In a keynote speech, Doug Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, called on optics to improve its standing in the minds of the public, the NHS and government before technological change disrupted the optical business forever.
Menicon showcased its silicone hydrogel daily lens, UpSide, which uses innovative smart touch packaging technology to allow the lens to be plucked from the blister by its back surface ensuring the front remains sterile until it meets the eye.
Heidelberg Engineering unveiled Anterion, a multimodal imaging platform optimised for the anterior segment. The device offers corneal topography and tomography, anterior segment metrics, axial length measurement, and IOL calculation.
The new MPEye macula scanner from Azul Optics was displayed on the BiB stand. Inventor Dr Shelby Temple was on hand to describe how the MPeye uses entoptic phenomenon Haidinger’s brush to quickly measure an individual’s level of macula pigment.
Ocusoft was promoting its Demodex Oust product for the treatment of the mites that live in eye lashes. Trevor McCormack, managing director also revealed first details of its Allergy Wipes, a lid scrub designed for hay fever sufferers which is shortly to receive CE Approval.
Scope Ophthalmics said it is now targeting the back of the eye through supplementation to support its heat, cleanse and hydrate regime for dry eye sufferers. Ian Morgan, sales manager said Optase Omega Vision soft tabs now offered that option.
A deluge of delegates visited Johnson & Johnson Vision Care to find out more about the Acuvue Oasys with Transitions contact lens. Professional education and development manager UK and Ireland Rachel Hiscox said: ‘People seem very excited to find out about the lens, they just want to get hold of it and try it out.’
Brazilian contact lens giant Solotica used Optrafair to bring its coloured contact lenses to the attention of UK buyers. European distributor Noiret Aurelien, said Solotica was the leading lens supplier in South America and its coloured lenses had a cult following among celebrities and social media around the world on the eyes of stars such as Kim Kardashian West.
Dunlem Optical launched the Leica ophthalmic lens brand into the UK market for the first time. The new range of lenses has broadened the portfolio of Dunelm’s lens lab and features lens coatings adapted from Leica sport optics and premium camera lens production.
Fully customisable eyewear solutions were premiered for the first time in the UK on the Waterside Laboratories stand. The 3DNA system takes scans of a patient’s face and gives the user the chance to totally customise the shape of their frame before production. Materials including buffalo horn and titanium set this system apart from the others.
Kreuzberg Kinder released Kye, a large frame in a ski mask style that is made from chunky green and black acetate and the Leon sunglass frame with rounded lenses and bridge.
Orange Eyewear showcased its new Zen frames, which have been inspired by artist Gaudi’s architecture and are made from Mazzucchelli acetate, with stainless steel temples engraved with architectural patterns.