Vision Now April 2022 by Vision Now

April 2022

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Vision Now magazine is published by Peekay Publishing Ltd for The PK National Eyecare Group Ltd, the UK’s largest purchasing group for independent opticians. Edito r: Nicky Collinson BA (Hons) nicola.collinson@nationaleyecare.co.uk Fashion Editor: Joan Grady jgparischats@wanadoo.fr

Business Editor: Philip Mullins FBDO p.mullins@nationaleyecare.co.uk Art Editor: Stacey Potter BA (Hons) spottcreative@gmail.com

Publisher: Michael C Wheeler FCOptom DipCLP FSMC FAA0

NEWS 4 7 9 11 13 15

MiSight six-year study results Passport for myopia lens New workforce survey Partnership on myopia products Sustainability collaboration 100% Optical latest

Editor’s comment The pages of Vision Now are increasingly overflowing with news of industry sustainability initiatives and the latest product launches in the field of myopia management.

hese two incredibly pertinent topics will be included in the programme for NEG’s long-awaited Building for Success Conference, finally able to take place from 19-20 June at the Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club near Daventry – and open to non-members for the first time.

FEATURES 17 NEG Conference Getting with the programme 23 Product Profile Eyewear Direct: Clarity of vision 26 Product Profile Menicon Bloom: Setting children’s imaginations free

REGULARS 15 An independent view 28 Style spotlight 30 Suppliers’ directory

Other topics on the business and clinical agenda will be presbyopia and multifocal contact lenses, AI and eye health care, practice profitability, nutrition and the eye, and the impact of the pandemic on our working lives. With an exhibition of NEG preferred suppliers, and the opportunity to network with friends and colleagues, the aptly titled ‘Tools for success’ conference is shaping up to be an unmissable event. Turn to page 17 for an in-depth look at the programme and speakers. We have two product spotlights this month; Eyewear Direct’s Brett Waugh outlines how the company’s business and product lines have grown over the past two years; while Menicon offers insights into how its Bloom myopia control management system can provide an effective treatment option for young patients. In Style Spotlight, Joan Grady presents an array of inspiring eyewear options for those with both larger and smaller face sizes. As always, Vision Now is packed with news from NEG’s preferred suppliers; and if you want to touch base with the teams in person, be sure to book your place at the NEG conference today – at negconference.co.uk

Nicky Collinson Editor

www.nationaleyecare.co.uk VISION NOW is published by Peekay Publishing Ltd for The PK National Eyecare Group Limited, Clermont House, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3DN VISION NOW is printed by CFH Docmail Ltd. St Peter’s Park, Wells Road, Radstock BA3 3UP

The Editor welcomes letters, articles and other contributions for publication in the magazine and reserves the right to amend them. Any such contribution, whether it bears the author’s name, initials or pseudonym, is accepted on the understanding that its author is responsible for the opinions expressed in it and that its publication does not imply that such opinions are those of The PK National Eyecare Group Ltd. Articles submitted for publication should be original, unpublished work and are accepted on the basis that they will not be published in any other journal. Acceptance of material for publication is not a guarantee that it will be included in any particular issue. Copyright © 2021 for Peekay Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, without the written permission of the publishers. Such written permission should also be obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system of any nature.

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News

Want to feature in VN?

Email the editor at: nicola.collinson@nationaleyecare.co.uk

@PK_NEG @national-eyecare-group www.nationaleyecare.co.uk

Stepper The multi-dimensional new Stepper SI-30174 features a TX5 front moulded to replicate the polished faces of a gemstone – creating a light-catching effect. Combined with simple bevelled titanium temples and presented in a monocolour with a mixture of gloss and matte across the materials, the new style comes in three colour variations. “A frame has to be multifunctional,” said Peter Reeve, Stepper UK managing director. “The extrinsic needs of eyewear, that makes you look and feel good, as well as the intrinsic ability to hold a lens correctly in front of the eye whilst benefitting from daylong comfort, isn’t an easy art.” The frame weighs just 14.1g and is further enhanced with Stepper’s renowned bridge design and hypoallergenic materials. Head-turning SI-30174

CooperVision New six-year study results have shown that CooperVision MiSight 1 day contact lenses provide myopia control for nearly all children. In the longest-running soft contact lens study among children, 90 per cent of myopic eyes responded to MiSight 1 day wear with a proportional treatment effect, meaning that younger and faster-progressing children receive the maximum benefit. Evidence also indicated a sustained slowing of eye growth with no loss of effectiveness over time.

Latest results from longest-running study

lens has also been shown to halve myopia progression in older children as well.

The peer-reviewed six-year paper, in press from Optometry and Vision Science, is titled ‘Long-term effect of dual-focus contact lenses on myopia progression in children: A 6-year multicenter clinical trial’

(Chamberlain P, et al) is now available via Open Access. It complements additional CooperVision research demonstrating that the lens slows the rate of myopia progression by half at all observed ages. The

“Myopia is a disease that progresses over many years, so demonstrating sustained efficacy is critical,” said Paul Chamberlain, the study’s principal investigator and CooperVision director of research programmes. Eyecare professionals can prescribe MiSight 1 day with confidence knowing that the majority of children respond to treatment which lasts.”

Norville

axial length by 31 per cent, in a group of 94 children aged seven to 14 years.

sales team is happy to support practitioners interested in learning more,” Paul added.

The new My-Nor lens from Norville is a perifocal myopia control lens with three unique characteristics: horizontal defocus, asymmetry and positive spherical blur. The lens consist of a central vision area, which provides stable refraction at the geometric centre, surrounded by a progressive peripheral vision with asymmetrical positive/myopic defocus in the horizontal meridian. A five-year (2012-2018) clinical study, conducted by the Helmholtz Moscow Research Institute of Eye Diseases, found that perifocal lenses reduced myopia progression on average by 40 per cent, and

4 Vision Now April 2022

Paul Jones, Norville head of sales and marketing, said: “We believe the Norville My-Nor myopia control lens, backed by fiveyear study results, offers our customers more choice. Cosmetically, the lens looks like a standard lens. It is offered in multiple indices and a range of coating options and treatments – as well as with photochromic technology. Competitively priced, My-Nor is easy to dispense and available to anyone with a Norville account. Our great hope is that My-Nor becomes the spectacle lens for the many and not the few – and our

Three unique characteristics

We’ve made our one-day contact lenses plastic neutral through our ® partnership with Plastic Bank. Get involved. 1,2

We’ve partnered with Plastic Bank® to help stop ocean-bound plastic by offsetting our plastic consumption through their Certified Plastic Neutral programme. Here in the UK and Ireland, we purchase credits equal to the weight of plastic used in our one-day contact lenses, the blister and carton2 – and an equal amount of plastic is collected by Plastic Bank.®

Getting involved is easy. As all CooperVision one-day contact lenses sold in the UK and Ireland are plastic neutral, you will automatically be prescribing plastic neutral too.

Scan the QR code and get involved. 1. One-day contact lenses are defined as orders placed by customers for those products and includes product sold and distributed by CooperVision in UK & Ireland. 2. Plastic neutrality is established by purchasing credits from Plastic Bank. A credit represents the collection and conversion of one kilogram of plastic that may reach or be destined for waterways. CooperVision purchases credits equal to the weight of plastic in our one-day contact lens orders in a specified time period. One-day contact lens plastic is determined by the weight of plastic in the blister, the lens and the secondary package (outer carton), including laminates, adhesives, and auxiliary inputs (e.g. ink).

Vision Now April 2022 5

Arrange your collection viewing: 01923 249491 info.uk@derigo.com 6 Vision Now April 2022

News OFNC

Essilor

GOS sight test fees in England will rise by two per cent from April 2022 – following a 1.9 per cent increase in April 2021. The GOS CET allowances and pre-registration supervision grants will also rise by two per cent. The Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) had proposed that the sight test fee should be increased by seven per cent, and called the rise “a real terms cut to funding” and that it was “acutely disappointed with this response”.

Essilor is supporting the launch of its Stellest myopia control lenses with a new myopia management passport to aid patient engagement. The tool is designed to support communications between the practitioner, the patient and their parents by measuring what has been happening to the child’s myopia between their six-monthly visits to the practice.

The OFNC stated: “We have left the DHSC in no doubt that the proposed two per cent increase will be a blow to primary eyecare providers who have shown an active commitment to delivering health care throughout the pandemic to meet public needs and reduce pressures on secondary care.” NHS optical voucher values will rise by two per cent from April 2022.

Tim Precious, managing director at Essilor, said: “We’ll provide a passport with Essilor Stellest lenses for the eyecare practitioner to share with their patients during an appointment – to help parents realise the importance of return visits to that practitioner. The eyecare practitioner will fill in the passport during each visit and log any changes to the child’s vision. We believe this will act as a gentle reminder for parents to keep coming back,” Tim added.

General Optical Council The General Optical Council (GOC) has approved updated education and training requirements for GOC-approved qualifications for contact lens opticians (CLOs). One of the key changes is that candidates will acquire a single qualification approved by the GOC leading to specialist entry to the GOC register as a CLO. The approved qualification will be either an academic award or a regulated qualification at a minimum of Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) (or equivalent) Level 6. Marcus Dye, GOC acting director of regulatory strategy, said: “The requirements will ensure that the qualifications we approve going forward are responsive to the changing needs of patients and service-users, changes in higher education, and the increased expectations of trainees, commissioners and employers.”

Eyespace

Capsule Jensen release

Eyespace has introduced a TR90 comfort bridge concept in its flagship men’s collection, Jensen. Model JN8870 features a stainless steel eye front with a deeper, square eye shape in a masculine two-tone palette. C1 is a matt gun with semi-transparent green tips featuring the understated Jensen branding, and C2 is presented in tones of brown with sleek, clear crystal tips. Model JN8871 is ultra-lightweight rectangular eye shape, which comes in C1 matt black tones enhanced by deep red crystal tips, and C2 matt navy with crystal grey tips. Both models feature slimline stainless steel temples, enhanced by silver pin detailing and Jensen branded ‘sim card’ plates, which are inlaid into the tips for an added designer touch.

Positive Impact Positive Impact (PI) has announced a new agreement with Visioneering Technologies (VTI), making it the exclusive UK distributor for NaturalVue 1 Day Multifocal. The UK will be the first market outside of the US to offer the new NaturalVue Enhanced 1 Day Multifocal lens. Utilising the same fundamental lens design with patented Neurofocus Optics, NaturalVue Enhanced 1 Day Multifocal has two new innovations: a TripleTear lubrication system, offering three comfort agents including hyaluronic acid, and an ultratapered edge profile designed for optimal fit and comfort. Positive Impact is now fulfilling all orders for trial lenses, 30-packs and 90-packs with NaturalVue Enhanced 1 Day Multifocal and is no longer supplying the original

New deal, new lens

lens. PI professional services director, Phil Thompson, said: “NaturalVue Enhanced 1 Day Multifocal uses exactly the same patented optics generating an extended depth of focus and displays exactly the same fitting characteristics. It fits, and is fitted, exactly the same as the current lens and so there is no refit required for existing patients.” Vision Now April 2022 7

WAT E R G R A D I E N T C O N TACT L E N S E S

FEELS LIKE NOTHING, EVEN AT DAY 30 TOTAL30® monthly contact lenses

SEE HOW TOTAL30 ® CAN TRANSFORM YOUR PRACTICE. SCAN THE QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE. Reference: 1. Based on >80% agreeing or strongly agreeing with the statement ‘The lenses were so comfortable I didn’t feel anything’, in a clinical study wherein patients (n=66) used AOSEPT® solution for nightly cleaning, disinfecting, and storing; Alcon data on file, 2021. See instructions for use for wear, care, precautions, warnings, contraindications and adverse effects. Find at ifu.alcon.com

News Charmant

EssilorLuxottica/CooperVision EssilorLuxottica and the CooperCompanies have finalised their joint venture agreement for SightGlass Vision. The collaboration accelerates the commercialisation of novel spectacle lens technologies to expand the myopia management category. SightGlass Vision’s Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) incorporates thousands of microdots into the lens that softly scatter light to reduce contrast on the retina, which is intended to reduce myopia progression in children. “As a global leader with a 30-year track record in myopia research, we have been developing the myopia management category for more than a decade,” said Norbert Gorny, co-chief operating officer at EssilorLuxottica. “As such, we are thrilled to see our joint venture with CooperCompanies come to life as SightGlass Vision begins to operate and the

Expanding the myopia management category

first products start to reach the market.” Dan McBride, chief operating officer and general counsel at the CooperCompanies, commented: “We are excited to begin this joint venture with EssilorLuxottica to grow the overall myopia management category. Adding spectacle lenses with SightGlass Vision technology to our portfolio of myopia management products translates into better eyesight and brighter lives for countless children. SightGlass Vision’s commitment to clinically based performance fits well with CooperVision, which has conducted the world’s longest-running myopia management clinical study and is committed to establishing myopia management as a standard of care for affected children.” The product is due to launch in the UK this summer.

General Optical Council Registrants have until 19 April to respond to the General Optical Council’s (GOC) Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey via its website. The survey is open to optometrists, dispensing opticians and students and this year, the GOC plans to collect more workforce data on the challenges and opportunities faced in daily clinical roles, including job satisfaction levels, potential pressures at work, and career development plans. There will also be an opportunity to give feedback on how well the GOC is performing as a regulator and its new CPD scheme. Marcus Dye, GOC acting director of regulatory strategy, said: “Last year’s

French elegance with Elle

Several inspirations drive the look of the latest Elle sunglasses from Charmant. Firstly, the elegance of braids: romantic twists and turns are reflected in temples and fronts. Secondly, gracefully repeating folds of parallel French plissé or pleats are reproduced in metal details on frame fronts. The new Elle styles are infused with modern tones, from flavoursome hazelnut, raspberry and blackberry blue to icy pastels. Our photograph shows model EL14927 –light and feminine butterfly-shaped sunglasses. The simple metallic profile is available in rose gold with strong red, as well as contemporary colour combinations: gold with dark brown or rose gold with grey. Elegant simplicity is offset by hand painted touches of colour and an eyecatching twisted metal detail on the frame front and temples. and a larger proportion of optometrists [45 per cent] said that they planned to gain additional qualifications compared to dispensing opticians [33 per cent].

Closing date is 19 April

survey findings were useful in helping us to better understand how registrants feel about their job and career. We found that dispensing opticians [60 per cent] were slightly more satisfied with their job compared to optometrists [57 per cent],

“This year’s survey will help us to assess whether job satisfaction levels and career aspirations have changed. It will also provide vital data for optical sector bodies for purposes such as future workforce planning... We want to ensure that the report is representative of optometrists and dispensing opticians across the whole of the UK and so I encourage all student and fully qualified registrants to take part so we can hear about your views and experiences,” Marcus added. Those who take part in the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 online gift card. Vision Now April 2022 9

Unit 4, Bedwas Business Centre

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Bedwas,

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CF83 8DU

Hertfordshire, CM23 3YT

T: 02920 857 122

T: 02920 883 009

T: 01279 653785

F: 02920 860 580

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F: 01279 658308

E: LenstecCC@lenstec.co.uk

E: TantCC@tantlabs.com

10 Vision Now April 2022

E: LenstecCC@lenstec.co.uk

MANUFACTURED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEDICAL DEVICES DIRECTIVE

BS EN ISO 13485:2016

News British Contact Lens Association Registration is now open for the British Contact Lens Association’s (BCLA) hybrid conference, BCLA Focus (11-12 June), as well as for those who’d like to support its Love Your Lenses Week (13-19 June). BCLA Focus will take place at the Vox, Birmingham, and will be live-streamed online. Keynote speakers include Drs Nicole Carnt, Deborah Jones and Shehzad Naroo, and Professors James Wolffsohn, Lyndon Jones and Phil Morgan. The event will also feature a dedicated track for those doing or considering doing the BCLA Dry Eye and Myopia Management certificates. For full details visit www.bcla.org.uk This year’s Love Your Lenses Week is promising to “put contact lenses firmly in

Share the love for contact lenses

the public eye”. The first 200 UK-based practitioners to register will receive a printed and online resource pack, including t-shirts, pens, stickers, posters and digital assets. BCLA chief executive, Luke Stevens-Burt, said: “We want to inspire eyecare professionals to get

Independents Day Three new speakers have joined the programme for Independents Day, happening on Monday 4 July at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham. Independent Scottish optometrist and business consultant, Craig McArthur, will discuss ‘Charging for myopia management’, sharing his successful pricing model and margin analysis calculations. In ‘Myopia my way’, Sarah Farrant and Indie Grewal will discuss their learnings and practice management pearls. All three join previously announced keynote speakers, Gary Gerber and Matt Oerding from Treehouse Eyes in the USA, and UK practitioners Nick Dash and Sarah Morgan. For up-to-date information, visit www.independentsday.co.uk

Silhouette

Silhouette Purist model 5561

Optical illusions in art installations and architecture has inspired the new Purist rimless eyewear collection from Silhouette. When viewed from above, the concave and convex surfaces of the frame work in harmony to capture the minimalist creative influence within the collection. The frames combines high-tech materials and techniques, such as an integrated, maintenance-free snap hinge. To create a choice between the matte or translucent finish, Silhouette has utilised

its SPX+ material – an extremely stable and ultra-lightweight material. The titanium used around the sides can be adjusted to fit the wearer by creating sculpted flex zones. There’s a choice between bold colours such as Vigorous Berry and Courageous White to make a statement, or more subtle colours. The collection features butterfly shaped lenses for women and hexagonal lenses for men, which can be custom-made and fitted at Silhouette’s in-house lens lab with lenses from Silhouette Vision Sensation.

talking about contact lenses and highlight the importance of high-quality aftercare for continued healthy lens wear – and sourcing their contact lenses from reputable, legal retailers.” Register at https://www.loveyourlensesweek.com/ register-now

Hoya Lens UK Hoya Lens UK and Haag-Streit UK (HS-UK) have created a preferred partnership to supply the Lenstar Myopia by Hoya to eyecare practitioners. The Lenstar Myopia by Hoya is based on the proven technology of the Lenstar 900 optical biometer and On a mission to curb myopia the corresponding EyeSuite myopia management software platform, which informs and educates patients and parents about myopia and its progression. The aim of the alliance is to create a “strong one-two approach to diagnose and manage myopia” – by combining the product’s use with Hoya’s Miyosmart spectacle lens, clinically proven to slow down myopia progression on average by 60 per cent in children aged eight to 13. Andy Sanders, Hoya Lens UK professional services director, said: “Hoya is on a mission to curb global myopia and, in order to support eyecare professionals in the effective management of this condition, it makes perfect sense to partner with gold standard equipment supplier Haag-Streit UK. This agreement creates preferred partner status between the two companies to provide diagnostics and treatment for myopia to as many ECPs as possible in the UK and Ireland, as myopia continues to rise.” Vision Now April 2022 11

MiYOSMART: the smart way to treat myopia in children.

60%*

slow down of myopia progression.

MiYOSMART is now available in the UK & Ireland. Access the accreditation course by scanning the QR code: *Lam CSY, Tang WC, TseDY, Lee RPK, Chun RKM, Hasegawa K, Qi H, Hatanaka T, To CH. Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) spectacle lenses slow myopia progression: a two-year randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Ophthalmology. Published Online First: 29 May 2019. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-313739

12 Vision Now April 2022

News CooperVision As part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability, CooperVision employees, customers, friends and family recently took part in a company-organised litter pick to clear their local area of rubbish. The event supported Global Recycling Day on 18 March and took place in Warsash, Hampshire, and saw some 50 volunteers collect 44kg of waste. Similar initiatives took place in a number of locations across the UK and Ireland. CooperVision one-day contact lenses distributed in the UK and Ireland are now plastic neutral thanks to its global partnership with Plastic Bank, whereby CooperVision purchases credits that fund the collection, processing and reuse of

ocean-bound plastic waste equal to the weight of the plastic used in its one-day contact lenses, the blister and the outer carton packaging. “Our litter pick initiative is a chance for colleagues, customers,

Jai Kudo Jai Kudo Lenses, part of the Millmead Optical Group, has announced a new collaboration with optical sustainability designer, Yair Neuman, to highlight the problem of lens waste. James Conway, Millmead CEO, said: “We strongly believe that by speaking frankly about the extent of the problem we can mobilise not just ourselves, but also our competitors and even those from outside the industry to help bring new ideas and approaches that will solve these issues more quickly. More than 3,000 tonnes of lens waste ends up in landfill each year in the UK alone. We can either shy away from that and face

Eco eyewear designer, Yair Newman

the disastrous consequences of inactivity, or we can sit up and start to own the problem, by dedicating significant resources into searching for a solution that aims to eliminate lens waste entirely.” Millmead commissioned Yair at the start

IOT Lenses

Optical bodies

IOT Lenses has signed a new agreement to support the International Opticians Association (IOA). Carolina Gago, IOT general manager, said: “At IOT, we are immensely proud to have established a collaboration with the IOA to contribute to the professional development of all those who love our profession with passion and want to execute it with excellence.

The UK’s optical bodies have jointly stated their top sustainability priorities for the optical sector, which are: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; to reduce waste; and develop sustainable ways of practice. They have pledged to join together to help inform, educate and support their members, and review their own activities, “in order to stimulate rigorous and immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the optical sector in line with the current UK commitment of 78 per cent by 2035 (compared to 1990).

“When I started my studies, I was fascinated by two fundamental aspects. One is the technical and clinical mixture that occurs in our profession. The other was the personal purpose I found in it – improving people’s quality of life by improving their vision. The complexity of our profession and the tremendous impact it has naturally leads us to create an interconnected community of opticians, where all professionals can support each other.”

“We will also develop targets to reduce waste, develop sustainable ways of practice, and deliver a healthier, fairer zero carbon world,” the statement concluded. Optical Suppliers Association chairman, Dr Andy Hepworth, said: “It’s simply wonderful we can support such a crucial area, as

Doing their bit locally

friends and family to have a positive impact on their local environment,” said Doug Bairner, country manager UK & Ireland at CooperVision. of the year to design and build a sculpture made out of its factory’s own lens swarf and the discarded demo lenses from the frames it supplies to practices. “We believe that the creation of such an installation will raise the profile of this issue and will help focus minds on the problem in a truly creative, engaging and meaningful manner, whilst celebrating the power of artistic story-telling,” said James. “Our new strategy for Jai Kudo Lenses is called ‘See the Light’ and our collaboration with Yair is the clearest indication of exactly what that strategy sets out to achieve.” Visit the Millmead team and Yair Neuman at 100% Optical.

Sustainability statement of intent

unquestionably there is strength in the engagement from across the whole optical sector.” Read further comments on DO Online at www.abdo.org.uk Vision Now April 2022 13

Titanium Stepper (UK) Limited 11 Tannery Road Tonbridge Kent TN9 1RF 01732 375975

www.steppereyewear.com 14 Vision Now April 2022

Frame style (right): SI-30175

News 100% Optical

AN INDEPENDENT VIEW Action on illegal contact lens sales If you think there is nothing you can do about the illegal sale of contact lenses, then think again. The Covid pandemic seems to have been a catalyst for growth in the number of websites selling contact lenses online without following the legal provisions. All practitioners will be aware of the health and safety concerns that can arise for patients if they are sourcing lenses without an up-to-date prescription (or even no prescription at all) and/or making uninformed substitution choices. Whilst some of these websites originate from the Continent, there are also a number which are UK based – and even some that can be traced back to independent practitioners, which is particularly upsetting. 2019 Love Eyewear Award winners

Four new CPD sessions have been released for 100% Optical taking place on 23-25 April at ExCeL London. They are: a lecture on the material science innovations surrounding soft contact lenses with Dr Byki Huntjens and Richard Smith; a session on what is meant by competence, how to work to it, and what that means for the future of optometric practice with Dr Peter Hampson and Kathy Jones; a discussion about community eyecare pathways for people with learning disabilities with Trevor Hunter and Grace McGill; and the Optical Academy, three early-career researchers summarising their work to update practitioners on emerging research in their respective fields. Other highlights include a peer review on myopia management on all three days with Luan Henson, an eyecare professional consultant for Essilor, and a discussion workshop on the Monday in the Optical Academy on domiciliary clinical cases with Zetun Arif, a domiciliary partner at Specsavers. The sessions will allow delegates to secure points under the new CPD scheme. Dr Ian Beasley, Association of Optometrists (AOP) head of education, said: “100% Optical’s education programme has been designed by the AOP with the GOC’s new CPD scheme in mind. With over 130 different sessions to choose from, world leading experts brought in by the AOP, and plenty of networking events throughout the show, 100% Optical provides the perfect opportunity for registrants to advance their career.”

Sometime before the pandemic hit, the AIO set up a reporting procedure with the General Optical Council (GOC) to facilitate members reporting incidents of illegal practice and enabling effective enforcement. We invited the British Contact Lens Association and its members to channel reported incidents through us and the process has bedded down well. Since lockdown restrictions have been lifted, we have reported an increasing number of websites through this process and the GOC has actively followed these cases up, working with local trading standards offices as appropriate. It has been reassuring to see the GOC taking this issue very seriously, even taking action against those websites which originate offshore, which can of course be challenging. However, to put a stop to illegal practice we need the help of all practitioners as we do not have the resources to actively police the internet all the time. Further, we are interested to hear of cases where a patient has sourced contact lenses from online sites and ended up in your chair with issues or problems as a result. It is our intention to build a bank of evidence that we can use in the event of any lobbying to change the legal provisions under which sites must operate. To report any incidents, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing mike@aiovision.org or calling 0800 1300 486. It doesn’t matter if you are an AIO member or not. We will be looking at firms that have taken to advertising on social media next.

After a record-breaking number of submissions, the shortlist for the 100% Optical Love Eyewear Awards 2022 is now live – with NEG preferred suppliers Millmead, International Eyewear and Eyespace amongst the nominees across 11 categories. The awards are the climax of Love Eyewear Week (18-24 April), which will champion eyewear amongst independent and major designers, manufacturers and retailers. The winners will be announced at 6.15pm on 23 April at the 100% Optical Catwalk. Further details on all sessions and visitor registration is available at www.100percentoptical.com Vision Now April 2022 15

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† UV-absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses, because they DO NOT completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed. Please read the Instructions for Use (IFU) for important product use and safety information with Bausch & Lomb contact lenses. References: 1. Only Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® ONE DAY contact lenses offer a complete moisture + comfort system with Advanced MoistureSeal® and ComfortFeel Technologies plus a complete design of high Dk/t, low modulus, UV blocking and High Definition™ Optics. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® ONE DAY contact lenses deliver health through its complete system working together to support a healthy ocular environment, the inclusion of eye health ingredients which are retained over 16 hours and the high allowance of oxygen permeability (Dk/t=134) [Applicable references 2,4,5,13]. For all references: www.ultraoneday.co.uk

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA ONE DAY and MoistureSeal are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates. All other product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Vision Now April 2022 ©2022 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

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NEG CONFERENCE

Getting with the programme This year’s NEG conference, titled ‘Tools for success’, will offer the most varied programme ever – with world-class speakers and content that will impact every NEG member across the country.

aving not been able to meet up with members since June 2019, the conference – on Sunday 19th and Monday 20th June at the Staverton Park Hotel & Golf Club – is a fantastic opportunity to catch up with like-minded professionals to discuss the business and clinical issues of the day.

his own. He was a member of Alcon's professional affairs team in the UK, before joining mark’ennovy in 2021 as head of professional services for the UK and Ireland. He is passionate about contact lenses and enjoys supporting eyecare professionals and practices with mentoring and training.

SUNDAY 19 JUNE EMOTIONAL JOURNEY OF THE PRESBYOPE In his 10.30am CPD lecture, titled 'The emotional Jim Dickson journey of the presbyope', contact lens optician (CLO) Jim Dickson will look at the physiological changes in the ageing eye and the patient journey. As well as looking at the opportunities, Jim will show how the way we communicate and advise on these changes can help the emerging presbyope come to terms with what can be an extremely worrying and even distressing time. "Even though for some people presbyopia will be challenging, with all the options currently available there is no better time to be a presbyope," says Jim, an experienced CLO who started as a trainee dispensing optician with Dollond & Aitchison before opening two joint venture practices of

PRESERVING SIGHT THROUGH AI Next up at 11.30am is a joint presentation by artificial intelligence (AI) expert Professor Pearse Keane and Professor Pearse Keane scientist Dr Wen Hwa Lee: 'Preserving healthy eyesight through AI – for all'. As the speakers will highlight, advances in AI are not restricted to self-driving cars, production lines or e-commerce recommendations; one of its most promising applications is in healthcare – and eyecare is at the forefront of this revolution. But what can AI do, and how can these advances be deployed at community level? These questions will be addressed during this session. Pearse Keane is professor of artificial medical intelligence at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, and a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Originally from Ireland,

he graduated in medicine in 2002 from University College Dublin. In 2016, he initiated a formal collaboration between Moorfields Eye Hospital and Google DeepMind, to develop AI algorithms for the earlier detection and treatment of retinal disease. In August 2018, the first results of this collaboration were published in Nature Medicine – and in May 2020, he jointly led work to develop an early warning system for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). CEO and chief scientist at the charity, Action Against AMD, Dr Wen Hwa Lee trained in genetics and molecular/structural biology. He co-directed the Oxford Dr Wen Hwa Lee Martin School’s Affordable Medicines Programme, and advised government representatives from different countries and charitable institutions on policy and strategy to integrate scientific, societal and economic impact. He will share the advances and potential of AI in eyecare, and how transformation can be achieve through unique collaborations. MORE PROFIT FOR LESS EFFORT Have you ever been to a conference and come away with a head full of new ideas and then done next Andy Clark to nothing with them? In his 'Tools for 22' presentation at 1.30pm, Andy Clark will share innovative ideas for › Vision Now April 2022 17

Myopia is a refractive error that causes poor distance vision, usually appearing between the ages of 5–16, stabilising around 18 years of age. Studies have shown that a 1-dioptre increase in myopia is associated with a 67% increase in the prevalence of myopic maculopathy (the most common and serious sight-threatening complication of myopia and the main cause of irreversible vision loss in the world). The new My-Nor Myopia Management Lenses from Norville considers the features of the central and peripheral refraction characteristic of the myopic eye, along the horizontal and vertical meridians, to create a lens design with three unique characteristics: • Horizontal Defocus • Asymmetry • Positive Spherical Blur Available in: 1.50, 1.53, 1.60, 1.67, 1.74

Norville My-Nor Lens Design FOVEAL VISION Central vision with full prescription (free of defocus) TEMPORAL SIDE Higher level of progressive horizontal addition

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18 Vision Now April 2022

NEG CONFERENCE creating more profit with less effort. More importantly, Tools for 22 is not just an informative and entertaining presentation, it’s the start of a six-week programme. All attendees at Andy’s session will be able to apply for six weeks of implementation support in group sessions with Andy and the NEG Business Club team free of charge. They will help you create action plans, bust your excuses and hold you accountable for making a real difference. At the end of the presentation, you will have discovered the tools that current NEG Business Club members say are essential right now. At the end of the six-week programme, you will have properly implemented some or all of them, and you will even know why M&Ms are the most important sweetie to have in your practice. Andy Clark returned to university after he qualified as an optometrist to study business before building two large practices of his own. Andy is an accomplished presenter and is passionate about creating training and development that creates long-lasting changes. This passion helped him win a National Training Award for his Optometrist Development Programme and he was co-winner of an Optician Award for the Dry Eye Project. Andy founded Practice Building in 2010. Since then, he and his team have been working very closely with hundreds of independent practice owners helping them to build secure profitable practices. MANAGING MYOPIA With myopia high on the agenda, don't miss Andy Sander's CPD presentation at 3:30pm on: 'Myopia and Its management: it’s Andy Sanders all a bit of a blur'. Myopia is a significant global public health and socio-economic problem and has been steadily increasing in recent decades. It is estimated that by 2050, around 50 per cent of the world’s population will be myopic. Andy will explore the latest insights related to the proposed mechanisms that drive myopia, the consequences of myopia as well as management interventions and their reported efficacy. Andy qualified as a dispensing optician in 1987 and has more than 37 years’ experience in both manufacturing and technical dispensing optics. Andrew has previously worked for large optical chains, smaller regional groups and independent High Street practice. As UK professional services director

for Hoya Lens UK, Andy is involved with a variety of support, management and training roles. He is not only responsible for in-house company training but the creation and delivery of motivational seminars on lens product, prescription and task analysis to a wide group of professionals both in the UK and mainland Europe. MASTER THIEF: THE PROFESSIONALS Saturday's programme will round off at 4.30pm with the conference keynote presentation by 'Master Hamish Taylor thief', Hamish Taylor. From flat beds on BA flights to the turnaround of Eurostar and Sainsbury's Bank, Hamish Taylor drives innovation in businesses, successfully leading them through times of change or challenge. As a keynote speaker, he provides business insight at all levels, from prime ministers and CEOs to frontline staff, inspiring audiences with his humorous stories, practical tools and infectious enthusiasm. "If you want a breakthrough, look outside your current environment," says Hamish, whose willingness to challenge industry norms and to place the customer at the core of all activities has seen him follow a prolific career path. Trained in brand management at Procter & Gamble, Hamish went on to become a management consultant at PwC, head of brands at British Airways, CEO of Eurostar, and CEO of Sainsbury’s Bank – all before the age of 40. The title of 'Master thief' was attributed to Hamish by the Inspired Leaders Network, based on his record of innovation by transferring ideas between sectors: British Airways put beds in their planes with the help of a yacht designer, airport queuing was improved with the help of Disney, and Sainsbury’s Bank’s profits increased 10-fold by using retail concepts rather than the traditional banking approach. In 2004, Hamish established his own company focused on enabling organisations to achieve breakthroughs through processes, product and people development. Hamish’s energetic, thoughtprovoking and humorous keynotes are based on a rare combination of real stories and a fantastic ability to inspire audiences with tailored advice and practical tools. Regularly featured in broadcast media, today Hamish acts as an advisor to some of the world’s largest companies assisting with specific innovation projects, customer focus and/or people leadership. "Hamish's blend of engaging delivery,

mixed with real world examples from his impressive career, make him the ideal keynote speaker for this year’s conference," said NEG managing director, Phil Mullins. MONDAY 20 JUNE IN FULL BLOOM Kicking off the Sunday programme at 9am will be Josie Barlow with, 'Menicon’s myopia control Josie Barlow system in full Bloom'. Josie will first look at the prevalence of myopia and the current myopia management options before introducing Menicon Bloom – a complete and comprehensive system to treat myopia progression using on-label products, care systems, protocols and software. Menicon Bloom allows the practitioner to monitor and communicate with the patient, helping to improve treatment outcomes and compliance. Josie will explore how offering myopia management treatments can enhance and build a practice and create long-term patients while reducing the risk of drop-out. Josie is a qualified dispensing optician and CLO, with more than 30 years' experience including in both independent and multiple practice. For more than 15 years, she has worked for contact lens manufacturers and has developed and delivered CET and other lectures on a wide range of contact lens corrections. She specialises in complex lens fitting and advising peers in this area. CONTACT LENSES: THE MUST-HAVES At 10am, there will be a presentation from CooperVision on 'Contact lenses. the ‘must-have’ in modern optometry practice'. More information will be available soon. GOING GREEN FOR ALL Turning to sustainability in optics at 11.30am will be Millmead Optical Group CEO, James Conway, and Eyespace managing director, James Conway Jayne Abel, with their presentation, 'Going green: good for you, your business and the planet'. Jayne and James are from optical families with Jayne Abel a proven track record of supporting the UK’s independent opticians. Jayne is a qualified optometrist and worked both in independent and multiple practice before joining the family eyewear supply business. In 2013, Jayne and her sister › Vision Now April 2022 19

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NO LOOKING BACK At 2pm, Peter Thomson will present, 'Never going back: how Covid-19 has changed work for good'. "The way we work has been evolving Peter Thomson during the 21st century as a result of digital technology and social

change," says Peter. "The pandemic has acted as a catalyst to accelerate this change with enforced home working and innovative uses of technology. "This has had a fundamental impact on the organisation of work and how we live

‘‘

Leaders will have to adapt their management style to accommodate the expectations of the workforce of the future. - Peter Thomson

‘‘

Julie launched Eyespace. James heads up the Millmead Optical Group, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. The group covers many aspects of optical supply with Optoplast cases and accessories, Jai Kudo lenses and frames from Continental Eyewear. Both speakers share a real passion for the independent sector – recognising that in many aspects of business, partnership is essential. One area this is particularly true is in sustainability. Jayne and James are key members of the Optical Suppliers Association (OSA), with Jayne chairing the OSA Sustainability Committee. During their presentation, Jayne and James will explain how they have approached the need for their companies and their products to be more eco-friendly, the steps they have taken already and where they hope the future will take them. They will also share some of the pitfalls, the highs and the lows of transforming products and company culture to a more sustainable platform. Although coming from the supplier’s perspective, the presentation will provide key pointers for getting started and developing a sustainability plan for a business – and show how making small changes can make a massive difference.

our lives. We are never going back to the rigid, office-based work patterns but are moving to a more flexible, hybrid model. Leaders will have to adapt their management style to accommodate the expectations of the workforce of the future." Peter's interest in the future of work started when he was personnel director in Northern Europe for Digital Equipment, a pioneering user of technology for teleworking. Peter then became a visiting fellow at Henley Business School where he studied the changing patterns of work and the leadership implications of these trends. At the same time, he formed Wisework, a leading consultancy in the field of smart working. In 2011 Peter teamed up with Alison Maitland to write Future Work, which became a bestselling book. His most recent book is Never Going Back: How Covid-19 has Changed Work for Good, showing how the pandemic has had a dramatic effect on how we work and the implications for leaders, society and the environment. Peter

is now director of the think tank, Future Work Forum. APPROACHES TO NUTRITIONAL ADVICE The final session of the afternoon at 3:30pm is a CPD presentation by Francesca Marchetti titled, Francesca Marchetti 'Where and when should I give nutritional advice: that pragmatic approach'. "Optical professionals need to ensure that they can identify risk factors in a patient's history and lifestyle that warrant further discussion with regards to selfcare, such as smoking, family history and so on, says Francesca. "This lecture serves to present a pragmatic approach to nutritional advice, using fictional patient case scenarios to demonstrate the key learning points. For each one, peer-reviewed evidence is presented to give a balanced pragmatic conclusion." Francesca is a graduate of Glasgow Caledonian University, and works as a self-employed independent optometrist mainly in Warwickshire and the West Midlands. She also works at Midland Eye Solihull in the refractive clinic and is clinical liaison lead. She has a keen interest in dry eye, and nutrition and the eye, and is an Association of Optometrists council member for the West Midlands. She sits on Coventry & Warwickshire Local Optical Committee, and regularly presents at conferences. Register for the NEG Building for Success Conference at https://negconference.co.uk ■ Vision Now April 2022 21

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PRODUCT PROFILE

Menicon Bloom: setting children’s imaginations free Menicon Bloom is an innovative treatment portfolio for childhood myopia that is now available for the first time to accredited practitioners

asy for parents and eyecare professionals (ECPs) to incorporate into children’s routines, Menicon Bloom has been designed to ‘wow’ parents and professionals with its science – and allow children to experience the wonder of clear sight. With its child-centric approach to fitting and management, accredited ECPs can support their young patients to set their imaginations free. EASY AND EFFECTIVE CONTROL The Menicon Bloom Myopia Control Management System takes a holistic approach to myopia control management, offering not just products but fitting software and an app too. An effective treatment for slowing the progress of myopia in children and young people, every step in the process has been carefully designed in order to make it easy to fit and simple to use, while providing accurate monitoring over the length of the treatment. The launch features the initial introduction of Menicon Bloom Night, an orthokeratology contact lens therapy for myopia control management, which was the first CE-approved orthokeratology contact lens in Europe for myopia control. Designed to be worn overnight, and manufactured in hyper oxygen permeable Menicon Z material for optimal corneal oxygenation, it provides comfortable and safe contact lens wear. Menicon Bloom Night is just one of the elements that makes up this unique system of myopia control management, which can only be prescribed and implemented by ECPs. There’s a daytime lens too, Menicon Bloom Day, which is a daily disposable soft (hydrophilic) contact lens. Depending on

Myopia control system that puts the child first

The system takes a holistic approach to management

the clinical or lifestyle needs of the patient, a certified ECP would prescribe either the night or the day lens. In addition, Menicon Bloom provides ECPs with Menicon Bloom Easyfit software, a sophisticated, user-friendly tool which accurately guides the prescriber through the fitting and monitoring process. The system also comes with a unique mobile app, the Menicon Bloom App, which has been

developed to enhance the monitoring and communication process between ECPs and patients. MAKING A DIFFERENCE Josie Barlow, professional services manager in Menicon’s Speciality Lens Division, says: “Menicon Bloom is life changing; it is going to have such a huge impact on so many people. It gives children, › Vision Now April 2022 23

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PRODUCT PROFILE

Children are encouraged to handle their own treatment

their parents and ECPs the tools they need to slow the progress of myopia and to retain more of their vision. “The system is designed to keep children engaged and to be able to handle so much of their own treatment – applying and removing their lenses and keeping them clean – and making the whole process as easy a part of their daily routine as brushing their teeth. “For parents, it removes the burden of trying to remember how the process is going between clinic visits, as the app collects all the relevant information,” Josie continues. “That information is then available to the ECP, who then has a full record of their patient’s progress. Menicon Bloom is both effective and versatile, with the day and night options allowing ECPs to tailor treatment effectively and it allows patients to find the regime that really works for them. “We know that within 30 years, 50 per cent of the world’s population will have myopia and now we have this fantastic and effective treatment that can reduce sight loss and retain the quality of life of people affected. Not only will this have a social benefit, but it will also save millions in the care and support that would otherwise have had to be provided to people with sight loss in the future. It is an exciting time for everyone in the optical industry.” PUTTING YOUNG PATIENTS FIRST The vision for Menicon Bloom goes beyond limiting myopia progression, it is about nurturing the hopes and potential of

Helping kids get on with just being kids

confidence to stick with the programme for the duration of the treatment process.

SET thEir imAginaTioN FrEe

Ask us about our safe and easy Menicon Bloom™ day lenses

When your child can see clearly, anything is possible

Appealing marketing materials are available

young people, which is why the strapline for the management system is, ‘See their imagination bloom’. It is for this reason that Menicon has taken a child-centric approach to treatment, from the appealing design of the packaging to the size of the lens care bottle, which has been scaled down to fit little hands. The regime is simple to follow, allowing children to adapt easily to their lenses and then just get on with the business of living their lives to the fullest. The warm, reassuring messaging that surrounds Menicon Bloom isn’t just aimed at children, it also helps to reassure parents that the care that their children are receiving is as effective as possible. It gives them the

SUPPORTING ECPS Menicon Bloom Easyfit software is a sophisticated, user-friendly tool to guide the ECP through the fitting process. Along with the innovative app, these are just some of the ways in which Menicon is supporting ECPs to deliver Menicon Bloom. There is a full accreditation programme, with e-learning and in-house training, which ensures that everyone within an accredited practice is familiar with the system and can talk confidently and knowledgeably about Menicon Bloom in a way that patients and their parents can understand. PAINTING THE PICTURE The beautifully-designed Menicon Bloom marketing materials for use in-practice and online are designed not just to appeal to children, but to make it easy to talk to parents about treating their children with Menicon Bloom. Reassuring messages address safety, ease and effectiveness and provide the comfort of knowing that their ECP is on the journey with them – with lenses, software and support to provide their children with clear sight. The aim is to educate, inspire and excite with a range of images and graphics that will appeal to younger and older children. To find out more about Menicon Bloom, telephone 01604 646 216 or email enquiries@menicon.co.uk ■ Vision Now April 2022 25

PRODUCT PROFILE

New Relyks model Lancelot

Clarity of vision At Eyewear Direct, we are really pleased that our value-led proposition has been well received in the independent optical market, writes Brett Waugh

Timeless styling and premium materials: all-new Relyks eyewear

ith a growing number of NEG member customers each month, we aim to ensure that the quality of all our frames and sunglasses is as high as possible. This enables our independent optician partners the opportunity to deliver a better product at a better price to their patients. We have grown substantially in the last two years, meaning we have been able to introduce more collections and additional new frames. We now have six brands on offer: Ashton Riley, Hook LDN, Bloc, Invu, New Balance and Relyks. With a wide range of price points and a comprehensive coverage of styling, we have frames for all practices. Total clarity is our company mantra; sharing more information with customers enabling them to make well informed decisions on their frame offering. This partnership approach has led to a much wider level of dialogue with customers,

26 Vision Now April 2022

New Relyks model Geraint

feeding back directly into the creation of new frames. We always welcome ideas and feedback, as our objective is to create great products that practitioners can dispense with pride and confidence. LEGENDARY STYLING Relyks is an entirely new collection launching this month, offering timeless styling combined with premium materials and precision manufacturing. Relyks is incredibly wearable and delivers a quality of frames normally reserved for much higher priced frames. Premium acetate, titanium, rivet hinges, patterned cores, branded metal

end caps all feature – brought together with an exceptional finish. The collection delivers exceptional quality and styling at a very accessible price. Created with a vision to produce wonderful quality frames for patients who value attention to detail, quality and timeless style, Relyks offers subtle yet iconic detailing that sets the collection apart from its peers. Quality rarely seen at this price point, with styles designed to fit beautifully, means patients will enjoy wearing their Relyks frames. As a family business, we have once again looked to the family to create our new brand name. Relyks is the reverse of my daughter’s name, Skyler. Using the most famous relic of all, the holy grail, in our logo references the enduring nature of the designs. This has been carried through onto the metal end tips. Proud to be British, the initial launch of 20 acetate and titanium frames has been named after the great British legend of Camelot: Arthur, Lancelot, Guinevere, Excalibur and so on. All frames are available in two colours. Continuing the theme of British legends, our next release of premium wooden frames with adjustable acetate temple tips has been named after the myth that was Robin Hood. Six styles will be available, each in two colours. OUT ON THE TOWN Ashton Riley delivers quality acetate, stainless steel and titanium frames providing all-day style so the wearer can move seamlessly from work to play. Recently added titanium rimless and semi-rimless frames have been a huge success, providing great value for money. Designed in and inspired by the UK, all the frames take their names from towns and cities around the country, like bestsellers Cardiff, Oxford and Newtownabbey. New styles and colours are added all the time, meaning there is always something new. Ashton Riley Compact frames are designed to fit a smaller face, without having to compromise on style or quality. Appealing to teenagers and adults alike, these frames deliver the high quality expected from the Ashton Riley brand.

PRODUCT PROFILE

Designed and inspired by London: Hook LDN

More styles now available from Invu

HOOKED ON MUSIC AND FASHION The Hook LDN collection is inspired by, and designed in, London. The high quality, style led designs are influenced by our passions for music and fashion – which have always gone hand in hand. Now more than ever, eyewear forms a major part of people’s personal style. This unique collection of optical frames and sunglasses capture the essence and fun side of fashion and music. Created by a music company and worn by hundreds of musical artists and celebrities, the collection features premium acetate and stainless steel frames and sunglasses in a mix of classic and fashion forward designs in unique colours. The Hook LDN collection has grown from four styles of optical frames and sunglasses to more than 30. Many of the frames lend themselves equally to ophthalmic frames and sunglasses and so can be ordered as either at no extra cost. NEXT GENERATION POLARISATION We are now in our second year distributing Invu eyewear, and we recently added to this success with a new sunglasses collection and additional frames in the two-in-one offering. The two-in-one optical frames and magnetic clips are made from TR90 and Ultem, bringing together high-quality production and the Ultra Polarised SelfHealing lens. Invu frames fit perfectly with our aim to deliver excellent value to our customers. Invu is currently available in 90 countries and is a market leading polarised sunglasses brand. The next generation polarised lens technology is an intelligent, multi-layer light management system. This unique multi-layer lens selectively filters out reflected glare and offers clear, glare-free vision with high contrast and exceptional colour perception.

the collection of sports optical frames and sports prescription sunglasses are exceptional value for money, well made and deliver exactly what the consumer requires. Durable TR90 optical frames combine sports style with practical needs. The prescription sports sunglasses are complete sets of sunglasses, prescription clip, interchangeable lenses and case. This is the complete solution at an affordable price. Opticians can now cater for all their patients’ sports needs without spending a fortune. GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT New Balance stands for more than sportswear: it champions those who are fearlessly driven by their passions, who are fearlessly independent and doing right by people and the planet. The men’s, women’s and teens eyewear lines are ergonomically designed with E-lock temples, offering the perfect blend of function and fashion. The lightweight and strong styles celebrate the evolution of athleisure style. New Balance aligns with our own principles on transparency and quality, and is a brand customers know and trust. New Balance was one of only six companies to step forward and be featured on a new map that links brands to their suppliers’ environmental performance in China. For the first time, factory pollution data for suppliers can be viewed in almost real time by the public. In 2017, New Balance ranked 16th of 267 companies in the Corporate Information Transparency Index, which evaluates brands according to how well they address supply chain environmental responsibility in China. In 2018, they climbed to 11th overall. We believe that, together, we can drive meaningful change in the eyewear sector.

WORKING TOGETHER The Eyewear Direct Lens Service is now available to NEG members, providing package solutions for frame and lens ordering – saving our customers both time and money. Our lenses are produced by a leading lens manufacturer and glazed by one of the top labs in the UK. So you know you will get both the service and quality you expect from Eyewear Direct. As a preferred supplier to NEG, we are working in partnership with many members already – as we are keen to work with many more. If you are not yet benefiting from the products and services we provide, we would love to come and present our collections to you. Please speak to your area manager or contact us directly by calling 0207 1933 3334 or emailing enquiries@eyewear-direct. net. Equally, please get in touch if there is something you’d like us to add to our offering; we would love to get your input. Brett Waugh is managing director of Eyewear Direct. ■

E-lock templaes feature on New Balance frames

New Balance sunglasses for 2022

Durable TR90 frames by Bloc

BLOC PRESCRIPTION PARTY Bloc Rx was designed and manufactured specifically for opticians. Working closely with the team at Bloc, we have ensured Vision Now April 2022 27

ST Y L E S P OT L I G H T

Inspiring styles for different face sizes By Joan Grady

Finding the ‘right fit’ for the clothes and accessories we wear can be a challenge. People have different heights, body structures and face shapes. Eyewear that fits well, looks great and allows the wearer to be comfortable is of utmost importance: spectacle frames are on our faces. The keynote is proportion and balance.

Silhouette Purist model 5561

yewear designers and brands fully understand the necessity to provide choices that appeal to independent opticians and their varied clients. Fortunately, these choices are numerous, desirable and ensure style content that is important to the wearer. The latest frame styles for men and women with smaller and larger face shapes are extremely desirable and express fashion credentials. TIMELESS SILHOUETTES The ‘preppy look is about individuality and personal style. For eyewear, the brand that most personifies preppy style is Original Penguin, with its long history of frames in coveted shapes. A highlight in the current Original Penguin collection is the Samuel for men with larger faces. David Strathie, sales and marketing manager at Continental Eyewear, describes the design as a modernised rectangular style. “This conventional frame is brought to life with its unique colourways, giving the Samuel a sense of originality. The thin metal temples complement the rectangular

28 Vision Now April 2022

The Samuel by Original Penguin

Model ZT27053 by Charmant

front.” The frame is shown in blue, a favourite colour for preppy advocates, with a generous sizing of 58-17-150.

State-of-the art technology, cutting edge style, Charmant’s titanium perfection expertise and cosmopolitan shaping all contribute to the chic Charmant Z collection for men. Crafted in Japan, the frames are recognised for their slender forms and subtle expressive detailing that is cultivated and tasteful. For men with larger faces, style ZT27053 is particularly distinguished with its contemporary shape and silver temple details. Innovation plus lightness, durability, and flexibility are among the attributes of titanium. For men with larger faces, Stepper recommends style SI-60200 in urbane gunmetal grey – with pure, uncluttered graphic lines.

ST Y L E S P OT L I G H T

The SI-60200 from Stepper Eyewear Wallis by Walter & Herbert Model BB6095 from the Eyespace Basebox collection

OPTIONS FOR MEN: SMALL FACES Launched in 2015, Walter & Herbert Eyewear is inspired by the British heritage for quality, beautiful materials and timeless design crafted in England. Tortoiseshell is a beloved material for eyewear, and Walter & Herbert captures the spirit with Wallis, a sleek silhouette ideal for men with smaller faces. The round shape in tortoiseshell acetate combines the best of vintage and contemporary styling. Men in particular may be hesitant to experiment with frames in unusual colours. Fortunately, designers and companies are aware of this, and colour selections include smart, wearable tones. Basebox, the trendy collection by Eyespace, presents an ideal choice for men with smaller faces with style BB6095 in Olive Green. FLATTERING FEMININE PROPORTIONS As a former model, Ana Hickmann has a keen awareness of the importance of fit, and this same principle applies to her eyewear designs. The luxuriously formed silhouettes are ideal for women with larger faces and the frames also make a glamorous fashion statement. Style AH6477, a contemporary acetate shape, features the unique Ana Hickmann DuoFashion tubular system on the temples. This allows the wearer to enjoy two different stylish looks – for chic daywear and alluring evening ensembles. International Eyewear has an exciting new campaign for the Episode collection, with stylistic illustrations by Lena Ker. Celebrating Mother Nature with spectacle designs Earth, Water, Fire and Air, the

eyewear illustrations express the seductive moods of fashion and nature. Featured here is Water EP277: a slim, contoured, frame for women with larger faces in metal with acetate temples, in sophisticated tones of Teal Blue and Brown Earth. British brand Mulberry, distributed by De Rigo, is acclaimed internationally for its accessories and eyewear. For women with larger faces, Mulberry suggests a light metal frame with a subtle butterfly shape, embellished with enamel, and acetate end tips.

Style VLM 164 by Mulberry

SMALL, BUT PERFECTLY FORMED Sleek, delicate and linear lines highlight the latest frames from Silhouette – the Purist Collection. Innovation meets minimalism with

eyewear that is ultra lightweight, accented with beautiful colours and modern shapes. The collection’s artistry has foundations in architecture and optical illusions. Silhouette has utilised its SPX+ material for the frames, which is extremely stable and light. The titanium used around the temples can be adjusted to perfectly fit the wearer by creating sculpted flex zones. For women with a smaller face, the Austrian label suggests Purist style 5561. The style takes on a different form when viewed from different angles, appealing to sophisticated wearers of luxury eyewear with an appreciation for modern design aesthetics. Eyespace founders Jayne and Julie Abel have amassed numerous accolades for their British label. The Cocoa Mint collection features frames in lovely colour combinations and assorted materials. Style CM135 is a graceful, easy-to-wear frame for women with small faces in a chic, subtle combination of light tortoise and a blue rim. Two-tone colour combinations are among the eyewear trends in the latest collections. Women with smaller faces can confidently step out in Rodenstock’s ultra flattering style, R7059. With its smart round shape in rich red acetate and gold metal temples and detailing, the frame captures the essence of retro and modern. The design is also available in black, blue, dark and light Havana and crystal, in sizes 44x23 and 46x23. Independent opticians benefit for the inspiring choices available for men and women with smaller and larger faces, as clients can discover frames with expert fit and comfort that make a confident stylish statement for the wearer. ■

Cocoa Mint model CM135

Rodenstock’s R7059 Ana Hickmann model 6477

Water EP277 Episode

Vision Now April 2022 29

Preferred Suppliers’ directory tel: 01580 713698 | web: www.nationaleyecare.co.uk ALCON UK

tel: 0371 376 0017 | fax: 0871 351 1005 | web: www.uk.alcon.com

AOS LTD

tel: 01932 943 040 | email: info@aos-hub.com | web: www.aos-hub.com

SUPPLIER – OPTICIAN – PATIENT

OUR PARTNERSHIP

ASSOCIATED OPTICAL

tel: 01628 605433 | fax: 01628 665077 | email: sales@assopt.co.uk | web: www.associatedoptical.com

ATLANTIC OPTICAL UK LTD

tel: 02920 362 136 | fax: 02920 362 137 | email: info@atlanticoptical.co.uk | web: www.atlanticoptical.co.uk

T: 01132 883094 E: RawdonCC@rawdonoptical.co.uk

BAUSCH + LOMB

tel: 020 8781 2900 | web: www.bausch.co.uk

BIB OPHTHALMIC INSTRUMENTS

T: 02920 883 009 E: LenstecCC@lenstec.co.uk

tel: 01438 740823 | email: sales@bibonline.co.uk | web: www.bibonline.co.uk

BONDEYE OPTICAL

T: 01279 653785 E: TantCC@tantlabs.com

tel: 0121 7723888 | fax: 0808 2801865 | email: sales@bondeyeoptical.co.uk | web: www.bondeyeoptical.co.uk

CENTROSTYLE OPTICAL CENTRE SUPPLIES LTD

tel: 01923 239267 | fax: 01923 253951 | email: sales@centrostyle.com | web: www.centrostyle.com

T: 02920 857 122 E: Eyewear@lenstec.co.uk

CFH DOCMAIL

tel: 07834 173 288 | email: chris.burridge@cfh.com | web: www.docmail.co.uk

CHARMANT UK CO LTD

tel: 020 8992 9222 | fax: 020 8896 0287 | email: sales@charmant.co.uk | web: www.charmant.co.uk

CITATION

tel: 0161 464 6731 I email: iain.mcgleish@citation.co.uk | web: www.citation.co.uk

CONTINENTAL EYEWEAR

tel: 0151 426 3907 | fax: 0151 426 9340 | email: sales@continental-eyewear.co.uk | web: www.continental-eyewear.com

COOPERVISION

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SIMPLIFIED

tel: 0870 9000 055 | web: www.coopervision.co.uk

DE RIGO UK LTD

tel: 01923 249491 | email: info.uk@derigo.com | web: www.derigo.com | web: www.derigo.com/eng

DUNELM OPTICAL

tel: 01388 420420 | fax: 01388 810101 | email: dunelm@dunelmoptical.co.uk | web: www.dunelmoptical.co.uk

ESSILOR

Optinet Flex, the innovative software that keeps your optometry business at the cutting edge.

tel: 01454 281281 | fax: 01454 281282 | web: www.essilor.co.uk

EYESPACE

tel: 01527 870550 | fax: 01527 837012 | email: info@eyespace-eyewear.co.uk | web: www.eyespace-eyewear.co.uk

EYEWEAR DIRECT (EUROPE) LTD

0845 313 0233 sales@optinetuk.com www.optinetuk.com

tel: 020 7193 3334 | web: eyewear-direct.net

GO EYEWEAR UK LTD

tel: 0800 9178270 | web: www.goeyeweargroup.com

HEIDELBERG ENGINEERING

OPTINET DIRECTORY AD - FEB 21_AW.indd 01/03/2021 109:47

tel: 01442 502 330 | fax: 01442 242 386 | web: www.HeidelbergEngineering.co.uk

HILCO EUROPE

tel: 0800 591150 | email: info@hilco.co.uk | web: www.hilcovision.co.uk

HOYA LENS UK

tel: 0845 330 0984 | fax: 0845 330 0977 | email: enquiries@hoya.co.uk | email: orders@hoya.co.uk web: www.hoyavision.com/uk

INTERNATIONAL EYEWEAR LTD

tel: 0121 585 6565 | fax:0121 585 0954 | web: www.internationaleyewear.co.uk

Lab3Sixty

tel: 0113 5211071 | email: Info@Lab3Sixty.co.uk | web: www.lab3sixty.co.uk

LENSTEC EYEWEAR

tel: 02920 857122 | fax: 02920 920480 | email: sales@lensteceyewear.co.uk | web: www.lensteceyewear.co.uk

LENSTEC OPTICAL

tel: 02920 883009 | fax: 02920 889798 | email: LenstecCC@lenstec.co.uk | web: www.lenstecopticalgroup.co.uk

30 Vision Now April 2022

Stepper (UK) Limited 11 Tannery Road Tonbridge Kent TN9 1RF 01732 375975

www.stepper.co.uk

LOUIS STONE OPTICAL LTD tel: 029 2073 5293 | fax: 029 2073 1446 | email: info@louisstone.co.uk | web: www.louisstone.co.uk

LUNEAU TECHNOLOGY UK/IRELAND – VISIONIX

tel: 07383 555659 | email: infouk@luneautech.com | web: www.luneautech.co.uk

LUXOTTICA (UK) LTD

tel: 0808 165 8555 | web: www.luxottica.com

MARCHON

tel: 0800 72 2020 | email: csuk@marchon.com

MARK’ENNOVY

tel: 0800 3280610 | fax: 0800 3280649 | email: mkservices@markennovy.com | web: www.markennovy.com

MENICON UK LTD (FORMERLY DAVID THOMAS)

tel: 01604 646216 | fax: 01604 790366 | email: enquiries@menicon.co.uk | web: www.menicon.co.uk

MPG GmbH

When you prescribe contact lenses, you prescribe freedom. We’re stepping up to do more, supporting you to Prescribe Freedom for more people than ever.

tel: 07583 076 132 | email: andrew.davies@mpg-eyewear.com | web: www.mpg-eyewear.com

MID-OPTIC

tel: 01332 295001 | fax: 01332 295158 | email: orders@midoptic.com | web: www.midoptic.com

No7 CONTACT LENSES

tel: 01424 850620 | fax: 01424 850650 | email: info@no7contactlenses.com | web: www.no7contactlenses.com

coopervision.co.uk

OPTINET LTD

tel: 0845 313 0233 | email: sales@optinetuk.com | web: www.optinetuk.com

PERFORMANCE FINANCE

tel: 01536 529696 | fax: 01536 310033 | web: www.performancefinance.co.uk

POSITIVE IMPACT

tel: 08446 696907 | email: sales@positiveimpact.co.uk | web: www.positiveimpact.co.uk

PRACTICE BUILDING

tel: 0115 989 9772 | email: andy@practicebuilding.co.uk | web: www.practicebuilding.co.uk

PRO-OPTIC

tel: 01884 266130 | email: sales@pro-optic.com | web: www.pro-optic.co.uk

RAWDON OPTICAL

tel: 01132 883094 | fax: 01132 883095 | email: RawdonCC@rawdonoptical.co.uk web: www.lenstecopticalgroup.co.uk

RETAIL EXPERIENCE DESIGN (RED)

tel: 024 7601 0103 | email: dean@retailexperiencedesign.co.uk | web: www.retailexperiencedesign.co.uk

RODENSTOCK

tel: 01474 325555 | email: sales@rodenstock.co.uk | web: www.rodenstock.co.uk

SEIKO OPTICAL UK

tel: 01452 610033 | fax: 01452 638250 | email: orders@seiko-optical.co.uk | email: info@seiko-optical.co.uk web: www.seiko-optical.co.uk

SILHOUETTE UK LTD

tel: 020 8987 8899 | fax: 020 8987 2430 | email: office@uk.silhouette.com | web: www.silhouette.com

SPEC-CARE LTD

tel: 01392 460806 | email: info@speccareservices.co.uk | web: www.speccareservices.co.uk

STEPPER UK

tel: 01732 375975 | email: sales@stepper.co.uk | web: www.steppereyewear.com

TANT LABORATORIES

tel: 01279 653785 | fax: 01279 658308 | email: TantCC@tantlabs.com | web: www.lenstecopticalgroup.co.uk

THE NORVILLE GROUP LTD

tel: 01452 510321 | email: sales@norville.co.uk | web: www.norville.co.uk

THEA PHARMACEUTICALS

tel: 0845 521 1290 | fax: 01782 717 944 | web: www.thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk

ULTRAVISION

tel: 01525 381112 | fax: 01525 370091 | email: info@ultravision.co.uk | web: www.ultravision.co.uk

WINDCAVE LTD

tel: 0800 088 6040 | email: sales@windcave.com | web: www.windcave.com Vision Now April 2022 31

Suppliers’ directory

Preferred Suppliers are suppliers who, by prior arrangement, offer members of the PK National Eyecare Group preferential terms. For full details and terms offered to the membership, please call 01580 713698.

Patient loyalty builds practice success. Your mediflex® contact lens portfolio – designed to retain more patients and improve business revenue.

Keep patients and business coming back with your mediflex® portfolio of contact lenses and lens care solutions – NEW and exclusive* to National Eyecare Group members. Studies show that private label contact lens patients are more loyal to their practice;1,2 and they spend more on their contact lenses too.3 Private label also helps drive spectacle sales4 and increases spend on them.4 Build your business with the mediflex® portfolio – exclusive* to NEG members. Behind each mediflex® label is a trusted CooperVision product at the same price as the branded equivalent.

Discuss this exclusive opportunity with your CooperVision Business Development Manager.

1. CVI consumer insight study, July 2019. GB adults who wear branded/private label contacts lenses: n=489; 2. CVI data on file 2020. Covid-19 contact lens users survey, Verve, April 2020. Base (all respondents): Total UK n=240. Vision Now April 2022 3.Euromonitor 2020 Eyewear Sources UK July 2019. 4. CVI consumer insight study, July 2019. GB adults who wear branded/private label contacts lenses: n=497; 56% vs. 36%; p<0.05

Vision Now April 2022

Articles inside

Suppliers’ directory

Style spotlight

MiSight six-year study results

Passport for myopia lens

NEG Conference

Partnership on myopia products

New workforce survey

Product Profile

Sustainability collaboration

Product Profile