The Next Move

Warby Parker is shaking things up—again.

The online Rx eyewear sales giant (now with more than 50 physical stores) has partnered with UnitedHealthcare to offer vision health insurance benefits to its customers for the first time.

“We continue to hear from customers that one of their biggest frustrations is not being able to use their health insurance to purchase glasses,” Dave Gilboa, co-founder and co-CEO of Warby Parker, recently told EB, “[and] we constantly look for ways to provide solutions to customer pain points.”

Starting Jan. 1, 2018, UnitedHealthcare Vision members will be able to use their benefits at Warby Parker’s stores and online at WarbyParker.com .

Nationally, UnitedHealthcare has about 20 million enrollees in vision plans, so the reach of this move is notable. “Their eyewear is available at lower prices, which allows our members to get eyewear for very little or even just a copay,” says Lori Archer, senior vice president at UnitedHealthcare Vision. “And, the [optometrists working at] about 25% of brick-and-mortar Warby Parker locations will be credentialed to our network, as well.”

Got thoughts on WP’s move to managed care? Join the conversation at: facebook.com/eyecarebusiness/posts/10155671610623180 .

—Erinn Morgan

En Vogue

SILMO 2017 serves up style + technology…with a side of champagne

celebrating its 50^th anniversary in grand style, the SILMO Paris optical fair—held Oct. 6 to 9 at the Paris Nord Villepinte center—boasted a plethora of special celebrations to honor the milestone. Notables included on-floor birthday celebrations and a champagne bar, plus frame design workshops and a pop-up gallery that showcased the newest eyewear designs.

The fair welcomed 37,337 visitors (a 10.5% increase over the 2016 attendance)—with more than 57% from 148 countries around the globe—plus a full house of products from 957 exhibitors.

The 24th SILMO d’Or award winners were announced on Oct. 7 during a night of festivities at Paris’ Grand Palais. Winners included Marchon with Chloe Palma CE 2134 for the Optic Frame Trend Category, Grosfilley with Aari Bostroem, Metropolitan, for the Sunglasses Trend Category, and Blackfin with Arc for a Jury Special Prize.

Save the date for next year’s SILMO, scheduled Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, 2018.

en.silmoparis.com