EDITOR’S LETTER

A Passion for Excellence

I never imagined that coming home to this industry would be so incredibly inspiring—and rewarding.

The five jam-packed days I just spent at Vision Expo West were more than exciting. Old friends, new friends, and co-workers: thank you for welcoming me with open arms into my new role.

I promise you this: I will do my very best—and work my hardest—to maintain the highly respected editorial quality and integrity for which EB has become known, all while infusing some new directions.

What I brought home from Vision Expo—a driving passion for excellence—was a direct result of what I evidenced there. Bold new technologies, entrepreneurial spirit coupled with fresh ideas, a strong desire for education, pure style, and a cohesive sense of community were all a part of the fast-moving mix.

This “By the Numbers” issue of Eyecare Business aims to represent that inspiring mix, with features on frame style for every age, best practices for armoring your business against theft, and tips, strategies, stats, and ideas on everything from social media and consumer shopping trends to the absolute best ways to bundle lenses.

At Vision Expo, there was a panel discussion with optical groundbreakers including the online eye exam app Eyezam, 3D printing experts, and eyewear rental trailblazer Ditto.com. One of the most unique ideas unearthed from the show was the concept of 3D-printed lenses.

Is 3D printing of Rx lenses really in the future? What may seem like a far-off concept is potentially knocking at our door. Currently, the Dutch company LUXeXceL Group is the only company in the world that is 3D printing smooth, non-prescription lenses for applications from lighting and photonics to military use. According to LUXeXcel president and founder Richard van de Vrie, the R&D timetable to produce 3D-printed prescription eyeglass lenses is between one-and-a-half and three years. He told me in an interview, “This depends on the funds and time we can spend. In case a potential partner puts sufficient funding on the table, we can set up a dedicated R&D/tech team on ophthalmic lenses and dedicated printers/desktop versions that could be placed at opticians, doctors, and labs.” He also explained that LUXeXceL hopes to be close to a cooperation deal within the coming three months, “with a leading company that will be able to help us to disrupt the market.”

The one thing we can always count on in this industry and the world around us is change. Does your business embrace change?

Kindest Regards,

Erinn Morgan
Editor-in-Chief + Editorial Director,
Eyecare Business