OT  focuses on…eyewear and equipment at 100% Optical

Moisture retention

Bausch + Lomb (B+L) is showcasing its recently launched Ultra monthly contact lenses for astigmatism.

The new lenses extend the company’s existing Ultra range, which includes Ultra spherical and Ultra for presbyopia.

Business unit head for vision care at B+L UK and Ireland, Amy Rothwell, said: “The B+L Ultra lenses have been designed for ultimate comfort and clear vision all day, every day of the month, so I’m delighted that B+L Ultra for astigmatism is now available to bring these benefits to more patients.”

B+L explained that Ultra utilises MoistureSeal Technology to deliver moisture retention and a highly wettable surface for long lasting wear.

It has an OpticAlign Design for stability and successful fitting, while its design also includes a thin tapered edge to minimise lid interaction to aid patients during application. Ultra is available with a cylinder range of up to -2.75.

For further information, visit the B+L website.

Sustainable materials

Bird will debut its flagship range of sunglasses that are available with the option to include a prescription and have been made using natural materials.

The eyewear company combines materials such as beech and bamboo with aluminium and cotton-based acetate. Bird is currently exploring other sustainable materials such as aerospace-grade recycled aluminium.

Founder of Bird, Ed Bird, said: “The conscious fashion movement, which puts an emphasis on environmental sustainability and social purpose, continues to gather pace. Customers are actively looking for ways to spend their money in a socially conscious way, without compromising on quality or design.”

The range comes with a soft eco-cork or handmade leather case, neck strap and cleaning cloth.

Every pair of sunglasses sold by Bird contributes to eradicating kerosene lamps and bringing solar lights to remote communities in Africa through its Share Your Sun partnership with SolarAid. 

For further information visit the Bird website.

The B+L Ultra lenses have been designed for ultimate comfort and clear vision all day, every day of the month, so I’m delighted that B+L Ultra for astigmatism is now available to bring these benefits to more patients

Japanese goldsmiths

De Rigo UK will launch the first 18kt Solid Gold collection from Chopard, which includes two spectacles for men. 

The eyewear company explained that the craftsmanship and experience of Japanese goldsmiths has been combined with the technical know-how of De Rigo.

Trade marketing manager at De Rigo UK, Hannah Alley, said: “This collection showcases a perfect synergy between Chopard’s stunning jewellery, style and reputation. Such detailing grants the wearer the simple yet profound sensation that only the very best craftsmanship and creativity can produce into a unique, unrepeatable, one-off gem.”

The two frames – ‘VCHC58’ (pictured) and ‘VCHC9’ – come in a black leather box and case that has been created in Italy. Each frame features a Chopard engraving, solid gold nose pads and handcrafted acetate side tips in a buffalo horn colour option. 

For further information visit the De Rigo UK website.

Sartorial elegance

Mondottica will showcase the Hackett Bespoke collection of spectacles, which includes two new styles for men.

The eyewear company explained that metal and acetate frames represent the Hackett man’s “sophistication, subtlety and sartorial elegance.”

Creative director at Mondottica, Sam Craig, said: “We are delighted to be back at 100% Optical again in 2019. As home to many of our brands, London is the perfect setting from which to showcase our latest designs. So what better place to launch our new Hackett Bespoke metal collection that features lightweight clever constructions and our latest developments in ultra-thin acetate that offer a fit as perfect as a Savile Row tailored suit.”

‘HEB233’ is a panto style made from thin UTA 2.0 acetate that features a top-mounted side metal plaque with the Hackett logo alongside visible screws. 

The ‘HEB231’ (pictured) model is a rectangular shaped metal frame that has a high-mounted single bridge with the Hackett logo etched into the brow bar. 
The nose pads and side crests on both frames feature Hackett’s bowler hat motif and the hock stick-shaped end tip. 

For further information visit the Mondottica website

British fashion

Eyespace Eyewear will launch the Range Rover collection of sunglasses after extending its licensing partnership with Land Rover.

The Range Rover collection has been developed in close collaboration with the car company’s design team.

Head of marketing at Eyespace Eyewear, Nicky Clement, said: “Range Rover Eyewear has been carefully curated to combine directional British fashion with supreme Japanese craftsmanship.”

The eyewear company added that it has “curated a luxurious collection that sits in a class of its own, setting an unprecedented standard in prescription sunglasses.”

Styles include highly-polished Italian Mazzucchelli acetate frames with tailored self-stopping hinges, custom low-relief diamond silicone nose pads and NXT polarised lenses. The frame ‘RSS 101’ is pictured.

For further information visit the Eyespace Eyewear website.

Repeatable results

BiB Ophthalmic Instruments will showcase the MP-eye by Azul Optics, following the announcement of its exclusive UK distribution and marketing agreement.

The MP-eye is a macular pigment assessment device, which the company said is a simple and intuitive piece of equipment that provides fast and highly repeatable results.

CEO of BIB, Tim Baker, said: “The one number output assesses the overall density of pigmentation across the macula grouping patients into high, medium and low categories. It provides lifestyle recommendations including blue block lenses, sunglasses and dietary supplements if required and in turn provides a return on investment.”

The co-founders of Azul Optics, Dr Shelby Temple and Matt Evans, will explore how to explain the implications of blue light to patients on the Main Stage at 100% Optical.

For further information visit the BiB Ophthalmic Instruments website.

Plant-based

Zeal Optics will debut its spring 2019 collection of sunglasses, which is made from 100% plant-based materials.

The range includes five new polarised styles with the option to include a prescription and four of the frames feature Zeal Optics’ Z-Lite frame, which weigh less than an ounce.

President of Zeal Optics, Ben Peters, said: “We’re incredibly excited to release our 2019 spring sunglass collection at the UK’s top optical show in January. The response to Zeal’s active lifestyle-focused line in the optical channel has been amazing and we have some great developments to debut at the show.”

The company explained that its Ellume Polarised lenses are made from the castor bean plant, which is sourced from Switzerland, and have an Abbe value of 31 which allows the wearer “to see colour, clarity and contrast like never before.”

For further information visit the Zeal Optics website.

Bacteria protection

The Body Doctor will launch a new compress that contains Sterileyes – an antibacterial compound designed for eradicating 99.9% of potentially harmful bacteria.

Sterileyes provides antibacterial protection against potentially harmful bacteria on the eye compress.

It is a patented solution that is bound to the fibres of the fabric to provide stain protection, extend the product life and eliminate germs that create odours.

The Body Doctor explained that in ideal conditions and without Sterlieyes, bacterial numbers can double over a 20-minute period when the compress returns to room temperature after heating and applying to the eyes.

The compress now uses BodyBeads instead of flax seeds to provide a moist heat eye compress, which have additional safety benefits if overheated by the patient.

The company’s medical adviser and medical broadcaster, Dr Hilary Jones, said: “The Body Doctor eye compresses are unique in that they are the only eye compresses containing Sterileyes, a compound clinically proven to dramatically inhibit and eradicate potentially troublesome bacteria even when used repeatedly.”

For further information visit the Body Doctor website.