Eyeglasses.com Blog

Articles for June, 2010

Sunglass Hut opened two flagship stores in New York and London in April. These retail locations have been strategically placed in tourist-centric cities that embrace a cutting-edge fashion sense. The flagship stores provide “a fun, innovative experience that celebrates a love of fashion and shopping” and aim to increase Sunglass Hut’s consumer presence. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Melissa Arkin.)

The Fifth Avenue New York store was host to a star-studded party in celebration of its opening. Celebrities such as Macaulay Culkin and Emily Mortimer showed up to partake in the festivities. Guest celebrity DJs such as Fab Moretti and Binki Shapiro (both from the band Little Joy) and Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley fame) provided the sound system for the evening.

With the unveiling of their brand new flagship stores comes another fresh beginning for Sunglass Hut. For the first time, the sunglass retailer is pairing up with a celebrity for style advice. Rachel Bilson (pictured), most notably of “The O.C.” fame, (and also in attendance at the event) has been appointed style director for Sunglass Hut. She will work closely with the teams at Sunglass Hut, using her style savvy to deliver the latest eyewear trends. Bilson will connect with Sunglass Hut’s consumers by making in-store appearances, writing a trend blog on the company’s web site, conducting interviews with designers and style influencers and hosting an ongoing question and answer segment online, where consumers can ask about their eyewear needs.

“When we envisioned the style director position and looked at Rachel’s personal style and love of sunglasses, it was a very obvious gut feeling that she was the perfect person to take on this new role,” says Fabio d’Angelantonio, CEO of Sunglass Hut. “Rachel has a clear vision of how to integrate this job on all levels from selecting the newest trends, sharing the information online and with consumers and really showing how sunglasses are a key accessory.”  

Photograph by Dan Kaiser/Blackbox Studio; FRAME: Jil Sander 2624 from Marchon (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Timothy Coronis, ABOC-NLCE) In today’s multitasking, info-overloaded world, it’s increasingly common for many of us to work online for hours, send text messages to friends and then relax by watching YouTube videos. It’s no surprise then that our eyes are often stressed to the point of exhaustion. Focusing on small digital screens, one to three feet away for an extended period of time can cause blurred vision, headaches and discomfort as the eye’s internal lens accommodates to maintain plus power for focusing at these distances. Fortunately, several manufacturers—Signet Armorlite, Essilor and Hoya Vision Care—have recently developed specialized lenses to help us perform these types of near and intermediate visual tasks. The new products, known as anti-fatigue or AF lenses, offer patients relief from digitally induced eyestrain and other visual stress. AF lenses are versatile and can be worn for many near and intermediate visual tasks, not just computer use. Doctors and dispensers may find it helpful to think of them as occupational and recreational lenses that are suitable for any activity that involves accommodating for near. AF lenses are available in several designs including single vision, “office” progressives and full-range progressives, and can be prescribed for presbyopes, pre-presbyopes and children. When recommending an AF lens, eyecare practitioners need to understand the features and benefits of each lens design as well as how it ought to be used. A pre-presbyope, for example, would probably require a single vision lens such as Essilor’s anti-fatigue lens. It features a “boost” at the bottom of the lens in the form of a +.60 diopter increase in plus power, which allows the eye muscles to relax. As a result, accommodation is more easily maintained during the course of the day and visual fatigue is reduced. Another option for pre-presbyopes is Hoya Vision Care’s Nulux Active 8 lens, which is currently available in Canada but not yet offered in the U.S. The lens utilizes a vertical-aspheric lens design with an increase of plus power in the lower portion. Designed for single vision wearers under age 45, Nulux Active 8 corrects vision for a variety of activities and is intended for all day wear. The radial aspheric feature from the center of the lens reduces barrel and pincushion distortion. The vertical aspheric feature of the bottom portion of the lens provides more relaxed binocular vision. The patient’s mono PDs and OC heights must be supplied to the lab, along with their Rx. Among the progressive lens choices is the Kodak Anti-Fatigue lens from Signet Armorlite, which is available in the company’s Unique, Precise, Precise Short and Concise designs. The lens features base-in prism in the reading area that is calculated digitally, easing eyestrain from accommodating. Corridor lengths are optimized to the presbyope’s particular prescription and frame “B” measurement, delivering good optics to the wearer and making the correction more easily tolerated, more successfully worn. Essilor also offers a computer lens that features a big, usable intermediate zone, a smaller near zone and a minimized distance zone that is designed to relieve eyestrain in presbyopes working at computer and near distances for a few hours or more. It is designed to work in frames with a “B” measure of 30mm or more. Putting Anti-fatigue Lenses to Work L&T asked several optometrists who have successfully prescribed anti-fatigue designs to share their insights about the lenses and the types of patients who have benefitted from them. John Gunning, OD, of Chillicothe, Ohio, who prescribes Essilor Anti-Fatigue lenses, says he has recommended the lenses to first-time moderate hyperopes, pre-presbyopes and frequent computer users. “College students love the lenses,” he notes. “I have used this design for true, long-term computer operators,” continues Dr. Gunning. “For these patients I prescribe the intermediate prescription, which focuses these eyes at the computer screen. The ‘boost’ allows them to also see their reading materials clearly. This overall design gives the computer operator great vision at the computer screen with a minor near point “range of vision.” Dr. Gunning believes the Essilor AF lens works well for emerging presbyopes. “This is an ideal lens to address the symptoms of pre-presbyopia for two reasons: it relieves the symptoms and is better accepted by the patient. I explain to the patient this lens can keep them out of the bifocal for a year or two. It is a bridge between single vision lenses and multifocals.” The Essilor Anti-Fatigue lens can be prescribed as an intermediate lens with a boost for near, notes Larry Wan, OD of Family Eyecare Center in Campbell, Calif. “You’ll be most successful thinking of it as more than a computer lens,” says Dr. Wan. “In fact, it improves vision for all sorts of activities, from playing cards to more obvious examples such as computer use.” Dennis Idarola, OD of the Center for Vision Care, Monroe, Conn., recommends AF lenses for children. “Any patient, especially a child, that demonstrates a near exophoria of greater than six prism dipoters is encouraged to get lenses with AF technology,” says Dr. Idarola, who prescribes Kodak anti-fatigue progressives. “As a fan of small amounts of prism—usually ½ BI—for children and computer users, I am not surprised at all by the success my patients are having with AF technology. Children excel in school since using the AF and I have had comments from the doctors doing vision therapy that they, too have noticed children performing better with the addition of the AF technology. “I had an 11-year-old girl with convergence insufficiency who hated wearing her bifocal glasses,” says Dr. Idarola. “It wasn’t the cosmetics as much as it was that she did not perceive any improvement in her vision. Today, upon follow up after being fitted with AF, she is more than happy to wear her glasses; she is excited. More importantly, in the last month, her mother is thrilled with her improved reading skills and school grades. Dr. Idarola adds that he also recommends AF lenses to patients who suffer fatigue at the end of the day, as well as avid readers and computer users. Sheldon Salaba, OD of Advanced Vision in Ontario, Canada prescribes Hoya Nulux Active 8 for the majority of his patients who are under age 43. “They are great for emerging presbyopes, technology users, basic esophoria patients, convergence excess patients, latent hyperopes, college myopes and over-minused patients,” he says. Dr. Salaba cites the case of a 12-year-old patient who is an accommodative esotrope. “She presented to my office wearing a lined bifocal,” he explains. “I was able to increase her hyperopic prescription in the distance, add prism correction to address the residual esophoria at distance and then use the +1.00 reading power in the anti-fatigue lens to eliminate the need for a lined bifocal to address her accommodative esotropia. She was ecstatic and loves her glasses. Her problems were addressed and we were able to eliminate her need for a lined bifocal in her glasses.” Dr. Salaba reports that “in the age group between 15 to 30 years, these patients will have very small prescriptions, or even be emmetropic but they will experience accommodative spasms from going back and forth between two viewing distances. Anti-fatigue lenses are fantastic because they break the accommodative spasm and allow the patient to go back and forth between distance and near tasks without having to take the glasses off.” According to Dr. Salaba, he has prescribed AF lenses to about 400 patients and has only had 10 to 15 patients reject them. “I am now seeing patients who have had these lenses for over a year and they are very satisfied with the results. They love their glasses.”

Marchon Eyewear launches iWear. Dubbed the tweens collection, but also encompassing petite fit requirements, the new line is really targeted to any creative eyewear fan looking for a little edge. Designs are rich with textural and architectural impressions, and numerous color choices, including two-tone treatments. Currently available are 10 fashion-forward styles overflowing with personality and a high level of cool. Shapes consist of modified cat eyes, trendy pillowed rectangles and soft squares made of flat metal and double- and triple-laminate zyls.

(Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology) PHILOSOPHY:
“The new iWear collection was designed to infuse excitement and introduce color and fun into the youthful segment of the Marchon house brand collections,” says Jeff Stern, Marchon vice president brands.

MARKETING:
A set of countercards is available to support the new collection.

PRICE POINT:
$$. For additional information, contact Marchon Eyewear, (800) 645-1300; web site: www.marchon.com

INSIGHT
Founded in 1983, Marchon Eyewear has grown into one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of quality eyewear and sunwear and is consistently recognized for bringing new designs and technologies to the eyewear market. Head- quartered in New York, with regional headquarters in Amsterdam, Hong Kong and Tokyo, Marchon distributes its products through numerous sales offices serving customers in a network of 100 countries.  

  The recently launched AYA accessories line from Claudia Alan Inc. features artwork by First Nations artist Corrine Hunt, co-designer of the 2010 Winter Olympic medals. The collection includes reading glasses, sunglasses, ophthalmic frames, embossed cases and cleaning cloths. (Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing at 20/20 Lenses & Technology. By Patrisha Zabrycki) The First Nation inspired art work etched on the temples of the frames fuses nature-inspired designs with modern eyewear technology. This wearable art not only looks distinctive, but it also supports a good cause. Claudia Alan Inc. will contribute $2 from the sale of every pair of AYA eyewear to ONEXONE First Nations School Breakfast Program. Get ready to be noticed.   

“Eyewear is the next mobile form factor.” I recently came across this interesting prediction in a blog on the Nokia’s company’s web site. The blogger, Phil,was quoting a panelist at the SXSW Interactive Festival in Austin, Texas. He went on to envision a merger of eyewear technology with mobile device technology that can deliver an “augmented reality” experience to the wearer.� “Instead of keeping your head down to look at a device, it will always be up,” said Phil. “Instead of a small screen you’ll have the highest resolution possible. Instead of a photograph of your environment, you’ll see an overlay of metadata. And no more worries about the sun glare on your screen. How about designer augmented-reality-glasses co-produced by trendy sunglass brands like D&G and Gucci Eyewear? And how about a virtual pet dog that can only be seen through these glasses?” I don’t know about the virtual pet dog, but I wouldn’t mind wearing glasses with a built-in GPS system, or Internet access as long as I’m not driving a car or operating heavy equipment. In fact, companies such as Microvision have developed this type of technology for the military, and soon consumers will be able to take advantage of it. How soon? A lot depends upon which eyewear companies are taking the plunge into electronic eyewear. Last month at Vision Expo East, PixelOptics announced that it would begin test marketing its electronic lenses in the fall, with a national roll-out set for January 2011. Aspex Eyewear will be making an “electronic lens-ready” frame for PixelOptics, whose other collaborators include Panasonic, Transitions and Shamir. This is the beginning of a new era. If I were an OD or optician, I’d be figuring out a way to position myself to get on board this next wave of eyewear technology.

Silhouette has taken the iPhone to heart­—and eye—for optical browsers looking to try on eyewear and sunwear. With the introduction of its Virtual Mirror for the iPhone, Silhouette charges to the head of the Internet-scape. Their application allows consumers to try on a selection of Silhouette styles, lens shapes and color options creating fully customizable frames best suited for the customer’s face with just a few iPhone clicks and taps.


In 2009, Silhouette offered consumers the revolutionary Virtual Mirror consulting tool, then exclusively available on www.silhouette.com. Designed in accordance with the Silhouette philosophy that “the best frame for eyewear is always the face of the wearer,” the Virtual Mirror allows consumers to select quality, handcrafted eyewear that suits their individuality and personal preferences, while allowing their natural beauty to remain the focus.

“We’re excited to meet the needs of busy consumers while providing them with individual opportunities to create customized pieces for their eyewear wardrobe,” says Diana Cauwels, Silhouette U.S. brand manager. “Once wearers have had an initial opportunity to select their eyewear using the Silhouette Virtual Mirror for the iPhone, they can visit their specialty optical retailer for a professional fitting for the tangible frames.”

The Silhouette Virtual Mirror app can easily be downloaded for free at www.silhouette.com/iphoneapp or at the App Store. Once installed, users upload a photo and step-by-step instructions help guide them through the application. The power user function makes it possible to test several eyewear models quickly. Simply shake the iPhone and the next model will appear. Silhouette Virtual Mirror users can easily send the final image of their customized eyewear to themselves, their optical professional and others. The potential for use by the optical pro AND the end patient is virtually groundbreaking here. ­  

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In a perfect popular music world Anthony Reynolds would be this generation’s Scott Walker or David Bowie or Bryan Ferry. But then again, in a perfect world Reynolds might have nothing to sing about. Like vintage port, Reynold’s first group effort Jack delivered a precious sip of music in the mid-’90s fermented in varied degrees of divine angst and pain. Since then he’s been dabbling in everything from poetry to biography (his latest book “Impossible Dream” fills in the blanks for any questions raised as to the brilliance of The Walker Brothers) and extensive interview documentation of England’s greatest Outsider Colin Wilson. And currently his music might best be sampled on British Ballads, Reynolds’s most recent solo CD. Songs such as “I Know You Know” and “Song of Leaving” should be such popular playlist fodder by now. These melancholic anthems speak and seek to a quest that seems so lost in music today. It is suggested you sing this ballad’s praise. Seek it out and while you are at it visit him at anthonyreynolds.net. His muse and music can seem dense, but his accessibility and sometimes volatile vulnerability is refreshing. And perhaps most important for this particular exposure, his taste in eyewear—here Lafont—is impeccable. —Article reprinted with permission from Jobson Publishing.