Register Today for OpticalCEUs Continuing Education Program for Opticians

Need to renew your state license and ABO/NCLE certification? Want the best value in continuing education? Need a full-day, 7-credit program? F.E. Enterprises’ OpticalCEUs has what you want and need!
Pick up the latest ideas in the field - from lens technology to reduce blue light exposure to contact lens fitting for irregular corneas. Earn your ABO/NCLE credits with 7 courses at the GRAND PEQUOT BALLROOM, Foxwoods Resort and Casino on Sunday, October 23rd.
They’ll help you: Advise your patients about the effects of blue light exposure Provide top-notch patient care with new technology for managing ocular allergies Expand your knowledge of contact lens materials, treatments and their applications As always, conference attendees can enjoy a delicious hot buffet lunch compliments of OpticalCEUs. Online registration or registration by phone or mail opens Monday, Aug. 29th. Register now! Earn accreditation! Have some Foxwoods fun!

Morning Sessions

Afternoon Sessions


___ Just the Blue Light Facts, Ma’am! Speaker: Deborah Kotob (1 ABO) 9am-10am – NEW!




___ Become a Contact Lens Fitter Speaker: Joe Forte (1 NCLE) 1pm-2pm – NEW!


___ Lensology – Lens Basics Review Speaker: Deborah Kotob (2 ABO) 10am-Noon – NEW!




___ A New Approach to Fitting Irregular Corneas Speaker: Joe Forte (1 NCLE) 2pm-3pm – NEW!





___ Contact Lenses – How We Got Here From There Speaker: Linda Conlin (1 NCLE) 3pm-4pm – NEW!








___ Managing Ocular Allergies Speaker: Joe Forte (1 NCLE) 4pm-5pm





Our Lecturers
Accredited lecturers Linda Conlin, Deborah Kotob of Vision-Ease and Joe Forte will present seven courses enabling you to earn ABO/NCLE credits.

For over 15 years Linda, an Adjunct Instructor with the Goodwin College Ophthalmic Sciences program, has provided continuing education and training for opticians at the state and national levels. She is ABO and NCLE certified, licensed in CT, MA and RI, and has written for 20/20 and EyeWitness magazines. She founded OpticalCEUs and launched OpticalCEU.com and Optical News from OpticalCEUs news blog for opticians.

Deborah, the ECP Education Facilitator for Vision-Ease, creates and presents ABO, NCLE and JCAHPO seminars related to optics and best practices. A Massachusetts-licensed optician, she has owned two optical businesses and was a sales representative for MODO and Luxottica. Deborah has achieved ABOM and NCLE certifications.

Joe, the director of contact lens services for Greenwich Ophthalmology Associates, lectured at CUNY Tech, Vision Expo and Optifair. He recently received his NCLE Masters Certificate. He is certified as an Advanced Level speaker, and was program director of the Interboro Institute College of Opticianry where he taught courses in various areas of contact lenses and optics. Joe has been a Fellow of the CLSA since 1992.

Possibilities for Flexible Artificial Eye Lenses Improving

"A University of Leeds researcher is developing a new eye lens, made from the same material found in smartphone and TV screens, which could restore long-sightedness in older people," reports Science Daily. "As people age, their lenses lose flexibility and elasticity. This leads to a condition known as presbyopia, common in people over 45 years old, and can require optical aids, such as reading glasses. Devesh Mistry, a postgraduate research student in the School of Physics and Astronomy, is now working with liquid crystal to create a truly adjustable artificial lens." Read more.

Hoya's Gizmo Simulates Sight with New Lenses--Before Purchase

Hoya has introduced its Vision Simulator, which enables wearers to experience their new lenses before they buy them, right in the store. Using wearers' actual prescription, the device provides an accurate, 3D vision experience, visualising the optical effects of the various lens designs and treatments. It is controlled by an application downloaded onto a smartphone that is placed into the headset. Wearers look through the headset and see a virtual environment. Opticians apply the wearing parameters and exact prescription (every prescription type and cylinder is accommodated) and adjust for accurate pupil distance. A tablet serves as a remote control. Opticians decide what wearers see and experience, and can demonstrate and explain the different options available. Read more.

Transitions' Marketing Aimed at Younger Consumers

"Transitions Optical wants consumers to view it more youthfully," reports AdAge. "The manufacturer of the eyeglass lens that darkens when exposed to light is trying to update its image by reaching out to younger, more style- and tech-conscious consumers via music and events like SXSW (South by Southwest). Themed "See Life Through a New Lens," the push is aimed at broadening the company's primary market of people over 45, in order to change the perception of Transitions' adaptive lenses....The Pinellas Park, Fla.-based company hopes to update its image by bringing its message to unexpected places for eyewear campaigns, such as Rolling Stone and National Geographic." Read more.

Transitional Lenses Change Shades "On Command"

"The idea of transitional lenses - that can be clear or shaded depending on the intensity of surrounding light - is a useful one, but many users find they do not suit their needs," according to Medical News Today. "Now, scientists are working on a lens material that can change from clear to shaded and back again in seconds - when the user commands it. The new eyeglass material is being developed by a team led by John Reynolds, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, materials science and engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. The team is working on the new material in collaboration with the German technology company BASF." Read more.

New MX Transitions VII Lens from Seiko Optical

Seiko Optical Products of America has introduced a 1.74 finished single-vision MX Transitions VII with Surpass Easy Clean Plus AR coating, according to a Midwest Lens. Its blog post reads: "Seiko 1.74 Finished Single-Vision Aspheric Transitions VII features Surpass ECP AR with outstanding super hydrophobic and anti-static protection....Surpass ECP AR [reportedly] performs as well or superior to broadly promoted brands. It is engineered to counteract deterioration due to UV, humidity and normal temperature fluctuations." The lenses come in gray." Read more.

Vision-Ease Expands Line of Photochromics

Vision-Ease Lens has added D28 bifocals, general purpose Novel, and short-corridor Novella progressives to its line of ChangeRx plastic photochromic lenses, reports Midwest Lens. "ChangeRx D28s are the first plastic photochromic bifocals from Vision-Ease Lens. The style offers a wide range of view for superior sight lines and vision. Novel and Novella ChangeRx combine the visual flexibility of progressives with added comfort by adjusting to various UV levels. ChangeRx lenses block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and are offered in gray and brown. ChangeRx D28s are available in 75mm diameter for -10.00 to +6.50 spheres, up to -4.00 cylinder. ChangeRx Novel and Novella progressives are available in 80mm and 75 mm diameters respectively, for -10.00 to +6.50 spheres." Read more.

Essilor's Profits Up an Adjust 3.5%

According to a MarketWatch report, "French lens maker Essilor International said on Thursday net profit more than doubled in the first half, boosted by the company's recent acquisitions. Net profit for the first six months rose to EUR699 million euros ($923.6 million) from EUR310 million as revenue rose 7.9% to EUR2.78 billion from EUR2.58 billion. Profit adjusted for acquisitions and other 'nonrecurring' items rose 3.5% to EUR325 million, Essilor said. The CAC 40-listed company--whose main brands include Varilux, Crizal, and Foster Grant--has made several acquisitions over the past year, including U.S. sunglass maker Costa Inc. for $270 million." 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.

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.

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.

New Progressive Solves the Swimming Issue

"For eyeglass wearers who want to avoid the telltale bifocal line, progressive lenses have become an attractive option—but they present some practical problems," reports the Wall Street Journal. The reporter came away impressed with Essilor's new Varilux S. "Many people who wear the graduated prescription lenses with their three viewing zones—close-up, midrange and distance—say they can sometimes make objects looks like they're moving. Playing sports in them is tricky as they can create blurry peripheral vision and make depth perception more difficult. Engineers in recent years have tried to fix these problems by designing different variations, such as glasses just for golf, and multifocal contact lenses. For Ines Bunza, 54 years old, of Ridgewood, N.J., the problem of 'swim,' or objects appearing to move caused her to give up on progressives." Read more.

Essilor Goes to Extremes to Test Xperio

Essilor is running what it’s calling the Extreme Testing project in the Canadian Arctic with scientist and polar traveller Eric Brossier. Brossier, who crosses the Canadian Arctic on the scientific observation vessel the Vagabond, lives under extreme light and weather conditions with his family, often facing freezing temperatures (-40°c), harsh winds, and periods of midnight sun and polar night. For four months, Brossier and his family will carry out a number of tests using 12 high-performance indoor and outdoor Essilor lenses, including the Xperio. Eric and his family have to undergo long hours of vision with only artificial and dim light during the 24-hour nigh period. Essilor believes that his findings will allow it to improves its high-performance lenses. Read more.

Zeiss and Rodenstock Hook Up

Carl Zeiss Vision and Rodenstock have entered into a cross-license agreement for patents covering certain ophthalmic lens technologies, including Carl Zeiss Vision’s back-surface freeform progressive lens technology. The agreement reportedly will allow Carl Zeiss Vision and Rodenstock to accelerate the delivery of advanced ophthalmic lens products and related technology to markets throughout the world.

New Lens from Essilor Controls Emission of Blue Light

Essilor has launched what it calls the first  lenses offering selective protection against harmful blue light -one of the risk factors in retinal cell degeneration- and against UV rays.This major innovation was made possible thanks to an ambitious four-year research program conducted in partnership with Paris Vision Institute, according to Essilor. After two years, the joint venture team identified, with a high level of accuracy, that portion of the visible light spectrum that is noxious to retinal cells. Emitted by the sun and also by artificial light sources such as LEDs and computers or smartphones, blue light (between 380-500 nm) plays a beneficial role on health, such as regulating biological clocks. However, a specific band of this light might have a harmful effect on the eyes. In order to identify the part of the spectrum that damages the retina, the researchers developed an in vitro test on retinal cells with narrow screening light exposure to determine the harmfulness of rays depending on their wavelength. This test--a first in ophthalmic optics--allowed for the discovery that wavelengths between 415 and 455 nm (spectral band centered at 435 nm +/- 20nm) are the most harmful for the target retinal cells.After two years of research, the company has developed the Crizal Prevencia lens, which is able to protect the eye from wavelengths that contributes to the degeneration of retinal cells while allowing beneficial blue light to pass through. This is a new category of preventive lenses developed using Light Scan, an exclusive technology which filters light selectively- by letting beneficial blue light pass through. Read more.

Essilor Launches Ad Campaign in Two Months

Essilor of America, Inc., will launch a national consumer advertising campaign for its Crizal No-Glare lenses, starting in March and running through the year. Essilor expects the campaign to reach at least 250 million consumers. It will run on cable tv stations; websites like Yahoo, MSN, Weather.com, and iVillage; on radio stations using talk, oldies, and adult contemporary formats; and in major consumer publications. (To view and listen to the television and radio commercials, visit www.crizalusa.com.)

The television commercial will demonstrate the lenses' benefits and how they reportedly provide the clearest vision possible in any condition. Essilor also has created a “tool kit” for independent ECPs. The kit includes a training presentation and such in-office merchandising materials as tent cards, frame-board displays, posters, cubes, and more. Read more.

Transitions Implements a More Intense Marketing Campaign

Transitions Optical is expanding its Official Sponsor of Sightseeing program in 2013.For this program, the company is turning to Neolane and The Marketing Store Worldwide to support its CRM efforts, expand its social integration, and grow its cross-channel communications efforts. Transitions wants access to its database and test marketing campaigns regularly. Working with The Marketing Store Worldwide, Transitions is implementing Neolane’s conversational marketing platform. Therefore, Transitions will create an integrated, cross-channel approach including the integration of social media marketing (i.e. Facebook, Twitter). Additionally, the lens company will have access to advanced reporting and analytics capabilities to obtain deeper customer insight. As such, the company will be able to gather, track, and analyze data to better understand where its marketing efforts are working and where they can most benefit from changes or improvements. Read more.  What could that mean for you? A marketing program that better informs the best potential customers for Transitions lenses, which should make an ECPs job easier.

New Multifocal Lens for Post-LASIK Patients

"Art Optical is pleased to introduce CLASIKcn, a new custom GP multifocal lens designed for the growing number of post-LASIK patients struggling with near-vision demands," reports Eye Surf. "The lens features front surface, center-near technology specifically designed to provide a full range of simultaneous vision for post-LASIK corneas. CLASIKcn is a great option for those finding their surgically induced modified mono effect becoming inefficient as they advance in presbyopia, or for any post-refractive surgery patient encountering presbyopic progression." Read more.

Zeiss and Hoya Ink Free-Form Technology Deal

Vision Monday reports that " Carl Zeiss Vision announced that it has entered into a license agreement with Hoya Vision Care Corporation that covers the same technology. The agreement with Hoya covers Carl Zeiss Vision International’s U.S. Patent No. 6,089,713 and Australian Patent No. 739,849. The patents cover certain types of back-surface free-form progressive lenses and processes by which they are made." Read more.

Zeiss Wins Lawsuit against Signet

"In a battle that spanned five years and resulted in three separate jury verdicts, Carl Zeiss Vision International has finally received a verdict which included triple damages against its rival Signet Armorlite," reports Intellectual Property News. "The lawsuit was initiated in 2007 when Zeiss discovered that Signet was copying the technology covered by its patent for 'spectacle lens with spherical front side and multifocal back side and process for production.'  The Judge recently determined that Signet was guilty of infringing on Zeiss’ patent and handed down an award of $2.05 million in damages, plus an injunction and attorneys fees.  To continue reading, click: Carl Zeiss Vision International wins triple damages against Signet Armorlite." Read more.