last March, a Google trademark lawyer reportedly asked GlassUp to change both the company name and the product's name, claiming that consumers might get confused. Is there a chance? Where you confused in the manner Google thinks?" See more pictures.

New Eyewear from Calvin Klein

"Colorthin Calvin Klein features new and innovative technology for lightweight, flexible and vibrant styles. Launching in June 2014, Colorthin Calvin Klein features five plastic and four metal styles – each available in five vivid colors." That's the word from Midwest Lens. "Colorthin Calvin Klein is Made-in-Italy and represents the cutting edge in eyewear technology – extreme lightness and material flexibility, combined with sophisticated materials that make them absolutely unique. These fresh styles feature excellent memory form, resistance to cracks and a featherweight feel. The frames will always maintain correct positioning and flatter any face; plus, Colorthin Calvin Klein frames are 100% hypoallergenic." Read more.

2 California ODs Hook Up to Sell Prescription Google Glasses

A few days ago, the LA Times reported that "Google is scoping out a market segment that could boost sales while creating a more mainstream image: prescription eyeglass wearers. Google recently teamed up with three eye-care providers — including two in Southern California — to sell its Glass wearable device directly to the public. Wink Optometry in Calabasas and Optometrix in Brentwood are letting their customers try out Google Glass, and if they like what they see, have it mounted on traditional-looking prescription frames. Google is betting on customers who already wear glasses to upgrade their spectacles to modern-day smart glasses. The pilot program tests a distribution channel that is likely to grow dramatically: Nearly 183 million American adults already use some form of vision correction, according to a December report by the Vision Council." Read more.

New Eyewear from Viva's Skechers Line

"Viva presents four new styles from the Skechers Eyewear Spring 2014 collection for men," says Midwest Lens. "Featuring innovative designs with a variety of sporty elements, including rubberized accents, carbon fiber temple treatments and two-tone colorations, the Skecher eyewear collection is perfect for today’s trend-savvy consumer. Multi-layered acetates and matte finished metals also accentuate the collection’s overall design aesthetic." Read more.

Linda Conlin to Speak at 2014 OptiCon

OpticalCUE’s Linda Conlin will speak at the 2014 OptiCon, the annual continuing education conference organized by the American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners (ABO/NCLE). At the Sept. 5-7 conference, national experts will present more than 70 topics about spectacles, contact lenses, and opticianry business management at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center, in Nashville, TN. Linda Conlin, founder of OpticalCEUs, will present "What's Up With Myopia" and "Augmented Reality Contact Lenses" on Sunday, Sept. 7. To get hold of a schedule, click this link. To register for the conference, click this one.

New Promotion for Marc Jacobs

“The Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2014 eyewear campaign is set on a not so glamorous farm,” according to Fashion Times. “The label's latest ad features a model, clad in Marc Jacobs collection, including the new range of sunglasses by the brand for this year. What sets the new ad apart from other generic sunglasses commercials is the quirky mountainous outdoors location, as Luxury Daily reports. In the video, the model not only looks stylish in Marc Jacobs items, but is also seen doing various chores on the farm set. From milking a cow to fetching water from the river, the model's gritty work out in nature is meant to prove the versatility of wearing Marc Jacobs' luxurious sunglasses.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Seraphin

“Seraphin Eyewear introduces the Maddox, a translucent acetate frame that brings freshness to a classic shape. With its revitalized take on a vintage style, iconic fleur-de-lis emblems and Seraphin’s signature hinge accents, the Maddox,” explains Midwest Lens. “This timeless frame gets a modern twist with silver diamond-shaped accents. Three-dimensional, raised embellishments give depth and visual intrigue to the peaks of the Maddox. Carefully handcrafted of Italian acetate in nature-inspired hues, the transparent quality reveals the inner structure of the temple cores. Equally flattering on men and women, the Maddox is a traditional shape that looks phenomenal on many faces.” Read more.

SunSensors Sold to Mitsui

Corning Inc. has sold its SunSensor operations to Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. Mitsui Chemicals offers high to low refractive index ophthalmic lens material and coatings to meet the diverse needs of people around the world. The company is known as a premier provider of ophthalmic lens materials with its thin and light “MR Series” super durable and clear high refractive index lens material, which allows progressive design. Read more.

Insurance Execs and Administrators Pull in Health Care's Biggest Bucks

"The biggest bucks are currently earned not through the delivery of care, but from overseeing the business of medicine." That's the word from a post in the New York Times. "The base pay of insurance executives, hospital executives and even hospital administrators often far outstrips doctors’ salaries, according to an analysis performed for The New York Times by Compdata Surveys: $584,000 on average for an insurance chief executive officer, $386,000 for a hospital C.E.O. and $237,000 for a hospital administrator, compared with $306,000 for a surgeon and $185,000 for a general doctor....Mark T. Bertolini, the chief executive of Aetna, earned a salary of about $977,000 in 2012 but a total compensation package of over $36 million, the bulk of it from stocks vested and options he exercised that year." Read more.

Luxottica Still Leads Retail Sales with a New #2 at Its Heels

Luxottica's retail eyewear sales tumbled from almost $2.4 billion in 2012 to just under $2.34 billion last year. That's the report from Vision Monday's Top 50 Retailers. A newcomer squeezed into the number two spot between Luxottica and Walmart: Vision Source. Its 3500-member optometrists reportedly operate 2797 units that pulled in $1.97 billion, pushing Walmart into third place. Read more.

Paco Examines the Fit of Linda Conlin's Sunglasses

Paco, a parrot who resides on Cape Cod, MA, perched
on the forearm of Linda Conlin, founder
and president of  OpticalCEUs, examines her sunglasses.

Vermont and Kansas Restrict Vision Plans with ODs

"Following the Georgia Supreme Court’s decision affirming the state’s 2010 Patient Access to Eye Care Act, as reported by VMail Dec. 18, 2013, two other states, Kansas and Vermont, have passed legislation with similar language restricting the latitude managed vision care plans have when contracting with optometrists, primarily disallowing insurance companies from requiring providers to give covered members discounts on non-covered materials and services," reports Vision Monday. Read more.

New Eyewear from Revlon

"For spring 2014, Revlon Eyewear revitalizes wearable and flattering shapes with stunning new accents and eye-catching colorations," writes Midwest Lens. "Shiny rose tints, glossy colorations and mixed tortoises create a breathtaking statement this season; while floral prints and rhinestones add glamour to this cosmetically decorated May release." Read more.

Pearle Converting 11 Stores In Puerto Rico

Pearle Vision plans to convert 11 stores in Puerto Rico from company-owned to licensee-owned. Locations are immediately available in Fajardo, Aguadilla, San Juan, and Bayamon, as well as other markets located throughout the state.  The company is currently seeking qualified candidates interested in owning and operating a Pearle Vision shop. This is part of Pearle Vision's 2014 expansion plans to re-license 40 to 45 additional company-owned centers. Read more.

Optician Designs Own Eyewear

"In her Gastown glasses shop, Sara Moshurchak’s eyes dance behind chic, slightly pointy cat-eye frames," reports the Vancouver Sun. "The custom frame maker gets so animated when talking about glasses that her eyes flit from one pair of frames to another in her tastefully appointed store....To Moshurchak, glasses aren’t just glasses. They are a fashion statement and the first thing you see on a person’s face when you greet them. Think of Johnny Depp and his iconic eyeglasses....She is unusual not only in that she doesn’t fit the mould in appearance but also for what she does. As far as she knows, she is the only person in Canada who offers completely handmade eye glass frames from start to finish and only one of two women in the world who offer such finery, the other one being in Paris. "It’s a dying art,' she laments, adding the ability to hand-produce quality goods needs to be passed on from generation to generation." Read more.

Lady Gaga Loves Eyewear

"We knew Lady Gaga had a thing for seven inch heels, insane wigs, dressing like non-existence cartoon characters and adding chunks of skin onto her body, but this eyewear thing is a new-fangled fashion obsession!" That's the post on E Online. "Apparently the 'Dope' singer already covered every other couture option, leaving nothing but eye covers to exploit." Read more.

New Eyewear from Revolution

"Revolution Eyewear continues to raise the bar on magnetic clip-on styles. This new sleek lightweight design, with a magnetic clip-on will surely fly off your boards," notes Midwest Lens. "The Rev755 is available in Cocoa Red Tan, Dark Plum, Matte Black and featured is the Red Lust. Remember, all Revolution Magnetic Clip-Ons are polarized polycarbonate lenses and may be special ordered for 3D Viewing and specialty lenses for specific sports as well. Also, their clip-ons are superior to Photo Chromatic lenses because Photo Chromatic lenses will not become fully dark inside your vehicle and not allow full protection from glare. Size is 52-17-135." Read more.

New Eyewear from Marchon

"Marchon has chosen Central Park to celebrate its rich, stylish and beautifully diverse MarchoNYC Eyewear collection," writes Midwest Lens. "Eastside, Westside, Uptown, and Downtown--each each series is individually unique but all come together in one special way: MarchoNYC Eyewear is proudly reflective of the life and style and look of New York City, typified by the eclectic mix of experiences that is Central Park." Read more.

AOA Survey Says Parents Don't Realize Importance of Infant Eye Exams

Only 19 percent of parents know that a child should have his/her first comprehensive eye exam between six and 12 months when visual development is most dramatic. This is one result from the American Optometric Association's (AOA) 2014 American Eye-Q survey. Optometry Cares – The AOA Foundation administers the InfantSEE program, which provides a no-cost one-time, assessment of infants' vision in their first year of life. These assessments complement routine well-care exams a baby receives from a pediatrician. Optometrists are trained to identify areas critical to vision development and have the tools needed to identify conditions not necessarily detected in a routine pediatric exams. Read more.

New Eyewear from Judith Leiber

"The ornate Dorado collection was inspired by the legendary city of El Dorado, the fabled South American land of great riches, gold and gems," according to Midwest Lens. "Legend tells of a Muisca king who would cover himself in gold dust and then dive from a raft into Lake Guatavita. European explorers sought this city of riches throughout the 16th and 17th century but alas, the legendary city was never found. Each Judith Leiber Dorado frame is handmade from Italian acetate, has a custom Italian faceted stone centerpiece and 80 hand-set genuine Austrian crystals." Read more.

Return to Future Past: Braille CLs

Lately, posts have popped up about a digital device attached to a CL and it enables the blind to "see." It can read something like this Trefis post:

You see, a matrix of sensors designed to lie against the cornea is embedded in the lens. According to co-developer Zeeva Zelevsky, a researcher in the faculty of Engineering at Bar Ilan University in Israel, these sensors take images sent from a tiny...

PSFK.com covered the story about four months ago: see our post.

Google Glasses Going on Sale Soon

"Google Inc. (GOOG) is making it easier for consumers to get the test version of its Glass Internet-connected spectacles," according to a post on Bloomberg. "Glass Explorer Edition devices will go on sale to anyone in the U.S., after mostly being available only via invitation and referral, Google said yesterday on its website. The wider beta testing of the $1,500 wearable computers follows a 24-hour open sales period last month. "'We’ve decided to move to a more open beta,' the company said. 'We’re still in the Explorer Program while we continue to improve our hardware and software, but starting today anyone in the U.S can buy the Glass Explorer Edition, as long as we have it on hand.'" Read more.

BC/BS of Massachusetts Hooks Up with EyeMed

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) has created a new vision care plan, called Blue 20/20 with EyeMed Vision Care. It will provie for routine eye exams and savings on lenses and coatings through a network of more than 60,000 independent and chain providers, including LensCrafters, most Pearle's, Target, Sears, and JCPenny. For more information about Blue 20/20 contact your sales representative or call (800) 422-3545 for small group direct sales or (800) 531-2563 for small/large brokered sales. Read more.

Glasses Tell You If You Are Too Sleepy to Drive

"Are you alert enough to drive? New smartphone-linked glasses from Japan can tell you that by tracking your gaze and eye movements," says PC World. "Jins Meme glasses from Tokyo eyewear maker Jin can measure fatigue and concentration levels, alerting drivers to dangerous situations. They can measure eye strain caused by looking at computer monitors for a long time, as well as track activities for health purposes. The glasses can also be used to navigate smartphone displays simply by looking left or right." Read more.

New Sunglasses from Shwood

"In celebration of their 130 years in baseball, Shwood has teamed up with the legendary Louisville Slugger to create a brand-new collection of limited-edition sunglasses," reports Midwest Lens. "Handcrafted from Louisville Slugger Ash wood in their Portland, Oregon wood shop, these two models of their Canby and Haystack silhouettes are a tribute, not only to America’s favorite pastime, but to American craftsmanship and ingenuity. Harvested in rural NY forests, milled into a bat in Louisville, Kentucky, swung on fields around the globe, and re-purposed in Portland, Oregon, the wood used for these glasses has seen many life cycles on its journey to you." Read more.

Varsity Fashions Eye Care Practice through Acquisitions

Varsity Healthcare Partners (VHP) acquired Katzen Eye Group, an integrated ophthalmologic and optometric practice, and it will create EyeCare Services Partners Holdings Llc. (ESP). It seems only to be a first move into the field and the region. ESP and VHP reportedly are scanning ophthalmologic and optometric landscape looking for independent practices in Maryland, Delaware, and other areas that can be acquired. An announcement from ESP said: "ESP will consolidate locally dominant, clinically differentiated vision care services practices and affiliated surgical centers in selected geographies, leveraging the technology platform, managerial infrastructure, and clinical processes of Katzen Eye Group." ESP did not disclose the transaction's terms (see next paragraph). CEO Michael Fricke, formerly CEO for Sante Pediatric Serices, OrthoRx, and various positions with Lincare, will run ESP from Baltimore. Former Katzen execs will join him: Dr. Brett Katzen as ESP’s chief medical officer, Richard Edlow as its president, and Melissa Pitchford as CFO. Read more.

"Varsity Healthcare Partners struck its maiden investment by acquiring Katzen Eye Group, an ophthalmologic and optometric services practice, as part of a plan to consolidate other vision-care practices through the firm's new platform, EyeCare Services Partners Holdings LLC." That's how DowJones.com wrote up the deal. "Varsity said it made the investment in Katzen from its Varsity Healthcare Partners I LP, a $240 million vehicle the firm raised from five U.S.-based family offices and multifamily offices. Terms of the transaction weren't disclosed. Varsity targets companies with up to $10 million in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and deploys a minimum of $50 million of equity capital." Read more.

New Computer Program Offers Refer/No-refer for Retinal Exams

"A computer program to screen for diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding condition that may affect every person with diabetes, has been developed by scientists." So goes the post on Science Daily. "EyeArt is a patent-pending, fully automated set of tools able to quickly offer a refer/no-refer recommendation based on images taken of a patient’s retina. Researchers found it to be as accurate as trained specialists in screening for the eye disease." Read more.

Understanding People's Visual Tracking Abilities

"When tracking a moving object, the two halves of the human brain operate much like runners successfully passing a baton during a relay race, says a University of Oregon researcher," according to a post on Medical News Today. "In a study online ahead of print in Current Biology, electroencephalogram (EEG) measured brainwaves from healthy young adults revealed how information about an attended object - one being watched closely - moves from one brain hemisphere to the other." Read more.

New Sunglasses for ClearVision Collection

"ClearVision Optical’s 2014 Suns Collection is getting even hotter with new sunwear styles added just in time for the summer season," says Midwest Lens. "The 'notice me' release features on trend feminine styles for women from BCBGMAXAZRIA, Cole Haan, EllenTracy, and Jessica McClintock. The release adds sought-after eye shapes such as wayfarers, aviators, and rounds to the stellar collection. These Summer peepers join the complete 2014 Suns line, which features 60+ striking men’s and women’s styles. A suite of in-store merchandising materials, as well as customer discounts and dispensary gifts, also accompany the 2014 Suns Collection." Read more.

New Sunglasses from Carrera

"Carrera once again shakes up the world of fashion, celebrating the iconic glasses of its latest eyewear collections with glamorous re-editions of the brand’s models that made history: the legendary Champion and Carrera 6000 sunglasses are now presented in an exciting new metal version with a pure design." That's how Safilo describes its new Carrera sunglasses. Read more.

New Eyewear from Öga

"Marrying high tech materials with color, Talval, the latest concept from Öga adopts an architectural approach to eyewear. Inspired directly by construction beams, the inside of Talval’s aluminum temples are hollowed out to house solid matte colors. Frame fronts feature a single sweep for an ultra-streamlined and fluid 'mask' appearance," writes Midwest Lens. "The four Talval models are offered in two rimmed and two semi-rimless shapes. The concept ranges from vibrant colors to more neutral tones. Talval is offered in a range of sizes from 52 to 57 and all models are progressive friendly." Read more.

New Drug Approach Helps Eyes with Deformed Blood Vessels

"A new drug approach has been developed for safer clean-up of deformed blood vessels in the eye by a research team at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto," reports Science Daily. "Research just published by Dr. Andras Nagy and co-authors shows both safety and effectiveness in their bioengineered compound when treating retinopathy in mice. The therapeutic, which they called 'Sticky-trap,' shuts down tiny deformed blood vessels in the eye without affecting healthy vessels in other sites of the body." Read more.

Monthly Injections to Treat AMD May Be Unnecessary

"Researchers have found that, contrary to pevious clinical trial findings, monthly injections to counteract age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may not be necessary," according to a Medical News Today post. "The research was presented at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) this week in Orlando, Fla. The investigators used a strategy called "treat and extend" to conduct the study, in which the frequency of office visits and injections were tailored to each patient's individual response to therapy. Following 185 patients over a three-and-a-half-year period, the average number of visits and injections was reduced from 12 to 8.3 times per year." Read more.

CooperVision Runs Leadership Program in Istanbul

CooperVision, Inc.’s Inspirational Leadership Program recently hosted a select group of  leaders for five days on the campus of Bogazici University’s College of Business in Istanbul. There they delved into issues relating to entrepreneurship, governance, national culture and institutions, financial management, and  a high -caliber workforce. In designing the leadership program at Bogazici (ranked among the world’s top 200 institutions of higher education), CooperVision worked with Dr. Jerry Estenson, professor of Organizational Behavior at Sacramento State University, Dr. Larry Bienati, vice president, Organization Development at CooperVision’s parent company, The Cooper Companies, and a host of world-leading subject matter experts.

Thoughts about Digitally Processed Lenses from Younger

"Digital processing is perhaps the most significant and exciting technological development our industry has seen in recent years. While there are many advantages to this technology, there are also some optical design issues which need to be considered. I believe Camber both addresses these optical issues and takes advantage of all the flexibility digital surfacing has to offer," writes David Rips, president and CEO of Younger Optics.

"There is an old saying: 'Sometimes one must travel far to find that which is near.' This is certainly true with Camber, which at its core revisits the importance of matching Rx power with a corresponding, optically-appropriate base curve. By utilizing the power of complex curves on both surfaces of the lens, Camber seems to offer something for everyone. Better optics, cosmetics, improved near and widened distance zones— Camber is truly a breakthrough for the laboratory, eyecare professional, and most importantly, the patient." Read more.

DIY Google Glasses

"The Raspberry Pi Foundation has linked to an Adafruit tutorial for tinkerers that want to turn the pocket computer into a Google Glass competitor," writes The Inquirer. "The foundation introduced the Raspberry Pi driven spectacles on its blog, saying that the tutorial shows users how to build a wearable display that clicks onto any pair of glasses. The composite display from a pair of "Private Display Glasses", that is, glasses that allow you to watch immersive video from the comfort of your own sofa, bed or deckchair, is placed into a 3D printed shell - the files for the shell are available on Thingiverse - and attached to a Raspberry Pi along with a mini-keyboard that 'lives in your pocket,' according to Raspberry Pi spokesperson Liz Upton." Read more. Google undoubtedly would debate whether that captures the entire capabilities of Google Glasses.

Stunning Marketing Video for Armani Eyewear

"Picture the scene. You're sitting on a packed train, minding your own business, when you clock a hot man with his sunglasses pointing square in your direction. You realise all too quickly it's your stop and hurriedly leave the carriage - leaving your own specs on the seat." That's Elle UK's description of the new marketing campaign for Armani Eyewear, which the website writer claims is New York City. Wrong city, wrong country, wrong continent. See below.

New Eyewear from Calvin Klein

"The Calvin Klein Spring 2014 Eyewear Collection is comprised of a variety of modern silhouettes that offer a strong use of color and texture," according to Midwest Lens. "Inspirations from the Apparel and Accessories Collections are indicated through sleek lines, bold hues, and essential shapes. Several different interpretations of the ck logo are subtly displayed on the temples." Read more.

Skechers Gives Marcolin License ‘Til 2019

Marcolin Group and Skechers recently renewed their licensing agreement to design, produce, and distribute Skechers optical frames and sunglasses. The license originally was signed with Viva International four years ago. Marcolin, however, is purchasing a majority of Viva’s outstanding shares. Skechers extended the agreement five more years with an option for another five. Read more.

Maryland Makes CL Prescriptions Mandatory

It takes some people longer than others to catch on. Maryland finally did in regards to decorative contact lenses. It finally passed legislation making it illegal to sell contact lenses—even the decorative one—to an individual who does not have a CL prescription. Residents can report offenders to the Maryland Board of Examiners at 410-764-4710 or email dhmh.optometry@maryland.gov. Read more.

New Sunglasses from Carrera and Jimmy Choo

Carrera and the Jimmy Choo brand will design, produce, and distribution a men’s capsule collection of Carrera by Jimmy Choo sunglasses. The new collection is riding  on the coattails of the successful launch of the year-old Carrera by Jimmy Choo Women’s capsule collection. Carrera’s latest best-seller, the Carrera 6000, with its distinctive shaped temples will be presented in three finishes, combining high performance in a fashion forward aesthetic. Read more.

Converting Abandoned Homes into Eyewear

"For Achille Bianchi, it all started with a pair of sunglasses," according to a story on Yahoo! Finance. "He got the wood from a friend's boatyard. He'd been messing around in the woodshop of OmniCorpDetroit, a collective of entrepreneurs, artists and others that operates out of a 800,000 square-foot building in Detroit's Eastern Market. Using a laser cutter in the OmniCorp makerspace, he made his first pair out of the boat wood. He made his second with wood from charred remains of Detroit's former Imagination Station, which burned down in 2012. Bianchi then got the idea to make more sunglasses out of ruined homes in Detroit, and Homes Eyewear was born." Read more.

New Eyewear from Kaenon

Kaenon has added two spectacle frames (407 and 604). Designed in California and produced in Italy, the collection emphasizes a lifestyle of comfort with  its  design, engineering, and materials. The additions are lightweight and incorporate a no-see, dual-action, springed hinge. The women's frames have multi-color patterns and beautiful fades; the men's come with matte finishes. Read more.