Optrafair's point of contact

David Challinor and Alison Ewbank begin our three-part review of last month's Optrafair exhibition, concentrating on what the contact lens companies had to offer

Optrafair 2005 lived up to its aim that it would represent all that is topical and immediate in the profession. Aside from the new products and trends on show, the exhibition's aisles hummed with the bubbling resentment over the CET points fiasco.

The NEC show provided an enlarged showcase for technology developments aimed at helping the busy practitioner, a strong fashion frame element in the 'Boulevard' area, and special events dotted around hall 20.

Many of those who attended felt that although exhibitor numbers were up, attendance was down. In fact, visitor figures matched that of 2003's Optrafair - at around 11,600 - with the show 'finding its natural level' of popularity according to organisers.

Perhaps the show, which has in the past tried to match the high profile of other European events, has also found its natural strength, as several stand representatives were impressed at the levels of buying taking place during the three days.

With a rumoured expansion into London next year, and its well-attended additional events - such as the profession's Awards hosted by optician on the show's opening night - the Optrafair brand has staked its claim as the profession's most popular meeting place.

For those readers who couldn't find everything they wanted at the NEC - and for those who couldn't attend - over the next three weeks optician will provide a full round-up of what was new and appealing at the show, starting with contact lenses.

Only 12 companies were listed in the contact lens and care product sectors but among those who did attend there were several new products and some interesting views on issues affecting the market. Improved daily disposable lenses and a greater choice of silicone hydrogels were the key trends at the show.

Of the big four manufacturers, CooperVision was this year's absentee, while Johnson & Johnson returned to Optrafair for the first time in four years. J&J senior product manager Shirley Bovansombat said concerns that contact lenses had not had the profile they deserved at previous shows had been addressed by the organisers and the event fitted in well with timing of the company's product launches.

Introduced to its Acuvue Centres of Excellence at a series of seminars last month, J&J's new silicone hydrogel lens, Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus, will be available to all customers by mid-May. The second product in the Ultra Comfort series, the lens is designed for two-weekly daily wear or weekly extended wear and is aimed at those who experience dryness symptoms or work in challenging environments.