TRENDSPOTTING THE BIGGEST TRENDS + NEWS YOU CAN USE
Eyecare Business October 1, 2017
A 3D View
We’ve come a long way from hockey pucks of molded monomer, baby.
By the time you read this, the first 3D-printed ophthalmic lenses will have entered the U.S. optical channel, from a Winston-Salem, NC, wholesale optical lab that is operated in part by vision-impaired employees.
The commercial 3D-printing platform, developed by Belgium tech company Luxexcel, has been installed at the nonprofit IFB Services, which employs 50 blind and visually impaired people at its IFB Optical Lab division. The lab services commercial optical accounts as well as a contract with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
The first 3D jobs? Tough specialty jobs like slab-offs, high prisms, and other challenging Rx’s that would require extra time and effort on conventional lab equipment. IFB expects to start with about 50 3D-printed lens jobs per day—and grow from there.
international Vision Expo & Conference West 2017, held Sept. 13-16 at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas, delivered glitz, style, education, and inspiration to The City in the Sun.
Preliminary post-show reports indicate strong sales across the show floor and a record amount of social media activity, including almost 12 million impressions, according to show officials. Here, check out our EB editors’ curated view of the eight key trends that emerged in frames, lenses, and much more—straight from the show floor in Las Vegas.
EYEWEAR + SUNWEAR
TREND 1:
50 Shades of Pink
Bubblegum, fuchsia, rose, and more—the pink parade stole the show, whether as the main hue or as an accent on frames. Keep playfully pigmented frames on your radar, as Pantone released its Spring 2018 fashion color report last month with a lineup of pink-infused hues in the mix.
Perfect in pink: Etnia Barcelona style Biarritz/PKCO
On point with eyewear: Ron’s Optical Giselle eyewear chain in Pink
TREND 2:
Crystal Progression
Many eyewear designers are saying sayonara to the totally clear crystal acetate looks that have been prevalent in specs style. And, they’re keeping the aesthetic on point with fresh takes on translucence, including a wealth of rich, new translucent colors plus special details like glitter-embedded crystal looks.
TREND 3:
Raising the Bar
Top bars on sunglasses, optical styles, and in a variety of incarnations (single bar, double bar, rimless with bar, etc.), materials, and colors on top of squares, rounds, or extravagant shapes were spotted all over the show floor. Throwback-inspired brow bar-boasting eyewear, which has been a focal point for a few seasons, is progressing into newer, fresher takes and innovation interpretations.
TREND 4:
Adding Warmth
In the interior design space, “The biggest trend in store decor that we have experienced is reclaimed wood,” says Helen Rogic, president of One Interior, a provider of custom displays and furniture for optical, exam room, and lab spaces. “[The wood] brings life and warmth to transitional, contemporary, and modern interiors.”
TREND 5:
On-Trend Accessories
Eyewear chains are following fashion jewelry’s lead this season. “Lighter hues and delicate beading seem to be quite popular right now,” says Melissa Scoppettone, president of Ron’s Optical.
—Erinn Morgan + Kerri Ann Raimo
LENSES + TECH
Spectacle lens technology continues to keep pace with the other advancing technologies of our lives, and the myriad effects they have on eye health.
TREND 6:
Responding to Digital Times
Our ubiquitous digital screens are beginning to take a toll on our eyes. But there’s a lens for that. Several companies launched products that address either digital eye strain or the need for accommodation at a new mid-near distance.
The Neurolens from eyeBrain Medical uses SightSync testing techniques to identify digital vision syndrome symptoms in patients. The Neurolens integrates a progressive prism design into the patient’s refractive prescription to relieve the binocular misalignment often associated with heavy digital screen use.
Also addressing the effects of patients’ screen time is HOYA Vision Care's Sync III, its next-generation solution to digital eye strain. The single-vision lenses have a “boost” with an added amount of accommodative power to help fatigued eyes during prolonged near tasks.
And Essilor officially launched its new progressive design, the Varilux X Series, that provides improved, comfortable vision at multiple distances within the near zone.
Our eyes aren’t made for screens—but, thankfully, new lenses are
Photo courtesy of HOYA’s new Sync III lenses
TREND 7:
Tech in Dispensing
Dispensing technology continues to push forward, and Shamir is leading the way with its virtual reality (VR) videos that let patients experience through VR what it’s like wearing a certain lens design. First launched to show off its WorkSpace lens, Shamir’s VR experience now includes the Shamir Attitude III—Fashion and Sport video that takes the viewer through a variety of daily outdoor activities highlighting the advantages of each lens.
TREND 8:
Combining Technology
The understanding that it can be difficult for patients to grasp the range of lens options available to them—and therefore challenging for ECPs to dispense—is motivating the industry to look for more efficient ways to provide patients a multitude of lens solutions. Launched with an in-booth party and new consumer commercial, Essilor of America’s Ultimate Lens Package (ULP) is one such innovative solution. Available in both a progressive and single-vision version, the ULP combines a premium lens design (Varilux X or Eyezen +), AR (Crizal UV 360°), and photochromic (Transitions Signature VII) in one easy-to-dispense package.
The launch of the Ultimate Lens Package is celebrated at the Essilor booth
—Susan Tarrant
Viva Las Vegas
Vision Expo West wows with a jam-packed lineup of parties + events
valuable industry education opportunities and dazzling new eyewear launches paved the way for Vision Expo West 2017, held Sept. 13-16 in Las Vegas.
Also on tap? Poolside parties, insider intel-focused expert panels, Google-guided SEO expertise, and an opportunity to take a spin at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Here, we share a snapshot of the glitz, glam, and glory at this year’s show.
The Optical Women’s Association’s (OWA's) 2017-2018 Board of Directors, from left to right: Pamela Capaldi, Jean Sabre, Laura Dorris, Lorie L. Lippiatt, O.D., Maureen Cavanagh, Tiara Claxton, Deborah Myres, Lorinda Frabroni, Janet L. Johnson, Sue Downes, Robyn Crimmins, and Debra Bulken
Dawn Alcorn of the Essilor Vision Foundation, left, and Cherie Gifford of Essilor of America at the OWA networking and raffle event
The Optical Women’s Association’s 20th year anniversary is highlighted at its popular networking and raffle event
Essilor’s Matt Tackman, Sherianne James, and Rick Gadd celebrate the launch of Essilor’s Ultimate Lens Package
Google’s Brandon Lawlor leads a VIP event at the Google Partners Lounge on digital marketing for eyecare businesses
Eyecare Business Editor-in-Chief and Editorial Director Erinn Morgan participates in the LOFT Eyewear Show’s Women in Optics panel discussion at the Keep Memory Alive Event Center. From left to right: Nada Vuksic, Erinn Morgan, Jessica Fraser, Roberta Baines, Stephanie Haenes, Siobhán Burns, Wendy Salle, Christine Yeh, and Alison Amis (not pictured: panelist Julia Gogosha)
EB’s Erinn Morgan moderated the OWA Connection Series panel on emotional intelligence. From left to right: Erinn Morgan, panel guests Deborah Shute of Essilor of America, Megan Molony of National Vision, Benjamin Young of Luxottica, Nan Meehan of ABB OPTICAL GROUP, and Johanna Loeffler of Cleinman Performance Partners, Inc.
Frames in fall hues on display at Vision Expo West
Bad Habits, “The Eye Docs of Rock,” kick off Vision Expo West at the Hard Rock Café
Marcolin hosts a packed GUESS event at TAO Beach in The Venetian
Poolside fun at Marcolin’s GUESS party at TAO Beach
HOYA Vision Care sets up shop in the Rockhouse lounge to host a customer appreciation party
VSP Global hosts a premier party at the Vortex at the LINQ Hotel. From left to right: Kate Renwick-Espinosa of VSP Vision Care, Steve Baker of Eyefinity, and Yvonne Miller of VSP Vision Care
All smiles at the Article One booth after show attendees voted it “Most Creative Booth Design”
Marchon celebrates the Nike Vision Spring 2018 sunglass collection with an event at TopGolf. From left to right: Daniel Leonardi, Nicola Zotta, Thomas Burkhardt, Andy Skitmore, and Stephen Tripi
Courtesy of Marchon Eyewear, Inc.
The inductees to The Vision Council Lab Division Hall of Fame, from left to right: James Goerges of Precision Tool Technologies, Mark Mattison-Shupnic of Jobson and MMS Consulting, John Art of Interstate Optical, William Heffner III of FEA Industries, Marty Bassett (Director’s Choice Award) of Walman Optical, Lorinda Fraboni of Walman Optical, Lawrence Lahr of Eye-Kraft Optical, Drake McLean of Dietz-McLean Optical, and Joe Vitale of Essilor of America
Lunette USA, Inc. takes home first place in the 2017 Vision Choice Awards for its Zenka modular eyewear
EB’s Erinn Morgan hosts a Pop Up Talk on fall’s most stunning eyewear + fashion trends. From left to right: EB Associate Editor Kerri Ann Raimo, Sheyla Muniz of TNG models, and Erinn Morgan
ZEISS celebrates its DriveSafe lenses with a customer appreciation driving event at the Dream Racing Experience at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
EB’s Erinn Morgan talks fall fashion in the Vision Expo Content Studio
Stunning sunglass style LO102S on display from Longchamp’s new collection by Marchon
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