New Harley-Davidson Eyewear from Viva

"Viva International Group introduces three new carbon fiber styles for men from the Harley-Davidson Eyewear Spring 2014 optical collection," according to Midwest Lens. "Inspired by the Harley-Davidson V-Rod motorcycle family, these styles combine classy design with modern technology. Models HD 480, 481 and 482 features carbon fiber temples paired with temple tips in contrasting colors. This lightweight and durable material features a reflective iridescent checkered pattern, which gives the collection an edgy, yet sporty look. The temple’s unique design is accented by a metal plaque featuring the Harley-Davidson Bar logo. The flat metal fronts of models HD 480, 481 and 482 are crafted in stainless steel and available in deep dark tones of black, gunmetal and brown in rectangle variations. Model HD 480 is a semi-rimless style which boasts a rounded square profile, while models HD 481 and 482 are offered with full-rim rectangle front shapes. Model HD 482 features a larger front size to accommodate a wider variety of faces." Read more.

AR Eyewear--Wave of the Present or of the Future?

"But even though more companies are offering wearable devices, it is far from certain that people will buy and wear the products in great numbers anytime soon. Both smartwatches and connected glasses must overcome several hurdles, analysts say, before mainstream consumers welcome them into their everyday lives."That's a portion of a New York Times post about the future of such items as augmented reality eyewear. Read more.

Zeiss Expands Intraocular Lens Manufacturing Abilities

Through its subsidiary Carl Zeiss Meditec Inc., Carl Zeiss Meditec AG has acquired, 100% of the shares in Aaren Scientific Inc., a US-based manufacturer of intraocular lenses (IOLs). Aaren Scientific, Ontario, CA, has been manufacturing IOLs for more than two decades. The majority of shares in Aaren Scientific had previously been owned by a private investment company as well as other investors, including the CEO and co-founder of Aaren Scientific, Rick Aguilera, who along with the entire management team will stay on board after the transaction. Read more.

New Material Leads to Better AR CLs

"When the researchers from ETH Zürich, a university in Switzerland, placed a newly-developed ultra-thin membrane on human hair, they found that it wrapped itself around the hair naturally," reports CNET. "Made from a type of polymer called Parylene, the membrane is 50 times thinner than a strand of human hair. With its extreme thinness and flexibility, the membrane can be used to manufacture bendable electronic components such as transistors and sensors, which are traditionally fabricated using ceramic. Münzenrieder and Salvatore, authors of the research, see one possible application in 'smart' contact lenses." Read more.

Stella McCartney Tweaks Marketing with Online Game

Elle reports that "glasses aren't usually as ornate as clutches and shoes and other accessories, so it's not always easy to lust after a new eyewear collection. But Stella McCartney seems to know exactly how to show off her chic, understated frames, and she's tethered their latest batch of eyewear to an online game where users can not only upload their photos and virtually try on the glasses, but add some art to it, too." Read more.

Another Online Retailer Opens

Iristocracy, recently opened an online store, claims that it is the first eye supplier to provide customers the ability to build a look around their eyewear. At least that's the word from its spokesperson, adding that "with an emphasis on style, technology and the promotion of eye health, Iristocracy aggregates the trendiest eyewear and accessories for stylish shoppers." The mix of eyewear and accessories include products from Linda Farrow, Cazal and Amrita Singh. Read more.

More Smart Eyeglasses

"It's hard not to gasp when laying eyes on the ridiculously enormous CNET. "Ugly as it is, this pair of cheap plastic smart frames has some pretty good chops, like a 5-megapixel autofocus camera that can also shoot video, a mic for voice activation, a headphone jack, and a dual-core TI processor. The compass, gyroscope, and accelerometer all make an appearance, and there's a 600mAh battery as well." Read more.
Ora-S AR eyewear smartglasses. But in this early stage of smart spec development, looks take a back seat to demonstrating functionality. In this case, Optinvent, the company behind the Ora-S, is focused on augmented reality." That's the start of a post on

MODO Donates $1 Million in Eyewear to SEVA

"MODO continues its dedication to social responsibility by contributing about $1 million worth of donated eyewear to the SEVA Foundation; a leading innovator in the delivery of vital eye care services to the world’s most vulnerable," notes Midwest Lens. "Through our partnership with SEVA, organizations like Nepal’s Comprehensive Eye Care Society (NNJS) will benefit from the close to $1 million donation we’ve made in the Nepal area. NNJS is credited with coordinating 90 percent of all eye care services in Nepal. Of the 2.2 million Nepali people seeking eye care consultations annually, 43 percent are potentially in need of eyeglasses, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)." Read more.

WellPoint to Drop 1-800 Contacts and to Pick Up Assets from Glasses.com

WellPoint (WLP) signed an agreement to sell its online contact lens retail subsidiary 1-800 Contacts to private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners, according to a press release on Yahoo!Finance. Additionally, the company--with Luxottica--has entered into an asset-purchase agreement for glasses.com and its virtual try-on technology. Each agreement is subject to customary closing conditions and each transaction should close by March's end. Read more.

New Skechers Eyewear from Viva

"Viva International Group presents five new releases from the Skechers Eyewear Spring 2014 collection, consisting of two men’s and three women’s ophthalmic styles," notes Midwest Lens. "The line delivers pops of color with retro-inspired styling. Innovative materials, including rubber detailing and multi-layered acetates in gradient colorations, add a playful edge to this sport-lifestyle inspired collection." Read more.

Otis Eyewear Planting Its Flag in US

The Australian Otis Eyewear will set its flag in the US next montith and will debut its sunglass line at today's and tomorrow's Agenda Show in Long Beach, CA,  and Surf Expo in Orlando, FL , Jan. 9-11th.  In 2000, Otis founder John Malloy saw a market saturated with CR39 and polycarbonate lenses, according to a company spokesperson. He immediately identified an opportunity to produce a premium 100% mineral glass lens product delivering on quality and value unmatched by the standard plastic lens. Much the same can be seen in the US industry today, and with a slowly improving US-economy and a higher demand for quality, premium goods, this is the perfect time to launch the most scratch-resistant, optically-correct, distortion-free, mineral glass lens eyewear. Read more.

Micro Eyewear Pushing Its Miscroscopically "Seeing" Eyewear

Micro Eyewear says it has procured a patent pending for eyewear that sees microscopic particles. The company believes that its first prototypes will come on line within a year. A company spokesperson says that the Micro Eyewear has contacted NASA and other governmental agencies, in an effort to launch the eyewear's development. Many jobs require the ability to see minute particles, such as individuals working in laboratories dealing with pharmacology, toxicology, fingerprinting, and DNA profiling. To see microscopically today, an individual must use the tools in a specialized setting. Read more.

New Eyewear from Viva's Magic Clip

"Viva International Group presents two new styles for women from the Magic Clip Eyewear Spring 2014 collection. The new assortment introduces multi-layered acetates and an updated color palette combined with the versatility of magnetized polarized lenses," says Midwest Lens. "Bold colorations and modern detailing deliver a sophisticated look as seen in styles M 416 and M 417. A rich blend of animal print and pearlescent hues accentuate the duo’s handmade acetate temples. Both feature rectangular metal fronts and end pieces adorned with a striking rhinestone embellishment and are offered in full rimmed and semi-rimless variations." Read more.

Innovega Closer to Offering AR CLs/Eyewear

“Google's Glass wearable has yet to exit its beta ‘Explorer Program’ -- though prescription lenses appear to be on the way -- and still tends to freak people out and keep the critics testing it in the wild apprehensive of wearing it in public settings,” according to CNET. “Innovega, which showcased its unique iOptik augmented reality (AR) device on the head of a mannequin at last year's CES, is confident that it's getting closer to [augmented reality contact lenses that]…we'll actually want to wear, but with the unconventional caveat of contact lenses, an untested stipulation at the moment. The company, headed up by CEO Stephen Willey, will be back at CES 2014 next week, but this time with a fully functioning prototype. The device, a pair of sleek eyeglasses capable of overlaying digital media and transparent AR data onto the accompanying lenses, will be worn by Innovega staff on the floors of CES. But why does one need to slip something over our eyeballs to use the iOptik system?” Read more.

The Customer Who Can’t Buy New Frames (It Ain’t Elton)

“Shopping for eyeglasses recently, I found myself wishing I could play the piano and sing like Elton John. That way I could just buy the entire store and avoid making a decision,” writes Mark Rutledge of the Daily Reflector. “When it comes to eyewear fashion, I am the antithesis of Elton John. Both of us have worn prescription glasses for decades, but I’m still on my second pair of frames. A few years ago, Elton told the BBC his collection of eyeglasses was up to about 250,000 pairs. Clearly, one of us has a problem. I think it’s me. One could easily assume that I have a problem making up my mind. I can almost see the nice lady who recently sold me a new pair of frames nodding her head. The lady helped me back in September, when I had my eyes examined and was given a new prescription…. She is the latest in a long line of eyewear technicians in my life, most of whom have seen me give up and have the lenses replaced in my old frames. With renewed determination, I finally went back to the eyewear store last month.” Read more.

One Direction and Vision Express Produce Eyewear

“One Direction sells a lot of stuff that I buy because I am a chump a loyal fan. In 2013, their cute faces were printed on perfume boxes, school supplies, and lipstick tubes (all of which I own),” goes the MTV Style post. “Now, though, things are getting a little out of hand. Vision Express, a British eyewear retailer, has teamed up with the band for a line of girls' glasses. They cost a cool $215.” Read more.

Added as UBA Strategic Partner, VSP Reach Expands

United Benefit Advisors (UBA) has added VSP Vision Care (VSP) as a Strategic Partner. Strategic Partners, the highest level of collaboration, offer what UBA calls “exceptional products and make a special commitment to the success of UBA and its partnership.” The benefits are twofold: The Strategic Partner garners exposure and an expanded book of business through UBA Partners, while the UBA Partnership and its clientele gain access to high-quality products. VSP is the largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company in the United States with 60 million members and a network of 30,000 eye doctors. Read more.

New Randy Jackson Sunglasses from Zyloware

“Zyloware Eyewear releases new Randy Jackson Sun for January 2014,” notes Midwest Lens. “Incorporating the on-trend, stylish features from Randy Jackson’s bold collections, Zyloware’s designers have created fashionable, trendy sunwear for a wide array of men.” Read more.

New Safety Eyewear from Honeywell

“Honeywell Safety Products has launched the new North brand GX-8 series ofsafety eyewear,” according to the post on Safety Online. “The semi-frameless style features sleek, nickel-free, brushed steel frames for a sophisticated look, and 8-base wraparound lenses for optimum coverage and protection. Available in five lens tints and with optional Fog-Ban coating, the GX-8 delivers superior versatility to protect workers’ eyes in nearly any application.” Read more.

New Eyewear from Modo

“MODO is making waves in the optics industry with an innovative approach to sartorial elegance. The Fall/Winter 2013 MODO collection introduces two revolutionary concepts in eyewear design that show an attention to stylistic detail and functionality. The collection consists of nine handmade Japanese acetate styles and six new titanium / acetate combination frames,” reports Midwest Lens. “The Fall/Winter 2013 MODO acetate frames have an innovative hinge that is both aesthetically refined and functional. The construction of the metal-on-metal hinge, which is a hinge where both the frame front and end piece are covered in metal, provide a completely new style detail in the eyewear industry.” Read more.