Dutch Company Paruchute Launches Bamboo Sunwear Collection

"Until now, the eyewear market has hardly pursued the sustainability trend. Eyeglasses made of natural materials have generally been insufficiently 'green' and very pricey," according to Business Week. "Two Dutch designers decided to change this and to create the first sustainable, quality eyeglasses. Today their company Paruchute launches a collection of handmade, affordable bamboo (sun)glasses under the new Dutch Design brand Bambuya." Read more.

Caffeine Reduces Impact of Dry Eye

"Researchers at the University of Tokyo's School of Medicine have shown for the first time that caffeine intake can significantly increase the eye's ability to produce tears, a finding that could improve treatment of dry eye syndrome," reports Medical News Today. "This common eye condition affects about four million people age 50 and older in the United States. For many, dry eye syndrome is simply uncomfortable and annoying, but for others it escalates into a vision-threatening disease. All of the 78 participants in the new study produced significantly more tears after consuming caffeine than after taking a placebo. The study is available in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology." Read more.

What's Behind Spring '12 Sunwear Fashion

"It's time to consider this season’s most stylish eyewear offerings for sunny days and which variety will work best for your face shape and hair color," goes a post on Yahoo! News. "While classics such as black and tortoiseshell will always be in style, one of the main ways designers updated retro shapes for this season was with a surge of color." Read more to find out what your customers are reading about.

The New Blue Bay Collection

The new Blue Bay eyewear collection presents new models of sunglasses and optical frames. These feature lively graphic designs and appealing plays on lines and shapes: the new models bring to mind a world of youth and colour, inspired by holidays and free time. With the genuine enthusiasm of their forthright personality, they are the perfect glasses to complement a fresh young trendy look. Read more.

New Line from Alexnader McQueen

The new Alexander McQueen sunglasses and optical frames reflect the brand’s creative, luxurious and innovative vision. Celebrating both the brand’s familiar icons and luxurious details. The 3-dimensional metal skull, the continuation of natural wooden details, sophisticated shell-inspired textures and the brand new “crocodile” pattern show experimentation with texture. The perfect juxtaposition between both traditional and modern details, the new eyewear models stand out for their use of texture, and signature materials and exclusive colours.Read more.

New Balenciaga Collection

The new Balenciaga eyewear collection celebrates the brand’s aesthetic codes: the new sunglasses and optical frames reflect the Maison’s radical, avant-garde and intentional architectural style. The new models feature an innovative design and brand new volumes. Alternating rigorous proportions and sinuous lines creates a perfect combination of the brand’s iconic heritage and contemporary touches; such as exclusive colour shades, refined materials and unique manufacturing details.Read more.

Safilo Releases Update Boss Orange and Boss Black

The new Boss Orange Eyewear collection presents sunglasses and optical frames with a young, contemporary and dynamic feel: the brand’s “urban and modern” DNA is reflected in the new models’ non-conventional personality, with vintage inspirations and up-to-date details, always marked by unexpected, original and unique colors.That's the word from Safilo. Read more.

The new Boss Black Eyewear collection reflects the brand’s contemporary elegance, striking the perfect balance between modern design and classic style. The refined, sporty-chic character of the new men’s sunglasses and optical frames translates into models, having a forthright and understated personality while the women’s collection seduces with its glamorous and sophisticated appeal. Read more.

A Talk with Kerin Rose of A-Morir Eyewear

"If you’re getting a toothache thinking about pastels and floral prints this season, Kerin Rose, the hands behind the eyewear line A-Morir, offers a playful, noncommittal way to approach these trends." So goes a New York Times post. "Best known for using Swarovski crystals, spikes and chains that attract clients like Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Nicki Minaj, Ms. Rose takes a different turn with her spring collection by showing off her softer side." Read more.

NCNW Emphasizing Eye Health among African Americans

The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is making eye health an important component to its health programming to address the higher risk among African Americans for many eye- and overall-health issues that can impact vision. One of the goals of this focus is to drive awareness about the importance of getting a regular eye exam and protecting eyes from the sun. A recent study[i] showed that less than half of African Americans had an eye exam within the past year. The study also found that only 7 percent of African Americans know that extended exposure to the sun (a risk for cataract) can damage the eyes, and that African Americans are the most likely demographic group to say they do nothing to protect their eyes from the sun. Read more.

Chanel Says Yes to Evangelista, No to Schiffer

Fashionista notes that "the revival of ’90s supermodels continues. In her first Chanel campaign since that decade, Linda Evangelista is the newest face of Chanel Eyewear. She succeeds fellow ’90s supermodel and current (revived) Guess girl Claudia Schiffer. Should we just stop calling them ’90s supermodels and instead refer to them as forever supermodels? They can’t be stopped. Nor do they age." Read more.

Oakley to Compete with Google Glasses

"Oakley Inc. is developing technology that can project information directly onto lenses, putting the sunglass maker into potential competition with Google Inc.," reports Business Week. "The technology would let Oakley, a division of Italy’s Luxottica Group SpA (LUX), make hardware that’s comparable with Google’s Project Glass, an experimental effort to build smartphone features into eyewear, Oakley Chief Executive Officer Colin Baden said in an interview." Read more. You can find other articles about the Oakley development.

Fendi Comes Out with New Line

"This Spring/Summer 2012 season, Fendi Eyewear debuts a sun and optical collection that embodies the timeless and iconic design elements synonymous with the luxurious fashion house," according to a Midwest Lens post. "The double “F” logo is inlayed onto rich zyl in unique form, whether on end pieces or repeating, layered onto triple laminate temples. Color blocking highlights beautiful frame shapes that are skillfully crafted from both custom zyl and polished metal. Sleek and unexpected, FENDI pushes expectations and reinterprets the FENDI “F” to create innovative temples, re-emphasizing the fashion forward philosophy of the legendary brand." Read more.

Diversified Ophthalmics Installs Essilor's Digital Surfacing

Eye Surf notes that "Essilor of America has implemented its patented digital surfacing technology at Diversified Ophthalmics in Cincinnati, OH. ...Diversified can now fully manufacture the complete offering of Essilor Digitally Surfaced lenses at its Cincinnati-area laboratory including the entire portfolio of Varilux lenses – both Varilux DualOptix and Varilux DRx, Definity and Accolade Freedom lenses. Diversified Ophthalmics will also now be able to manufacture Eyecod lenses for its eyecare professional customers with the Visioffice System." Read more.

Gotti Introduces 360-Degree Hinge on Its Sunwear

Award winning eyewear brand Gotti Switzerland recently introduced its proprietary SPIN&STOW hinge, a major technological innovation in the eyewear industry.  With the 360° revolving earpieces, select sunglass styles can be folded up flat so that they fit anywhere. Additionally, certain styles are crafted with one sheet of stainless steel, providing increased durability and making them extremely lightweight. A variety unisex sunglass styles currently include the SPIN&STOW hinge, in a multitude of color variations. Prices start from $310 retail, with local retailer availability at: www.gotti.ch. Read more.

Online Retailer Searches for Model to Appear in National Ad Campaign

"Contemporary Vision Center will be hosting a casting call for amateur and professional models who will have a chance to win free eyewear and a grand prize of $1,000 as well as a chance to be used in their national marketing campaign for their newly launched online prescription eyewear site called Ochiwear," reports St. Louis Today. "An open casting call will be held at their St. Louis eyecare boutique, Contemporary Vision Center, in St. Louis, on April 21 & 22." Read more.

ClearVision Adds to Its iZod Line

ClearVision Optical has expanded its line of IZods, according to a post on Eye Surf. "Known around the world for its sporty-functional fusion, the iconic IZOD brand offers sleek, sophisticated eyewear for every aspect of life.  IZOD provides classic designs for a contemporary active lifestyle with its modern, clean styling, fashionable eye shapes, rich acetate materials and subtle accents.  Vintage-inspired designs with a modern twist are the backbone of IZOD LX, a high-fashion, trend-setting layer of IZOD eyewear that brings  vintage inspired eye shapes, contemporary design elements and distinguishing signature temple tips into a collection that extends the IZOD brand." Read more.

Firm Has Website Designs for ODs

"ProSites, the innovative medical website design firm, has released a new website solution specifically tailored to the needs of optometrists. The new development helps optometrists establish a professional online presence through high-quality website designs from the industry leader, ProSites," reports Virtual-Strategy. "ProSites optometry websites contain hundreds of pages of customizable, patient-focused content on vision care procedures and include unique page options such as the Ocular Health Analysis survey. This new lead generation tool is an engaging patient survey available for optometry websites and enables doctors to prepare tailored recommendations for a prospective patient prior to their first appointment, creating tremendous opportunities for doctors to generate new business for their practice." Read more.

Premier League Takes Eyesight Seriously

"Sir Alex Ferguson, Kenny Dalglish, Mark Hughes and Roberto Martínez may not quite believe it but England's leading referees have excellent eyesight," starts the Guardian  post. "Whether or not they require contact lenses, all Premier League officials have frequent access to ophthalmologists who, apart from offering regular check-ups, specialise in training patients to improve their field of vision." Read more.

Ophthalmologist Pleds Guilty to Stealing

"An ophthalmologist...pled guilty to stealing more than $51,000 from state and federal health care programs," according to a press release from the state of Washington's Attorney General office. "In July, state prosecutors charged Dr. Behrouz Pirouzkar with three counts of First Degree Attempted Identity Theft and two counts of Medicaid False Statement." Read more.

Midwest Lens Introduces New Progressive

"Introducing the new PERFECTA digital backside freeform progressive available exclusively from Midwest Lens," so goes the item from the company's blog. "This progressive features a back-side aspheric design with a spherical front surface to provide excellent overall optical correction. With digitally precise processing, patients will experience clear, wide vision in all visual fields with exceptionally high adaptation. By processing the add power and correction on the back side of the lens, patients will enjoy an improved design over traditional progressives. Each lens is customized to the exact specifications of the Rx, matched closely to the frame measurements. This process provides the best in vision correction." Read more.