Seraphin Releases New Glasses in Its Neoclassic Collection

"A distinct class of timeless eyewear Today’s urbane gentleman is faced with more choices than ever regarding everyday eyewear," reports Eye Surf. "To create a look that combines simplicity with a splash of intrigue, Seraphin has launched 8 new models into their Neoclassic Collection that define a distinct class of timeless eyewear." Read more.

China's Eyewear Manufacturers Now Struggling

"For those working in the sunglasses industry in Wenzhou, chances are that they do not need their company's product as they cast an eye over the latest profit forecasts," according to a report in China Daily. "For there will be no figures on its pages that leave them dazzled; instead all they will see are gray, somber statistics that point to a dark year ahead. That bleak outlook is not limited to sunglasses makers, but stretches to all eyewear makers in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province. And many people, far and wide, are feeling the effects." Read more.

Beiner Launches New Collection

"Edward Beiner, eyewear designer and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Miami launched his new Spring- Summer 2012 Eyewear Collection. The announcement was made in Miami, on February 9th, 2012." So goes a post on the Examiner. "The fabulous collection was a vintage inspired eyewear brand with a contemporary twist and handmade by artisans in the French Alps and California. Frames were intentionally manufactured in small, limited quantities and hand chosen colors, exclusively for the Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear Boutiques." Read more.

Tear Film Altered by Long-Term Use of Siicone Hydrogel CLs

"Silicone hydrogel contact lenses tend to modify the tear film and impression cytology of the ocular surface significantly after long-term use, a study found. 'Silicone hydrogel lenses, despite their high oxygen permeability and low water content, produce significant changes on tear film and impression cytology on long-term use,' the study authors said." That's the post from the OSN Super Site. Read more.

Valentino Eyewear Line Launched

"Contrast is an essence of modern life and style is its synthesis. Keeping today’s women in mind, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, the creative directors of Valentino, blend delicacy and strength, past and present," notes Midwest Lens. "The Maison’s proverbial romanticism and spirit have found a new balance: a dimension that is both ethereal and resolute. The launch of the Valentino Eyewear collection in January 2012 reflects this plan to create a system of strong elements that convey a message. As always, craftsman attention and couture savoir faire are prominent aspects. Aesthetics and technique go hand in hand, because innovation cannot exist without acknowledgement of the past." Read more.

Eastern States Launches Thierry Mugler Sunwear

EyeSurf reports that Eastern States Eyewear "has announced the launch of Thierry Mugler Sunglasses. Consisting of a half dozen styles, each caters to women seeking the eclectic, colorful, French inspired designs which the brand is world famous for. Angular, high fashion plastic shapes are complimented with a variety of metal and leather accents.  Pizzazz is created from several themes." Read  more.

Villa Eyewear Introduces New Line

"The new eyewear collection is inspired from the most hidden streets of Manhattan," according to EyeSurf about Villa Eyewear. "Every Manhattan street has profound significance and touches the heart of many humans from all over the world. The designer sits down in a corner to admire the lives of different cultures coming together; getting inspiration that translates into new hues." Read more.

Optician's Son Wins Bout in England

Matthew Lombardi landing punch

Proud father and optician Frank Lombardi writes: "Frank Lombardi and his son Matthew recently returned from Portsmouth England, where Matthew represented the USA in the first international collegiate boxing show. Matthew won his bout by unanimous decision over a boxer from the English Royal Navy. ...They hope this win will give Matthew good momentum as he continues his season and looks forward to regionals in March."

Vintage Frames and Ultra Release Goliath 2

"The first model of the Ultra Goliath frames dropped in 1977, and 35 years later, the Ultra Goliath 2 are some of the most popular frames among collectors of vintage frames," according to Baller Status. "Sunglasses provider, The Vintage Frames Company, has again collaborated Ultra Eyewear to bring a new white colorway of Ultra Goliath 2. Dubbed the 'Snow White Project,' the companies came together to release a rare white vintage acetate for the base for the vintage frames; available in both dark and clear lenses." Read more.

SIN Eyewear Looking for Distributor in US

"Following a successful launch into the Australian market this past October, new Australian brand SIN eyewear is on the lookout for a distributor to launch their product in the US market," reports Transworld Business. SIN eyewear has "PC injected grilamid TR-90 frames, polycarbonate lenses, metal hinging and German paint finishes...The range also has 95% of its line optional in polarized as well. ...SIN eyewear is run by parent company Pacific Optics who has over 17 years experience in eyewear manufacturing, and own their factories in China." Read more.

Luxottica Closing 100 Stores

Recent ad for the Luxottica brand OPSM

"The retail industry has been dealt another blow this morning after Luxottica Group announced it would shut more than 100 stores in Australia and New Zealand over the next two years as it attempts to restructure and consolidate its brands to focus on its OPSM label," according to a post on Smart Company (Australia). "The move comes not only as the overall retail market is continuing to struggle, but also as designer eyewear and optical products are coming under pressure from new discount entrants. Luxottica, the largest eyewear retailer in the world, has announced it will close 10% of its Australian and New Zealand stores in order to focus on OPSM. However, more than 50 stores will be added to that network, with an extra $40 million in capital expenditure assigned to the chain. Luxotica expects to build a footprint of about 470 stores."  Read more.

Omega-3s Work on Retinitis Pigmentosa

"A report published Online First by Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals, reveals that adults with retinitis pigmentosa who took vitamin A supplements over a period of four to six years, showed slower decline in annual rates of distance and retinal visual acuities by consuming a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids," according to a Medical News Today post. Read more.

Mariners Robinson Hopes BA to Rise after Diagnosis of Astigmatism

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times reports: "I ran across him [Trayvon Robinson] this morning when he was coming out of the indoor batting cages and noticed the new glasses he was wearing. Turns out that Robinson was having some trouble with his contact lenses last season. They kept shifting in his eyes when he was on the field and would occasionally leave him 'blinded' for 'about a half second' at a time. He went to see the team's eye specialist. 'He looked at me and said, "Oh, you have astigmatism,''' Robinson said. The condition is an optical defect in the eye that can cause blurred vision." Read more.

Koali Eyewear--50s Front and Temples of a Bird

Midwest Lens reports that "the new Koali concept has fun with different eras. While the fronts evoke the 50′s, the temples are shaped like the wings of this delicate little bird, known as “mésange” in French. The decorative effect on the temples is created by the stylized movement of feathers worked around the metal and continuing to the front. Technically the representation is perfect: the transparent material is overmoulded around the subtly graduated stainless steel decorative element, ensuring stylistic finish and depth. The color pallet for these models reflect powdered tones, worked in subtle hues of vintage rose, beige, purple mauve, coral red, maroon glacé and grey (six new colors)." Read more.

What Drives Designer Ron Arad to Create Eyewear and More

Design Week talks with one of the world's leading designers, including eyewear. This is how the publication introduced him: "Big or small; practical or impractical; art or design or architecture - there are few things multidisciplinary hat-sporting designer Ron Arad won’t turn his hand to. To slip into a (very accurate) cliché, Arad is a primary example of a designer who deftly defies categorisation." Read more.

S. Johnson Taking European Sunwear Marketing By Storm--Apparently

"Stephanie 'Ivy Shades' Johnson was recently cited as one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s 13 Young Innovators in the business of Design, Style and Fashion for 2012," notes Eur Web. "The young designer’s elaborate designs have taken the fashion industry to the next level in the blink of an eye; and this eyewear designer and recording artist is taking 2012 by storm! Johnson, a.k.a. Ivy Shades, recently released her eagerly awaited fifth and sixth accessory eyewear collections: the Mad Max inspired Rock Star for men; and ultra-chic B.B.O. for women.  In addition, she is unleashing two hot new singles, 'BBO' and 'Super Bitch' on her own Houston independent-based label." Read more.

New Surgery Fixes Strabismus

"People with strabismus (misalignment and limited movement of one or more eyes) are often teased about their crossed-eye appearance; those with more complex, disfiguring strabismus can become socially isolated and develop neck and back problems from having to turn their head to see properly," Medical News Today reminds readers. "While surgery can correct eye position, it may require operation on several muscles, causing lengthy recovery, and sometimes overcompensates for the problem, requiring repeat operations. A single, simplified procedure adopted at Children's Hospital Boston has good results, researchers report, and allows for eye position to be fine-tuned in the recovery room or up to a week later, often avoiding re-operation." Read more. President Lincoln had strabismus.

Kaya, Vera Bradley's Latest Collection

"Kaya is a full rim double laminate acetate frame with a modified rectangular eyeshape and laminate endpiece to highlight the contrasting crystal coloring. Vera Bradley colors are prominently displayed on the interior temples, and these beloved colors inspired the enamel filled flowers on the exterior temples. Available in two eyesizes, Kaya provides a pop of color to any teen’s wardrobe," according to Eye Surf. "Kaya  includes matching Vera Bradley cases. Purchase both colors and receive a Vera Bradley Zip ID case and Girlfriends counter card." Read more.

Lunettes L'Amy Getting Makeover

L'Amy America recently changed the name of its Lunettes L'Amy collection to L'Amy Paris, according to Eye Surf. With the brand makeover, 200-year-old L'Amy says the collection will "more closely reflect the growth of the brand and represent our renewed focus," meaning that the collection will remain faithful to its European craftsmanship and styling. "In conjunction with the launch of the new logo, we will also be introducing new POP. These visuals will not only reinforce the L’Amy Paris brand and the values which it is formed around, but help to build both a distinctive presence and environment in retail spaces." Read more.

Marius Morel's First Designs Get a Comeback

"The 1880 collection reintroduces the elegance of Marius Morel’s very first designs: authentic products subtly updated in terms of volumes and details; reinterpreted using today’s technology," writes Midwest Lens. "Felix, the newly released metal concept in the 1880 series recalls the principals of the past using a laser-engraved pattern as its signature design feature. The antique style decorative motif is visible on the frames groove and also discreetly visible on the top and bottom of the brushed-finished contemporary temple." Read more.