Blog

January 29, 2016April 24, 2018

Study Raises Doubt on Dry Eye Disease Progression and Treatment

A new study in the February 2016 issue of Ophthalmology “calls into question the suggested tendency for DED to progress over time, but also points to possible inadequacies of current therapies.”

The retrospective study, conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health, followed 398 men and 386 women who reported DED symptoms over a duration of 10.5 years, on average. Patients reported worsening of ocular surface symptoms in 24% of cases and vision-related symptoms in 29% of cases.

Patients were more likely to report worsening symptoms if their DED symptoms were already severe, if they spent on average more than $20 per month on DED treatment, or if they had a history of blepharitis/meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD).

According to the paper, “The majority of men and women with DED recalled little or no change in ocular surface symptoms, vision-related symptoms, or the social impact of DED since diagnosis, and a similar number reported an improvement as reported worsening.”

Full article “Long-term Natural History of Dry Eye Disease from the Patient’s Perspective”: http://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(15)01188-4/abstract

January 28, 2016April 24, 2018

Mazzucchelli Acetate Creates a Wood Inspired Look

To absolve us of our winter blues, KLiiK: denmark releases three new models, giving us a fresh new exciting look for 2016. K551 uses the finest of acetates creating both a wearable and adjustable frame in a wood inspired look. Mahogany, oak and ash appearing frames rich in colour, texture, and vibrancy with an added depth of a two layer effect creates this dynamic frame.

KLiiK: denmark is distributed by WestGroupe: www.westgroupe.com

January 28, 2016April 24, 2018

Lens Technology not Fashion Driving Multiple Pair Sales

Can new specialized lenses alone drive real market growth?

By Mark B. Mathews

A December survey of Canadian ECPs conducted by VuePoint indicates clearly that specialized ophthalmic lens functionality are the drivers of multiple pair sales. Lenses adapted to personal lifestyle and specific vision tasks including sun protection, digital device use and sports all ranked significantly higher than fashion accessorization as reasons for ECPs to put forward the second pair sales pitch.

In fact, fashion accessorization was dead last – less than 5% of respondents identified “fashion accessorization” as a top 3 reason to offer a second pair. Price objections, whether in the mind of the consumer or driven by dispensers’ preconceptions of consumer affordability, were overwhelmingly offered up as the challenge to a second pair sale.

Over the past few decades, the fashion frame industry, thankfully, has lifted the “glasses” market from staid functionality to phenomenal fashion accessory – but only for the primary pair of glasses and still, only for a segment of the market.

Now, advances in lens technology appear to be leading the way for multiple pair market expansion. Lens manufacturers, facilitated by free form technology have created an impressive array of specialized lens designs. New designs with innovative coatings, materials and various combinations thereof have put advanced personalized functionality at the forefront.

Can multiple pair selling lead by technological lens innovation really bring the “glasses” market to the next level? Significantly move the needle on either the number of pairs purchased per person or improve the purchase frequency? Or, will these innovations only serve to help keep prices attractive and eek out marginal market growth through higher prices to offset the commoditization at the mid and lower end of the market? Where is the real unit growth in the market going to come from?

What’s needed is a holistic approach to “glasses for the masses” that are fashionable, functional and affordable. Innovative retailers have shown the way, Warby – Parker the US click and brick upstart, comes to mind.

This approach is a real challenge for independent ECPs. The innovation required likely needs to be led by the frame and lens suppliers. The challenge is that frame suppliers and ophthalmic lens manufacturers and labs are not in the same league; they play different sports. While they are both great at what they do, they don’t play together – so far.

We look toward new developments and innovative technology, and unforeseen collaborative models and cross-over projects between frame suppliers and ophthalmic lens makers to lead in product and marketing innovation to catalyze the growth. We’ve seen glimpses of this in some developments, but only the tip of the iceberg. Exciting and challenging times are ahead.

Read the OPTIK February feature on the Challenge of Multiple Sales Selling.

For more information on VuePoint’s market study of Multi-pair selling, contact sales@vuepoint.ca

January 28, 2016April 24, 2018

Alcon Replaces CEO and Restructures After Poor Earnings Report

Following reports of plummeting sales from Alcon’s eye-care unit and news that Novartis will miss its Q4 earnings estimates, Alcon executive Jeff George will be replaced by Mike Ball beginning February 1st.

In addition, Novartis will restructure in order to address Alcon’s well-documented woes. Alcon’s ophthalmic medicines business will be combined into Novartis’ general pharmaceuticals unit, and some mature pharmaceutical products will be sold under Sandoz’ generics label.

Novartis reviewed whether to sell Alcon, but decided to keep Alcon’s contact lens care unit and invest a further $200 million into Alcon, believing the unit’s growth will revive. Novartis will try to trim $1 billion in annual costs by 2020 through centralizing manufacturing.

Novartis expects sales in 2016 to be largely unchanged from last year and forecasts low single-digit growth for Alcon.

Further information: http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/article56791253.html

January 27, 2016April 24, 2018

Flawless and Fabulous: Seraphin’s Bailey Sun

Seraphin enriches its world-renowned collection of neoclassical eyewear with the Bailey Sun, a butterfly sunglass with a bounty of style points. Its curved feminine profile, diamond-shaped raised accents, and signature silver hinge accents showcase a first-rate sunglass suited for a superstar. Polarized lenses featuring an anti-reflective backside coating provide dawn-to-dusk fashion and reliable protection from the sun.