July 2009 - Posts
Hong-Kong based eyewear manufacturer Okia has added three new optical models to its Capriss collection for women. Made from high definition acetate, the frames feature rounded oval fronts and specially shaped temples.
Models in the collection each feature intricate hinges embossed with the brand’s C logo.
Details: okia@okia.com
Two new vintage-style frames have been released by French manufacturer Face à Face.
Adore is a 1950s-style model for women, which is cut from two-tone acetate laminate. With golden rivet detail and hand-polished temples, it is available in two sizes. The hand-made frame comes in tortoiseshell and black, purple and pink, and orange and pearl.
The masculine Djinn is a rock and roll influenced model. A double temple rivet on a fully acetate frame enhances its 70s styling. The acetate is polished by hand after a week-long tumble process. Also in two sizes, Djinn comes in a range of tortoiseshell tones.
DETAILS: 0800 08200820.
Practice equipment maker Breitfeld & Schliekert’s new ultrasonic cleaner is now available from Buchmann UK. Featuring a detachable tank, the cleaner can be emptied safely and simply. Its 42,000Hz ultrasonic frequency means it can be used with tap water, eliminating the need for chemicals.
With an automatic, five-timer setting and internal basket, the cleaner comes with a 12-month warranty and is priced at £29.95 + VAT and delivery.
Details: 01634 662300.
Dedicated to children aged between eight and 12 years old, the new Oxydo optical eyewear collection features flexible temples, which manufacturer Safilo described as offering a perfect fit even in extreme conditions such as play and sport.
Made from multi-layered acetate, the rectangular model X380 for girls features milled hearts which frame the Oxydo logo on its temples. The frame comes in pastel shades such as blue and white, red and white, pink and lilac, and purple.
A little heart with a sparkling rhinestone adorns model X379 which features a sheet metal rectangular front and acetate temples.
Acetate model X378 has a colour palette of ‘candy combinations’ such as purple, cyclamen and white; pink, white and cyclamen; and wisteria, purple and lilac.
Unisex model X381 features a metal oval front and acetate temples, while unisex acetate model X383 has a rectangular design and is decorated with a sculpted star on the temples, which include a diamanté stud alongside the Oxydo logo.
Details: 01423 520 303.
Animal’s new collection of 12 optical frames for youths focuses on eye sizes from 46-48, to cater for the smaller face.
Modelled on the brand’s mainline eyewear collection, the youth collection features the Animal surf flower and claw logo in miniature detail on the temples.
The collection’s colour scheme was surf-inspired according to manufacturer Inspecs and includes charcoal, dark moss and gunmetal with lime, and orange and aqua.
All frames are offered with three lens sticker options to suit individual practices including Petite, Youth and Voucher+39.
Especially for the back to school period, Inspecs is offering a new set of Animal showcards featuring the brand’s youth division sportsmen, 12-year-old snowboarder Nathalie Silkstone and 14-year-old surfer Liam Turner.
Details: 01225 717018.
Rye&Lye has added two new models targeted at a mature audience. Using materials such as carbon and aluminium, the Cohiba and Truman models are ‘futuristic interpretations’ of the aviator style.
Cohiba is a unisex model made from carbon fibre with injected rubber and can be glazed as either an optical or sunglass model.
Truman, a frame for men, is made from silver and features flex sides with leather inserts on the end and near the temple.
Details: 0039 0435 501137.
Electronic height adjustable tables are an added feature to Rodenstock Combi 100 and 200 refraction units available from Buchmann.
The enhancement allows optometrists to perform all tests while standing, without having to stoop to operate the instrument.
Details: 01634 662300.
A series of supplements to help maintain good eye health and guard against ocular disease have been developed by Bausch & Lomb.
The range of supplements draws on the findings of the 10-year-long age-related eye disease study (AREDS) and comprises products to suit patients with differing needs. PreserVision soft gels is a high potency two-a-day formula of antioxidants based around the findings of the AREDS.
PreserVision soft gels have high levels of beta-carotene, vitamins C and E and zinc. It is also available in tablets for those who prefer to crush them into food.
PreserVision Lutein is a formulation for smokers that uses lutein instead of beta-carotene.
Ocuvite completes the line up of ocular supplements. This one-a-day product also contains antioxidant vitamins and 6mg of lutein.
Introducing the range, consultant ophthalmologist Christopher Brand and ophthalmic researcher Professor Andrew Lotery outlined the risk factors associated with age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in the Western world.
‘There are 25 million people blind as a result of AMD with 300 people joining that total every day. While major risk factors such as smoking, sunlight and poor diet are well known, other factors such as genetics and macular pigment density still needed research. A healthy diet was recognised as essential and supplementation remained an option for redressing the imbalance in people’s intake.
Details: 020 8781 2900.
iChart 2000 provides a range of vision assessment tools for eye care professionals on their iPod Touch or iPhone devices.
The software can be used to check near vision functions through assessments, including reading tests, binocular vision tests (fixation disparity, binocularity, suppression, stereopsis), duochrome (dots, letters, rings), Amsler (positive and negative contrast), fixation targets (clown, crosses, letters, cartoons) and so on.
Domiciliaries can use the software to perform 3 metre assessments with logMAR charts, single letter charts, children’s visual acuity (lea symbols with crowding bars), duochrome, cross cylinder (dots and rings), UK numberplate test for driving (actual numberplate fonts and correct spacing), fixation targets (clown slide show to use during retinoscopy, for example).
The software also includes a range of images and videos to help explain conditions to patients. Users can pan and zoom the images and draw on the screen with their fingers.
iChart 2000’s toolkit includes a number of tools to perform eye-related calculations, including visual acuity such as converting between logMAR, VAR, Snellen metres, Snellen ft, resolution and spatial frequency. A logMAR scorer, vertex distance calculator, toric contact lens over-refraction calculator and transposition calculator are also included.
Priced at £44.99, iChart 2000 can be downloaded directly from the iTunes App Store.
Details: www.thomson-software-solutions.com
Marc Jacobs’ new special edition optical frame is described by its Italian manufacturer Safilo as having ‘feisty glam-rock appeal and blatant punk overtones’.
Its temple detail includes a logo underlined by metal studs echoing the designer’s other accessories creations. Pyramid and hexagonal studs decorate the frame, which is available in colour combinations including dark havana, black and black spotted honey.
Model MJ 292 has a boxy 1980s shape, comes in a white hard case and is personalised with the screw and stud detailing seen on the frame temple. It will be available from August 2009.
Details: 01423 520 303.