A PERFECT MATCH

Is the future of eyewear selection automated? A ground-breaking digital advertising project from Brit-based Kirk & Kirk eyewear, debuted with Clear Channel at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in June, revealed the possibilities.

The Eye Care What You Wear campaign unveiled specialist technology (designed by software innovator Quividi) that “talked” directly to passers-by, inviting them for a personalized eyewear fitting. An advertising screen collected information through a video sensor around three data points:

Gender recognition

Color recognition

Does the user wear glasses?

Tapping into 10 colors from the Kirk & Kirk Kaleidoscope collection (including one sunglass and one optical frame for both genders), the software determined the best color match from the individual’s clothes, personally styling them with the most suitable pair of frames.

kirkandkirk.com

The Kirk & Kirk Carey optical style in color Ocean is a perfect match

—Erinn Morgan

On Our Radar
THE BIGGEST TRENDS IN SIGHT…

TRENDS ON TAP

Are you registered for SILMO Paris optical fair?

Scheduled for Oct. 6-9 at Paris Nord Villepinte, SILMO celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017, announcing surprises at the “Anniversaires” booth, as well as prizes from SILMO’s 25-year partner, the Galeries Lafayette.

Get ready for what’s in store at the fair by checking out the latest TRENDS by SILMO magazine, available at issuu.com/mobysilmo/docs . You’ll catch not-to-miss information on the industry’s hottest topics, including the power of design and the retail revolution, as well as the latest eyewear fashion trends.

—Kerri Ann Raimo

A TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN

A show in the sky hits the U.S. this month, as a total solar eclipse will stretch across North America on Aug. 21, “revealing massive streamers of light streaking through the sky around the silhouette of the moon,” according to Space.com. But, viewing an eclipse with unprotected eyes can cause “eclipse blindness” or retinal burns.

Have you prepped your patients for this highly anticipated astronomical event?

Both the American Optometric Association (AOA) and Prevent Blindness (PB) are offering resources for ECPs to share with patients, including infographics, tip sheets, and simple tips on the best ways to view the eclipse without damaging the eyes. Some safe viewing methods:

Eclipse Glasses: Special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers, are the only safe way to view the eclipse, according to the AOA. Rainbow Symphony, American Paper Optics, Thousand Oaks Optical, and TSE17 offer products that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard for such products. BIG TIP: Do not use eclipse glasses or welder’s glasses if they're scratched or damaged.
Welder’s Glasses: PB says No. 14 welder’s glasses also block harmful rays while users view the eclipse.
Pinhole Projection: PB dubs homemade pinhole projection as the safest and most inexpensive way to catch the eclipse. Head to YouTube to see how to master this DIY method. BIG TIP: Never view the eclipse through a smartphone camera, other camera viewfinder, or through unsafe filters, cautions PB. —K.A.R.

RESOURCES: preventblindness.org/solar-eclipse-and-your-eyes ; aoa.org/news/inside-optometry

Vegas Game Plan

International Vision Expo & Conference West (scheduled for Sept. 13-16 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas) boasts more than 320 hours of continuing education for eyecare professionals, including 20 specialty tracks.

Ready to curate from that vast selection before this year’s voyage to Vegas?

New interactive online education brochures, available for both optometrists and eyecare staff, help attendees quickly and easily curate the classes that matter most. The brochures are even equipped with a digital education concierge, connecting attendees with a Vision Expo specialist to help them select the best education options.

Another perk to keep you on track? After registering for Vision Expo, activate your “My Show” account to discover/connect with new exhibitors, create/save your own agenda, and more.

For more information: west.visionexpo.com .

—K.A.R.

Planning Optometry’s Future

AOA sets the course for advocacy and future O.D.s at Optometry’s Meeting 2017

optometry’s Meeting 2017 may be in the books now, but the plans that were set in motion during the five-day event will resonate throughout the coming years in new legislative and advocacy goals, and new opportunities for students and new O.D.s.

Held June 21-25 in Washington, D.C., the American Optometric Association's (AOA) Optometry’s Meeting (OM) hosted more than 6,200 attendees who took advantage of more than 200 hours of CE, an exhibit hall of the latest products and services, workshops, and hours of networking.

The inaugural “AOA+” experience, which attracted more than 2,300 attendees, was designed to motivate students and new doctors to help shape the future of the profession. It included a legislative rally in front of the U.S. Capitol and featured keynote speakers and meetings with U.S. legislators. The AOA+ experience will be held every three years during OM.

More highlights:

Christopher J. Quinn, O.D., became the AOA’s 96th president.

Taylor Harris of the Illinois College of Optometry won the coveted crystal trophy in the 26th annual Essilor Optometry Student Bowl. University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Optometry won the spirit award.