New briefs from March 11 2011

One of the most publicised launches at Mido 2011 was Marchon’s release of its new Kiss & Kill 3D sunglass collection (pictured). Photochromic 3D lenses enable the use of the glasses indoors to watch 3D media and outdoors as fashion sunglasses. As well as a special launch event at a Milanese optical practice, a significant portion of Marchon’s exhibitor stand, the largest at Mido, was dedicated to the new range.

Online sunglass retailer Sunglasses Shop is about to be bought by Glasses Direct according to industry sources. Glasses Direct told Optician it had no comment to make.

To coincide with World Glaucoma Week from March 6-12 and World Glaucoma Day on March 12, charity Fight for Sight is highlighting the importance of investing in research to discover ways to prevent and treat the disease. The charity revealed that through its funding, the University of Cambridge and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology are investigating new stem cell treatments which could protect the optic nerve from glaucoma-related damage. Dr Dolores Conroy, research officer at the charity, said: ‘Advances in stem cell technology are likely to revolutionise treatments for diseases such as glaucoma. We must invest in this research field now.’

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has announced that Professor Harminder Dua will take office as its ninth president at the annual general meeting being held at its May 24-26 congress in Birmingham. The appointment is for three years. Dua’s appointment comes as the result of the death from a heart attack of the eighth president, John Lee, in October 2010 .