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References: 1. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® Multifocal for Astigmatism stabilisation study; 2018. 2. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® Multifocal for Astigmatism Patient Evaluation; 2020.(n=435) 3. Gallileo Business Consulting; 2022. Assessment of patient satisfaction after a fitting with Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® Multifocal for Astigmatism. (n=2914 patients, 565 ECPs)

1

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA, MoistureSeal, OpticAlign and 3-Zone Progressive are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates. ©2025 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or itsVision affiliates.Now September UMT.0012.IE.24 2025

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

www.steppereyewear.com 2 Vision Now September 2025

Inside

7

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 Features Contributor: Joan Grady jgparischats@wanadoo.fr Business Editor: Philip Mullins FBDO p.mullins@nationaleyecare.co.uk Art Editor: Stacey Potter BA (Hons) info@spottcreative.co.uk

News 4 New lens to combat LED glare 7 Bird floats full-circle recycling 9 Seiko offers wellbeing scheme 11 Dry eye software launch 13 iDay sets 2026 dates 14 Sector supports mandatory driver vision checks Features 23 National Eye Health Week New resources for campaign 24 Promotional feature Citation: prescription to protection 26 Business matters The Independent’s Masterplan Part 2 Regulars 14 An independent view 19 Developing thoughts 28 Style spotlight 30 Suppliers’ directory

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Editor’s comment

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Drivers’ vision has been making headlines again – with reports the government is planning to introduce mandatory vision checks for drivers aged 70 and over as part of this cohort’s triennial driving licence renewals process.

T

his is a requirement that’s long been called for by many stakeholders, with at least two of the UK’s optical bodies welcoming such a proposal (see News page 14). However, there are concerns about the impact of such legislation – not least in the logistics of its implementation. The government is preparing a new Road Safety Strategy for the autumn, so the finer details of any changes remain to be seen – along with how High Street independent practices might be involved.

One issue that affects drivers of all ages is glare from LED headlights – and it’s a problem that independent lens casting giant Younger Optics has been working to solve for more than a decade. We covered these R&D endeavours back in April, and now share the news that Younger’s LED PRO lens is available to UK independent labs (see News page 4). While discussions on road safety continue, this unique innovation offers a potential solution for patients battling LED glare – not just whilst driving but in all manner of modern-day environments.

You may have noticed that I have used the word ‘independent’ three times already in this month’s Comment. It’s a word that has specific (and meaningful) connotations for NEG members, but its definition has become somewhat clouded in recent years – as Phil Mullins discusses in this month’s Developing Thoughts. Whatever the word means to you, your patients, suppliers and business partners, one thing remains true in all walks of life: independence equals freedom.

So, have a look through this month’s issue to see what new products, business advice, campaigns and services you are free to consider ‘buying in to’ that suit the specific needs of your independent optical business…

Nicky Collinson Editor www.nationaleyecare.co.uk VISION NOW is published by PK National Eyecare Group Ltd, Clermont House, High Street 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 © 2025 for PK National Eyecare Group 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.

@PK_NEG

Vision Now September 2025 3

News

Want to feature in VN?

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

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

Younger Optics The first patented ophthalmic lens technology featuring cuttingedge optical performance and enhanced comfort for users exposed to LED light has been unveiled by Younger Optics. The patented LED PRO ophthalmic lens is specifically designed to mitigate the glare caused by modern LED lighting. It utilises selective wavelength absorption technology to target peak wavelengths common in LED emissions, notably at 450nm and 550nm, whilst maintaining high overall light transmittance – complying with category one lens standards.

The lens is aimed at wearers in three situations where artificial (LED) light is present: night time driving, computer use and gaming, and playing sports. According to Younger, extensive clinical tests and double blind wearer trials were conducted comparing LED PRO with standard corrective lenses for patients with myopia, hyperopia and presbyopia. LED PRO showed a 16-20 per cent improvement in glare recovery time for wearers.

In addition, 100 per cent of trial participants noticed improvement in glare and reflection reduction, vision in low light conditions, and overall ease of adaptation and comfort; while 90 per cent of trial participants were “fully satisfied with the vision in natural light”.

LED PRO is currently available in 1.67 MR-10 semi-finished single vision with a 1.60 product to follow. The lens is being offered to Younger Optics laboratory customers in the UK, which will then be able to supply finished corrective lenses to eyecare practitioners.

New lens innovation to combat LED lighting glare

Stepper Stepper Eyewear has significantly expanded its Stepper Start children’s collection by offering models for patients aged up to 14 years – alongside new lightweight titanium frames. “This evolution of the Stepper Start range reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting child development through better vision, with products informed by clinical research and shaped by the World Fit design philosophy,” said Peter Reeve, managing director of Stepper UK. The extended collection addresses the need for eyewear that fits anatomically and developmentally throughout the full span of childhood and into adolescence. “Children aren’t just small adults,” continued Peter,

One of the new Stepper Start models

“they require eyewear that understands growth, balance, and clinical alignment. This expansion ensures that we can now support children and young teens with frames that evolve with them.” The introduction of titanium models to the Stepper Start line brings the brand’s signature innovation

in materials to the children’s category.

Developed using facial-fit research, including insights from Dr Alicia Thompson, Stepper Start frames are crafted to minimise pressure points and ensure that lenses remain optimally aligned through key vision development stages.

Bausch + Lomb Bausch + Lomb has expanded its Ultra contact lens family to now include 6,068 multifocal for astigmatism parameters and an 8.7mm base curve in the spherical range. Additionally, Bausch + Lomb Ultra for Astigmatism features a -2.75D cylinder, and the multifocal lenses “require only two Adds for a 9/10 patient fit success in just two visits”, stated the company.

Said to offer “16 hours of outstanding comfort and approved for up to seven days extended wear”, Bausch + Lomb Ultra is a full silicone hydrogel monthly contact lens family available in standard stock, ready to ship.

4 Vision Now September 2025

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References: 1. Perez-Gomez I, Giles T. European survey of contact lens wearers and eye care professionals on satisfaction with a new water gradient daily disposable contact lens. Clin Optom.

2014;6:17-23. 2. PRECISION1TM (DDT2) Lens with Smart Surface study; Alcon data on file, 2019. 3. Cummings S, Giedd B, Pearson C. Clinical Performance of a Novel Daily Disposable Soft Contact Lens.

JCLRS [Internet]. 2020Dec.11;4(1):e23-e30. 4. In a clinical study wherein patients (n=66) used AOSEPT® solution for nightly cleaning, disinfecting, and storing; Alcon data on file, 2021. 5. Online consumer survey of 2,021 consumers (1,010 current contact lens wearers, 564 lapsed contact lens wearers and 447 spectacle wearers) carried out by MarketVision in December 2021 (France n=405, Germany n=401, Italy n=411, Australia n=402 and South Korea n=402).

TOTAL30® contact lenses are monthly replacement lenses for daily wear.

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News Bird Eyewear Bird Eyewear has introduced a full-circle recycling scheme, bringing new life to forgotten frames. Noticing a need for frame recycling options within practices across the UK, Bird wanted to go one step further than the industry norm of recycling frames into waste materials. Usable frames are donated to Bird’s charity partners, while broken frames are recycled in Devon into nature-inspired Zero Waste optical cases, a winner in the Love Eyewear Awards Accessory of the Year category.

Practitioners can request a recycling box for their practices, included free-of-charge in their Bird Eyewear Starter Set. Ryan Bennett, head of partnerships at Bird Eyewear, said: “Since Covid, there seem to be fewer options for recycling unwanted or broken frames than ever before, so we wanted to do something about it. We’ve got the skillsets and manufacturing available

New full-circle eyewear recycling scheme

here in Devon to create exciting new optical products from old optical frames that would otherwise end up in landfill. It was such a natural course of action in our ongoing mission to leave a planet-positive legacy

on the Earth. Those looking for a home for any frames, any brand, any prescription, any condition – our doors are open”. Find out more at www.birdeyewear.co.uk/pages/ recycling

Continental Eyewear Continental Eyewear has added three new models to its popular X-eyes Lite collection: XEL36, XEL37 and XEL38. Known for its lightweight feel, modern styling and all-day comfort, X-eyes Lite “continues to set the benchmark for contemporary eyewear that doesn’t compromise on quality or price”, says the company. Crafted with a combination of durable titanium and bold acetate, the latest styles are designed to bring fresh energy to the range.

Model XEL36 features a rounded-square shape with a keyhole bridge and subtle angles, and is available in three colourways.

New X-eyes Lite model XEL36

Model XEL37 plays with oversized proportions and fine geometric detailing, paired with slim titanium temples to add structure without bulk. Finally, model

XEL38 offers a confident butterfly shape with soft curves and a modern edge, designed to make a statement in three standout colours.

CooperVision Lucy Davies has joined CooperVision as director of marketing and professional affairs for the UK and Ireland. With a career encompassing positions in sales, account management and marketing, Lucy has spent half of her career in optics having previously worked for CIBA Vision and Alcon. CooperVision’s senior regional director, Keran Fordham, said: “We are delighted to welcome Lucy to the team and are excited to see how her wealth of experience helps to develop, not just the service we provide to our eyecare professional customers and their patients, but the contact lens category as a whole.”

Lucy commented: “There has never been a more exciting time for the contact lens category, and I’m delighted to be joining CooperVision to find new ways to ensure all consumers have their vision correction needs met throughout their lifetime. CooperVision offers eyecare professionals a vast range of products and prescriptions, and I can see where different categories can thrive by providing a lifetime of wear; beginning in childhood with myopia management and continuing all the way through to presbyopia in later life.”

Lucy Davies

Vision Now September 2025 7

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1.) Vlasak N. et al. Eight years of performance of defocus incorporated multiple segments (D.I.M.S.) spectacle lenses: User experience and myopia management outcomes. Rapid Fire Session VII: Myopia. 18.05.2025, EAOO 2025, Ljubljana, Slovenia. 2.) Fulton J.M.,McCullough S.J.,Saunders K.J.,Richardson P., Logan N.S., Whayeb Y., Williamson P., Barr H., Nagra M., Pardhan S., Shah R., Vlasak N. Multi-Site Observational Study of Defocus Vision Now September 2025Incorporated Multiple Segments (D.I.M.S.) spectacle lenses in UK children: 2-year results. IMC Conference Presentation (2024) https://www.hoyavision.com/ visionary-knowlegde/blogs-and-article/conference-imc-2024/ 3.) Jong M, Jonas JB, Wolffsohn JS, et al. IMI 2021 Yearly Digest. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2021;62(5):7. https://doi.org/10.1167/iovs.62.5.7

8

News Safilo

luxury proposition empowered by the influence and legacy of Victoria Beckham, who has successfully built and affirmed her brand within the fashion industry.

This collaboration will further enhance the women’s portfolio within Safilo’s brand architecture and strengthen our presence in the luxury segment.

The Safilo Group and Victoria Beckham have signed new 10-year global licensing agreement for the design, manufacture and distribution of Victoria Beckham branded eyewear collections until December 2035.

The full eyewear range – both optical and sun – will be unveiled ready for the spring/ summer 2026 season. “We are excited to welcome to our portfolio one of the industry’s most iconic creative directors,” said Angelo Trocchia, CEO of the Safilo Group.

“Together, we aim to strengthen the brand’s position as a global eyewear reference in women’s fashion, offering uniquely designed and beautifully crafted pieces that stand out for their attention to detail, minimal design, and sophisticated aesthetics – a

Victoria Beckham partners with Safilo

Victoria Beckham, the brand’s creative director, commented: “I’m thrilled to be working with Safilo to take Victoria Beckham Eyewear to the next level. Their expertise in the field is unparalleled, with a long-standing reputation for exceptional quality and craftsmanship. With their global reach and industry-leading capabilities, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead and can’t wait to bring our shared vision to life.” The inaugural collections will be launched in January 2026.

Seiko Optical Seiko Optical UK has launched a new wellbeing initiative, Clear Mind, Clear Vision, developed in partnership with Sheena Tanna-Shah, founder of Inspiring Success. The programme offers accessible and practical tools for the whole practice team, delivered through a series of monthly webinars. Bite-sized wellbeing segments, ideal for team huddles or start-of-day team meetings, are designed to last from 10-15 minutes. “We believe that supporting mental wellbeing is just as important as delivering exceptional optical care,” said Jonathan Cohen, commercial manager from Seiko Optical UK. “By partnering with Sheena and Inspiring Success, we’re making it easier for teams to integrate wellbeing practices into their daily routines.”

Sheena Tanna-Shah, a qualified optometrist and wellbeing coach, shared her enthusiasm for the collaboration: “This programme is all about making wellbeing accessible and achievable for everyone in the optical field. We’ve designed each segment to be short, impactful and easy to integrate into the working day. It’s about creating a culture where mental wellbeing is valued and supported. I’m thrilled to be working with Seiko Optical UK to bring this vision to life. Together, we’re empowering teams to take small steps that can lead to big changes in how they feel, work and connect with each other.”

Sheena Tanna-Shah

Silhouette Inspired by pure, functional forms of Bauhaus architecture, Silhouette’s new Visionary titanium eyewear collection fuses cutting-edge engineering with striking minimalist aesthetics. Notable design features include a sculptural nose bridge and newly engineered temples.

The reimagined nose bridge is designed to stand out more with bold curves and a clean, academic aesthetic. Another standout innovation is the ultra-flat lens surface, giving the eyewear an almost futuristic look.

Complementing these are the architectural titanium sides that marry strength with

New-look rimless designs with the Visionary collection

an elegant, linear silhouette. “With the Visionary, we wanted to create more than just a frame – we wanted to express our design philosophy,” said Roland Keplinger,

design director at Silhouette. “Each element serves both an aesthetic and structural purpose, making this a true homage to architectural clarity and innovation.”

Vision Now September 2025 9

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News Inspecs The autumn/winter 2025 optical offering from Radley incorporates key elements from the brand’s seasonal handbags and jewellery collections. Rooted in a rich palette of burgundy geo, oak, tortoiseshell and deepest black, seasonal chalk and marble highlights also bring a warm, lux texture to the eyewear. Radley’s signature style is ‘pared-back elegance’ – with ontrend colourways, quality materials and perfectly-placed details making its frames a staple for the style-conscious.

Radley RDO-6063 from Inspecs in detail

General Optical Council A General Optical Council (GOC) study, led by researchers at Glasgow Caledonian University, has concluded that separating components of the sight test by person, time or place may pose some risks for both the NHS and patients. However, in the context of a routine eye examination, the likelihood of these risks occurring was considered to be low. The research also found that tailoring eyecare to individuals, for example, through considering patients’ risk profiles

Positive Impact Positive Impact (PI) has launched CSI Dry Eye Software – a cloud-based system that uses machine learning algorithms to improve dry eye patients’ diagnosis and management. The result of years of research, and based on DEWS II (DEWS III integration in progress), the system analyses tests and questionnaires completed by the practitioner and the patient to identify possible causes and potential treatments. The brainchild of Canadian ophthalmologist, Dr Ahmed Al Ghoul, the software is designed to save time on diagnostics and increase productivity, as well as improve patient outcomes and reduce clinical error.

“As soon as I saw the capabilities of CSI Dry Eye Software, I knew we had to make it available in the UK,” said PI managing director, Nick Atkins. “This unique software

more thoroughly, may offer significant advantages in the prevention, diagnosis and management of ocular conditions. Future studies were recommended to determine if a personalised approach based on patient risk assessment could be considered value for money and cost-effective.

A stand-out design from the new collection is model RDO-6063, with its iconic cat-eye shaping in richly textured materials. The temples feature a metal trim detail, delivering a considered sweep of opulence. RDO-6063 is available in rich burgundy geo, chalk, marble and classic tortoiseshell colourways.

GOC director of regulatory strategy, Steve Brooker, said: “This research comes at an important time, as technology is evolving and models are developing where parts

of the sight test are carried out remotely from the patient and sometimes different elements are carried out by different people, in different places and at different times.

We recognise the significance of the issues and the diversity of views about them, so will carefully consider the findings and their policy implications before deciding next steps. Initially, we will convene a roundtable in October 2025 to hear stakeholder views, as well as discuss the report with our advisory committees and council.”

improves the standard of dry eyecare, as well as the patient experience and education about their condition and its management. It resolves the common challenge for many practices: developing and following a consistent protocol for every patient, between each practitioner in the same practice, for every patient visit.”

diagnostic and treatment options, CSI Dry Eye Software offers many benefits through evidence-based algorithms and machine learning processes. These include improved efficiencies, eliminating biases in the diagnosis and treatment processes, and boosting the bottom line through higher treatment revenue and patient retention.”

CSI Dry Eye Software CEO, Ken Barbet, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Positive Impact and to be able to bring the benefits of CSI Dry Eye Software to the UK, the first market outside of North America. PI has developed a great dry eye business including diagnostic and treatments; its expertise in training and education makes it the ideal distribution partner.”

Nick added: “Whether the practice is just starting out on its dry eye journey or is established and offering advanced

Dry eye software program comes to UK

Vision Now September 2025 11

The new invisible hearing solution

Interested in offering Nuance Audio in your practice?

We’re looking for forward-thinking partners to join us in bringing this breakthrough hearing solution to more people.

Become a Nuance Audio provider

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Take the first step toward becoming an official Nuance Audio provider. www.nuanceaudio.com Nuance Audio is an open-ear Over The Counter (OTC) hearing solution designed to amplify sounds for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

It is a CE medical device. Read the warnings and instructions carefully before use.

12 Vision Now September 2025

News Independents Day After the success of this year’s 20th anniversary Independents Day (iDay), attended by more than 100 independent practitioners, the organisers have announced the dates for next year’s meeting. iDay26 will be held on Sunday 5 and Monday 6 July at the same National Conference Centre venue in Birmingham.

The iDay business conference will be on Monday and will be preceded once again by a CPD day in partnership with the Specialist Club on the Sunday. The theme will be ‘Standing out from the crowd’ with a focus on the importance of independents differentiating their offering. iDay organiser, Nick Atkins, commented: “I’m delighted with this year’s anniversary event. The feedback from our survey, as

iDay 2025’s eyewear discussion panel

well as that received personally from both delegates and exhibitors, was tremendously positive. For 2026, I want to focus on how independence is as much a spirit, as it is a business model. We will look more at

the retail side of things and how niche products and services, in combination with supporting a more independent supply chain, can be very profitable as well as more sustainable for all involved.”

Continental Eyewear Whether it’s an Indian Summer or some autumn/ winter sunshine patients are seeking, the latest additions to the LK Bennett sunglasses collection from Continental Eyewear will bring a uniquely British aesthetic and effortless elegance to the fore. The new five-piece collection features bold acetates, classic cat-eyes and oversized glamour. One such example is LK Bennett Sun 48, which features a fabulous square oversized metal design. Subtle tortoiseshell temple tips add a refined twist to the piece, which will offer sun protection in style all-year-round.

CooperVision Third-year Cardiff University optometry student, Cherilyn Tan, has won CooperVision’s 2025 UK&I OptiStudent Award with her project on the impact of contact lens handling methods. Cherilyn’s project looked at how different contact lens handling methods could be used to minimise lens contamination and reduce adverse ocular signs and symptoms.

Cherilyn said: “I feel incredibly thankful to be the winner of this competition, which wouldn’t have been possible without all the help I received from Dr Louise Terry and my other supervisors, as well as the participants who were involved in my research project.

Student project winner, Cherilyn Tan

“Being a contact lens wearer myself, I have experienced first-hand the difference they can make, and I hope my findings can help fellow contact lens wearers have the same positive experience with their contact lenses,” added Cherilyn. Dr Terry, research

LK Bennett Sun 48

fellow, lecturer and optometrist at Cardiff University, said: “This competition is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase the hard work they’ve put into their research projects, and to get a flavour of what a career in research is like. It was a privilege to supervise Cherilyn, and we all wish her the best of luck in the EMEA final.”

CooperVision professional services consultant, Neil Harvey, commented: “It’s fantastic to hear the enthusiasm from these future eyecare professionals and how they may view their projects as contributing to future research, as well as how it might be useful in clinical practice.

Our congratulations go to Cherilyn, and we look forward to seeing her present at the European final later this year.” The next stage of the competition will take place in October at CooperVision’s Centre of Innovation in Budapest, Hungary, where other national finalists will showcase their research projects for a panel of judges.

Vision Now September 2025 13

News AOP/College of Optometrists The Association of Optometrists (AOP) and the College of Optometrists have welcomed a move that might see the introduction of mandatory sight tests for drivers over the age of 70 could be included as part of an overhaul of driving laws in the new road safety strategy, set to be published in the autumn. Adam Sampson, AOP chief executive, said: “We welcome the potential changes to driving laws in England and Wales that will tighten up vision standards, as a longoverdue step toward modernising road safety.

“The introduction of compulsory sight tests for motorists over 70, alongside wider changes, signals a decisive break from complacency in the face of preventable tragedies. For too long, the UK has relied on a self-reporting model for visual standards – one of the laxest regimes in Europe – despite mounting evidence that it puts lives at risk.

“We have long called for changes to a system that simply isn’t working in the interest of public safety. The recent inquest into deaths caused by drivers with

eyesight problems laid bare the human cost of inaction. Introducing routine sight tests for drivers is a proportionate and necessary response to ensure fitness to drive – and something that we have been clear about in our calls to government.”

Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of the College of Optometrists, commented: “An introduction of mandatory sight tests for drivers aged over 70 would be a welcome step in improving vision standards for drivers in the UK. But the rules could go further to ensure that UK standards are in alignment to those internationally.

Mandatory sight tests for over70s could be in the pipeline

“We are calling for a mandatory requirement for all drivers to submit evidence of an up-to-date sight test at licence application and renewal, every 10 years and then every three years from age 70, to align with age-related eye conditions and deterioration in visual function. This would enable early detection and treatment of eye conditions that may be otherwise asymptomatic, and utilises regulated sight tests that are delivered by registered optometrists on the High Street across the UK.”

The UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting of visual conditions that affect a person’s ability to drive. In April, HM Senior Coroner for Lancashire Dr James Adeley brought an inquest into four road deaths, in which the AOP and the College of Optometrists gave evidence. Dr Adeley sent a report to transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, to say action should be taken to prevent future deaths, after he found enforcement of visual legal standards for drivers was “unsafe”.

AN INDEPENDENT VIEW What is being independent these days?

Recent social media exchanges have been quite animated on the topic of what constitutes an independent practice – some of it prompted by Independents Day 2025.

At previous 100% Optical events, Doug Perkins has publicly stated that Specsavers franchisees are independent businesses (particularly in the face of large corporates operating in the market). Equally, a number of the smaller, but growing, chains would claim to be independent, and the Hakim Group is fiercely assertive of its status as an independent optical business.

But what defines independence? Is it that an optometrist is totally in control of the clinical proposition they offer their patients? Is it that the practice has complete autonomy in sourcing all product and services from suppliers?

14 Vision Now September 2025

Is it both? What if a practice owned by a dispensing optician dictates the clinical offering their employed optometrist should provide? At what point does independence come into question if two, three or more practices are under single ownership? Is independence defined by the number of practices that are in single ownership?

provides an opportunity for all delegates to air their opinions (including NEG’s Phil Mullins). Whilst there is unlikely to be a complete coalition of views, the views will be those of truly independent thinkers who always make up the overwhelming majority of delegates at AIO conferences.

Arguably, the AIO is the only professional body exclusively for independents – it is certainly the oldest. And yet, the question of what defines independence has been a point of debate and discussion for many years within the AIO. Currently, AIO membership precludes franchisee ownership and (distilling the longer version) requires at least 50 per cent of the practice be in the ownership of practitioners on the General Optical Council register.

Keval Sejpar BSc (Hons) MCOptom Chairman

Being Independent (capital I) is a question that will be debated at the AIO Conference on 11 and 12 October in London, which

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Fitting Made Easy A suite of tools to support your contact lens fitting in practice, including fitting guides.

©2025 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates. NPR.0002.UK.25 Date of preparation: Jan 2025

To order free trials for your patients:

E ukorders@bausch.com

N 0345 602 2350

*Official online competitor sites used for leading brands in the UKI market to compare silicone hydrogel monthly parameters available. † BAUSCH + LOMB ULTRA® contact lenses are indicated for daily wear or extended wear of up to seven days. Meaning that you can wear the lenses for 6 nights, 7 days without removing them. On the 7th day the lenses should be removed and cleaned/disinfected for one night. The following morning, the same lenses can be reinserted for another 7 days. This can be repeated for 30 days at which time the lenses should be discarded. As with any contact lens, problems can result in serious injury to the eye, including loss of vision, and clinical studies have shown that the risk of serious adverse reactions is increased when lenses are worn overnight. It is essential that patients follow the eye care practitioner’s direction and all labeling instructions for proper use of lenses and lens care products. Consult the package insert for complete information. †† 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.

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 12-15]. 2. Bausch + Lomb; 2013. A study to evaluate the product performance of a new silicone hydrogel contact lens.

3. Bausch + Lomb, 2013. 16 Hour bilateral dispensing evaluation of methacrylamide lenses as compared to Air Optix® Aqua, Acuvue® Oasys® and Biofinity® lenses. 4. Micromass; 2017. Bausch + Lomb ULTRA Comfort Experience for Presbyopia Final Results Report. 2017. 5. Results of an online survey with patients who completed an evaluation program for Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® for Astigmatism contact lenses and wore their trial lenses for ≥4 days (n=426). 6. Bausch + Lomb; 2020. Bausch + Lomb Ultra Multifocal for Astigmatism Patient Evaluation. (n=435). 7. https://www.jnjvisionpro.com/en-gb/products/lens-parameters/. Acuvue contact lens products specification sheet.[Accessed June 2025]. 8. https://coopervision.co.uk/sites/coopervision.co.uk. Product_Specifications [Accessed June 2025]. 9. myalconcouk Eye Care Products. https:// uk.myalcon.com/uk-en/professional/products/ [Accessed June 2025]. 10. Wright, M., et al., 2016. Capturing the presbyopic opportunity. Review of Optometric Business. 11. Millward Brown., 2010. BiotrueR Product Test.

12. Product Performance Evaluation of a Novel Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lens: kalifilcon A Daily Disposable Contact Lenses. Bausch + Lomb Incorporated, Rochester, NY, 202. 13. Schafer,J. Steen, R. Reindel, W; A clinical assessment of dehydration resistance for a novel silicone hydrogel lens and six silicone hydrogel daily disposable lenses. Poster presented at AAO; October 2020. 14. Rah M. Ocular surface homeostasis and contact lens design.

February 2021. 15. Competitive grid packaging solutions with sources.

Please read the Instructions for Use (IFU) for important product use and safety information.

Bausch + Lomb ULTRA, Biotrue and FitBetter are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.

All other product/brand names and/or logos are trademarks of their respective owners. ©2025 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

18 Vision Now September 2025

ULC.0009.IE.25

D E V E LO P I N G T H O U G H TS

Developing thoughts

By Phil Mullins

To be, or not to be, truly independent?

That is the question

T

here has been growing debate in recent months, mainly on social media, regarding the true meaning of being an independent practice. This has been driven in part by the rise of businesses such as the Hakim Group, which professes to be ‘independent’ despite now encompassing more than 500 practices.

But is there actually one correct answer to this question?

Being independent is widely defined as being: ‘free from outside control; not subject to another’s authority’. If applied to Hakim Group practices, you could say they were far from being independent – as the Group holds a controlling share in them. So, although they offer freedom when it comes to product choice, Hakim Group practices can’t have ‘true’ freedom or independence as they are not free from outside control.

They also don’t have a say in who the ultimate owner of their business will be, as the Hakim Group could easily sell its shares to a third party, which would then own a majority stake in all its practices.

But the Hakim Group is not the only business buying up independent practices.

Some change the name of the practice and refurbish it to reflect a certain corporate image, while others like the Hakim Group leave the practice to run under its original name. Therefore, should the question not be what is an independent practice, but why are so many independent practices selling to larger groups – be that a 100 per cent share-holding or a percentage share?

FREEDOM OF CHOICE These groups originally emerged because of the large number of practitioners heading towards retirement – as joining them was seen as a simple and cost-effective exit strategy, particularly for those without a succession plan. When the Covid pandemic rollercoaster arrived, many practitioners began to look at retiring even earlier – or

The easiest paths to follow aren’t always the right paths

opting to sell part of their business to access support from a larger entity; a case of safety in numbers.

But here’s the truth: there is now more support for independent practices than ever before. By retaining 100 per cent ownership, you can choose when and what support and services to access, either free of charge or at a cost that suits your individual practice requirements.

Now, I hear you say that NEG offers a service that relies on having the membership numbers – and yes you would be correct.

However, we don’t ask you to give up any of your business, we don’t tell you how you should run your business, we don’t even charge a membership or subscription fee. In fact, we offer a service that some of these groups don’t, in that we give you a single invoice for all your purchases that you put through the Group, making your accounting so much quicker and simpler.

Obviously, our main focus is as a purchasing group, but over the years we have introduced services that we believe independent practices would benefit from.

The first of these of course was the Optinet practice management system, which is now widely used across the UK in businesses of

various sizes, from small house practices right up to groups with 15 practices. And don’t forget that as an NEG member, you can have Optinet free of charge for the first 12 months.

In addition, we offer financial services such as direct debit collections with Optical Payment Services and merchant card terms with Cardnet. Members have access to human resources and health and safety support through Citation, starting with the How-to-Hub, which is the online information portal, starting at just £18 per year.

When it comes to business growth, we work closely with the Practice Building team, who are working with many of our members on business planning, marketing and general business growth programmes.

And although these services have a cost, you have the total freedom to choose which services you take and you get to keep 100 per cent of the profits generated. This makes you truly independent.

So remember: the easiest paths to follow aren’t always the right paths. Make sure you look at all the options available, talk to us about the support that NEG and our partners can offer, and grow as a bone fide independent. ■ Vision Now September 2025 19

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20 Vision Now September 2025

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To be effective, Rodenstock’s MyCon™ lenses features market-proven** HAPD™ Technology (Horizontal Asymmetrical Peripheral Defocus). Unlike single vision lenses, this approach offers two benefits in one: it ensures sharp, clear, and comfortable vision as well as effective myopia progression management.**

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22 Vision Now September 2025

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N AT I O N A L E Y E H E A LT H W E E K 2 0 2 5

New resources for annual campaign A range of new resources have been created for this year’s National Eye Health Week from 22-28 September...

NEHW returns later this month

D

esigned to raise awareness of the importance of good eye health care, and promote the role of multi-disciplinary teams within community eyecare practices in “keeping Britain healthy”, this year’s campaign will also align with key elements of the government’s 10Year Health Plan for the NHS in England.

Seven days of media activity, organised by the charity Eye Health UK, will aim to educate people about “how to look after their eyes and inspire them to take action to protect their vision and prevent avoidable sight loss in the future”.

Each day will focus on a different theme including: primary eyecare services, children’s eye health, sports vision, eyes at work, ageing eyes, and ‘living well to see well’. Messaging themes aligned with Labour’s new 10-year health strategy will include care in the community, access to eyecare and prioritising prevention.

EYE HEALTH ‘INFLUENCERS’ David Cartwright, chair of Eye Health UK, said: “This year, we’re working with local optical committees, public health teams and others to build strong community networks who’ll use their reach and influence to share essential eye health advice, and explain why regular routine sight tests are vital for everyone. In addition to amplifying our messaging, the creation of these networks will help add eyecare to the mix of

new neighbourhood health priorities.”

A toolkit for practices to use includes hard copy and digital resources like posters, leaflets, flyers, website and social media content as well as the consumer-facing Vista magazine.

New for this year is an image library, along with children’s educational materials.

The image library was created with a small grant from the Central Optical Fund to shoot photographs featuring a mix of lifestyle content, styled studio shots and healthcare imagery – illustrating ‘how to look after your eyes’ and ‘why good vision matters’.

The story of a visit to an optical practice was shot on location at UWE Bristol Eye Clinic and includes images from the sight testing room as well as the dispensing area. The studio collection includes images depicting how to look after eyewear, such as cleaning spectacles, and contact lens care.

David added: “These images will all be key resources for NEHW 2025 as photography holds significant value in health promotion, enhancing comprehension, recall and attention – especially for individuals with lower health literacy.”

This year’s Vista magazine cover star is Lisa George, who plays Beth Tinker in Coronation Street. She talks about her diagnosis of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and how the condition has impacted her sight. Also in the magazine, Nancy Birtwhistle, Sunday Times bestselling

author and winner of season five of the Great British Bake Off, shares three dishes from her latest cookbook with nutrients for good eye health. Eyewear style consultant, Zoe Cosby, shares the eyewear trends for the seasons ahead, while Kevin Gutsell, president of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, discusses lens choices for ‘silver surfers’.

To get involved with NEHW, visit www.visionmatters.org.uk ■

HOW TO GET CAMPAIGN READY 1. S ave the date: put 22-28 September in the diary and get ready to spread the word on eye health.

2. Register for resources: email your name, business name and contact details to info@visionmatters.org.uk to register for a free promotional toolkit.

3. Follow and share on social media: Join the conversation by following Instagram @NationalEyeHealthWeek Twitter @myvisionmatters and Facebook @NationalEyeHealthWeek.

4. Become an official partner: Larger organisations interested in an official partnership programme should email rachel@visionmatters.org.uk 5. Donate: The charity has to fundraise every penny spent on the Week. To donate, email info@visionmatters. org.uk with your name and pledge amount.

Vision Now September 2025 23

P R O M OT I O N A L F E AT U R E

Prescription to protection: a cyber health plan for your practice

F

or over 20 years, Citation Cyber has been the go-to cyber security specialist for UK businesses.

Citation Cyber understand the unique challenges and pressures facing independent opticians. We're not here to blind you with science or overwhelm you with jargon. We're here to make cyber security as straightforward as an eye test.

IS YOUR PRACTICE SHOWING SYMPTOMS? Just like you'd spot the early signs of eye problems in your patients, there are warning signs that your practice might be vulnerable to cyber threats. Take a moment to consider: ■D o staff click on suspicious links in emails?

■D oes anyone use the same password for multiple accounts?

■W hen did you last update your practice management software?

■D o staff access patient data on their personal devices?

■ I s your waiting room WiFi password protected?

If you're nodding to any of these, don't panic. You're not alone, and more importantly, there's a simple way to resolve these before they escalate.

24 Vision Now September 2025

By the experts at Citation Cyber THREATS TARGETING YOUR PRACTICE Phishing emails: digital con artists That urgent email from your 'bank' asking you to verify your details? It's probably not your bank. Phishing emails are designed to trick you into handing over passwords, bank details, or access to your systems.

And phishing is the most common type of attack UK businesses experienced in the last 12 months.

Why opticians are prime targets: your patient records are a goldmine of personal information. This includes names, addresses, dates of birth, and often payment details – everything a criminal needs for identity theft.

WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR: ■U rgent language ("Act now or your account will be closed!")

■S pelling mistakes in supposedly professional emails ■R equests for passwords, payment details, or personal information ■L inks that don't match the sender's claimed identity RANSOMWARE: WHEN FILES ARE HELD HOSTAGE Imagine arriving at work to find all your patient records, appointments and practice data locked away. That's ransomware: malicious software that encrypts your files and demands payment to unlock them.

The harsh reality: ■R ansomware incidents in the UK have doubled in 2025 ■T he average recovery time from a cyber attack is 24 days ■R ansom demands in the UK average around £4m

Resolve any potential cyber issues before they escalate

Why paying isn’t the cure Many businesses end up paying some or all of the ransom demand but that doesn’t guarantee you get your data back and often results in reinfections. That’s why the UK government is proposing legislation banning

P R O M OT I O N A L F E AT U R E THREAT LANDSCAPE UPDATE ■ Stay informed about new threats targeting healthcare ■ Review and update your incident response plan ■ Consider additional training needs

ransom payments for public sector and critical infrastructure, while private businesses may require formal approval before paying.

How ransomware attacks can happen: ■ I nfected email attachments ■C ompromised websites or third-party software ■U nsecured remote access points left exposed ■W eak passwords: leaving the front door unlocked. "Password123!" might seem okay, but it's one of the first combinations criminals try. Using weak or repeated passwords is like leaving your keys under the doormat The numbers don't lie: ■E ighty per cent of data breaches involve weak passwords ■T he most common passwords include "123456", "password", and "qwerty" ■U sing the same password everywhere means one breach compromises everything UNSECURED WIFI: YOUR WAITING ROOM'S HIDDEN RISK That free WiFi you offer patients is a nice touch, but without proper security, it could be costing you more than you think. Criminals can use unsecured networks to access your practice systems or intercept sensitive data.

SOCIAL ENGINEERING: THE HUMAN HACK Sometimes criminals don't need to hack computers – they hack people instead.

A friendly phone call claiming to be from your IT support, asking for passwords "just to run a quick security check". It happens more often than you'd think.

Your cyber health prescription Just like eye health, cyber security needs regular attention. Here's your step-by-step treatment plan...

FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION Password health check ■A udit all passwords and set up passphrases (a random mixture of words like “WednesdayShoeRainbow”) ■U pdate any weak or repeated passwords ■A dd multi-factor authentication (MFA) where possible ■U se a password manager to store and manage your passwords

When DIY isn't enough Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you need specialist help. Just like you'd refer a patient to a specialist for complex eye conditions, there are times when cyber security needs expert attention.

Cyber security shouldn't be complicated

Staff awareness moment ■ Have a quick team chat about phishing emails ■ Share examples of suspicious emails to watch for ■ Establish a "when in doubt, ask" policy Software check-up ■ Check for and install any pending software updates ■ Set automatic updates where possible ■ Review who has access to what systems WEEKLY MAINTENANCE Email security review ■ Check spam filters are working ■ Review any suspicious emails with the team ■ Update email security settings if needed Back-up verification ■ Make sure patient data back-ups are running ■ Test that back-ups can be restored ■ Store back-ups securely and separately from main systems Team reminders ■ Regular cyber security reminders ■ Share any new threats you've heard about ■ Celebrate good security habits MONTHLY CHECK-UPS Full system review ■ Review all user access permissions ■ Check for any unusual activity ■ Update security software

Signs you need professional support: ■ You've detected unusual activity on your systems ■ Staff are receiving targeted phishing attempts ■ You're expanding your practice or going digital ■ You want peace of mind and comprehensive protection ■ Compliance requirements are keeping you awake at night What the specialists can do: ■ Comprehensive security assessments ■ Professional cyber security training for your team ■ Incident response planning ■ Government-backed certification Cyber Essentials YOUR NEXT STEPS Cyber security shouldn't be complicated.

Start with the immediate actions above, build the weekly and monthly habits, and remember – you don't have to do this alone.

As an extension of Citation, Citation Cyber are offering a 15 per cent discount on specialist cyber security support designed specifically for independent opticians like you. Because when it comes to protecting your practice and your patients' data, prevention really is better than cure.

Visit https://citationcyber.com/ referral-partner-get-a-quote or scan the QR code here to get started. Don’t forget to use the code ‘NEGMEMBER’ to access your exclusive discount.

Security settings audit ■ Review firewall settings ■ Check WiFi security ■ Assess remote access controls Vision Now September 2025 25

B US I N E S S M AT T E R S

The Independent’s Masterplan

A step-by-step guide to building your perfect practice. Part 2: Profit

By Andy Clark

M

any practice owners find profit elusive, scattered across day-today operations and yet it’s often hidden in plain sight. This article explores our favourite strategies for uncovering and maximising profit in independent practices.

SET A TARGET First, let’s work out how much operating profit you’d like to make each month – and how much you will have to sell to generate it.

Profit by design 1. Decide how much operating profit – or earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) – you want to make.

2. Look up your gross profit (GP) percentage in your accounting software and express it as a decimal (e.g. 70 per cent = 0.7) .

achieve daily ST, maintain or increase GP percentage, and manage your overheads.

DON’T JUST CHASE THE SALES If the practice in the earlier example has a GP percentage of 60 per cent and not 70 per cent, then the monthly ST increases by 16 per cent. ST = (10,000 + 15,000) / 0.6 = £41,666. The practice team must now work harder every day, or the owner could just spend an hour or two sorting the GP percentage out.

1. REVIEW Monthly review sessions help maintain momentum and ensure continuous improvement. Celebrate wins, learn from setbacks, and set new priorities as your practice evolves. Start by taking a clear, honest look at your business. Where does your current profit come from? Which areas are underperforming? The goal is to build an accurate picture of your practice’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Let’s say your desired EBIT is £10,000 a month, your FCs are £15,000, and your GP percentage is 70 per cent. So your monthly sales target is (10,000 + 15,000) / 0.7 = £35,714. If there are 25 trading days in that month, your daily ST is £1,429.

2. PLAN Once you’ve identified potential improvements, prioritise them. Not every project delivers the same return. Focus on the initiatives that are: likely to deliver the biggest impact; quickest to implement; and easiest to execute. Create a simple action plan for each project, outlining steps, responsibilities and timelines. This keeps your team focused and accountable.

We advise having no more than three projects live at any time, this stops you being overwhelmed and delivers tangible results quickly.

IT’S A NUMBERS GAME Profit is all about keeping an eye on a few numbers and making sure that they fall within acceptable parameters. To achieve your desired EBIT, you will need to

3. DO Execution is key. Dedicate a set amount of time each week to work on your chosen projects. Track progress and adjust as needed.

3. While you’re there, find your current fixed costs (FC).

4. Calculate your sales target (ST) with the following formula: ST = (EBIT + FC) / GP.

26 Vision Now September 2025

REVIEW – PLAN – DO Your monthly routine for profit growth A structured approach is essential for uncovering hidden profit and making meaningful improvements. This simple three-step cycle can be easily fitted into even the busiest diaries.

B US I N ES S M AT T E R S THE PROFIT PROJECTS Six projects to Review, Plan and Do

MORE NEW PATIENTS Review: New patient percentage In an established practice, a new patient percentage of less than 10 per cent usually indicates a shrinking business. New patients will only decide to come to your practice when you give them good reason to by demonstrating a desirable point of difference from the other practices in town.

To work out what your points of difference should be, take a moment and write down your answers to the following: ■ What type of patients would I like to attract?

■ What are these patients looking for?

■ What do they value most?

■ What could we do that will make our offering even more compelling?

■ What do we do that they can’t get elsewhere?

■ What make us their very best option?

Once you have the answers, you will have an idea of the things you need to say in your marketing to attract more of them.

Remember: what your website says is far more important than your activity on social media. Every page of your website must be designed to convince a visitor that they have found exactly what they are looking for.

MORE RETURNING PATIENTS Review: the number of patients who have been before, returned for an eye exam or dispensing and haven’t had a recent recall Practices all around the UK are discovering that the easiest way to increase the lifetime value of a patient is to stay in touch and invite them to return more often.

Remember: GDPR is your friend; it’s a terrific best-practice guide to database marketing. Ask your patients what they would like to know more about – and send them just that.

MORE RECALLED PATIENTS Review: How full your appointment book is and the mix of patients in it Recall is the only way you can quickly fill a gappy appointment book, but if the patients are unlikely to purchase more than a standard eye test, you’ll still lose money. Your best patients will think that a friendly phone call instead of a letter or email is good customer service; providing it’s the first message they get from you on the subject. The same patients think phone calls after a string of letters, emails or text messages is just nagging.

MORE SALES Review: Total sales, number of eye exams, conversion rate, average dispensing value, number of patients who purchased more than one pair More sales is always the result when a practice stops recommending new spectacles solely on prescription change, and instead recommends based on the benefits of different products in different situations. Start the consultation before you see the patient. Review your patients at the start of the day, think about who they are, what they do, what they are currently wearing and try to predict how you might best help them. Which frames might they be excited to see? Which new lenses could make life easier for them? What else could you recommend? What might make their visit really special?

MORE GP PERCENTAGE Review: Total GP as a percentage and an amount, and spectacle GP as a percentage and amount GP can change quickly and even small changes can be disastrous to your bottom line. GP must be checked monthly and the good news is that if you are using any

form of bookkeeping software and your bookkeeper is up-to-date, it’s easy to find.

Consider the following GP percentage top tips: ■ Frame stock control: we’ve found that the average UK independent practice has more than £20,000 invested in stock that it doesn’t need ■ Update your price list: never go longer than three months without a review of what you are paying for frames and lenses, and updating your price list accordingly ■ Test your pricing formula: does it deliver the GP that you expect it to?

MORE OPERATING PROFIT Review: Percentages of total fixed costs, staff costs, marketing spend and bottom line Remember Goldilocks? These numbers must be ‘just right’. Spending too little can limit your ability to deliver, and spending too much impacts your bottom line. Cost cutting is often the first action item for businesses when times are tough, but there are often very few savings to be made in a well-run practice. Top tip: the easiest way to get a staff budget back on track is to get the staff to sell more.

SUMMARY Profit gives practice owners options: the option to build a secure, thriving practice; the option to work how they want to, the option to create a better work-life balance; and the option to eventually sell the business for a higher value. Look after your profit and it will look after you.

Andy Clark BSc (Hons) MCOptom FloD is the founder of Practice Building, an award-winning consultancy dedicated to transforming independent practice. ■

TREAT YOUR PRACTICE LIKE A PATIENT

1. Make regular appointments with it where you will: ■ Put aside enough time to do the job properly ■ Give it 100 per cent of your attention ■ Review and investigate the current situation ■ Formulate a plan to resolve any issues 2. Implement the plan

Vision Now September 2025 27

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

Excellence in action” – the Stepper Origin SI-20149

Fit for purpose As frame designers harness expert research into paediatric frame fitting, how are NEG’s preferred suppliers ensuring continued excellence in fit, form and function for adult frames?

By Nicky Collinson

“A

t Stepper Eyewear, our mission is to deliver comfort without compromise,” says Peter Reeve, “because every face deserves a fit that’s personal, not generic. We design with anatomy in mind, giving independent practitioners a genuine point of difference in a world of mass-produced sameness.”

Founded in 1970 by German optician Hans Stepper, Stepper Eyewear has spent more than 50 years perfecting the balance between technical performance and wearer comfort. With its roots in opticianry – not fashion design – Stepper builds every frame around how it sits, fits and supports the face, rather than how it simply looks on a shelf.

“Stepper Eyewear pioneered the use of injection-moulded plastic – or TX5 – combined with titanium in eyewear,” explains Peter, managing director of Stepper UK and recent recipient of an Honorary Fellowship of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. “Stepper’s multi-material approach continues to lead the market, enabling optical professionals to offer truly differentiated, lightweight solutions that are clinically driven and comfort-led.”

28 Vision Now September 2025

One example of such “excellence in action” is the SI-20149 from the Stepper Origin collection – a contemporary frame that showcases the synergy between design, material and wearer experience.

The frame features a TX5 front, delivering a clean, sculpted aesthetic with strength at minimal thickness. Titanium temples are ultra-light, and secure, designed for longday wear, while the frame’s anatomical bridge is shaped to support comfortably on the nose. The frame also weighs just 6.85g – making it virtually weightless.

“The SI-20149 proves that true comfort doesn’t require compromise on style or stability,” adds Peter. “Patients frequently report ‘forgetting they’re wearing it’ – the ultimate compliment in eyewear fit.”

NO JOB TOO BIG (OR SMALL) The self-declared home of ‘perfect fitting frame modifications’, the services offered by the team at Spec-Care, led by Rob Barrow, enable practitioners to not just expand their eyewear offering – but to “make every frame fit perfectly”.

“Not every patient fits the manufactured frame geometry – and sometimes too few size options are available,” says Rob, a

Fitting nose pads to acetate eyewear at Spec-Care

qualified dispensing optician and holder of the SMC (Tech) qualification. “With SpecCare Services, independent practices can expand their frame dispensing ranges and make every frame fit perfectly.

“For example, fitting nose pad arms to acetate not only enhances frame fit, but provides options to move the vertical

ST Y L E S P OT L I G H T centres; no more excessive drops with our professional side alterations. Most frame materials allow for the sides to be shortened and retain the logo detailing.

This easy-to-access service makes frames fit better and more comfortably.

“Our workshop team are expertly placed to assess and conduct this work. All NEG members need to do is head to the trade services tab of our website and upload an image with a brief description of the work needed. We will reply with the assessment and quotation,” adds Rob. FLEXIBILITY TO FIT MORE WIDELY Continental Eyewear prides itself on offering an extensive portfolio spanning every price point, giving independent practices the tools to meet their patients’ individual fitting needs and stand out from retailers of mass-produced frames.

“At Continental Eyewear, we believe a truly well-fitted frame should never be a matter of compromise,” says Joshua Marsh, head of brands at Continental Eyewear.

“Independent practitioners understand that comfort, balance and proportion are just as important as style. That’s why we design and curate ranges that give them the flexibility to fit a wide range of faces, from petite adults to those requiring larger eye sizes, without sacrificing quality or aesthetics.”

One clear example is the Reykjavik Eyes collection, which offers inclusive sizing – from the Alvar model (47-19-145) for narrower fits to the Oskar model (59-18150) for broader faces. Many LK Bennett styles are designed specifically for petite adult wearers, while the Lazer 4108 comes in two sizes, giving patients the same look in the fit that works best for them.

“This breadth of choice helps ensure comfort, confidence and style for every wearer,” adds Joshua.

STYLISH AND DIVERSE SELECTION A recognisable High Street eyewear brand that caters for a diversity of face shapes and head sizes is Superdry from Inspecs.

“Famous for its iconic style, Superdry revisits heritage pieces through a contemporary gaze,” says Lexy Edy-Berry, Inspecs trade marketing manager for the UK. “The brand’s timeless eyewear designs aim to empower and inspire confidence – but you can’t do that if your frames don’t fit. The Superdry optical and sun collections, for both men and women, include frames for a broad spectrum of face shapes and sizes.”

Reykjavik Eyes model Oskar suits broader faces

One example of a larger sized Superdry frame is the SDO-3056 with its 58 eye size and 148 temple.

“The classic ‘ath-leisure’ style is elevated in this model with attention to detail and exceptional craftmanship,” explains Lexy.

“This frame has a crystal acetate front and light-touch engraved temple detailing. A clever design feature is an engineered kick temple, adding width to the shape without compromising the eye-size balance – all the while offering exceptional comfort and fit.”

The frame’s stainless steel temple also features a laser-etched logo and colour infill detail. This model comes in three appealing colour options – a matte dark grey crystal, a navy crystal, and a light grey crystal – all with coordinating temple tips.

DEDICATION TO R&D Charmant has been conducting research into spectacles comfort for decades.

During 20 years of head shape research, in partnership with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, the company has measured the heads of people in Japan and other parts of the world to compile data enabling it to design more appropriate frame sizes.

It has also established and quantified the optimum conditions for comfort when wearing optical frames, and carefully designs and manufactures eyewear to

Superdry SDO-3056: a clever design addition

Line Art Charmant: the result of on-going R&D

consistently reproduce these conditions.

The result of its continuous pursuit of comfort from all touch-points is the “supreme wearing comfort” of its flagship Line Art Charmant brand, around which the company’s portfolio is built.

Whilst researching comfort, Charmant also developed its premium Excellence Titan material. The result of eight years of R&D with the Institute for Materials Research at Japan’s Tohoku University, Excellence Titan combines four characteristics in a single metal: it has supple springiness, shape memory, excellent workability and is nickel free.

In its on-going quest for the ideal optical frame for adults, Charmant has also innovated in joining technology.

Five years of joint research with Osaka University’s Joining and Welding Research Institute led to the development of a new technology that can weld very fine lines less than 0.5mm apart – at the same time as increasing the joining part’s strength. All of which goes into the production of “more beautiful and delicate frame designs than ever before”.

The Charmant Group continues to undertake R&D into new technologies to enhance wearer fit and comfort, such as the direct joining of different frame materials. ■ Vision Now September 2025 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

ASSOCIATED OPTICAL

tel: 01628 600410 | fax: 01628 666495 | 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

AVIZOR

tel: 0800 085 6559 | email: uk.sales@avizor.com | web: avizor.co.uk

BAUSCH + LOMB

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

BIB OPHTHALMIC INSTRUMENTS

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

BIRD EYEWEAR

tel: 01392 703004 | email: ryan@birdeyewear.co.uk | web: birdeyewear.co.uk tel: 0121 7723888 | fax: 0808 2801865 | email: sales@bondeyeoptical.co.uk | web: www.bondeyeoptical.co.uk

The future of practice management software is here.

tel: 01224 596 006 | email: info@caledonianoptical.com | web: www.caledonianoptical.com

www.optinetuk.com

BONDEYE OPTICAL

CALEDONIAN OPTICAL LTD CARDNET

tel: 0345 604 2491 Option 2

CENTROSTYLE OPTICAL CENTRE SUPPLIES LTD

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

CFH DOCMAIL

tel: 07834 173 288 | email: chris.burridge@cfh.com | web: www.cfhdocmail.com

CHARMANT

tel: 07899 235 053 | email: uksupport@charmant.eu | web: charmant.com

CITATION

tel: 0161 464 6731 I email: enquiries@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

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

DESIGN EYEWEAR GROUP

tel: 0203 630 1341 | email: info.uk@designeyeweargroup.com | web: designeyeweargroup.com

DE RIGO UK LTD

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

DUNELM OPTICAL

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

ESSILOR

tel: 01454 281281 | fax: 01454 28128 | email: orders@essilor.co.uk | web: www.essilor.co.uk

EYESPACE

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

GO EYEWEAR UK LTD

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

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

INSPECS

tel: 01225717000 | web: https://shop.inspecs.com/ | email: customerservice@inspecs.com

LAB3SIXTY

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

LENSTEC EYEWEAR

tel: 02920 857122 | fax: 02920 920480 | email: eyewear@lenstec.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 September 2025

Think independently Scan the QR code or call 0844 873 1110 to open an account.

LUXOTTICA (UK) LTD tel: 0808 1658 8555 | web: www.luxottica.com/en

MARCHON

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

MID-OPTIC

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

NORVILLE

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

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.

No7 CONTACT LENSES

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

OPTELEC

tel: 0800 145 6115 | email: ordersuk@optelec.co.uk | web: lowvisionshop.co.uk

OPTINET LTD

coopervision.co.uk

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

OTE OPTICS

tel: 020 8428 9028 | email: customerservices@adaro.net | web: https://oteoptics.nl/en

PERFORMANCE FINANCE

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

PKP OPTICS

tel: 01892 837979 | email: info@pkpoptics.co.uk | web: www.pkpoptics.co.uk

POSITIVE IMPACT

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

PRACTICE BUILDING

tel: 0800 840 3988 | email: andy@practicebuilding.co.uk | web: www.practicebuilding.co.uk

RETAIL EXPERIENCE DESIGN (RED)

tel: 024 7710 3494 | email: design@retailexperiencedesign.co.uk | web: www.retailexperiencedesign.co.uk

RODENSTOCK

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

SAFILO UK LTD

tel: 00800 72345600 | email: customerserviceuk@safilo.com | web: www.youandsafilo.com

STEPPER (UK) Limited 11 Tannery Road, Tonbridge Kent - TN9 1RF 01732 375975 www.stepper.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.seikovision.com/uk

SILHOUETTE UK LTD

tel: 020 8987 8899 | fax: 020 8987 2430 | email: office@silhouette-uk.co.uk | 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

THEA PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

tel: 01782 381698 | email: orders.uk@theapharma.com | web: www.thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk

THOMSEN DENMARK tel: 07899727671 | email: lee@thomsendenmark.dk | web: thomsendenmark.dk

ULTRAVISION

tel: 01525 381112 | fax: 01525 370091 | email: info@ultravision.co.uk | web: www.ultravision.co.uk Vision Now September 2025 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.

The future of practice management software is here.

Putting cloud-based control at your fingertips wherever you are, on any device, Nova is the future of practice management software. With intuitive dashboards and intelligent reporting, it keeps your optometry business at the cutting edge.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE • PATIENT MANAGER • STOCK • ORDERING • TILL • DIARY • eGOS • EMAIL • CLINICAL Contact us today to book a no-obligation, in-practice demo.

optinetuk.com sales@optinetuk.com • 0800 310 2400

32 Vision Now September 2025