Editor: Nicky Collinson BA (Hons) nicola.collinson@nationaleyecare.co.uk
Business Editor: Philip Mullins FBDO p.mullins@nationaleyecare.co.uk
Art Editor: Stacey Potter BA (Hons) info@spottcreative.co.uk
4 Two new lens innovations from Hoya
7 Optinet and Optimed team up on AI referral
9 Associated Optical widens portfolio
11 New director appointed at Eyespace
13 Positive Impact celebrates Dreye January success
College opens conference bookings
Product profile
eyeFit custom contact lenses 26 Company profile Scotlens: focus on speciality contact lenses
An independent view
Editor’s comment
This month’s issue has somewhat of a contact lens focus coming off the back of several high profile launches in the sector – from Alcon’s new Precision7 one-week silicone hydrogel to mark’ennovy’s new eyeFit range being launched in partnership with NEG. And while Bausch + Lomb releases its new Ultra One Day Multifocal silicone hydrogel for presbyopes in the UK and Ireland, CooperVision has been out and about introducing its new MyDay MiSight 1 day lens to practitioners across the UK.
Elsewhere, we hear from Scotlens about its speciality contact lens offer, including Nocturne orthokeratology ‘night lenses’, and how they can help practices build business and loyalty. All of these new products were due to take centre stage at 100% Optical – so hopefully many of you were able to hear about them in more detail.
It’s always great to see new innovations come to the UK, often after successful launches in other European and/or North American markets. They give practitioners and support staff something new and exciting to share with patients, whether it be through the extensive marketing support that accompanies them, or in general clinical conversation at routine and aftercare appointments.
Of course, there’s never any shortage of new innovations in other sectors – from instrumentation to eyewear to ophthalmic lenses. We are delighted to feature Bird Eyewear in this month’s Style Spotlight slot to talk about its new Vibrant Nature range, as well as to share details of WS Audiology and how it can support practices in pairing optometry with audiology.
And as for spectacle lens solutions, this month’s Developing Thoughts highlights how practices can support patients suffering from headlight glare while driving at night – a problem that affects so many, as the RAC stresses in its latest research (see news page 14).
Nicky Collinson Editor
Vision Now magazine is published by Peekay Publishing Ltd for The PK
NEG Building for Success Conference 2026
NEG is encouraging members to book their place sooner rather than later for its 2026 Building for Success Conference, taking place this October in partnership with the Association for Independent Optometrists
and Dispensing Opticians (AIO). To be held on Sunday 18 and Monday 19 October at St George’s Park in Burton-on-Trent – the home of English football – the conference will be themed: ‘The future’s brighter together’.
Delegates will be able to attain 13 CPD points through workshops and lectures, supported with business presentations and an exhibition of leading NEG preferred suppliers – including Title Sponsors Bausch + Lomb and EssilorLuxottica, and Headline Sponsors CooperVision, Citation and Stepper. A gala dinner on the Sunday evening will see Supplier of the Year and Practice of the Year awards presented – nominated by the membership.
Keynote presentations will be delivered by explorer, paleoanthropologist and evolutionary biologist turned TV presenter, Ella AI-Shamahi, on the Sunday – and by Sir Clive Woodward OBE on the Monday. Probably one of the world’s best and most innovative coaches, Sir Clive’s lecture is titled ‘Brilliant basics’, and will explore how doing the simple things brilliantly can be the
foundation of lasting performance.
Phil Mullins, NEG managing director, said: “As part of our community-building ethos, we are delighted to announce the return of our Building for Success Conference in 2026 – and for the first time in partnership with the AIO. Together, we have organised our biggest – and what we hope will be – our best conference ever. We are also thrilled to be welcoming Ella AI-Shamahi and Sir Clive Woodward this year, who will be sure to leave delegates feeling challenged and invigorated to achieve great things – in life as well as practice.”
AIO chairman, Keval Sejpar, said: “The AIO is delighted to be partnering with NEG for the 2026 conference at St George’s Park. As two organisations that work purely for the benefit of the independent sector, we look forward to presenting an excellent agenda that helps drive the sector forward, while strengthening bonds with suppliers and fellow independent practitioners alike.” The conference is free to attend, with subsidised accommodation rates available. Visit https://negconference.co.uk
Hoya
Hoya Lens UK debuted two major new lens innovations – Hoyalux iD MySense and Sensity 3 – at 100% Optical 2026. Hoyalux iD MySense is a new premium progressive lens designed to deliver “seamless vision and comfort, shaped around each wearer’s individual Visual Sensory Intelligence” using Hoya’s IntelliSense technology and an advanced personalised consultation journey. Sensity 3 is Hoya’s latest photochromic lens, engineered for fast light adaptation and long-lasting performance, including rapid fade-back indoors and full UV protection.
Keynote speaker, Sir Clive Woodward OBE
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Bausch + Lomb
Bausch + Lomb has launched its Ultra One Day Multifocal silicone hydrogel contact lenses in the UK and Ireland. Featuring the company’s Advanced MoistureSeal and ComfortFeel technologies, working in synergy with the tear film as a complete system, the lenses are said to help maintain ocular surface homeostasis and deliver “outstanding comfort for a full 16 hours of wear”.
A 3-Zone Progressive Design, which accounts for seven human vision factors across nine distances, delivers “effortless clarity and seamless transitions through near, intermediate and far distances, and a consistent power profile for an easy, predictable fit” – the company stated. In addition, the complete lens design has high
EssilorLuxottica
EssilorLuxottica has announced new clinical findings from two studies evaluating the performance of Nuance Audio glasses, presented during the 69th EUHA Congress (European Union of Hearing Aid Acousticians) in Germany. Dr Tami Harel, chief of audiology of Nuance Audio, presented a session on ‘Clinical efficacy of open-ear hearing aid glasses’, sharing outcomes from studies conducted at Western University (Canada) and the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL, Australia). Collectively, the studies evaluated both controlled laboratory performance and real-world listening experiences, demonstrating consistent benefits for users in everyday communication.
The Western study found up to a 29 per cent improvement in speech understanding in challenging acoustic conditions and a significant reduction in listening effort,
Optinet/Optimed
NEG’s IT division, Optinet, has joined forces with Optimed to integrate Optimed’s AI-powered referral solution, ReferAI, directly into Optinet’s practice management software (PMS) Nova. The collaboration gives Optinet Nova customers immediate access to ReferAI’s intelligent referral letter generation, allowing practitioners to create clear, structured referrals in around one minute. ReferAI uses artificial intelligence to automatically organise clinical findings into high-quality referral letters, “without compromising clinical standards”,
breathability, a low modulus, easy handling and UV Protect.
Yang Yang, president, vision care, Bausch + Lomb, said: “Although a natural part of ageing, presbyopia often brings more than just vision challenges, especially for
contact lens wearers who have lived a life full of freedom and satisfaction…We are proud to use our latest science and contact lens technologies to address the comfort, moisture and vision needs of presbyopes to improve the quality of their lives and keep them in the contact lens category.”
as measured through standardised rating scales. The NAL study found a 3.48 dB improvement in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), with 70 per cent of participants reporting improved communication ability after three hours of real-world use. Participants’ top communication goals were met in 84-95 per cent of cases. Dr Harel said: “One
allowing the optometrist to spend more time with patients.
Dr Trusit Dave, Optimed founder and director, commented: “ReferAI was built to solve a real, everyday problem for optometrists. Partnering with Optinet allows us to rapidly expand access to a solution that saves time, improves referral quality, and supports better patient journeys. We’re thrilled to be working with a team that shares our focus on practical innovation.”
Chris Smith, Optinet operations director, added: “This partnership is about making life easier for optometrists. By integrating
insight stands out across both studies: users prefer to wear Nuance Audio glasses in the real, noisy conversations that matter most to them. These results mark an important achievement in terms of the postmarket clinical validation of the product for early-stage hearing support.”
ReferAI into our PMS, we’re giving practices a smarter, faster way to manage referrals while maintaining the highest clinical standards. Optimed’s approach aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering meaningful, clinician-first technology.”
New clinical findings for Nuance Audio
New multifocal contact lens from Bausch + Lomb
Streamlining referral workflow intelligently
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Comfortable wear “even on day seven”
Alcon
Alcon’s new one-week replacement contact lens – Precision7 – is now commercially available in the UK and Ireland. Featuring Alcon’s Activ-Flo System, the lens combines a ‘water-loving’ moisturising agent embedded in the lens matrix with a proprietary replenishing agent that is continually released to moisturise the lens surface for seven days. “The launch of Precision7 reaffirms our commitment to improving the patient experience with impactful innovation,” said Jason Klomp, Alcon managing director vision care, UK and Ireland.
“With Precision7, patients can experience the world’s first contact lens with Activ-Flo System that continuously moisturises the lens surface for seven days, offering 16 hours of outstanding comfort and precise vision with an intuitive replacement schedule.” With Precision7, patients can pick their preferred day of the week to replace their contact lenses. The launch marks the newest addition to Alcon’s Water Innovations portfolio.
Bausch + Lomb
Mark Draper has joined Bausch + Lomb as business unit director, vision care UK, Ireland and Nordics. Mark has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the contact lens industry, having held senior roles at CIBA Vision/Alcon, CooperVision and most recently Hoya Vision Care.
Mark said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role at such an exciting time for the business with recent additions to the Bausch + Lomb portfolio. The UK, Ireland and Nordics are dynamic markets with significant opportunity, and I look forward to working closely with our customers and teams to drive sustainable growth and deliver meaningful innovation.”
Marchon
Calvin Klein Eyewear’s spring 2026 eyewear campaign features two new frames designed with Calvin Klein’s modern spirit and minimalist sensibility. Featuring a rounded, ultra-light titanium construction and subtle detailing, these new styles strike a balance between timeless minimalism and classic American design.
One of the frames is sun style CK26106ST – an iconic rounded silhouette with a raised bridge for a distinctive, versatile look. Crafted in titanium for exceptional durability, the frame features a laser-engraved Calvin Klein logo on the top bar and slim injected tips. The frame is offered by Marchon in light gold, dark gunmetal, matte gold and matte amber gold.
Humphrey’s and Jos. Eschenbach eyewear now available
Associated Optical
Associated Optical has expanded its longstanding partnership with Eschenbach Optik – and is now the distributor of Humphrey’s eyewear and Jos. Eschenbach in the UK.
“Having represented Eschenbach Optik’s vision technology portfolio in the UK for nearly four decades, we are extremely proud to expand our partnership with the addition of Humphrey’s eyewear and Jos. Eschenbach,” said Stuart Baldwin of Associated Optical.
“Both eyewear brands bring strong design identities and clear market positioning, and we believe they have significant growth potential within the UK optical market under Associated Optical’s distribution.” Established in 1913, Eschenbach Optik is one of the world’s leading suppliers of eyewear, vision aids and sports optics. Humphrey’s eyewear offers bold, streetstyle frames for a younger, fashion-forward audience, while Jos. Eschenbach offers premium titanium eyewear, defined by technical precision, durability and timeless design.
Mark Draper joins the team
New Calvin Klein Eyewear sun style CK26106ST
PHOSPHATES
CooperVision
CooperVision hosted more than 100 eyecare professionals at Sea Life London Aquarium recently for the national launch of MyDay MiSight 1 day. Liz Lumb, director of global professional affairs myopia, and Chithra Dhanabalan, professional affairs manager UK and Ireland, talked through the development of myopia management at CooperVision, the decisions that led to the lens launch and its key features and benefits.
A lively Q&A session was then hosted by Lucy Davies, director of marketing and professional affairs UK and Ireland. The evening continued with a CPD session hosted by Nicky Latham,
professional affairs myopia lead UK and Ireland, and Neil Harvey, professional affairs consultant UK and Ireland, which considered the myopia management
Go Eyewear
The latest Ana Hickmann Eyewear optical and sunwear designs were showcased at Mido in Milan last month, offering contemporary, feminine styles with a strong fashion identity and premium finishing. Among the highlights of the new selection were two bold silhouettes – optical style AH6666-P02 and sun style AH9522-P02.
The optical style features a confident, geometric front with softly sculpted lines that frame the face. A deep, glossy black front and translucent nude-toned temples create a refined, luxurious balance, elevated by the brand’s gold AH signature detail on the hinge. The matching sun style is a glamorous oversized silhouette featuring soft gradient lenses, and the gold AH signature hinge for an elegant finish.
Eyespace
Eyespace has appointed Tim Halter as director of global strategy, underscoring the company’s commitment to accelerating international and export growth.
With more than 25 years in the global eyewear industry, Tim joins Eyespace from Menrad, where as managing director he led international strategy, operations and market development.
Julie Abel, co-founder of Eyespace, said: “Tim brings a depth of international experience and a practical, strategic
mindset that will help us build on the strong foundations already in place across our export business. His perspective will be invaluable as we continue to grow in a thoughtful, sustainable way and deliver the award-winning brand experience Eyespace is revered for in new markets.”
Tim commented: “My focus will be on supporting the continued development of the export business by aligning strategy with local market execution, strengthening international structures and ensuring the business is well positioned to scale sustainably across key territories.”
customer journey and how eyecare professionals can communicate with their patients, and patients’ parents, throughout the experience.
New Stepper Origin SI-50331 is a refined titanium ophthalmic frame designed for wearers who value lightweight comfort and precision fit. Weighing just 9.25g, the frame is designed in a European Fit profile, and engineered to hold prescribed lenses in optimal alignment. The softly structured geometric eye shape (54-17-135) also features intricate temple detailing.
“SI-50331 captures our philosophy perfectly – frames engineered around the face, not simply styled,” said Peter Reeve, Stepper UK managing director. “It’s a piece that allows eyecare professionals to deliver both comfort and optical precision. The temples are the true statement feature: a sculpted, interlocking pattern reminiscent of fine jewellery.”
Tim Halter
Liz Lumb presents at Sea Life London launch
New Ana Hickmann sun style AH9522-P02
Stepper Origin SI-50331 Stepper
Association of British Dispensing Opticians
A membership Pay & Reward Survey undertaken by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has highlighted significant variations in pay by employer type, region and additional responsibilities – with almost 70 per cent of respondents saying they felt their pay and benefits did not reflect their responsibilities. The survey also found that gaining additional qualifications could positively influence pay – though the existence of a pay gap between ABDO members identifying as male and female was confirmed.
“This research gives us the clearest picture yet of the challenges and
College of Optometrists
opportunities around pay and recognition in our profession,” commented Alistair Bridge, ABDO CEO. “Our members bring exceptional skill, commitment and care to patients every day, and it’s vital that this is reflected in how they are valued and
Bookings are now open for the College of Optometrists’ Optometry Tomorrow conference being held on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 June at the Harrogate Convention Centre. Organised in partnership with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the event is expected to attract more than 1,000 eyecare professionals, with some 50 sessions and up to 90 CPD points available.
Sessions will span four themes: clinical confidence and excellence; multi-disciplinary working, professional development, education and career growth; and technology and innovation. Programme highlights include: a keynote presentation from Double Paralympian and England’s most decorated blind footballer, Darren Harris; ‘Changes in global burden of visual impairment and the implications for the UK’ with Professor Rupert Bourne from the Vision and Eye Research Institute of Anglia Ruskin University; and ‘The AI-ready optometrist: skills for future practice’ with Fiona Buckmaster, community optometrist and PhD researcher at the University of Huddersfield.
Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of the College of Optometrists, said: “Bringing together more than 1,000 eyecare professional peers over two days, Optometry Tomorrow is designed to inspire, challenge and grow your practice. Beyond the lecture theatre, our growing and vibrant exhibition will showcase the latest industry insights, products and services, as well as a new learning and community zone designed to give delegates space for even more conversation, connection and collaboration.” For more details and to book, visit www.college-optometrists.org
Positive Impact
NEG members were among more than 250 dry eye specialists who took part in Positive Impact’s Dreye January initiative this year – helping to raise awareness of dry eye disease and the management solutions available. Activities included emails, reminder letters, social media engagement, specialist events, promotions, educational webinars with Professor James Wolffsohn, Dermot Keogh, Dr Diane Hilal Campo and Nicola Alexander Cross, and in-practice events. More than 39,000 social media views were recorded and over 1,000 people
registered for the dry eye educational webinars, reported PI.
rewarded. We’re using these insights to develop new tools, support and guidance to help members advance their careers and strengthen their recognition.” ABDO has shared a report of the findings survey on its website, www.abdo.org.uk
Managing director, Nick Atkins, said: “The level of engagement from practices of all sizes far exceeded our expectations for such a young initiative. Eyecare professionals clearly want to make a positive difference to their patients’ and their communities’ eye health. Every participant will have their own success stories, but if we look at just the Dry Eye Zone Instagram account, traffic increased by over 700 per cent during the
month. There is clearly a strong appetite for this type of educational content. Hopefully, this is just the beginning, with benefits extending well beyond January.”
Keynote speaker, Darren Harris
ABDO membership insights on pay and reward
Taking part in Dreye January at iCare Opticians
College of Optometrists
New research undertaken in January by the RAC, supported by the College of Optometrists, has highlighted the growing problem of headlight glare amongst drivers. In a survey of 1,745 regular UK drivers, more than half (57 per cent) of respondents affected by dazzling headlights said the problem was worse this winter than the last. A quarter of drivers with adaptive driving beam systems thought they increased the risk of dazzle to other road users.
Four in 10 said they were also dazzled by brake lights in front of them, possibly due to the increased use of auto hold brake lights; and only a quarter engaged the handbrake or parking brake while stopped in traffic. Of those who were now driving less at night as a result of headlight glare, 78 per cent said it was because they found driving more difficult or uncomfortable. Almost half (45 per cent) now drove less at night because it made them “feel unsafe behind the wheel”.
Survey respondents were keen to see something done, with 87 per cent supportive of the government’s plan to conduct more research into the issue and the same proportion wanting to see how existing headlight regulations could be amended to improve the situation. Three-quarters (77 per cent) would like a public information
campaign to help drivers understand the issue better – something the RAC and its partners have already taken steps to support with a series of informational videos via the RAC YouTube channel. The RAC website also carries a full guide to headlight glare.
RAC senior policy officer, Rod Dennis, said: “Drivers consistently tell us the height of vehicles, and the apparent colour of headlights are contributors to glare, so these are two areas we believe the government should consider in its next stage of research. Headlight glare is a complicated area and there’s sadly no simple ‘fix’ that will
eradicate it. But for the first time ever there is now a concerted effort – both in the UK and internationally – to tackle it.
“We look forward to continuing work with the government and our campaign partners with the aim of reducing the problem of glare in the years ahead. In the meantime, we urge drivers to do what they can to minimise the likelihood of dazzling others, and to reduce the effects of glare on themselves.” Turn to this month’s Developing Thoughts on page 20 for more research findings, and some considerations for supporting patients with solutions in practice.
change together AN INDEPENDENT VIEW
Driving
The AIO continues to engage with other key stakeholders including the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the College of Optometrists, the Association of Optometrists, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, FODO the Association for Eyecare Providers and the RAC to deliver proportionate change around drivers’ vision screening. Though the specifics of any scheme remain up for discussion, the AIO proposes that all drivers should undergo a mandatory assessment of visual function at the time of driving licence
renewal, to include the testing of binocular visual acuity and visual field screening.
Moreover, the AIO proposes that this assessment should be at no cost to the taxpayer and be funded by the driver – just as the taxpayer doesn’t make a contribution to ensuring vehicles are roadworthy and safe. Why should assessment of a driver’s road safety be funded by the public purse?
The beauty of such a system is, of course, that there is genuine transparency, with providers able to set their own fees, and the public given the option to choose where they have their assessment done. Against this backdrop, the move towards implementing a mandatory testing protocol
for the over-70s is a good step forwards, and it is imperative that all optical bodies work together to ensure a strong and united response to the consultation.
If you’re yet to respond to the consultation, please consider doing so –it remains open until 11 May at gov.uk
Brake lights are also causing problems for drivers
Keval Sejpar BSc (Hons) MCOptom Chairman
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Drivers’ vision: we have the technology Developing thoughts
YBy Phil Mullins
ou don’t have to be watching the news too closely to see that drivers’ vision has come to the government’s attention in a (seemingly) meaningful way at last. Not only are they consulting on the introduction of mandatory vision checks for the over 70s when renewing their driving licence, which should apply to all age groups in my opinion, they are also looking at the growing impact of headlight glare on drivers’ vision.
So, let’s look at some of the numbers backing up this renewed focus…
LATEST RAC SURVEY FINDINGS
The RAC and the College of Optometrists have been campaigning together on drivers’ vision for some time, and their latest survey – of 1,745 regular UK drivers – found that 94 per cent of respondents were being dazzled by headlights from oncoming vehicles. Fifty-seven per cent of respondents said the problem had worsened over the last 12 months.
Sixty-three per cent of survey respondents said they were also subjected to headlight dazzle from vehicles in their rearview mirror. A third of those affected by dazzle (33 per cent) said they felt less safe when driving at night, while 25 per cent said it had “knocked their confidence behind the wheel”.
Of those who were now driving less at night as a result of headlight glare, 78 per cent said it was because they found driving more difficult or uncomfortable. Almost half (45 per cent) said they now drove less at night because it made them feel unsafe behind the wheel.
A quarter of respondents (25 per cent) who said they found headlights too bright were either driving less at night or had given up altogether – with the figure leaping to 33 per cent of under 35s and 43 per cent of those aged 75 and over. And across drivers of all age groups, 16 per cent wished they could drive less at night but had no choice not to.
Driving less – or even stopping doing so at night – was also found to be having a tangible effect on people’s lives, with 36 per
cent of this group now having less contact with friends; 24 per cent said they weren’t seeing family members as much. Fiftyeight per cent said their social life had been impacted, while 15 per cent said they found it harder to attend important events like healthcare appointments as they struggled to drive in the dark.
OFFERING THE RIGHT SOLUTION
The above statistics provide a mere snapshot of the research findings – but basically, driving at night has become even more of a problem, drivers are feeling less safe on the road, and its negatively affecting their lives.
The answer, however, isn’t to turn back the clocks and get rid of bright LED headlights – because the research also shows that drivers feel safer when driving in a car with brighter headlights. So what do we do until all cars are driving themselves with infra-red cameras, and we won’t need the lights on at all?
Firstly, I suggest you speak with your preferred lens provider, as most now have options that specifically cater for drivers. If you look at our preferred suppliers alone, EssilorLuxottica has Road Pilot, Hoya has Enroute, Rodenstock has Road, and Seiko has its Drive lens. All of these products have sophisticated coatings to reduce glare and reflection, as well as technologies to enhance peripheral vision, and increase distance
zones on the progressive lens options. I would also recommend you look into LEDPro from Younger Optics, which is available from your independent lens supplier. It is the first lens specifically designed to eliminate the glare from LED lights, not only from cars but from life in general. It does this by absorbing wavelengths at 450nm and 550nm, whilst maintaining a high level of overall transmission.
But none of this is of any value unless you promote these features and benefits to your patients. From the research, roughly 63 per cent of your patients who drive will have a problem with glare – and you have the answer to that problem. If you can help them to see more clearly and comfortably on the road, and make them feel safer and more confident whilst driving at night, they will reward you with their loyalty and recommendations.
If your patients are stopping doing things they love, like meeting friends and taking part in hobbies, then this is a major problem for them and for society. It’s imperative that we act as a profession. Don’t wait for your patients to bring up the subject – because the research also shows that only eight per cent have spoken to their optometrist about their concerns. Initiate the conversation, and find an additional way to make a real difference to your patients’ vision, eye health and well-being. ■
Headlight glare is a growing problem
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eyeFit custom contact lenses
Jim Dickson introduces the NEG exclusive eyeFit range in partnership with mark’ennovy, part of the Euclid Vision Group
In everyday High Street practice, it’s easy to assume that only a small number of patients truly need custom made soft contact lenses. Mass produced contact lenses have advanced significantly, offering sophisticated surface chemistry, high oxygen transmission and excellent comfort. These developments have transformed patient care – yet they share one fundamental limitation: they are designed for the average eye.
Research shows that up to 32 per cent of patients fall outside the ‘one size fits all’ design space. Relying solely on standard parameters risks overlooking a substantial group of patients whose comfort, visual performance and long term success could be greatly enhanced with a custom lens.
rule are sufficient for most routine cases, practitioners aiming to grow their speciality lens services benefit greatly from incorporating advanced topography.
Custom contact lenses may seem complex due to the wide range of powers, materials, geometries and parameters available. In contrast, mass produced lenses offer simplicity – one or two base curves and a single diameter.
It’s natural to stay within familiar territory. Yet fitting a patient who falls outside standard parameters can be one of the most rewarding experiences for both practitioner and patient, particularly for those who never knew such solutions existed.
IDENTIFYING SUITABLE PATIENTS
What follows is a streamlined seven step guide to identifying suitable candidates and fitting custom soft lenses with confidence.
Step 1: High prescriptions (spherical or cylindrical)
Patients with high refractive errors are often the most obvious candidates for custom lenses – and they should always be made aware of their full range of options.
Dispensing opticians play a crucial role here: they frequently manage complex spectacle prescriptions and are ideally positioned to identify patients who may have struggled with contact lenses previously, become lapsed wearers or were discouraged from lens wear in the past.
Step 2: Presbyopes with astigmatism
This rapidly expanding patient group often faces limited lens options. Their
prescriptions may not be extreme, but the sheer number of SKUs required to support them makes mass produced solutions impractical. As a result, many remain underserved – and custom lenses offer a highly effective alternative.
Some multifocal wearers achieve only ‘functional vision’ and remain dissatisfied. Others experience haloes or ghosting. Custom multifocal designs – including extended depth of focus (EDOF) options –provide more individualised optics and can significantly improve visual quality.
Step 4: Non standard corneal dimensions
Many patients have straightforward prescriptions but fall outside normal corneal dimensions. Those with smaller or larger horizontal visible iris diameters (HVIDs), or with flatter or steeper corneas, often struggle in standard lenses. Custom designs allow practitioners to match sagittal height precisely, delivering a truly optimised fit.
Step 5: Ordering the lens
Begin with:
■ An up-to-date refraction
■ Full corneal assessment
■ Keratometry readings
■ HVID measurement (essential for sagittal height calculation)
A corneal topographer provides additional information such as corneal eccentricity, elevation data and detailed surface mapping. While a keratometer and PD
The Medmont Meridia Pro is widely regarded as the gold standard in corneal topography for specialty lens fitting. Its high resolution composite mapping, tear film assessment tools and exceptional repeatability make it a trusted platform for orthokeratology and complex corneal cases. As part of the Euclid Vision Group, Medmont continues to support evidence based specialty lens practice with robust imaging technology and clinical reliability. Looking ahead, 2026 marks the arrival of the Medmont Vantage, the next evolution in Medmont’s imaging platform. The Vantage retains all the core attributes and clinical strengths of the Meridia Pro – including high precision corneal topography, reliable composite mapping and advanced tear film analysis – while adding a major new capability: scleral profilometry. This expanded functionality enables practitioners to capture detailed scleral shape data, supporting more accurate, efficient, and predictable scleral lens fitting. Further information about Medmont technology, including the Meridia Pro and the upcoming Vantage, is available from your local mark’ennovy sales representative or mark’ennovy customer care.
To select the initial lens:
■ Visit markennovy.com for available parameters and combinations
■ Use the online fitting calculator
■ Or contact the dedicated technical support team – staffed by experienced opticians who can guide your initial order and provide ongoing support
Step 6: Collection and assessment
Custom lenses require a short settling period after insertion to stabilise on the eye. Only once the fit is satisfactory should over refraction be performed. Signs of a suboptimal fit include:
■ Lens rotation greater than 20°
■ Over refraction significantly outside expected norms
■ Visual acuity not improving with over refraction
Medmont Meridia with Studio software
If issues arise, the mark’ennovy technical support team is available to assist. Telephone 0800 3280610 or email mkservices@markennovy.com
Step 7: Professional reward and practice growth
Your clinical expertise and time deserve appropriate recognition. Enrolling custom lens wearers onto a care plan or direct debit scheme ensures your practice is fairly compensated while reinforcing the value of ongoing professional care.
EYEFIT RANGE: EXCLUSIVE TO YOU
mark’ennovy and NEG are proud to offer members the eyeFit range of custom made monthly disposable soft lenses at a significantly enhanced price – delivering over 40 per cent savings compared to the list price.
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EYEFIT SILICONE HYDROGEL
The eyeFit Silicone Hydrogel lens (previously Saphir RX) is the flagship lens in the range, offering exceptional customisation and premium material performance for patients who fall outside standard parameters.
Our best selling custom soft lens, eyeFit Silicone Hydrogel is manufactured in a high performance silicone hydrogel material for optimal oxygen transmission and long term corneal health. Available in sphere, toric, multifocal and multifocal toric designs, the lens offers more than one billion parameter combinations, enabling precise tailoring of base curve, diameter, power and geometry.
The lens is designed to provide stable vision, enhanced comfort and a consistently accurate fit, even for patients with non standard corneal shapes, and is ideal for wearers who have previously struggled with mass produced lenses due to limited parameter availability.
The lens’s extensive parameter ranges are:
■ Power: -30.00D to +30.00D in 0.25D steps
■ Cylinders: 0.75 to 8.00DC in 0.25DC steps
■ Axis: full one degree increments
■ Reading additions: +0.50 to +4.00D in 0.50D steps (centre-distance and centre near designs)
EYEFIT FOR PRESBYOPIA
Featuring an advanced EDOF optical design developed by the Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI), the eyeFit for Presbyopia lens (previously EDOF for presbyopia) offers a highly sophisticated and patient friendly approach to presbyopic correction – and is clinically proven to minimise haloes and glare, enhancing visual quality across all distances.
Studies show that EDOF visual performance surpasses that of traditional multifocal lens designs, offering clearer, more stable vision. EDOF optics elongate the depth of focus, ensuring consistently good visual quality at near, intermediate and distance. The lens provides pupil independent performance enabled by BHVI’s patented EDOF technology, and is designed for easy, predictable fitting, supporting a seamless patient experience.
EyeFit for presbyopia is available in three reading additions, with no requirement for ocular dominance selection during the initial fit. It is also available in toric designs up to -8.00DC, in one degree axis steps.
The lens’s extensive parameter ranges are:
■ Power: -18.00D to +18.00D in 0.25D steps
■ Cylinders: 0.75 to 8.00DC in 0.25DC steps
■ Axis: full one degree increments
EYEFIT FOR MYOPIA MANAGEMENT
The eyeFit for Myopia Management lens (previously MYLO) is a fully customisable monthly soft lens designed using the same EDOF optical technology developed by the BHVI – the same patented approach used in the eyeFit for Presbyopia lens. This advanced optical design helps slow myopia progression in children by delivering controlled retinal defocus while maintaining good visual quality.
Its clinical performance is supported by
a three year peer reviewed study involving 96 Caucasian children aged six to 13 years.
The key findings of this study included:
■ Significantly slower myopia progression compared to single vision spectacles
■ Mean change in spherical equivalent (SE): -0.90D with EDOF lenses vs -1.64D with spectacles (p < 0.001)
■ Axial length (AL) increase of 0.55mm with EDOF lenses vs 0.97mm with spectacles (p < 0.001)
■ Ninety per cent of children wearing EDOF lenses showed AL growth ≤0.60mm
■ CARE (cumulative absolute reduction in axial elongation): 0.42mm
■ SE difference of 0.74D, closely aligning with the US Food & Drug Administration’s minimum efficacy benchmark
■ High satisfaction: children rated their visual experience ≥9/10
■ Strong safety profile: only 31 cases of mild corneal staining over three years, none requiring discontinuation
■ Visual acuity remained good, with only a half line reduction in high contrast logMAR, consistent with other myopia control modalities
These findings align with previous research demonstrating that EDOF lenses slow myopia progression more effectively than single vision corrections. Evidence also highlights the importance of early intervention, particularly in fast progressors, and supports EDOF lenses as a safe, effective and well tolerated option for paediatric myopia management.
The lens’s extensive parameter ranges are:
■ Power: -0.25D to -15.00D in 0.25D steps
■ Cylinders: 0.75 to 8.00DC in 0.25DC steps
■ Axis: full one degree increments
IMPORTANT
NEG members must order under the eyeFit name to receive NEG pricing. For further information, contact the mark’ennovy customer care line on 0800 3280610 or email mkservices@markennovy.com
EyeFit for Presbyopia
eyeFit for Myopia Management
Jim Dickson FBDO FBCLA is mark’ennovy professional affairs manager UK and Ireland. ■
Scotlens: building business through specialty contact lenses
Specialty contact lenses build smarter, more sustainable practices and that’s why they are the focus at Scotlens, writes Scott
Brown
If I’m honest, I’m probably partly to blame for how Scotlens is perceived. I’m not particularly good at blowing my own trumpet, so many people assume Scotlens is simply a small GP lab doing broadly the same contact lenses as everyone else. It isn’t.
Scotlens exists because I’m fussy. When you fit your own patients and have a contact lens laboratory at your fingertips, there’s nowhere to hide behind marketing language or smoke-and-mirrors terminology. If something doesn’t work clinically, you feel it immediately – in chair time, outcomes and patient trust. That mindset has shaped Scotlens from the very beginning. Over time, it has also shaped where we focus –specialty contact lenses.
WHY SPECIALTY LENSES MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Most practices today are working harder than ever: margins are under pressure, competition is increasing, and chair time is finite. Spectacle sales – historically the backbone of practice income – are under constant pressure. The challenge is no longer ‘how do I see more patients?’ – it’s ‘how do I build a practice that works better per patient?’
Specialty contact lenses answer that question. Not because they are complicated – but because they solve several problems at once.
WHY THEY ARE A ‘WORK SMART, NOT HARD’ MODEL
From a chair-time perspective, fitting specialty lenses – including orthokeratology (ortho-k) night lenses – is remarkably similar to fitting soft lenses. But the downstream effects are completely different.
Specialty lens patients are:
■ More engaged
■ Less price-sensitive
■ Far more loyal
■ Extremely unlikely to drop out
You are no longer supplying a commodity that can be replaced online. You are delivering
a bespoke clinical service that patients value, talk about and stay with long term. Night lenses combine vision correction with genuine lifestyle freedom and, for children, meaningful myopia control. Once established, patients rarely leave unless they physically move away. That stability is one of their greatest – and often overlooked –advantages.
LIFETIME VALUE OF ONE PATIENT
Let’s look at this simply. A conservative estimate for a night lens patient is around £400 annual profit. Over 20 years, that’s £8,000 from a single patient. Now consider a child fitted at age 12 who continues wearing night lenses into adulthood. If they wear until age 65 – entirely realistic given the absence of dry eye – that represents a lifetime value of around £21,000 from one patient.
Keratoconus and irregular corneal patients often begin young too, with similarly long retention and stability. This isn’t highchurn retail; it’s long-term clinical care.
WHY RETENTION IS SO STRONG
Specialty lens patients feel different about their care. They feel known, they feel looked after, and they understand their lenses are bespoke. Night lenses, once established, quietly integrate into daily life. No daytime dryness, no fear of losing lenses, and very little reason to look elsewhere.
Manufacturing consistency plays a role too. When lenses are reproducible and predictable, patients remain stable and confident in their wear. With Nocturnal night lenses, more than 90 per cent of patients are successfully fitted, and the three-year wear success rate is 82 per cent – reinforcing the long-term stability these patients bring.
New brand identify launched in 2025
Ortho-k night lenses can help grow the practice business
MANUFACTURING ACCURACY:
BECAUSE MICRONS MATTER
Around 25 years ago, Scotlens invested in new lathing technology that fundamentally changed what we could manufacture. The surface finish and repeatability we achieved were unlike anything we had seen before, and it quickly became clear this level of accuracy was ideally suited to ortho-k.
Every lens we produce is measured multiple times during manufacture to an accuracy of ±0.02mm – more than twice as precise as the ISO manufacturing standard – equating to around 0.10D in power accuracy.
Ortho-k is not about brute-force reshaping. It is about controlled epithelial thickness changes, often well under 30 microns. Remove manufacturing variability, and the process becomes predictable and enjoyable to fit. When this level of lens accuracy is combined with modern corneal topography, the resulting fit is predictable to within just a few microns – far beyond what fluorescein assessment alone can resolve.
This consistency also reduces practitioner chair time. Replacement lenses can be issued confidently, knowing they are identical to the originals, allowing reviews to be carried out on new lenses rather than older deposited ones. From a personal perspective, that manufacturing confidence is what allowed me to trust what I was fitting – and focus more on patients than on second-guessing lenses.
WHY ORTHO-K BECAME OUR FOCUS
Once lens accuracy was no longer the limiting factor, it became possible to design a fitting system where lenses behaved exactly as intended. That changed everything. It reduced trial-and-error, freed chair time and allowed greater focus on patient outcomes.
Ortho-k combines optics, physiology, long-term care and lifestyle benefit in a way few corrections do. As evidence for myopia control emerged, it confirmed ortho-k as not just a future for GP lenses – but for optometry as a whole. Discomfort with soft lenses motivates some patients, but myopia management in younger patients changes the scale entirely –making the potential market far broader. Importantly, the myopia control effect comes from how the cornea changes shape, not proprietary technology layered onto the lens. Compliance is high, and the benefit comes as part of the correction patients already value.
USING NIGHT LENSES FOR PRACTICE GROWTH
Night lenses are one of the clearest ways to understand how specialty lenses can grow a practice. Communication is key. When explained in relatable terms – freedom from daytime lenses, improved comfort, lifestyle flexibility and myopia management – patients quickly understand the value. Patients are not being asked to pay extra for myopia control. They choose night lenses for vision and lifestyle reasons, and the control benefit comes with it.
Practices that communicate night lenses confidently – clinically and front-of-house –see higher engagement, stronger referrals and faster growth. It becomes less about selling ortho-k and more about ensuring patients understand all three mainstream options:
■ Spectacles
■ Day lenses
■ Night lenses
Once patients understand that choice, many naturally gravitate toward night lenses themselves.
CLINICAL INFLUENCE BEHIND SCOTLENS
Alongside private practice, I also fitted NHS irregular corneal patients – often referred specifically to avoid grafts. That environment sharpens your thinking quickly. Your role isn’t just to improve vision, but to preserve quality of life. It reinforced a principle that still underpins Scotlens today: every patient is individual, and every lens should reflect that.
Managing these patients over more than 20 years has been a genuine privilege and one of the most rewarding aspects of optometry.
EQUIPMENT WITHOUT SUPPORT: A COMMON MISTAKE
A common assumption is: “Once I buy a topographer, I’ll start doing specialty lenses.” In reality, that’s backwards. A topographer is a tool, not a strategy. Confidence comes from knowing who to fit, how to explain it, how to price it, and how
EXCLUSIVE WEBINAR INVITATION
Wednesday 25 March @ 7-8.30pm
Introducing ortho-k night lenses
Join Scotlens for its first joint webinar exclusive to NEG customers – from 7-8.30pm on Wednesday 25 March. Presented by Scotlens CEO and optometrist, Scott Brown, the webinar will cover the ortho-k night lens fitting theory. Scott will draw on his personal experience and use examples from his own private practice to help and support practitioners get started with ortho-k.
to support patients and staff. Education and mentoring bridge that gap between theory and confident clinical delivery.
IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT STARTING
If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds great, but I’m not sure I’m ready”, that’s completely normal. Almost everyone who now fits specialty lenses confidently started in exactly the same place. You don’t need to begin with complex cases. You don’t need to know everything on day one. And you don’t need to do it alone. Start with one patient. Then another.
Confidence grows quickly when outcomes are predictable and support is close at hand. Specialty contact lenses are not about working harder – they’re about building a smarter, more resilient practice with deeper patient relationships and long-term security. You’ve already got the clinical foundation. We’ll help with the rest.
To get in touch or discuss any of our products and training, email sales@scotlens.com
Scott Brown BSc (Hons) Optom, DipOD is CEO and clinical director at Scotlens. ■
There will be content based on real patient data and examples of corneal topography at different stages of treatment, with a Q&A session to follow.
Find out more and book a place by scanning the QR code below or visiting https://tinyurl.com/3yzbxyws
Nocturnal night lens starter set
When sustainability meets the spectacle
Join one of the fastest -growing eyewear brands in the UK – with wholesale and consignment options available to NEG members…
As eyewear continues its evolution from functional necessity to intentional fashion statement, Bird Eyewear’s latest releases capture a moment where bold expression and refined craftsmanship meet.
The brand’s new Vibrant Nature collection signals a confident shift in both colour and construction, responding to a
growing consumer appetite for frames that offer personality, presence and purpose in equal measure.
Developed in Bird Eyewear’s Nature Lab in Cornwall, the collection explores rich, layered colourways achieved through refined natural dye techniques. The result is a palette that feels both striking and organic — deep botanical reds, mineral blues and warm earth tones that draw directly from the natural world rather than synthetic trends.
As softer pastels and clear frames gradually fall out of favour, richer, more saturated hues are taking centre stage. Bird’s approach positions the brand firmly at the forefront of this tonal shift, offering opticians colour stories that feel fresh yet wearable.
PIONEERING VISION
Material innovation remains central to the brand’s identity. As one of the eyewear industry’s pioneering B Corps, Bird Eyewear continues to prioritise low carbon bio-acetates, recycled metals and repurposed materials across its collections. This commitment goes beyond surfacelevel sustainability, informing design decisions from the earliest concept stage through to final production. The result is eyewear that feels premium without compromising on environmental responsibility – a balance increasingly valued by today’s considered consumer. In terms of silhouette, the collection reflects a noticeable sharpening of shapes across the wider market. Chunky acetates
Bold expression meets refined craftsmanship
sit alongside ultra-sleek metals, offering contrast while maintaining cohesion. Classic silhouettes are reimagined with subtle edge, while angular contemporary designs – particularly modern hexagonal forms – have quickly become standout performers.
These sculptural frames deliver presence without excess, aligning with the growing perception of eyewear as a defining style accessory rather than a purely practical purchase.
Complementing the new optical range, Bird Eyewear is also introducing premium polarised sun-clips for its most popular frames. Designed to integrate seamlessly, the clips provide an elevated blend of functionality and aesthetics, allowing wearers to transition effortlessly between optical and sun without compromising design integrity.
BALANCED APPROACH TO INNOVATION
Looking ahead, Bird Eyewear anticipates continued convergence between expressive design and meticulous craftsmanship. Consumer demand shows little sign of slowing for frames that make a statement, while remaining versatile enough for everyday wear.
At the same time, the brand maintains a measured approach to forecasting and production, ensuring that rapid trend cycles do not lead to overproduction or diluted sustainability standards.
Feedback from both opticians and end-wearers plays a crucial role in shaping future releases, grounding innovation in real-world insight.
‘‘
Customers are choosing eyewear with more intention than ever before. They’re looking for frames with personality — pieces that feel expressive, premium and a little unexpected — while still being wearable. Our job is to push creativity forward without chasing trends to the point of excess,”
Ed Bird, founder of Bird Eyewear
To explore the collection or discuss wholesale options, contact: 01392 703004
Scan the QR code or call 0844 873 1110 to open an account.
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.
