Titanium Eyeglass Frames: Strength and Style in One Package

When it comes to eyeglass frames, there is a plethora of materials to choose from, each with its unique set of advantages and drawbacks. Among these options, titanium eyeglass frames have steadily gained popularity due to their exceptional qualities. In this article, we'll delve into what titanium is, and then explore the pros and cons of choosing titanium eyewear frames.

What is Titanium?

Titanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ti and atomic number 22. It's a lustrous, silver-gray metal known for its impressive strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. Discovered in the late 18th century, titanium remained relatively obscure until the mid-20th century when its unique properties made it an attractive material for various applications, including aerospace, medical implants, and eyewear frames.

Pros of Titanium Eyeglass Frames:

Exceptional Durability: Titanium is renowned for its incredible strength, making it one of the strongest materials available for eyeglass frames. This means your eyewear is less likely to bend, break, or deform, even when subjected to considerable stress or pressure. Titanium frames can withstand the wear and tear of daily life, making them a long-lasting investment.

Blue Light Glasses: Separating Fact from Fiction

In today's digital age, our lives are dominated by screens. Whether it's working on a computer, scrolling through social media on a smartphone, or binge-watching our favorite shows on a tablet, our eyes are constantly exposed to screens emitting blue light. This has led to concerns about potential eye strain and disrupted sleep patterns. To address these issues, blue light glasses have emerged as a popular solution. But do they really work, and what are the pros and cons of this eyewear?

Understanding Blue Light

Before delving into the pros and cons of blue light glasses, it's essential to understand what blue light is and why it's a concern. Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum, and it's emitted by many digital devices, as well as natural sources like the sun. While exposure to natural blue light during the day can boost alertness and mood, excessive exposure, particularly in the evening, can disrupt our circadian rhythm and interfere with sleep.

First Online Prescription Eyewear Outlet Offers Non-Prescription

39DollarGlasses, the pioneer in the online direct-to-consumer business, now offering non-prescription glasses. Developed by eye doctors for people to acquire high-quality, finished prescription eyewear, 39DollarGlasses prides itself on being the best value for purchasing frames and lenses online.

The Season of Giving Back Campaign Kenmark Eyewear

Kenmark Eyewear, a leader in crafting and distributing original optical eyewear and sunglasses, is excited to announce 'The Season of Giving Back.' Each week throughout the month of December Kenmark will be donating a portion of sales to several charities and initiatives dear to their heart and they are encouraging customers to get involved so that they can help change the world together. Customers will be able to place orders through their sales consultant or online through their customer portal and all sales globally will go towards the donations each week. The charities chosen for donation are the National Forest Foundation, whom they have an ongoing partnership with this year, Mental Health America, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Best Friends Animal Society, and UNICEF. 

Hemp Eyewear Frames

Get ready for the latest trend in sunglasses with Hemp Eyewear, one of the most exceptional eyewear frames on the market today. Not only do they look great, but they reduce the use of harmful plastics. 

Each pair of sunglasses is handcrafted by artisans in Edinburgh, Scotland using sustainable technology, organic materials and traditional artisanal techniques. Hemp is the ideal alternative to harmful plastics as it’s one of the most beautiful and sustainable materials on earth. Incorporating hemp into the materials allows for a unique pair of sunglasses that are both one-of-a-kind and environmentally responsible. 

REKS Trivex Color-Boosting Sun Lenses

REKS, an innovative sunglass manufacturer featuring the finest in performance lenses matched with unbreakable frames, is pleased to introduce four new high performance Trivex color-boosting sun lenses. These Trivex lenses come with a built-in color equalizer that improves the contrast between colors making them seem brighter.

Recycled Plastics Sunglasses Collection Sunski

These Sunglasses Take "Look Good, Feel Good" To The Next Level 

Sunski is launching its first-ever collection of sunglasses with frames made of 100% recycled plastic.

REKS HD Prescription Lenses

REKS® eyewear is pleased to announce the introduction of prescription lenses for its leading unbreakable frames at prices 40-50% less than typically found in optical stores.

Caroline Wozniacki Eyewear Collection

Created in collaboration with 2018 Australian Open champion and current world #1 female tennis player, Caroline Wozniacki, the exclusive collection features 11 silhouettes inspired by Wozniacki’s statement-making style.

The women’s collection features seven wearable styles, each available in three colorways. The shapes are bold, empowered and confident, offering a fresh spin on contemporary eyewear. 

Ed Hardy Eyewear

Addicted Brands, a fresh and upcoming purveyor of eyewear, is thrilled to announce its official launch of Ed Hardy Eyewear.

Liingo Eyewear Collection Third & Main

Online retailer, Liingo Eyewear, will soon be joining modern women at work, the car pool lane, the gym, and more with their new line, Third & Main. Available online today, this twenty-four piece collection is bold, with on-trend frame styles to complete every look.

"At Liingo, we believe fashion is an expression of personality," said CEO Douglas Harris. "We followed the confident women we know and admire, from morning workout classes to weekend brunches and every conference call in between, and packaged it up into an eyewear collection as beautiful and strong as those who inspired it."

FLOWER Eyewear by Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore has your answer if you were wondering what to get mom for Mother's Day.  Drew's new FLOWER Eyewear readers are the perfect gift! 

FLOWER’s stylish readers feature handmade acetate elements and are available in 4 powers +1.00, +1.50, +2.00 and +2.50 and the best part… they are only $19.94!  

The collection includes a variety of styles including an updated feminine cat-eye frame with shiny gold metal temples, modern square frames in blush crystal and a semi rimless cat-eye featuring wooden marble acetate temples.  These are the perfect readers for any stylish mom!  

FUN FACT:  Personally designed by Drew, each style in the FLOWER Eyewear collection is named after one of Drew’s movie character names, which include Charlie, Edie, Maggie and many more.

FLOWER Beauty founder, Drew Barrymore, has continued her brand promise of "prestige at mass" by offering a selection of 36 prescription and sun frames at over 2,750 Walmart Vision Centers across the United States.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog post. We hope that you have found this fashion blog post to be enjoyable. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

Zthea Eyewear Boutique Miami Florida

Zthea is Miami’s newest amazing eyewear boutique located in Wynwood. The high end store carries different brands such as Prada, MiuMiu, and many more classic brands. Zthea has been proclaimed as a Wynwood gem, surrounded by murals, cool art galleries, unique restaurants, lounges and more. 

Zthea has made its mark in the infamous hangout location and plans to keep growing. Adding different exclusive lines to their inventory. The boutique is designed with a vintage design that gives a chic aura. The stores appeal is something that you haven’t seen before. Offering a cool selection of funky shades that will have people turning heads and asking where they can purchase! 

Zthea has become the go to place for luxury eyewear for Miami locals and tourist who visit the glamourous city. So if you happen to be a Miami local or planning to visit any time soon, take a trip to Wynwood and pay Zthea a visit. 

NGRAIN Smart Glasses

Eyewear can be functional as well as fashionable.  Although clothing is our primary focus, glasses are clearly a fashion accessory.  Therefore, it is important for fashionistas and the apparel industry to pay attention to new technologies relevant to wearable technology such as new eyewear opportunities.

NGRAIN announced the availability of NGRAIN Viewer for Android, a new app for Android tablets and smart glass devices, enabling the deployment of industrial 3D content created with NGRAIN Producer Pro. 

NGRAIN Viewer for Android offers organizations working with heavy equipment, assemblies, and other industrial assets in the field, the opportunity to easily explore possible use cases for smart glasses and 3D content without the need to invest in the development of a mobile 3D app. NGRAIN is further making Viewer for Android open source, offering R&D teams and developers an excellent starting point to customize and create their own industrial applications.

With NGRAIN Viewer for Android, NGRAIN provides the source code to bootstrap a 3D app for Android, load 3D content, view animations, play step-by-step tasks, and interact with content from NGRAIN Producer Pro. Developers can then quickly develop a customized 3D industrial app for Android by modifying and extending the NGRAIN source code. Using NGRAIN Producer Pro, organizations can rapidly create 3D content for these custom apps without the need for expertise in 3D graphics, custom scripting, or further programming.

“Smart glasses are creating opportunities for businesses to connect their employees in the field with access to the right information at the right time, and NGRAIN Viewer for Android, coupled with NGRAIN Producer Pro, is providing the best way for these organizations to experience this potential first-hand, enabling the creation and deployment of 3D industrial apps at a fraction of the cost and time of an outsourced, custom solution,” said Barry Po, Senior Director, Product and Business Development of NGRAIN.

NGRAIN is proud to be partnered with Epson in delivering an optimized experience for the Epson® Moverio® BT-200 and BT-300 smart eyewear. “The largest barrier to augmented reality (AR) for smart glasses is the cost of content creation, since the cost of creating step-by-step 3D models and AR content is too expensive to be practical for a lot of applications,” said Eric Mizufuka, product manager, New Ventures for Epson America. “What’s great about the NGRAIN Viewer for Android is it dramatically lowers the cost, while maintaining the quality of these high-end content experiences for AR glasses. This type of next-gen product is a critical part to helping the AR glasses ecosystem mature to mainstream adoption.”

Launching its first-generation smart glasses in 2011, Epson recently announced the Moverio BT-300, the world’s lightest binocular, transparent smart glasses with an OLED display. Combining breakthrough silicon-based OLED digital display technology, the Intel Atom processor, and Android OS 5.1, the Moverio BT-300 enables a truly transparent mobile AR experiences for organizations. The Epson Moverio BT-300 will be available in late 2016 and may be pre-ordered at Epson.com/Moverio. For a complete product overview of the Moverio BT-300, please visit the following link. 

NGRAIN Viewer for Android supports any Android device with a minimum API Level 15 (Android 4.0.3). Tools are available to convert existing 3D assets with virtually every major 3D CAD/DCC format including Inventor, CATIA, Parasolid, Pro/E, Rhino, SolidWorks, STEP, DXF, OBJ, DWH, STL, and more, for use with NGRAIN Producer Pro and the NGRAIN Viewer for Android.

The NGRAIN Viewer for Android is free for download via the NGRAIN Web site. For more information on NGRAIN and its products, please visit www.ngrain.com.

About NGRAIN

NGRAIN is the developer of innovative, interactive 3D applications that support industrial activities such as inspection, maintenance, and training. Leading organizations from aerospace, defense, energy, manufacturing, and healthcare in 27 countries around the world use NGRAIN’s patented technology today, transforming the way they work in the field.

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader dedicated to connecting people, things and information with its original efficient, compact and precision technologies. With a lineup that ranges from inkjet printers and digital printing systems to 3LCD projectors, smart glasses, sensing systems and industrial robots, the company is focused on driving innovations and exceeding customer expectations in inkjet, visual communications, wearables and robotics.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the Epson Group comprises more than 67,000  employees in 90 companies around the world, and is proud of its contributions to the communities in which it operates and its ongoing efforts to reduce environmental impacts.

Epson America, Inc., based in Long Beach, Calif., is Epson’s regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/EpsonAmerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

Thank you for taking the time to read our wearable technology blog post.  Eyewear can be functional as well as fashionable.  We hope that you have found this news to be informative. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

International Vision Expo & Conference April 2016

The latest eyewear fashion and trends are set to be unveiled at the world’s leading eyewear industry event, International Vision Expo & Conference in New York City (held at the Javits Center April 14th-17th, 2016).

Co-owned by The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, the 30th annual International Vision Expo & Conference will be bigger than ever and cover a broad spectrum of the eyecare industry; showcasing the latest advances in eyewear fashion, design, technology, medical care, education and business.

The International Vision Expo & Conference coincides with news from The Vision Council that the eyewear industry is stronger than ever, with statistics from its U.S. Optical Industry Report Card showing that in 2015:

76.2% of the U.S. adult population wore any form of vision correction – a growth of 2.1% compared to 2014.

• There was a 6.3% rise in the number of U.S. adults wearing prescription sunglasses (11.7% of the adult population, compared to 11.2% in 2014) and a 3.4% rise in the number of U.S. adults wearing contact lenses (16.4% of the adult population, compared to 16.0% in 2014.
• Industry revenue in the U.S. increased for all types of vision correction, including frames, lenses, contact lenses, plano sunglasses, OTC readers, eye exams and refractive surgery, with the highest rise being the sales of lenses ($12,622.3 million in 2015, an increase of 7.9% on 2014) and contact lenses ($4,664.2 in 2015, an increase of 5.4% on 2014).
• There was a 3% rise in the number of eye exams in the U.S. (113.9M) compared to 2014 (110.6M).

Highlights of the International Vision Expo & Conference in New York include:

Nine members of the prestigious Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA) will present new eyewear designs during the first ever Eyewear Showcase (April 15, 3:30-5:00pm). Galleria Lounge.

Marchon Eyewear will preview its Nike Vision Spring 2016 collection, including the latest in performance eyewear with its enhanced Nike Running Collection, which uses new materials and vision technology to create high-performance eyewear that stays stable during movement, grips when the athlete sweats and conforms to the shape of his or her face for maximum comfort. New brand launches from Marchon Eyewear will include Spring/Summer 2016 eyewear collections for Etro, a brand historically synonymous with Italian-made elegance, demonstrating passion for prints and craftsmanship; Marni and MCM (Modern Creation Munich), presenting a new eyewear collection that combines classic elements of timeless luxury with a very contemporary, innovative design. Booths 4534, 4546, 4575 and 4652.

Safilo Group will showcase Givenchy's new Spring/Summer 2016 eyewear collection, deliberately unisex and conveying Givenchy’s identity through iconic detailing: stylized stars on the front, small metal teardrops on the temple tips, golden studs all over the profiles and staples fusing into hinges establish the uniqueness of the new designs; FENDI's Spring/Summer 2016 Sunglasses Collection, a new interpretation of the “frame within a frame” concept, creating stunning contrasts between the round lenses and the cat-eye shape, as well as its new EyeShine Collection which reflects the Roman Maison’s highest savoir-faire and creativity featuring a futuristic design, enhanced by a magnetic all-over mirrored effect of the frame; Gucci’s new sunglasses and optical frames presented on the women’s and men’s Spring/Summer 2016 runways; Jimmy Choo’s new eyewear collection for Spring Summer 2016, featuring jeweled ornamentation, exotic leather inlays and bands of glitter that harmonize with the brand’s accessories collections and Dior’s new summer 2016 DIORSPLIT collection, offering a graphic reinterpretation of a classic shape. Other launches include an exclusive eyewear collection designed by Marcel Wanders, as well as the new Polaroid Twist collection from Polaroid, a unisex polarized sunglasses collection for adults and kids. Booth 3548.

Luxottica will unveil Ray-Ban’s Spring Summer collection, including the new Clubround sun and optical frames - rounded phantos shapes featuring Clubmaster-inspired acetate brows, coined metal rims and bridges; and showcase Oakley Prizm technology’s new EVZero range for the first time, the lightest performance sunglasses they’ve ever created. Booth 4152.

Victoria Beckham Limited will attend for the first time to launch its new eyewear for the U.S. market - designed and developed in-house in London and produced independently by hand in Italy. Booth U6218.

Inspecs will debut its new sunglasses and ophthalmic frames created in collaboration with the legendary musician Carlos Santana, showcasing its “Carlos by Carlos Santana” and “Santana by Carlos Santana” collections. Booth 5334.

Acuity Pro will showcase its latest version of VisionScience Software, a professional computerized acuity testing software suite that was used by NASA to gather data on crew members' visual health during and after long-duration space station mission. Crew members' bodies change in a variety of ways during space flight, and some experience impaired vision. Booth MS7010.

Liberty Sport will launch Helmet Spex, designed to be the best fitting frame for sports that require a helmet. It will also showcase its Switch Magnetic Interchange technology, the world's first magnetic interchange sun lens system which uses high-energy magnets embedded in the lens and frame to let users quickly swap in the lens required for changing activities and light. It has just been announced that two styles of Switch Magnetic Interchange technology have passed the rigorous testing required by NASA and in 2016 will be launching into space as the eyewear solution for their astronauts. Booth 4420.

Aspex will showcase BMW Eyewear Collection’s new “M Series” line, embodying the spirit of the luxury car brand. Booth 3920.

iGreen Eyewear will launch its new custom collection, requiring less water and less electrical energy to produce compared to other frames. It’s incredibly lighter-weight and available in 350 new colours. Booth G5964.

Signet Armorlite will launch KODAK Total Blue Lenses, a hybrid solution to harmful high-energy light. The anti-reflective/lens combination protects against direct UV rays and HEV blue light from natural and artificial sources, while allowing essential low-energy blue light to reach the eye for good color vision and to regulate the sleep cycle. Booth LP7616. 

Carl Zeiss will highlight its new DriveSafe lenses, designed to meet the vision needs of people who want to feel safer driving with their everyday lenses, by featuring a Formula One car and game simulator and DriveSafe Experience room on its booth. Booth LP7608.

Retired NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal, will be present to launch his eyewear collection in partnership with Zylowear (April 15th, 12pm-3pm). Booth 4752.

An array of fascinating education sessions, including a presentation on Wearables...Where It's at, Where It's Going and Impact on Vision led by Jerome Legerton (Saturday April 16th 2016, 9:45am – 11:45am, location 1B04), who will reflect on the emerging eye-wear borne micro-display technology trend, forecast to be a multi-billion dollar industry by 2020.

Aaron Tarbett will host a talk entitled Vision and Eye Care in War: The Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (Saturday April 16th, 2:45pm – 4:45pm, location 1A04), covering ocular and vision related injuries sustained on these battlefields and their management; as well as touch on battlefield adaptations that enhanced eye and vision care in theater.

Tarbett will also share his fascinating experience being the White House optometrist (2006-2015) during his talk entitled Optometry at the White House (Saturday April 16th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, location 1A28).

Media may attend and cover any education session with a valid press pass, but no recording/videotaping is permitted without authorization.

“The eyewear industry has seen tremendous growth over the past year and that momentum will be felt at Vision Expo in New York,” said Ashley Mills, Vice President, Trade Shows & Meetings, The Vision Council. “This is an industry of innovation, and International Vision Expo 2016 promises to showcase the newest products, technology, fashion trends and education to advance our growing industry.”

The International Vision Expo & Conference takes place in New York (April 14-17th, 2016) and Las Vegas (September 14th-17th, 2016). Proceeds are used by The Vision Council to educate consumers about the importance of vision care through the Think About Your Eyes program.  Buyers, exhibitors and attendees help to build a stronger vision industry by supporting International Vision Expo.

For further information, visit www.VisionExpoEast.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read our eyewear industry blog post. We hope that you have found this news to be informative. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

International Vision Expo & Conference April 2016

The latest eyewear fashion and trends are set to be unveiled at the world’s leading eyewear industry event, International Vision Expo & Conference in New York City (held at the Javits Center April 14th-17th, 2016).

Co-owned by The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, the 30th annual International Vision Expo & Conference will be bigger than ever and cover a broad spectrum of the eyecare industry; showcasing the latest advances in eyewear fashion, design, technology, medical care, education and business.

The International Vision Expo & Conference coincides with news from The Vision Council that the eyewear industry is stronger than ever, with statistics from its U.S. Optical Industry Report Card showing that in 2015:

76.2% of the U.S. adult population wore any form of vision correction – a growth of 2.1% compared to 2014.

• There was a 6.3% rise in the number of U.S. adults wearing prescription sunglasses (11.7% of the adult population, compared to 11.2% in 2014) and a 3.4% rise in the number of U.S. adults wearing contact lenses (16.4% of the adult population, compared to 16.0% in 2014.
• Industry revenue in the U.S. increased for all types of vision correction, including frames, lenses, contact lenses, plano sunglasses, OTC readers, eye exams and refractive surgery, with the highest rise being the sales of lenses ($12,622.3 million in 2015, an increase of 7.9% on 2014) and contact lenses ($4,664.2 in 2015, an increase of 5.4% on 2014).
• There was a 3% rise in the number of eye exams in the U.S. (113.9M) compared to 2014 (110.6M).

Highlights of the International Vision Expo & Conference in New York include:

Nine members of the prestigious Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA) will present new eyewear designs during the first ever Eyewear Showcase (April 15, 3:30-5:00pm). Galleria Lounge.

Marchon Eyewear will preview its Nike Vision Spring 2016 collection, including the latest in performance eyewear with its enhanced Nike Running Collection, which uses new materials and vision technology to create high-performance eyewear that stays stable during movement, grips when the athlete sweats and conforms to the shape of his or her face for maximum comfort. New brand launches from Marchon Eyewear will include Spring/Summer 2016 eyewear collections for Etro, a brand historically synonymous with Italian-made elegance, demonstrating passion for prints and craftsmanship; Marni and MCM (Modern Creation Munich), presenting a new eyewear collection that combines classic elements of timeless luxury with a very contemporary, innovative design. Booths 4534, 4546, 4575 and 4652.

Safilo Group will showcase Givenchy's new Spring/Summer 2016 eyewear collection, deliberately unisex and conveying Givenchy’s identity through iconic detailing: stylized stars on the front, small metal teardrops on the temple tips, golden studs all over the profiles and staples fusing into hinges establish the uniqueness of the new designs; FENDI's Spring/Summer 2016 Sunglasses Collection, a new interpretation of the “frame within a frame” concept, creating stunning contrasts between the round lenses and the cat-eye shape, as well as its new EyeShine Collection which reflects the Roman Maison’s highest savoir-faire and creativity featuring a futuristic design, enhanced by a magnetic all-over mirrored effect of the frame; Gucci’s new sunglasses and optical frames presented on the women’s and men’s Spring/Summer 2016 runways; Jimmy Choo’s new eyewear collection for Spring Summer 2016, featuring jeweled ornamentation, exotic leather inlays and bands of glitter that harmonize with the brand’s accessories collections and Dior’s new summer 2016 DIORSPLIT collection, offering a graphic reinterpretation of a classic shape. Other launches include an exclusive eyewear collection designed by Marcel Wanders, as well as the new Polaroid Twist collection from Polaroid, a unisex polarized sunglasses collection for adults and kids. Booth 3548.

Luxottica will unveil Ray-Ban’s Spring Summer collection, including the new Clubround sun and optical frames - rounded phantos shapes featuring Clubmaster-inspired acetate brows, coined metal rims and bridges; and showcase Oakley Prizm technology’s new EVZero range for the first time, the lightest performance sunglasses they’ve ever created. Booth 4152.

Victoria Beckham Limited will attend for the first time to launch its new eyewear for the U.S. market - designed and developed in-house in London and produced independently by hand in Italy. Booth U6218.

Inspecs will debut its new sunglasses and ophthalmic frames created in collaboration with the legendary musician Carlos Santana, showcasing its “Carlos by Carlos Santana” and “Santana by Carlos Santana” collections. Booth 5334.

Acuity Pro will showcase its latest version of VisionScience Software, a professional computerized acuity testing software suite that was used by NASA to gather data on crew members' visual health during and after long-duration space station mission. Crew members' bodies change in a variety of ways during space flight, and some experience impaired vision. Booth MS7010.

Liberty Sport will launch Helmet Spex, designed to be the best fitting frame for sports that require a helmet. It will also showcase its Switch Magnetic Interchange technology, the world's first magnetic interchange sun lens system which uses high-energy magnets embedded in the lens and frame to let users quickly swap in the lens required for changing activities and light. It has just been announced that two styles of Switch Magnetic Interchange technology have passed the rigorous testing required by NASA and in 2016 will be launching into space as the eyewear solution for their astronauts. Booth 4420.

Aspex will showcase BMW Eyewear Collection’s new “M Series” line, embodying the spirit of the luxury car brand. Booth 3920.

iGreen Eyewear will launch its new custom collection, requiring less water and less electrical energy to produce compared to other frames. It’s incredibly lighter-weight and available in 350 new colours. Booth G5964.

Signet Armorlite will launch KODAK Total Blue Lenses, a hybrid solution to harmful high-energy light. The anti-reflective/lens combination protects against direct UV rays and HEV blue light from natural and artificial sources, while allowing essential low-energy blue light to reach the eye for good color vision and to regulate the sleep cycle. Booth LP7616. 

Carl Zeiss will highlight its new DriveSafe lenses, designed to meet the vision needs of people who want to feel safer driving with their everyday lenses, by featuring a Formula One car and game simulator and DriveSafe Experience room on its booth. Booth LP7608.

Retired NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal, will be present to launch his eyewear collection in partnership with Zylowear (April 15th, 12pm-3pm). Booth 4752.

An array of fascinating education sessions, including a presentation on Wearables...Where It's at, Where It's Going and Impact on Vision led by Jerome Legerton (Saturday April 16th 2016, 9:45am – 11:45am, location 1B04), who will reflect on the emerging eye-wear borne micro-display technology trend, forecast to be a multi-billion dollar industry by 2020.

Aaron Tarbett will host a talk entitled Vision and Eye Care in War: The Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (Saturday April 16th, 2:45pm – 4:45pm, location 1A04), covering ocular and vision related injuries sustained on these battlefields and their management; as well as touch on battlefield adaptations that enhanced eye and vision care in theater.

Tarbett will also share his fascinating experience being the White House optometrist (2006-2015) during his talk entitled Optometry at the White House (Saturday April 16th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, location 1A28).

Media may attend and cover any education session with a valid press pass, but no recording/videotaping is permitted without authorization.

“The eyewear industry has seen tremendous growth over the past year and that momentum will be felt at Vision Expo in New York,” said Ashley Mills, Vice President, Trade Shows & Meetings, The Vision Council. “This is an industry of innovation, and International Vision Expo 2016 promises to showcase the newest products, technology, fashion trends and education to advance our growing industry.”

The International Vision Expo & Conference takes place in New York (April 14-17th, 2016) and Las Vegas (September 14th-17th, 2016). Proceeds are used by The Vision Council to educate consumers about the importance of vision care through the Think About Your Eyes program.  Buyers, exhibitors and attendees help to build a stronger vision industry by supporting International Vision Expo.

For further information, visit www.VisionExpoEast.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read our eyewear industry blog post. We hope that you have found this news to be informative. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

International Vision Expo & Conference April 2016

The latest eyewear fashion and trends are set to be unveiled at the world’s leading eyewear industry event, International Vision Expo & Conference in New York City (held at the Javits Center April 14th-17th, 2016).

Co-owned by The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, the 30th annual International Vision Expo & Conference will be bigger than ever and cover a broad spectrum of the eyecare industry; showcasing the latest advances in eyewear fashion, design, technology, medical care, education and business.

The International Vision Expo & Conference coincides with news from The Vision Council that the eyewear industry is stronger than ever, with statistics from its U.S. Optical Industry Report Card showing that in 2015:

76.2% of the U.S. adult population wore any form of vision correction – a growth of 2.1% compared to 2014.

• There was a 6.3% rise in the number of U.S. adults wearing prescription sunglasses (11.7% of the adult population, compared to 11.2% in 2014) and a 3.4% rise in the number of U.S. adults wearing contact lenses (16.4% of the adult population, compared to 16.0% in 2014.
• Industry revenue in the U.S. increased for all types of vision correction, including frames, lenses, contact lenses, plano sunglasses, OTC readers, eye exams and refractive surgery, with the highest rise being the sales of lenses ($12,622.3 million in 2015, an increase of 7.9% on 2014) and contact lenses ($4,664.2 in 2015, an increase of 5.4% on 2014).
• There was a 3% rise in the number of eye exams in the U.S. (113.9M) compared to 2014 (110.6M).

Highlights of the International Vision Expo & Conference in New York include:

Nine members of the prestigious Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA) will present new eyewear designs during the first ever Eyewear Showcase (April 15, 3:30-5:00pm). Galleria Lounge.

Marchon Eyewear will preview its Nike Vision Spring 2016 collection, including the latest in performance eyewear with its enhanced Nike Running Collection, which uses new materials and vision technology to create high-performance eyewear that stays stable during movement, grips when the athlete sweats and conforms to the shape of his or her face for maximum comfort. New brand launches from Marchon Eyewear will include Spring/Summer 2016 eyewear collections for Etro, a brand historically synonymous with Italian-made elegance, demonstrating passion for prints and craftsmanship; Marni and MCM (Modern Creation Munich), presenting a new eyewear collection that combines classic elements of timeless luxury with a very contemporary, innovative design. Booths 4534, 4546, 4575 and 4652.

Safilo Group will showcase Givenchy's new Spring/Summer 2016 eyewear collection, deliberately unisex and conveying Givenchy’s identity through iconic detailing: stylized stars on the front, small metal teardrops on the temple tips, golden studs all over the profiles and staples fusing into hinges establish the uniqueness of the new designs; FENDI's Spring/Summer 2016 Sunglasses Collection, a new interpretation of the “frame within a frame” concept, creating stunning contrasts between the round lenses and the cat-eye shape, as well as its new EyeShine Collection which reflects the Roman Maison’s highest savoir-faire and creativity featuring a futuristic design, enhanced by a magnetic all-over mirrored effect of the frame; Gucci’s new sunglasses and optical frames presented on the women’s and men’s Spring/Summer 2016 runways; Jimmy Choo’s new eyewear collection for Spring Summer 2016, featuring jeweled ornamentation, exotic leather inlays and bands of glitter that harmonize with the brand’s accessories collections and Dior’s new summer 2016 DIORSPLIT collection, offering a graphic reinterpretation of a classic shape. Other launches include an exclusive eyewear collection designed by Marcel Wanders, as well as the new Polaroid Twist collection from Polaroid, a unisex polarized sunglasses collection for adults and kids. Booth 3548.

Luxottica will unveil Ray-Ban’s Spring Summer collection, including the new Clubround sun and optical frames - rounded phantos shapes featuring Clubmaster-inspired acetate brows, coined metal rims and bridges; and showcase Oakley Prizm technology’s new EVZero range for the first time, the lightest performance sunglasses they’ve ever created. Booth 4152.

Victoria Beckham Limited will attend for the first time to launch its new eyewear for the U.S. market - designed and developed in-house in London and produced independently by hand in Italy. Booth U6218.

Inspecs will debut its new sunglasses and ophthalmic frames created in collaboration with the legendary musician Carlos Santana, showcasing its “Carlos by Carlos Santana” and “Santana by Carlos Santana” collections. Booth 5334.

Acuity Pro will showcase its latest version of VisionScience Software, a professional computerized acuity testing software suite that was used by NASA to gather data on crew members' visual health during and after long-duration space station mission. Crew members' bodies change in a variety of ways during space flight, and some experience impaired vision. Booth MS7010.

Liberty Sport will launch Helmet Spex, designed to be the best fitting frame for sports that require a helmet. It will also showcase its Switch Magnetic Interchange technology, the world's first magnetic interchange sun lens system which uses high-energy magnets embedded in the lens and frame to let users quickly swap in the lens required for changing activities and light. It has just been announced that two styles of Switch Magnetic Interchange technology have passed the rigorous testing required by NASA and in 2016 will be launching into space as the eyewear solution for their astronauts. Booth 4420.

Aspex will showcase BMW Eyewear Collection’s new “M Series” line, embodying the spirit of the luxury car brand. Booth 3920.

iGreen Eyewear will launch its new custom collection, requiring less water and less electrical energy to produce compared to other frames. It’s incredibly lighter-weight and available in 350 new colours. Booth G5964.

Signet Armorlite will launch KODAK Total Blue Lenses, a hybrid solution to harmful high-energy light. The anti-reflective/lens combination protects against direct UV rays and HEV blue light from natural and artificial sources, while allowing essential low-energy blue light to reach the eye for good color vision and to regulate the sleep cycle. Booth LP7616. 

Carl Zeiss will highlight its new DriveSafe lenses, designed to meet the vision needs of people who want to feel safer driving with their everyday lenses, by featuring a Formula One car and game simulator and DriveSafe Experience room on its booth. Booth LP7608.

Retired NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal, will be present to launch his eyewear collection in partnership with Zylowear (April 15th, 12pm-3pm). Booth 4752.

An array of fascinating education sessions, including a presentation on Wearables...Where It's at, Where It's Going and Impact on Vision led by Jerome Legerton (Saturday April 16th 2016, 9:45am – 11:45am, location 1B04), who will reflect on the emerging eye-wear borne micro-display technology trend, forecast to be a multi-billion dollar industry by 2020.

Aaron Tarbett will host a talk entitled Vision and Eye Care in War: The Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (Saturday April 16th, 2:45pm – 4:45pm, location 1A04), covering ocular and vision related injuries sustained on these battlefields and their management; as well as touch on battlefield adaptations that enhanced eye and vision care in theater.

Tarbett will also share his fascinating experience being the White House optometrist (2006-2015) during his talk entitled Optometry at the White House (Saturday April 16th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, location 1A28).

Media may attend and cover any education session with a valid press pass, but no recording/videotaping is permitted without authorization.

“The eyewear industry has seen tremendous growth over the past year and that momentum will be felt at Vision Expo in New York,” said Ashley Mills, Vice President, Trade Shows & Meetings, The Vision Council. “This is an industry of innovation, and International Vision Expo 2016 promises to showcase the newest products, technology, fashion trends and education to advance our growing industry.”

The International Vision Expo & Conference takes place in New York (April 14-17th, 2016) and Las Vegas (September 14th-17th, 2016). Proceeds are used by The Vision Council to educate consumers about the importance of vision care through the Think About Your Eyes program.  Buyers, exhibitors and attendees help to build a stronger vision industry by supporting International Vision Expo.

For further information, visit www.VisionExpoEast.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read our eyewear industry blog post. We hope that you have found this news to be informative. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

International Vision Expo & Conference April 2016

The latest eyewear fashion and trends are set to be unveiled at the world’s leading eyewear industry event, International Vision Expo & Conference in New York City (held at the Javits Center April 14th-17th, 2016).

Co-owned by The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, the 30th annual International Vision Expo & Conference will be bigger than ever and cover a broad spectrum of the eyecare industry; showcasing the latest advances in eyewear fashion, design, technology, medical care, education and business.

The International Vision Expo & Conference coincides with news from The Vision Council that the eyewear industry is stronger than ever, with statistics from its U.S. Optical Industry Report Card showing that in 2015:

76.2% of the U.S. adult population wore any form of vision correction – a growth of 2.1% compared to 2014.

• There was a 6.3% rise in the number of U.S. adults wearing prescription sunglasses (11.7% of the adult population, compared to 11.2% in 2014) and a 3.4% rise in the number of U.S. adults wearing contact lenses (16.4% of the adult population, compared to 16.0% in 2014.
• Industry revenue in the U.S. increased for all types of vision correction, including frames, lenses, contact lenses, plano sunglasses, OTC readers, eye exams and refractive surgery, with the highest rise being the sales of lenses ($12,622.3 million in 2015, an increase of 7.9% on 2014) and contact lenses ($4,664.2 in 2015, an increase of 5.4% on 2014).
• There was a 3% rise in the number of eye exams in the U.S. (113.9M) compared to 2014 (110.6M).

Highlights of the International Vision Expo & Conference in New York include:

Nine members of the prestigious Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA) will present new eyewear designs during the first ever Eyewear Showcase (April 15, 3:30-5:00pm). Galleria Lounge.

Marchon Eyewear will preview its Nike Vision Spring 2016 collection, including the latest in performance eyewear with its enhanced Nike Running Collection, which uses new materials and vision technology to create high-performance eyewear that stays stable during movement, grips when the athlete sweats and conforms to the shape of his or her face for maximum comfort. New brand launches from Marchon Eyewear will include Spring/Summer 2016 eyewear collections for Etro, a brand historically synonymous with Italian-made elegance, demonstrating passion for prints and craftsmanship; Marni and MCM (Modern Creation Munich), presenting a new eyewear collection that combines classic elements of timeless luxury with a very contemporary, innovative design. Booths 4534, 4546, 4575 and 4652.

Safilo Group will showcase Givenchy's new Spring/Summer 2016 eyewear collection, deliberately unisex and conveying Givenchy’s identity through iconic detailing: stylized stars on the front, small metal teardrops on the temple tips, golden studs all over the profiles and staples fusing into hinges establish the uniqueness of the new designs; FENDI's Spring/Summer 2016 Sunglasses Collection, a new interpretation of the “frame within a frame” concept, creating stunning contrasts between the round lenses and the cat-eye shape, as well as its new EyeShine Collection which reflects the Roman Maison’s highest savoir-faire and creativity featuring a futuristic design, enhanced by a magnetic all-over mirrored effect of the frame; Gucci’s new sunglasses and optical frames presented on the women’s and men’s Spring/Summer 2016 runways; Jimmy Choo’s new eyewear collection for Spring Summer 2016, featuring jeweled ornamentation, exotic leather inlays and bands of glitter that harmonize with the brand’s accessories collections and Dior’s new summer 2016 DIORSPLIT collection, offering a graphic reinterpretation of a classic shape. Other launches include an exclusive eyewear collection designed by Marcel Wanders, as well as the new Polaroid Twist collection from Polaroid, a unisex polarized sunglasses collection for adults and kids. Booth 3548.

Luxottica will unveil Ray-Ban’s Spring Summer collection, including the new Clubround sun and optical frames - rounded phantos shapes featuring Clubmaster-inspired acetate brows, coined metal rims and bridges; and showcase Oakley Prizm technology’s new EVZero range for the first time, the lightest performance sunglasses they’ve ever created. Booth 4152.

Victoria Beckham Limited will attend for the first time to launch its new eyewear for the U.S. market - designed and developed in-house in London and produced independently by hand in Italy. Booth U6218.

Inspecs will debut its new sunglasses and ophthalmic frames created in collaboration with the legendary musician Carlos Santana, showcasing its “Carlos by Carlos Santana” and “Santana by Carlos Santana” collections. Booth 5334.

Acuity Pro will showcase its latest version of VisionScience Software, a professional computerized acuity testing software suite that was used by NASA to gather data on crew members' visual health during and after long-duration space station mission. Crew members' bodies change in a variety of ways during space flight, and some experience impaired vision. Booth MS7010.

Liberty Sport will launch Helmet Spex, designed to be the best fitting frame for sports that require a helmet. It will also showcase its Switch Magnetic Interchange technology, the world's first magnetic interchange sun lens system which uses high-energy magnets embedded in the lens and frame to let users quickly swap in the lens required for changing activities and light. It has just been announced that two styles of Switch Magnetic Interchange technology have passed the rigorous testing required by NASA and in 2016 will be launching into space as the eyewear solution for their astronauts. Booth 4420.

Aspex will showcase BMW Eyewear Collection’s new “M Series” line, embodying the spirit of the luxury car brand. Booth 3920.

iGreen Eyewear will launch its new custom collection, requiring less water and less electrical energy to produce compared to other frames. It’s incredibly lighter-weight and available in 350 new colours. Booth G5964.

Signet Armorlite will launch KODAK Total Blue Lenses, a hybrid solution to harmful high-energy light. The anti-reflective/lens combination protects against direct UV rays and HEV blue light from natural and artificial sources, while allowing essential low-energy blue light to reach the eye for good color vision and to regulate the sleep cycle. Booth LP7616. 

Carl Zeiss will highlight its new DriveSafe lenses, designed to meet the vision needs of people who want to feel safer driving with their everyday lenses, by featuring a Formula One car and game simulator and DriveSafe Experience room on its booth. Booth LP7608.

Retired NBA star, Shaquille O’Neal, will be present to launch his eyewear collection in partnership with Zylowear (April 15th, 12pm-3pm). Booth 4752.

An array of fascinating education sessions, including a presentation on Wearables...Where It's at, Where It's Going and Impact on Vision led by Jerome Legerton (Saturday April 16th 2016, 9:45am – 11:45am, location 1B04), who will reflect on the emerging eye-wear borne micro-display technology trend, forecast to be a multi-billion dollar industry by 2020.

Aaron Tarbett will host a talk entitled Vision and Eye Care in War: The Conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan (Saturday April 16th, 2:45pm – 4:45pm, location 1A04), covering ocular and vision related injuries sustained on these battlefields and their management; as well as touch on battlefield adaptations that enhanced eye and vision care in theater.

Tarbett will also share his fascinating experience being the White House optometrist (2006-2015) during his talk entitled Optometry at the White House (Saturday April 16th, 5:00pm – 6:00pm, location 1A28).

Media may attend and cover any education session with a valid press pass, but no recording/videotaping is permitted without authorization.

“The eyewear industry has seen tremendous growth over the past year and that momentum will be felt at Vision Expo in New York,” said Ashley Mills, Vice President, Trade Shows & Meetings, The Vision Council. “This is an industry of innovation, and International Vision Expo 2016 promises to showcase the newest products, technology, fashion trends and education to advance our growing industry.”

The International Vision Expo & Conference takes place in New York (April 14-17th, 2016) and Las Vegas (September 14th-17th, 2016). Proceeds are used by The Vision Council to educate consumers about the importance of vision care through the Think About Your Eyes program.  Buyers, exhibitors and attendees help to build a stronger vision industry by supporting International Vision Expo.

For further information, visit www.VisionExpoEast.com.

Thank you for taking the time to read our eyewear industry blog post. We hope that you have found this news to be informative. If you have comments or questions, please add your thoughts in the discussion area below.

Best Eyewear Frame Brand 2015

Guess who was named as the best frame brand of 2015?

Aspire Eyewear wins the 2015 Best Frame Brand – New Launch in the 7th annual EyeVote Reader’s Choice Awards.  Sponsored by Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine, the EyeVote awards identify and recognize readers’ favorite optical products and companies of the year.  Aspire is distributed exclusively by ClearVision Optical.

Incorporating the latest in technology, advanced materials and fashion, Aspire’s next gen, fashion forward styles offer a "barely there" fit and feel.  Aspire is created with SDN-4 material, a unique, specially designed nylon material proprietary to the brand.

“In a world where so many things are the same, Aspire brought something completely different to the eyewear universe this year, hence, the next generation in eyewear,” says Peter Friedfeld, Aspire architect and Vice President of ClearVision Optical. “Aspire was conceived and built using 3D technology, which not only reduces our prototype lead time, but gives our designers flexibility to respond to emerging eyewear trends and experiment with inventive design options.

New coloration techniques are used to create the palette of clear and soft colors in solids, fades, and unique tortoise patterns. A variety of on trend temple styles is available in both lightweight TR-90 and stainless steel, providing opportunities for customization and interchangeability. Stainless steel temple designs range from thin, on trend wires to jewelry-inspired, open designs, while TR-90 temples offer contrasting color and contoured accents. 
 “Aspire is one of the thinnest, extremely lightweight yet incredibly durable collections available today,” says Friedfeld. “With these factors in mind, we like to think of Aspire as the next generation of wearable technology. It gives today’s individualized consumers a fashionable eyewear statement that’s on trend in every sense.”

Optical retailers and eyecare professional readers of VisionMonday and 20/20 Magazine were asked to identify their “favorite” products in 11 distinct categories: optical frames, spectacle lenses, sunglasses, contact lenses, optical equipment and supplies, diagnostic equipment, practice management software, EHR, optical app, online ordering and patient engagement systems. Selected companies were chosen based on both brand and company choices supplied by readers; voters were prompted to type in their votes for each category.  Companies/brands were not listed for the voting process.  Survey submissions are screened against supplier/manufacturer voting.

For more information on Aspire, visit aspireeyewear.com or facebook.com/aspireeyewear.

About Aspire

Launched in 2015, Aspire Eyewear offers consumers a “barely there” fit and feel. This next generation of eyewear was made possible through the use of proprietary SDN-4 material and advanced 3D printing capabilities. The philosophy behind the branding for this label is based on the question: “What do you Aspire to Be?” This message is carefully articulated in its personality-driven design for both men and women. The brand references popular trends, classic motifs, and advanced architectural aesthetics to express different personality types in its collection.

About ClearVision Optical
Founded in 1949, ClearVision Optical is an award-winning leader in the optical industry, designing and distributing eyewear and sunwear for top brands such as Aspire Eyewear, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Ellen Tracy, IZOD, Marc Ecko Cut & Sew, Op, and Jessica McClintock. ClearVision’s house brands include ClearVision Collection, Junction City, PuriTi, DuraHinge, and Dilli Dalli pediatric eyewear. A privately held company, ClearVision is headquartered in Hauppauge, New York and has more than 250 associates throughout the U.S. ClearVision’s collections are distributed throughout North America and 20 countries around the globe. 

TNEMNRODA

Drawing inspiration from East and West Indian culture, TNEMNRODA [nem-row-da] eyewear collections are infused with luxe refinement and fantastical spirit.

Peppered with influences from her colorful Caribbean background, jewelry designer Samantha Smikle creates eyewear designs bejeweled in 14k gold plated metals, semiprecious stones and other transformative materials. The handcrafted New York-based brand is carried in Urban Outfitters UK and private boutiques in Hong Kong, Dubai, Greece, Canada and Miami. Select styles are exclusively available in limited quantity.

Learn more about TNEMNRODA eyewear at http://www.maisontnemnroda.com/