Frames for good

Sports: Sustainable ski-wear

Swedish sports eyewear brand, Spektrum, has launched a collection of new sustainable ski goggles, made up of 64% biomaterials. The Östra goggles use impact-resistant, anti-shatter lens technology and feature Spektrum’s magnetic lens exchange system for a wide field of vision. Pivoted outriggers on the frame’s side allow for the pressure on wearer’s faces to be adjusted for an ergonomic fit. An air flow lens system ensures the goggles keep fog-free, while the lenses have also been glazed with an anti-scratch coating and a multi-layer mirror finish with 100% UV protection.

The ‘Östra White Line’ is designed specifically for cloudy or foggy conditions and features Zeiss Sonar technology. In comparison, the ‘Östra Black Line’ model features dark smoke lenses, which protect the eyes from harmful rays and glare. The ‘Östra Bio Premium’ edition aims to enhance vision in medium to low light, while the ‘Östra Photochromic’ model features water repellent frames. Finally, the ‘Östra Essentials’ set are designed to suit everyday skiers and are available in five colours.

Spectacles: Perfect fit

Kirk & Kirk has launched two new models specifically designed to suit larger heads, following requests from optometrists and consumers. The ‘Angus’ and ‘Guy’ (pictured) frames come in eye sizes 59 and 60 and are created from the brand’s own grade of acrylic, making the frames lightweight. The frames are available in ten colours from the Centena collection.

Spectacles: Upgrade and renew

Eyewear brand, Okia, has launched a new version of its ‘Reshape’ frame, made of recycled PET material from plastic bottles. The ‘Reshape 3.0’ features an upgrade of the sustainable material launched in 2019. The models in the new collection are thinner and ultralight, also featuring flexible temples. The company has extended the colour range with a selection of vibrant, shiny, ‘milky’, and crystal tones in Havana shades.

Spectacles: Northern lights

Reykjavik Eyes has launched its new Rimless Tech collection, developed in partnership with Jai Kudo Lenses. The collection offers a unique twist on the traditional rimless style with a silicone band surrounding the lens rim to add a “pop of colour” while defining the lens outline. The frames are designed with lightweight titanium and a screwless technology.

The collection features four models in a range of three colours and includes: ‘Sirus,’ a round frame, ‘Andres,’ which comes in colours inspired by the glaciers of Iceland, ‘Alexis,’ (pictured) which offers a small, geometric design, and ‘Erik,’ in a rectangular shape and subtle colourways.

Spectacles: Feel-good factor

The Prison Optician Trust, an organisation that provides eye care within prisons as well as running training programmes to support prisoners to gain new skills in spectacle making, has established a new service for optical practices. Liberty Glasses currently offers acetate frames including brands such as Battatura and Jack & Francis, which are glazed with prescription lenses by prisoners as part of the programme. The organisation hopes to launch its own branded frames in 2021 to support the creation of more jobs for ex-offenders.

Remote consultation: Virtual triage

Optonet has released a first version of its tool for remote consultation, designed to assist optometrists in triaging patients and to minimise the duration of face-to-face appointments by taking a patient history remotely. The project has been funded by Innovate UK and, while a first version is now available, the company plans to add new features and developments over the next few months.

The CE class I medical device software is designed for the assessment of visual function. The Optonet Vision Unit (OVU) features an interactive triage questionnaire based on visual and eye-related symptoms, as well as a tool for the remote display of vision charts on the patient’s computer or tablet. Clinical data is stored safely in an encrypted form in the cloud.

Contact lenses: Simplifying first-time fits

Menicon has launched a second version of its digital calculator, offering a new tool to support eye care professionals in prescribing monthly multifocal lenses. The calculator aims to help increase the chances of first fit success and can be viewed on any digital device.

Andrew Ferguson, sales manager for Menicon UK’s frequent replacement division, commented: “Our new multifocal calculator produces an instant starting point result, increasing the chances of the patient being fitted with the optimal lens for their particular needs.”