vvv - national eyecare group · 2018-07-09 · an all-party parliamentary group (appg) on eye...

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29 24Vision Now magazine is published by Peekay Publishing Ltd for The PK NationalEyecare Group Ltd, the UK’s largestpurchasing group for independent opticians.

VISION NOW is published by Peekay Publishing Ltd for The PK National Eyecare Group Limited, Clermont House, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3DNVISION NOW is printed by P&P Litho Ltd, Ashford, Middlesex TW15 1AB

Editor’s commentWith the summer lull approaching, you might find a quiet momentto think about areas of your business you wouldn’t normally havethe time to. Keeping staff (both professional and front-of-house)up-to-date with education and training may be one area that getsoverlooked in the hectic day-to-day running of a busy practice.But as Phil Mullins points out in this month’s Developing Thoughts

(page 19), neglecting to do so could cost you dear.

Another area sometimes ignored is social media. If, by now, your business is noton some form of social media platform then you could be missing out on a wholehost of business opportunities. Indeed, the latest marketing update from SPECSnetwork, which supports independent practices with collective social mediamarketing activities, revealed that from October 2017 to March 2018 promotionalactivities elicited 1,130 Tweets, 1.82 million impressions, 970 Facebook posts, and742,000 people reached.

But there are plenty of strategies to keep productivity on track whatever theseason. One such is to ensure your business has a resilient (all-weather) retailpresence, as Liam Franklin of Orta writes this month (page 24). Advancedknowledge and offering patients the latest technology, both product wise and inthe consulting room, could make all the difference to revenue, loyalty and longevity.

Elsewhere this month, we get the low-down on this year’s joint NEG/IndependentsDay conference – which hits the road in October (page 21); we hear about theSightPlus solution helping low vision patients regain their sight (page 26), anddiscover some wonderful eyewear styles for youngsters (page 28). Don’t forget wewill be taking a break next month, but we’ll be back in September with all thelatest from NEG’s preferred suppliers and partners in business. Until then, enjoythe summer!

Nicky CollinsonEditor

The Editor welcomes letters, articles and other contributions for publication in the magazine and reserves theright to amend them. Any such contribution, whether it bears the author’s name, initials or pseudonym, is acceptedon the understanding that its author is responsible for the opinions expressed in it and that its publication doesnot imply that such opinions are those of The PK National Eyecare Group Ltd. Articles submitted for publicationshould be original, unpublished work and are accepted on the basis that they will not be published in any otherjournal. Acceptance of materialfor publication is not a guarantee that it will be included in any particular issue.Copyright © 2018 for Peekay Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced ortransmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, without the written permissionof the publishers. Such written permission should also be obtained before any part of this publication is stored ina retrieval system of any nature.

News 4 APPG calls for urgent action on eye health 7 Clinical experience need identified 9 ABDO opens National Resource Centre 11 Ortho-k masterclasses now booking 13 Contact Lens Specialist Club launched 14 GOC speeds up FTP process

19 Developing thoughts Is your biggest investment your biggest asset?

21 NEG/iDay 2018 Balancing eyecare and eyewear

23 An independent view Defining moment for sector

24 Business view Is optical innovation killing

your business?

26 Low vision Giving patients their sight back

28 Style Spotlight Wondrous eyewear for youngsters

30 Suppliers’ directory

Editor Nicky Collinson BA (Hons)[email protected]

Editorial PA Sharon [email protected]

Fashion Editor Joan [email protected]

Business Editor Phillip Mullins [email protected]

Design andProduction Rosslyn Argent BA (Hons)

Publisher Michael C Wheeler FCOptom DipCLP FSMC FAAO

@PK_NEG

An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) onEye Health and Visual Impairment Inquiryinto capacity issues in eyecare has foundthat the current eye health system is failingpatients on a grand scale. Up to 22 peopleper month are permanently losing sight dueto delayed and cancelled hospitalappointments for conditions like wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD),glaucoma and diabetic eye disease. Thesituation is fixable if the NHS prioritises eyehealth and action is taken immediately,says the APPG.

The APPG’s findings have been published ina report, See the light: Improving capacityin NHS eye care in England, which waslaunched at a parliamentary reception forMPs last month. The inquiry and its calls forurgent action are supported by the RoyalNational Institute of Blind People (RNIB),the Optical Confederation and the RoyalCollege of Ophthalmologists. The inquiryreceived evidence from 557 patients and 112organisations. There were almost 7.6 millionophthalmology appointments in 2016/17 inEngland, an increase of more than 10 percent over the past four years.

Just over half of patients told the inquirythey had experienced at least oneappointment or treatment being delayed.Patients also expressed concerns about longwaiting times, problems securingappointments, a lack of continuity in their

care, and poor communication from theclinic. Lord David Blunkett, a member of theAPPG inquiry, said: “World class treatmentsare now available for conditions like wetAMD. It is vital that patients have access tothem at the right time to save their sight.We have been able to identify a series ofrecommendations which will help improvecapacity in eyecare. We are calling on theSecretary of State for Health and Social Careto include eye health in the NHS Englandmandate.” Read the report atwww.rnib.org.uk/appginquiry

4 Vision Now JULY 2018

NEWS Alcon1

Eye health system failing, inquiry findsAlcon has launched a new education day atthe Alcon Academy, Managing Astigmatism.Designed principally for optometrists andcontact lens opticians, the full-day courseoffers eight CET points, with dispensingopticians also welcome. The dates are 18July, 19 and 25 September, 17 October, and21 and 27 November, with the day comprisingof skills workshops, peer discussions and lectures.

The morning will explore astigmatism in allits forms and what ocular conditions andpathologies may be associated with it, anda peer discussion session, while theafternoon will include a skills workshopallowing delegates to consider who, whenand how they choose to fit toric contactlenses and how to assess and measureastigmatism in contact lens fitting.Following this, a ‘curve ball’ session willallow delegates to explore how they wouldassess and manage various astigmaticpatients in a range of cases.

Jonathon Bench, head of professional affairsat Alcon, said: “The latest addition to oureducation calendar demonstrates ourcontinued passion in supporting andeducating eyecare professionals. The newcourse, Managing Astigmatism, offersoptometrists the chance to learn about afamiliar, yet important, topic, enablingthem to develop both their skills and theircontact lens business.”

Places can be booked via Alcon businessdevelopment managers.

Royal National Institute of Blind People2

The newly-released 2018 catalogue fromEyespace introduces the new designer LandRover optical collection alongside more than260 releases from the company’s housebrands. The 148-page glossy brochure hasbeen developed exclusively for independentopticians in an easy-to-navigate format andwith high quality, detailed frame visuals. Thebuying experience is further enhanced bylifestyle imagery that is available on request.

With the UK hosting some 900 music festivalsevery year, Eyespace is also currently offeringa striking new window display kit, availablewith orders of Basebox and Rock Star frames,to enhance festival-themed practice windows.With mirrored lenses remaining popular,there are four new clip-on sunglass frames in the Basebox collection while for kids, RockStar takes celebrity-inspired looks and translates them into retro-inspired designs – perfectfor family festival-goers.

Eyespace3

Capitalising on festival season

New education day launched

1. Perez-Gomez I, Giles T. European survey of contact lens wearers and eye care professionals on satisfaction with a new water gradient disposable contact lens. Clin Optom. 2014; 6:17-23.

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NEWS

General Optical Council4 Stepper7

Association of Contact Lens Manufacturers8

The Stepper STS-30023 (as worn by SaskiaStepper) combines a TX5 front with stainlesssteel sides – a combination that providesthree key benefits, says the company.Firstly, TX5 gives the designers almostunlimited colour choice to reflect the lateston-trend hues. Secondly, the front, beingmoulded into its final form, ensures theergonomic bridge sits snugly on the noseand retains its shape over time. Thirdly,both materials are significantly lighter thantheir more regular alternatives, putting lesspressure on the contact points of the face.

“I want wearers to have fun with theireyewear,” said Saskia, the creative forcebehind the brand. “Fun is a good feelingand with a StepperS you also get theadditional good feeling of outstandingcomfort. So – you look good and feel good.”The STS-30023 is available in Olive Mottle,Midnight Blue and Black.

Menicon celebrated the launch of its newonsite training facility in Northampton witha free CET evening attended by 23 membersof Northampton Local Optical Committee.The first event in the new clinic featuredlectures and discussions worth six CET points,with topics including the anterior eye andthe visual recognition test. Peer discussionswere also held on irregular corneas andfitting contact lenses, as well as myopiacontrol. The private family company, DavidThomas Contact Lenses, has had a facilityon the Northampton site since 1985. Boughtby Menicon nearly 10 years ago, the sitewas expanded earlier this year with theextension of the offices and training spaces.

Menicon professional services manager, JosieBarlow, said: “The aim of the new facility isto provide future CET events covering a widerange of topics and skills, increase the

confidence of practitioners in fitting RGPcontact lenses and to provide training specificto our specialist lenses, for example ourRose K range and Menicon Z Night ortho-k.We will also use it as a platform for launchingfuture products, such as our new sclerallens later this year.” For more information,visit www.davidthomas.com or telephone0160 464 6216.

Most newly qualified optical professionalsthink they didn’t get enough clinicalexperience during the academic parts of theirtraining, according to new General OpticalCouncil (GOC) research. Sixty per cent ofnewly qualified optometrists felt that theamount of clinical experience they receivedduring their degree course was insufficient.However, only 26 per cent of newly qualifieddispensing opticians felt as though the clinicalexperience received during their studies wasinsufficient. Most had continued to workwhilst studying and were able to apply theirlearning in a practical way.

Gareth Hadley, chair of the GOC, said: “Wealready know from our recent Concepts andPrinciples public consultation that moststakeholders want to see more enhancedclinical experience for student optometristsand dispensing opticians. We now learn thatnewly qualified registrants, and particularlyoptometrists, recognise that they wouldhave benefitted from more clinical experienceduring their education both to support patientcare and their development as opticalprofessionals. We are keen to work alongsidestakeholders across the optical sector toaddress these practical challenges andensure that optical students are receivingthe education and training necessary toprepare them for their future roles.” The fullresearch is available at www.optical.org

Norville5

Rx companion completed

Norville has unveiled its 11th edition of itsPrescription Companion publication, which isnow downloadable at www.norville.co.uk,after more than a year in production.

“It reflects the current fixation with UV andblue light and provides transmission andabsorption data on many of the prime lenseslinked to this fascinating and critical topic,”said a spokesperson.

Josie Barlow at the inaugural CET event

Menicon6

Delivering both fashion and comfort

The 2018 edition of the product manual ofthe Association of Contact LensManufacturers (ACLM) can now be orderedvia the ACLM website, www.aclm.org.uk.Alternatively, join the British Contact LensAssociation to receive a free copy as part of the membership package.

The Contact Lens Year Book lists technicaldetails for all the contact lenses, solutionsand materials produced by ACLM membercompanies, and covers the overwhelmingbulk of products available in the UK. Thereare also articles on how to retain patients,manage their concerns on presbyopia, thelatest statistics on the UK contact lens market,as well as the usual handy reference tables.

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Board members of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) visited theAssociation’s new flagship National Resource Centre (NRC) recently just as the first cohortof students sat their practical exams in ophthalmic dispensing at the new location inBirmingham. Alicia Thompson, ABDO director of professional examinations, said: “The ABDONational Resource Centre is without doubt among the very best of the optical trainingcentres available in the UK today. Sourcing the most advanced technology we have broughttogether the best in ophthalmic instrumentation coupled with cutting edge conferencingfacilities including the use of Clevertouch presenting.”

The ABDO NRC clinical facilities feature a wide range of equipment for dispensing, refraction,contact lenses, screening, minor eye conditions services and glazing. Ten clinical bays areequipped for refraction and contact lenses including one with CCTV recording facilities. Thisenables the production of training material as well as the live streaming of any currentactions happening in the consulting room to an audience of up to 235 delegates in otherareas of the centre, viewing via a number of large TV screens.


NEWS

CooperVision11

ABDO board visits new training facility

A new model from the Hymphrey’s collection

A keynote presentation by renownedclinical scientist and educator, Dr KathyDumbleton, at a recent CooperVisioneducation event in London, includedinformation selected to help eyecarepractitioners (ECPs) understand how apatient’s wearing experience can beimproved with silicone hydrogel dailydisposable contact lenses. She alsoreviewed published clinical data on whysilicone hydrogel is the material of choice,even in a daily modality.

During the evening, CooperVision sharedfindings from its recent large-scaleconsumer research project highlighting theemotional benefits of contact lenses. Thisincluded: eight out of 10 contact lenswearers associated a sense of freedom,confidence or adventure with contactlenses; eight out of 10 patients felt thathaving both contact lenses and glassesgave them the best of both worlds; and 65per cent of contact lens wearers woulddefinitely be more likely to recommendtheir ECP if they told them they weresuitable for contact lenses as well as glasses.

Senior marketing manager at CooperVision,Lara Drury, commented: “Our Unlock thePotential event in London was the perfectopportunity for ECPs to find out more aboutthe benefits of prescribing silicone hydrogeldaily disposable contact lenses for theirpatients. We were delighted to be able toshare our most recent consumer insightsand premiere a number of inspiringtestimonials from real patients who haveexperienced the benefits for themselves.”

Dr Dumbleton (left) with CooperVision’s Mark Draper and Debbie Olive

Association of British Dispensing Opticians9

To help celebrate its 30th anniversary, International Eyewear has launched a special editionCollection 2018 brochure. Wrapped in a purple cover, inspired by Pantone’s colour of theyear, the brochure features inventive and imaginative new releases to all collections.

A spokesperson said: “Embracing our home city of Birmingham, 2018 brings the launch ofour #lovebirmingham initiative. Honouring our roots, the refreshed brochure imagery hasbeen captured at locations throughout the city. Including the iconic Custard Factory graffitifeatured in our urban Eyestuff campaign, showcasing 20 new innovative styles for theyoung and young hearted.” Styles can be viewed on the company’s new website atwww.internationaleyewear.co.uk

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NEWS

No7 is holding a series of CET accreditedmasterclasses during the summer at its newtraining suite focusing on fitting specialistcontact lenses – including EyeDream. TheHastings lab and training centre will hostortho-k training days on 5 and 19 July, and 2and 16 August, offering three CET points andcovering all aspects of patient selection andengagement, topography image acquisition,and fitting.

Delivered by No7’s professional servicesteam, the training days also provide theopportunity to visit No7’s specialist lab wherethe bespoke lenses are manufactured. Mini-sclerals, hybrid lenses, therapeutic and handpainted lenses will also be covered atmasterclasses on 9 and 23 August (worth fourCET points). To secure a place or find out moreemail [email protected]

* Jon Saunders has been promoted toEyeDream account manager at No7,reflecting growing demand for the ortho-kvision correction lenses. Jon said:“We are concentrating on front-of-housetraining for EyeDream to ensure thateveryone in the practice is able to promotethe great benefits that ortho-k offers.Myopia control is a major topic which weare focusing on with education, informationand marketing support.”

No7 Contact Lenses14

Jon Saunders

Silhouette’s new Atelier collection for 2018, Pure Elegance, features sustainably-sourcedbuffalo horn for the first time. The material warms to the body’s temperature to provideadditional comfort, whilst remaining both allergen-free and skin-friendly. The new materialmakes its debut alongside the brand’s iconic high-tech titanium and 18-carat solid gold tocreate an array of hand-crafted full frame fronts and rimless and supra eyewear. Dedicatedto delivering the highest quality craftsmanship, 80 per cent of the frames are created by hand. The range introduces nine new models for both men and women, across the following threecollections: Titanium meets Horn for men; Horn X Art for men and Horn X Art for women.

Silhouette12

An interim chief executive (CE) and registrarhas been appointed at the General OpticalCouncil (GOC) to take over while VickyMcDermott is on a leave of absence. AdamSampson is an experienced CE with an

extensive background in the charity andnot-for-profit sectors.

He said: “I am joining the GOC at what isclearly an exciting and important time for

the organisation and for the optical sectoras a whole. I’m looking forward to workingwith my new colleagues to make sure theGOC continues with this vital work untilVicky returns.”

General Optical Council15

Titanium meets Horn for men

A number of international studies evaluatingthe sensitivity of Spectralis MultiColorconfocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy vs.colour fundus photography were presentedat the recent Association for Vision andResearch in Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2018

conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. The studiesreported better sensitivity and visualisationof a number of pathologies using theSpectralis MultiColor Module in comparisonto colour fundus photography.

The Spectralis MultiColor Module uses threelaser wavelengths simultaneously and a3.5μm/pixel resolution to provide diagnosticimages that show distinct structures atdifferent depths within the retina andclearer images than conventional colourfundus photography. Amit Meshi of theUniversity of San Diego et al comparedretinal pathology visualisation anddetection between the Spectralis MultiColorModule, Optos P200 and Topcon TRC-50DX.The authors concluded that whilst overalldetection rate of retinal pathology wassimilar across all three devices, a largerarea of macular involvement andsignificantly better epiretinal membranevisualisation was noted in the Spectralis.

Heidelberg Engineering13

Images of the same eye taken using A) TopconTRC-50DX; B) Spectralis MultiColor Module; and C) Optos P200 (Amit Meshi et al)

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NEWS

Positive Impact18

SynergEyes19

The inaugural meeting of the newly-formedSpecialist Club takes place in London thismonth, with the support of SynergEyes UK,UltraVision and Menicon. Established byPositive Impact, the Club’s first meeting on9 July focuses on specialist and nichecontact lenses and will offer delegates upto eight CET points, as well as free contactlens vouchers from supporting companies.

Positive Impact’s director of marketing andprofessional services, Nick Atkins, said: “TheSpecialist Club seminar will be focused ongetting practitioners more confident in thefitting of a variety of contact lenses forthose patients who are not run of the mill.It will be a collaboration of specialist contactlens manufacturers with the aim of makingit a must attend event for anyone in contactlens practice. Assuming this first event is asuccess, we will consider repeating itaround the country in the second half of theyear.” For more information, [email protected] ortelephone 01424 817 035.

SynergEyes is teaming up with the BrienHolden Vision Institute (BHVI) to deliveradvanced, customised vision correction formyopes and presbyopes. The exclusiveworldwide licensing agreement will enablethe manufacturing of design technologiesdeveloped by the BHVI, augmenting theSynergEyes presbyopic package by offeringthe latest designs on the hybrid contactlens platform.

“SynergEyes seeks to improve the quality-of-life for people by delivering on thehybrid platform innovative lens designs thatsolve age-old problems in a new way,” saidJames Kirchner, president and CEO ofSynergEyes. “Working with a recognisedworldwide leader like the Brien HoldenVision Institute, we plan to bring anextended depth-of-focus lens design ontothe hybrid platform to the global market.”

The BHVI has developed new optical designsthat incorporate an extended depth of focus(EDOF) to provide optimal visual performancefrom distance to near with minimal ghosting.The EDOF lens provides a series of smooth,non-monotonic, power variations across theoptic zone to deliberately manipulatemultiple higher-order aberrations.

British Contact Lens Association16

Save the dates (30 May to 1 June) for the 2019 British Contact Lens Association (BCLA)conference and exhibition as the event is all set for a return to Manchester. The three-daymeeting is undergoing a change in format, running from the Thursday to Saturday, and willculminate in the grand finale of an awards dinner on the Saturday night.

BCLA chief executive, Cheryl Donnelly, said: “We are thrilled to be heading back toManchester Central for the 2019 clinical conference and exhibition. It promises to be aweekend to remember, featuring a host of passionate speakers who can inspire eyecareprofessionals to make a real difference to patients’ lives. We will be staging a number ofpractical hands-on workshops showcasing the very latest techniques in the field of contactlenses and the anterior eye and the exhibition will feature innovation and up-to-the-minutetechnology from the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers.”

BCLA conference set to return to Manchester Central

The latest optical styles in the Elle collection by Charmant reflect the Parisian lifestyle forwomen exemplifying diversity, flair, beauty and passion. The collection offers fashionablecontrasts by weaving edgy geometric forms and fresh colour takes into svelte and feminineframes. The latest line-up displays slender metal designs in contemporary hues, andelegant style statements in all-over Havana, soft gradients or colour interplays. Metalmodel EL13450 (pictured) is svelte, feminine and light. The style’s clean lines areaccentuated by the harmonious play of colours on the temples. Colour choices includeelegant black and brown or striking pink.

Charmant17

Parisian flair with Elle


NEWS

General Optical Council23

Myers La Roche21

Myers La Roche has appointed Paul Waltersas its new sales and marketing consultantas part of its expansion plans. He will focuson helping to match the company’s widerange of services to its customers, fromassistance with business start-ups oracquisitions, audiology, growth initiatives,practice streamlining and training, throughto exit planning and practice sales.

Myers La Roche director, Dominic Watson,said: “Paul is highly experienced and isalready proving to be a real asset. Hisinclusion in our team now makes us 10-strong and as a result, we are now innegotiations to move to larger premises toaccommodate our continuing expansion.”

The Association of British DispensingOpticians’ (ABDO) first minor eye conditionsservices (MECS) extended services trainingdays held in Birmingham recently wereattended by 36 contact lens opticians(CLOs). The Association currently has morethan 130 CLOs working towards MECS andGlaucoma Repeat Measures (GRM)accreditation. Every CLO training for thescheme is in the process of completing 11 Wales Optometry Postgraduate Centreonline lectures and the corresponding MCQ assessments, funded by the LocalOptical Committee Support Unit. Those whotook part in the extended services trainingdays had completed all the lectures and will make up the first cohort of practitioners able to offer minor eyecondition and glaucoma care in areas withcommissioned schemes.

ABDO president, Clive Marchant, said:“There is great pressure on our hospital A&Edepartments. The provision of MECS withinprimary care High Street optical practiceswill help reduce this pressure and providepatients with minor eye conditions anaccessible local and convenient service. Thisis an exciting advancement for theprofession which we must all embrace, butit is not without challenges.”

The General Optical Council’s (GOC) newlypublished policy on Consensual PanelDisposal will be used to identify andprogress fitness to practise (FTP) cases thatmay be suitable for concluding without acontested hearing if the registrant hasadmitted the allegation in full. Forconsensual panel disposal cases, the GOC

will seek to agree an appropriate level ofsanction with the registrant and make asanction recommendation to the FTPCommittee.

Lisa Davis, GOC FTP director, said: “We arepleased to introduce this new policy as webelieve people on all sides will benefit. The

consensual panel disposal policy willencourage registrants to participate in thefitness to practise process, and will give usthe flexibility to adapt the process to eachindividual case. Most importantly,consensual panel disposal will help us todeal with cases expeditiously in order toprotect the public.”

Getting ready for MECS accreditation

Association of British Dispensing Opticians22

Paul Walters

Adding a chic, trend-led touch to any ensemble, new cocoa mint release from Eyespace,model CM9067, blends the latest eyewear trends with signature cocoa mint style. The stylehas been given a luxurious upgrade via its highly polished premium acetate front andcomplementary metal temples, which give a nod to the ombre trend. Subtle Cocoa Mintbranding on the trim adds to the designer appeal. Offered in size 50-19-135, this model isavailable in flattering taupe (C1) or a high-fashion gloss black (C2).

Eyespace20

CM9067 C1 in flattering taupe

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Near viewing Convergence Pupil constriction

For more details please contact Menicon customer services on 01604 646216 www.menicon.co.uk

Today Menicon, a Japanese company, brings exciting new innovation applying their expertise and insight from a long heritage of world class specialist contact lenses into soft disposable contact lenses. In 1950, 19-year old Kyoichi Tanaka was employed at Tamamizuya optical shop and 昀rst heard of contact lenses from the wife of a U.S. Army of昀cer. From this encounter, through his own research, Kyoichi Tanaka Founded Menicon in 1951 and developed the 昀rst corneal and RGP contact lenses in Japan.A commemorative plaque has been erected at Tamamizuya (Nishiki, Naka-ku, Nagoya) to mark the birth of this medical device that has earned a place in the history of the twentieth century.Menicon were granted the world’s 昀rst silicone hydrogel contact lens material patent in 1979, another historic milestone in Menicon’s history.

Dedicated to contact lensesWith their head of昀ce in Nagoya, Japan, Menicon create all of their contact lenses from beginning to end, developing their own unique materials to which they apply the science of vision and design. Menicon are focusing on developing more soft contact lenses of all modalities to add to their strong portfolio and are investing heavily in research and development along with new manufacturing facilities. To guide them in their new stage of development as a global corporation, they have formulated a new philosophy: “To be a global enterprise that is friendly to people, animals and the environment.” They have incorporated ecology as a key element in their Research and Development. Menicon have a long and unique heritage of world class contact lenses, including Rose K, the world’s most frequently prescribed lens for the irregular cornea and Menicon Z night, the world’s only Hyper Dk GP lens material approved by the FDA for up to 30 days continuous wear.

For 67 years Menicon, a Japanese company, have been pioneers in contact lens innovation, delivering ground-breaking contact lenses across the globe.

Menicon also introduced the worlds 昀rst and only 昀at pack daily disposable lens, Miru 1day, speci昀cally developed to reduce the chance of lens inner surface contamination. When the pack is opened, the outer surface of the lens always faces up, eliminating confusion about lens orientation and reduces the need to touch the inner surface of the lens. The Miru 1 month family of silicone hydrogel contact lenses include a unique toric stabilisation design for greater stability plus a unique patented de-centered near zone multifocal design.

Menicon and the EnvironmentIn countries throughout the world, interest in the environment has been rising at a rapid rate. We have reached an era in which we must all step forward to maintain awareness and to take action as conscientious members of society. As such everyone – corporations, individuals, public and private sector alike – must give serious thought to the global environment. Menicon have put ecology at the core of their research and development programs ensuring the company are recognised as being people, animal, and environmentally friendly.An example of Menicon’s focus on recycling within manufacturing are the 30 pack boxes which are made from recycled lens mould.

To ful昀l their responsibility as a company involved with sight, Menicon will continue contributing to society by providing superior visual correction, which has been their corporate principle since their founding. Providing everyone with a multitude of highly functional, high-quality products and services. With the support of the optical professional, for more than half a century they have led the industry, taking pride in their steadfast principles and shining history. Their dream, to share the technology and wisdom they possess and a devotion to ensure all activities continue to include a focus on ecology.

The Secret Behind The Menicon LogoYou may have noticed that the name, “Menicon,” includes the letters that spell “ECO.” Menicon feel this is a sign that points to their mission.

With burning passion, Menicon has developed materials for safe contact lenses that can provide excellent permeability for the oxygen that is required by the cornea. In our woodlands, trees take in carbon dioxide from the air, and use sunlight and chlorophyll to produce oxygen through photosynthesis. Both share the key word oxygen, with red symbolising the light from the sun just as green recalls our oxygen-giving forests.


Article by John McManus | EMEA Strategic Partner Account Manager | Frequent Replacement Division Menicon Ltd

Daily disposable contact lenses packaged in a revolutionary wafer-thin and exceptionally hygienic 昀at pack

Health & hygiene1day Miru 昀at pack was speci昀cally developed to reduce the chance of lens inner surface contamination. When the pack is opened, the outer surface of the lens faces up. This eliminates confusion about lens orientation and reduces the need to touch the inner surface of the lens, making it less likley that harmful bacteria will get trapped between the lens and the wearers eye. The Miru 1day 昀at pack sandwiches the contact lenses lightly, but securely between two specially designed foil sheets, in contrast to typical plastic containers in which the lenses 昀oat loosely.

Comfort1day Miru lenses are created using Menicon’s proprietary Centraform™ spin casting and polymerisation process, this results in a smooth edge pro昀le which helps reduce friction when the wearer blinks. The Centraform™ process makes it possible to manufacture aspherical lenses of extremely high quality.

ConvenienceAs the world’s 昀attest and most compact lens pack, Miru 1day offers unprecedented convenience for storage and carrying in a pocket, purse or even wallet.


World’s only 昀at pack daily disposable contact lens

EASY TO OPEN EASY TO REMOVE EASY TO WEAR

For more details please contact Menicon customer services on 01604 646216 www.menicon.co.uk


PRACTICE MATTERS

Unlike a lot of normal retail business,where the biggest cost is property, theindependent optical profession’s big cost ispeople. Even in a fairly small practice youcan have an optometrist, dispensingoptician (DO) and two receptionists. This, inturn, could cost more than £100,000 peryear. Even if you take into account the factthat the optom, the DO or both could ownthe business, there is still a salary cost onthe business. The question therefore is:why, when we spend so much money onstaff, do we invest so little time and cost onmaking them the best they can be?

In times gone by, the receptionist was justthat; they would answer the phone, bookappointments and possibly send the recalls.The DO would only deal with spectaclesand the optom would sit in their consultingroom waiting for the world to come tothem. But back then, patients wouldn’tcomplain about waiting 15 minutes for theDO to be free to fit a screw in their frame.Oh, how things have changed.

DON’T LEAVE IT TO CHANCEObviously, in most practices, thedemarcations aren’t as strict as that (althoughI know a number of practices where thereceptionist is the only person who answersthe phone). As time has passed, practiceshave kept staff levels low to try to keepcosts under control, particularly in thesedifficult trading times. It’s okay to ask staffto do more than they might havetraditionally, but have we trained them andgiven them the tools to do the tasks thatwe ask of them?

The front desk is the most importantcontact point in the whole practice, as it’sthe first point the majority of patients willinteract with your business. So why nottake just a few minutes out of your day and

see your practice welcome from the pointof view of your patients. Is the welcomequick and friendly? Are the staffapproachable? Are they able to answer thepatients’ queries? Can they respond to thepatients’ needs? If the answer to any ofthese is no, then you have a training need.

There are plenty of courses for staff run bythe Association of British DispensingOpticians and the Worshipful Company ofSpectacle Makers, for example, or you canbring in someone like Liam Franklin fromOrta (you can read his business views onpages 24-25). But whatever you do, don’tjust leave it. Over the years, I have been inmany practices and have seen patients justturn around and walk out because thereceptionist couldn’t answer the simplest ofquestions, or they were just so rude thatI’m surprised any patients stayed at all.

DO’ING THE MATHSLeaving the front desk behind, who carriesout the dispensing tasks in your practice?Do you have a qualified DO or is it anoptical assistant with the support of theoptom? Once again, look at it from thepatient’s viewpoint. If they have to wait forthe optom to finish with a patient, so theycan be measured, or if the person haslimited knowledge of the lens options,would you find this acceptable? As a DOmyself, I have a vested interest, but Istrongly believe every practice should havea well-trained DO and here’s why…

If a DO costs £28,000 per year, which is£538 per week, and you dispense 30 pairsof spectacles per week, you would need tosee an increase in dispensing value of£17.93 to cover the costs. But when Iworked in a group of practices, the averagedispensing value from qualified DOscompared to assistants and optoms was

£45 higher. If this was the case, then theincreased income per week would be£1,350 or £64,800 for a 48-week workingyear. This more than covers the additionalcosts, let alone all the benefits of dispensingchildren and complex prescriptions.

Finally, we make it to the consulting roomwhere we meet the most highly trainedmember of staff: the optometrist. Althoughas with DOs the optom spends hours onCET, this doesn’t cover much of what goesinto making a great practice. Has the optomsat with the reception staff and gonethrough the same customer care training?Have they spent time with the DO learningabout the latest lenses to recommend? Arethey skilled enough to say to a patient, “I’mgoing to move you from daily contactlenses to a hybrid lens, as it will improveyour vision”?

Many of you will read this and know thatyou already do these things, but I wouldstill suggest you go through your practicefrom front to back to see where you mightinvest in your staff. If, on the other hand,you think you do need to invest in yourstaff, then there is no time like the present.Just make a start, as the first step is alwaysthe hardest, and remember to ask for helpwhen you need it. I really am a greatbeliever in asking the expert.

Developing thoughtsThis month, Phil Mullins recommends looking at how you are investing in your staff

Is your biggest investment yourbiggest asset?

Is your practice welcome quick and friendly?

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The current minor eye conditions services(MECS) vs. Specs discussions havereenergised these long-standingdeliberations. The use of the term‘enhanced optical services’ by the UK’slargest chain as well as its move intooffering more clinical services, includingoptical coherence tomography, suggeststhat the more clinical aspects of HighStreet optometry can no longer be seen asthe preserve of the independent sector(assuming you believe it ever really was).

As Independents Day (iDay) always tries tobe relevant and topical, it is no surprise thatsuch discussions will be the focus of thisyear’s joint conference with NEG – only weprefer to call this tightrope that independentswalk: ‘eyecare versus eyewear’. There’ll beno change when it comes to deliveringgreat, topical and fully relevant content,however, there is a new format.

The combined event will take the form of aroadshow covering the North West, Midlandsand South of England on:

• Monday 22 October at the Holiday Inn, Wembley• Monday 29 October at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry• Tuesday 30 October at the Holiday Inn, Bolton.

The programme will run during the afternoonand evening rather than in the traditionaldaytime slot, from 1pm to 8.30pm to makeattendance easier with the potential to takeless time out of the practice.

WALKING THE TIGHTROPEWhen it comes to the hybrid business thatis UK optical practice, taking in both theprofessional and commercial aspects ofoptometry, speakers really do need to havea good understanding on this uniquebusiness model. So, there was only evergoing to be one man for the job.Consequently, we are delighted to revealthat our keynote speaker this year is opticalmarketing guru, Andy Clark.

In his presentation, ‘Who do you think youare?’, Andy will look at what he calls thefundamental ‘practice archetypes’ anddemonstrate that practitioners need tounderstand which best defines boththemselves and their practice. As well asidentifying where the business is now, thenext exercise will be to decide where thebusiness is going in the next five to 10 yearsand whether that is different. This will have asignificant impact on building a meaningful,commercially viable ‘brand’ for your area.

Fellow professionals who have walked thetalk in their businesses will support Andy,sharing their unique perspectives onindependent practice and how they’vemanaged to balance the eyecare vs.eyewear conundrum. Following the successof last year’s interactive business sessions,we will once again run a parallel track ofcommercially focused workshops. Andy will

run one of these as a practical session tohelp delegates work through his practicearchetypes model on their business. Finally,of course, for those who still need a few CET points, there will be CET courtesy of our sponsors.

SOLD-OUT ISHOWSuppliers have responded extremelypositively to the new format we’reintroducing for 2018, with all slots sold outwithin weeks of its launch. A 20-companystrong exhibition with the main sponsorsbeing: Alcon and CooperVision as TitleSponsors; Heidelberg Engineering andUltraVision as Headline Sponsors; and Optos,Optinet, Positive Impact and Glasklar asFoundation Sponsors. The new format hasreally struck a chord with suppliers focusedon the independent sector, which of coursemeans that ticket prices for delegates canbe maintained at a minimum.

Tickets are very reasonably priced for NEGmembers. Booking is now open for early-birdtickets that are available until 31 August. Theearly bird price is £39.00 (plus VAT) and fullticket price is £59 (plus VAT). As we are insmaller venues this year, early booking ishighly recommended as we are expecting asell-out at each roadshow. Keep up-to-datewith iDay and the NEG Building for SuccessConference, of which more details will followsoon, at www.independentsday.co.uk

Balancing eyecareand eyewearHigh Street optics has long battled with balancing the clinical versusretail elements of running a successful and profitable practice, writesNick Atkins

NEG/IDAY 2018

Focus on marriage of clinical and retail

Keynote speaker, Andy Clark

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Vision Now JULY 2018 23

AN INDEPENDENT VIEW

Launched last month, the Eye Promise isdesigned to build public awareness aboutthe importance of long-term eye healthcare and, more importantly, where to findit. The initiative is exclusively for thoseindependents that provide excellent long-term eye health care for their patients.

The Association for IndependentOptometrists and Dispensing Opticians(AIO), the ‘not-for-profit’ body that onlyrepresents independent practice, has beenworking for a number of years on creating amark of excellence that will help sustainand energise the sector for the long term.

The Eye Promise comes with five simplecommitments, or ‘promises’, from thosepractices that sign up:

• We put long-term eye health care first• We give patients as much time in the consultancy chair as their individual needs require• We will always try and offer repeat appointments with the same practitioner• We will use state-of-the-art imaging equipment as a way of monitoring long-term eye health• We will only recommend eyewear that will benefit you

The five ‘promises’ are designed to clearlydifferentiate great independents from thoseopticians that operate from ‘stores’ with aprimarily retail business model. It is not acase of saying that one way of practising isbetter than another, simply that they aredifferent. The issue is that members of thepublic do not know or understand thatthere is a difference, and so are makingdecisions about eyecare on an uninformedbasis. It is the AIO’s contention that long-term eye health care and protectingeyesight is far too important for this to

continue, and this is why the Eye Promisehas been developed.

The AIO has invested significantly in the EyePromise by working with a specialist outsideagency with extensive knowledge of theworld of optics. The result is clear and simplebranding that is both eye-catching andimpactful. We were advised to keep the‘promises’ as concise and as clear as possible,and that is what we have done. The EyePromise structure also allows practices thatsign up to emphasise any particular ‘promise’appropriate to their local circumstance.

WIDESPREAD ENTHUSIASM The AIO announced the launch of the EyePromise at Optrafair in April and it wasextremely well received by all theindependents we spoke to on the AIOstand. Indeed, there has been widespreadenthusiasm for the Eye Promise from theextensive supply chain to the independentsector. In particular, the AIO recognises andgreatly appreciates the support andcontribution of Eyeplan, which ‘owned’ theEye Promise brand and bequeathed it to theAIO at no cost, and that of the NationalEyecare Group in providing the platform for

this article inVision Now.

The first 20 practiceswent livewith the Eye Promisequality markat the end of June inlocations thatspan thelength andbreadth of

the country. In each location, the AIO hassupported the Eye Promise practice with arange of promotional materials that include:

• In-practice posters and window decals (and pop-up banners for those who want them)• A range of letters for building awareness with patients, local health care professionals, schools and colleges, services organisations and other stakeholders• Draft press releases and briefings for use with local radio station promotions• Draft PowerPoint presentations for use with schools, colleges, service organisations, etc

As the number of Eye Promise practicesgrows, the intention is to move to regionaland ultimately national promotion of thebrand. The AIO recognises that this will notbe a ‘revolution’ but will evolve over time,and that is a message that we haveemphasised with those practices that signup. The Association is in it for the long haul,however, and is hugely encouraged by thesteady flow of sign-up forms that are nowbeing received as we spread the messagearound the independent community.

Ultimately, this is all about driving patientsthrough the front door of practices that signup to the ‘promises’, and making thosepractices the destination of choice forpeople who understand the importance ofgreat long-term eye health care.

Sole practitioner independents can sign upto the Eye Promise for as little as £100 peryear by becoming AIO practice members,and the maximum cost is £300 for practicesthat employ multiple optometrists anddispensing opticians.

To sign up or find out more, [email protected] or call 0800 1300 486and ask for Lin or Mike.

Defining moment for sector

The arrival of the new Eye Promise quality mark for independentpractices is a defining moment for the sector, writes AIO chairmanChristian French

An example of available posters

Christian French


Manufacturers are constantly wanting toshare new developments in their opticaltechnology. They assure us that theseinnovations will add value both in terms ofpatient satisfaction and practice profitability.Whilst they are correct, for the vast majorityof optical retailers, these innovations arecreating a potential death sentence.

Speak to any supplier renowned forinnovation and they will tell you that theprofession is largely slow to adapt to advancesin technology and habitually dispenses datedtechnology. Many practices are yet to adopttechnology that has been available formany years. Can you imagine a consumerelectronics store surviving if they continuallysold two-year-old technology, let alone 15-year-old designs? So how can our professionhave survived so long by doing just that?

Well, the answer is clear. Much opticaltechnology is encompassed in a productthat has no aesthetic properties. For mostconsumer products, this is what helps todrive demand. Two eyewear consumers cancompare frame designs, but it’s impossibleto compare lenses or contact lenstechnology. If one wearer is delighted withtheir new premium, digital lenses, they canhardly demonstrate the benefits byallowing a friend to try them on. Ultimately,this results in practitioners falling back onthe habitual dispensing of tried and testedproducts that they understand.

For many years, the industry has been able tocarry on in this way due to consumers being

largely unaware of their product options,trusting the professionalism of theirpractitioner. But not for much longer –because change is coming. Take a look at anymajor retailer and you will see that they arecontinually evolving to meet changes inconsumer habits. Especially where technologyis involved, consumers demand the verylatest. Through the availability of information,they will empower themselves with productknowledge before making a consideredpurchase. This is in addition to quality ofservice, experience, style and value for money.

To make matters worse for the apatheticpractitioner, suppliers think they are helpingby generating demand for their productsthrough business-to-consumer marketing.Advertising, consumer-friendly websitesand social media are all creating increasedawareness. As Oakley discovered a fewyears ago, their consumers had carried outso much research on the product that suitedtheir lifestyle needs that they were moreknowledgeable than many stockists.

Established businesses do not want to seenew players enter the market, but currentlythe door is well and truly open. It’s verydifficult for new companies to enter anestablished market. But as we have seenwith other industries, if the existing model

doesn’t meet consumer demands thenopportunities arise for new businesses to grabmarket share. You don’t have to dig verydeep to see that this is already happeningin optics. And it’s only going to increase.

SO, WHY ARE WE HERE?Let’s go back 30 years to the time ofderegulation. At this time, eyewear wasonly dispensed by the professionallytrained. In addition, the choice of productwas just a fraction of what it is now. Glass,plastic, single vision or bifocals and a fewprogressive lens choices. Frame materialand contact lens options were relativelylimited and prescription sun and sportswearaccounted for a very small percentage ofindustry revenues.

Jump forward to 2018 and things are verydifferent. We all know some very talenteddispensing opticians (DOs) but currently thenumber of General Optical Council-registered DOs is about one third of thenumber of optometrists. However, thebiggest issue is the massive increase in theneed for product knowledge.

Manufacturers are often critical of theability of practice staff to promote anddispense their products. But let’s be realisticabout this situation. What can we

Is optical innovationkilling your business?

BUSINESS VIEW

Is your practice still dispensing the opticalequivalent of these?

Consumers demand the latest technology

Outstanding optometry can only be sustained with a strong retail presence, believes Liam Franklin


reasonably expect from practice staff whenthey are dealing with three lens suppliers,15 frame suppliers, two contact lenssuppliers and numerous suppliers ofancillary products. This is, of course, on topof practice systems, anatomy of the eye,conditions and diseases and refractiveerrors. The bottom line is that very few canbecome experts in all aspects of thepractice environment.

Lack of knowledge leads to lack ofconfidence which, in turn, results inproducts and services that would benefitthe consumer being overlooked. How doyou think your ‘valued’ patients would feelif they discovered that their ‘trusted andprofessional’ practitioner hadn’t offeredthem the most up-to-date options? Howwould you feel if they decided to take theirbusiness to somewhere that did? The newplayers in our profession are gettingpatients from somewhere and it’s certainlynot those that are satisfied with theircurrent practitioner.

Just a quick point about practice revenues.Whilst this subject will have an impact onpractice sales and many of the apatheticpractitioners will profess to their stancebeing about a lack of greed, it’s actuallyabout a great deal more. Yes, promotingpremium eyewear technology will increaseconversion rates, average dispensing values and profitability, but those thingswill only happen as a consequence ofdelivering an outstanding service to yourpatients. You can’t deliver one without theother. I don’t believe that even the mostaffluent of practitioner, would like to seetheir patients drop off from their database

because a competitor provides a betterquality of service.

SO, WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?We have established that the requirementfor knowledge is a tall order, but youshouldn’t let that put you off working toimprove. Suppliers are desperate to deliverproduct training but getting in the door is atall order as many practices do not see thelonger-term benefit to closing for a few hours.It really is a great idea to utilise this support.

However, developing your teams to translatethis technical knowledge to effectivedispensing is not that straightforward. Firstly,manufacturers have room for improvementin how their products and services arecommunicated. They can often be confusingto even the most experienced member ofstaff. Product training is key but even ifdelivered well, needs to come after a goodgrounding of more fundamental skills. Newand existing staff may still lack a good basicknowledge of optics, and developingmotivation and engagement skills isessential to convert product knowledge intoeffective dispensing.

Inspiring your teams to understandobjectives, to become more motivated andto establish and meet the needs of yourpatients will have a massive impact on yourbusiness. Yes, increased revenues, but formany it is more important to retain andbuild the patient database, develop andmotivate staff, retain employees and buildpractice value.

Here’s the great news. The investmentneeded to significantly improve theperformance of your teams and business iscomparatively low. You will only need ashift of a few percentage points onconversion rate, and/or a few pounds inaverage order values to see a return oninvestment. Just one or two additional pairsof prescription sunglasses, prescriptionsports eyewear or contact lenses per monthwill easily cover investment in training eachemployee. Great training perpetuatescontinual growth. Well trained staff developcustomer satisfaction, which develops salesand profitability, which (should) developstaff welfare, which increases staffsatisfaction and loyalty, which attractshigher calibre staff, etc, etc.

At a time where premium optical candidateshave their pick of the best jobs, does yourbusiness attract talent? Or are you expeditingyour demise? The UK model for retail optics

is essentially flawed and outstandingoptometry can only be sustained with astrong retail presence. Selling product maynot be why you entered the profession butwith the value of optometry being massivelyunder-valued for more than a generation,optical retailing is a lifeline.

There is a lot of great support out there todevelop your marketing, social media,image, product portfolio, etc. But unlessyour teams are well trained to convertincreased demand, you could be doingmore harm than good. I recently workedwith a regional chain that had so muchright with regards to board level objectivesand strategy but, due to a lack of a robusttraining programme, were seeing revenuesdrop as their staff weren’t confident withtheir product ranges and engagement skills.

Globally, huge investment is being made toreduce the cost of providing a refractionservice, allowing large optical retailers toincrease their margins on lower pricedproducts. Whether we like it or not, this willhappen and will have a massively damagingeffect of the profession. The one thing thatallows a business to charge a premium iswhen a premium service is provided. If youare confident that you and your colleaguesconsistently deliver an outstanding servicethen great, but eyewear consumers arealready finding that they can get what theyconsider is better, for less.

If you value your patients, your employees,your profitability, your business and yourlivelihood then take a good look at all aspectsof your business and ask yourself: “Am I readyto survive and thrive, or am I leaving the doorwide open for the competition?”

Liam Franklin is managing consultant at OrtaOptical Training and Recruitment Academy.

BUSINESS VIEW

Typical knowledge base required in practice

The need for product knowledge is huge

Inspiring staff to understand objectives will havea massive impact on your business


Some 120 years after the first hearingaid was invented to address loss ofhearing, there are still 191 millionpeople globally who have to live withsight loss and need more help than thehumble spectacle can offer. So, in 2014,the GiveVision team came together withthe determination to bring sight back topeople living with low vision.

The team, formed from a group of scientists,engineers and social entrepreneurs, spentseveral years working towards a wearablesight enhancement device. Now in its fourthyear, the company has just commenced astudy with Moorfields Eye Hospital toevaluate its SightPlus device. Concurrently,the team is in the middle of developing itssecond-generation solution, with the aim ofgetting closer to the form factor of glasses.

TECHNOLOGICAL LEAPSThe need for a wearable sight aid suitablefor a large range of activities was clear tothe team from the start. Traditional lowvision aids such as magnifiers and screenreaders are often limited in their functionalityand use; for example, for reading, anoptical magnifier zooms into a very smallarea only. In addition, the user has to holdit very close to the eye and bend overtowards the text. In contrast, computationalimage enhancements on digital screens canvastly improve the ability to see; people areable to read, to engage in everyday activitiesand can recognise faces.

When integrated into a head-mounted,wearable solution, this technological leapmeans that low vision patients can use suchan aid for most everyday activities. Wearablesolutions equally support near and farvision, and the wide field of view andcolour rendering means that pretty much anyimage content becomes accessible. Withsmartphone technology evolving rapidly, thetime was right to move image enhancementsfrom the lab to the real world. The outcomewas GiveVision’s first generation device,SightPlus, which is now available to purchase.Income from first generation sales is directlyfed back into the development ofGiveVision’s second-generation sight

enhancement device, which will have aform factor of glasses (Figure 1).

One of GiveVision’s most treasuredachievements is its close workingrelationship with the ultimate user of theirdevice – people diagnosed with low vision. Todate, more than 300 volunteers have givenin-depth feedback on the many developmentstages of its multiple prototypes. Regularvolunteer contributors, Michael Mason, says:“SightPlus is the best thing that’s happenedto me since I was diagnosed. The amount ofthings that I use it for now is immense.”

“I’ve enjoyed being part of the SightPlusdevelopment, especially testing newversions before anybody else,” continuesMichael. “It is a big part of my life now.Working alongside the GiveVision team is apleasure. I like the fact that I am involved inbuilding a solution that will help me andalso many others struggling with sight loss.”The company has won numerous industryawards and has been featured on BBC Click,BBC Breakfast, Sky News and in The SundayTimes amongst others.

SOLUTION AND EVIDENCEFirst generation device SightPlus is builtaround a virtual reality headset and thecapabilities of a specially selectedsmartphone. The device is CE marked andregistered with the Medicines & Healthcareproducts Regulatory Agency. In acollaboration with Moorfields Eye Hospital,SightPlus will now undergo clinical scrutinyby one of the world’s most reputablespecialist eye hospitals.

Early volunteer testing sessions between2016 and 2017 quickly demonstrated thatwearable sight aids would enable manypeople living with sight loss to re-engage indaily activities. Volunteers reported watchingTV, reading, doing a hobby (such as playing amusical instrument, sightseeing or attendingthe theatre) and working or studying. Overall,83 per cent of people who tried SightPlus in ahome environment reported that it improvedtheir ability to see for any of their mostfrequent use cases compared to their bestcoping strategy or sight aid. So the GiveVisionteam knew they were on the right path.

In late 2017, GiveVision followed up with 34volunteers who requested to keep SightPlusfor long-term use. The results from thissurvey brought further encouragement(Figure 2): 65 per cent of testers reported

Giving patients their sight back

LOW VISION

Figure 2: SightPlus user data (* after long-term follow-up)

Figure 1: GiveVision's first generation device SightPlus (left) and an early test unit for the second-generation solution (right).

A guest of the Independents’ Lounge at Optrafair,GiveVision explains more about SightPlus – itsrevolutionary solution for patients with low vision


being enabled to do activities they couldnot do before, 68 per cent reportedincreased confidence, and 59 per centreported increased independence. Two-thirdsof people reported using the device weekly,41 per cent daily. The follow-up also showeda significant improvement by, on average,10 points in ‘near vision activities’ and‘distance vision activities’ on the NationalEye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire.

Recently, GiveVision completed pilot workto establish the impact of SightPlus on theclinical metrics of sight loss. Results showedwhy SightPlus works so well for people withlow vision: visual acuity showed a meanimprovement of 0.83 logMAR (eight lineson the sight chart), increasing significantlyfrom 1.24 logMAR to 0.44 logMAR). Contrastsensitivity improved by 0.58 log units (11letters on the sight chart), increasingsignificantly from 0.87 log units (13.5%) to1.38 log units (four per cent) (Figure 3).

LIFE-CHANGING IMPACTAfter the BBC showed Paralympian LibbyClegg and her partner testing SightPlus, theparents of a young boy got in touch withGiveVision. Charlie is now one of theyoungest SightPlus users (Figure 4); however,children can only use SightPlus followingrecommendation by a specialist in order tomake sure they are supervised professionally.

Charlie has Stargardt’s, which is an inheritedform of macular degeneration. After testing

SightPlus, his mother said: “Let’s just say ithas been life-changing for Charlie. I havehad the pleasure of seeing Charlie in schoolevery day and seen how he has not onlyused SightPlus but has grown in confidenceabout Stargardt’s and openly spoken tochildren in every class about his newgadget and what it enables him to do.”

One of the reasons why people like thedevice is its flexibility and multi-purposecharacter. Forty-seven-year-old Lee says:“The headset was hands-free, so I couldactually read things I was holding. I wentback home, and I could watch my TV fromacross the room, instead of having to sitinches away from the screen. I could evenuse a normal PC.”

Similarly, 71-year-old John says: “You haveto learn to see and register what SightPlusenables you to see. I think I would sum upmy experience using SightPlus like this:previously I could discern form, now I candiscern or am beginning to discernsubstance. I have just been on holiday inFrance. I used SightPlus in churches, artgalleries, museums and to look at featuresof architecture and landscape.”

GiveVision is very aware of the huge impactthat sight loss can have on people of an olderage. Hence, one of the development guidingprinciples was to make the device easy tooperate for people aged from six to 100. Itscurrent control solution has achieved just that,

as Sue, the daughter of 86-year old tester Ivy(Figure 5), explains: “Mum is loving using theviewer and is managing to navigate aroundthe buttons. She is like a child having allher Christmases at once and hasn't stoppedtalking to me about everything she sees.”

APPROACHING A GLASSES FORM FACTORWhile the success with SightPlus was morethan encouraging, GiveVision recognisedthat ultimately many people would prefer asmaller device, something more similar tospectacles. It is, however, only nowbecoming possible to integrate see-throughwearable displays into spectacle-like frames.Honing in on this opportunity and fundedthrough Innovate UK, GiveVision commencedthe development of its second-generationdevice. The release date for first units iscurrently expected for autumn 2019. By latesummer/early autumn 2018, the company isplanning to run volunteer sessions toreceive input on early design stages.

The early stages of developing a spectacles-like sight aid will be supported by insightsfrom evaluating SightPlus with MoorfieldsEye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust London.In this study, running from July 2018 to March2019, the device will be scrutinised bypatients seen by Dr Michael Crossland andProfessor Andrew Webster. Michael Crosslandsays: “The initial results from this device areextremely encouraging. We look forward toevaluating the SightPlus device with a largegroup of people with visual impairment, todetermine exactly how much this systemcan help people with sight loss.”

HOW TO GET INVOLVEDGiveVision is inviting both the visuallyimpaired community and eyecareprofessionals to join them on their journey tobuilding the world’s best sight aid. If you wantto be involved, please [email protected] or sign up atwww.givevision.net/signup. If you areinterested in trying or recommendingSightPlus, which is now availablecommercially and priced similar to a CCTVmagnifier, please email [email protected].

LOW VISION

Figure 3: Data on acuity and contrast sensitivity Figure 5: Ivy at home using SightPlus

Figure 4: Charlie and his mother on BBC Breakfast


STYLE SPOTLIGHT

Young children and teens requiring opticalframes have a wonderful opportunity withthe amazing eyewear available to improvetheir sight, and fashionista expectations.Parents and children are sure to bedelighted with the vast selection of styles,colours, materials and safety features thatenhance optical designs. British companiesand international creators recognise thechildren’s sector as a vital part of theirbusiness, and provide wonderfulpossibilities for stunning selections. Awarethat children like to mimic what parents arewearing, round, aviator, square and retroshapes in timeless colours as well as boldtones highlight these inviting collections.

Back-to-school shopping for eyewearpromises to be a fun adventure with an arrayof frames that cater to children’s individualinterests and tastes. Budding young stylistswill respond to feminine, colourful looks,while vintage enthusiasts can find classictortoiseshell updated with pops of colour.Really cool designs with grown-up styling,plus sporty designs, bring an air ofexclusivity to frames for junior wearers.Babies have excellent choices too – withdesigns that are specially formulated to fitsmall faces. Designers and companies arealso committed to creating frames that aredurable, in materials that are thoughtful toyoung, sensitive skins.

COLOURFUL VIBESInnovative optical styles stand out in thelatest JF Rey Kids & Teens Collection, forchildren from four to 16 years old. Thevibrant collections have their root inMarseille, France – a city with uniquearchitecture, energy and, of course, thevitality of the sun and sparkle of the sea.The just-released campaign is titled ‘Enjoythe colours’ and includes acetates in strong

hues of red, violet, blue and green as wellas coloured tortoiseshell, trendy stripes andsoft pastels. Sahara features seven differentacetates in a playful butterfly design.

The particularly intriguing aspect of the JFRey Kids & Teens collection is that childrenare asked to suggest and contribute theirideas during creative workshops organisedby JF Rey designers. Participants are able toselect colours and motifs, choose shapesand try on the prototypes. It is anenterprising project to envelope children inthe eyewear process – and who knows?Perhaps stimulate and encourage a futuredesign career in optics.

Children’s eyewear by French designerSabine Be is fun, colourful, experimentaland adventurous. Her designs for kidsinclude charming little cat-eye shapes,gipsy looks, retro-foundations, withdashing, audacious colours – yet alwayswearable. Solid colours in bold red,tortoiseshell with contrasting tones, andflorescent hues vibrate in this chic littlecollection for youngsters.

Vivid, vibrant colours in the Whiz Kidscollection by Dunelm Optical offerrefreshing and engaging choices forchildren in the six to 12 age range – thetime when children are growing anddiscovering their own unique style. New for2018 is Aiyana, an acetate and metal duowith a soft cat eye. Colours RubyRed/Punchy Pink, and Brilliant Blue/CocoaBrown are inspiring choices for young girls.Blue is a preferred colour in children’s

By Joan Grady

Colourful frames from Kids & Teens by JF Rey

So smart: Lazer Junior 2154 by Continental Eyewear

Wondrouseyewear foryoungsters

Très chic! Mini-be by Sabine Be


frames, and the variations are striking andstylish. Also in the Whiz Kids range is a metalframe for boys – Chesmu in Sapphire Blue –in a smart oval shape that is thin and linear.

STUDIOUS STYLEChildren’s eyewear fashion often emulateswhat adults are wearing, and then thedesigns are scaled and tailored to fit littlefaces. Lazer Junior, distributed by ContinentalEyewear, has marvellous choices foryoungsters with contemporary shapes thatecho what adults often prefer. The collectionoffers a varied selection of square, oval andround silhouettes, in solid colours fromneutrals to bright tones, along with fun tonalcombinations, sure to win the attention(and approval) of both parents and children.

For decades Lafont Paris has been creatingdelightful, enticing and quality frames forbabies crafted with precision to fitdeveloping faces to teenagers. The LafontIssy et La designs for teens from 15 to 18years old are especially delightful with stylenuances that reflect current trends, plusimplementing retro and fashion highlightsfrom previous eras. Cap in crystal acetatewith sleek bronze sides celebrates the spiritof the 1960s, and ensures teenagerspectacle wearers with spot-on style.

Sporty, casual designs by Original Penguin Jrare ideal for youths who prefer conservative,casual clothes and eyewear. Tortoiseshell isan enduring, timeless material that isbeloved by adults and children alike, andseveral designs in the collection includetortoiseshell in smooth acetate, as well as1960s themed crystal styles.

Several years ago, Caroline Abram launcheda fashion forward children’s collection – Têteà Tête Lunettes – now recognised as one ofthe premier eyewear collections for kids.Her latest models include fun andcaptivating designs for the young set, aswell as pre-teen children, with shapes andcolours they really want to wear.

CHILDREN’S CORNERHow children are introduced to frames playsa vital role in their acceptance of wearing

them. The House of Eyewear in Paris hascreated an appealing area where they andtheir parents can be at ease. There is acomfortable place for a child to sit, try onframes and see how they look in a largemirror. When parents have questions for thepractitioner, children can be happilyengaged with toys or a colouring book.Sandrine Pereira, the House of Eyewearcreator and an eyecare practitioner, reportsthat the children’s area has been hugelysuccessful, with children delighted to try ondesigns from Tête à Tête Lunettes, Mini beand Very French Gangsters.

The children’s eyewear market continues toenthuse both independent designers andbrands. Zoobug’s designs for babies throughto early teens, and Mykita’s range forchildren aged eight years of age and olderalso highlight important factors that areimperative for children’s eyewear glasses:strong, lightweight frames in qualitymaterials, scratch resistant along withintegral and decisive style components.Independent practitioners can capitalise onthis important sector with these excitingopportunities, that will attract and pleaseboth parents and children while continuingto build strong customer relationships andyour business too.

Style setters: Whiz Kids Chesmu for boys andAiyana for girls from Dunelm Optical

1960s spirit – Cap by Lafont Paris

Timeless tortoiseshell: the Mungarutal Jr by Original Penguin Jr

House of Eyewear Children’s Corner – Paris

STYLE SPOTLIGHT

Be original in Tête à Têtes Lunettes by Caroline Abram

Captivating tortoiseshell by Very French Gangsters

Vision Now JULY 201830

ALCON UK Tel: 0371 376 0017Fax: 0871 351 1005www.uk.alcon.com

ARENA EYEWEAR Tel: 01952 820408www.arena-eyewear.co.uk

ASSOCIATED OPTICALTel: 01628 605433Fax: 01628 [email protected]

BARCLAYCARD Tel: 0800 056 5569

BAUSCH + LOMBTel: 020 8781 2900www.bausch.co.uk

BIB OPHTHALMICINSTRUMENTSTel: 01438 [email protected]

BONDEYE OPTICALTel: 0121 7723888Fax: 0808 [email protected]

BRULIMAROPTICAL GROUPTel: 0161 655 7000Fax: 0161 655 7002www.brulimar.co.uk

CENTROSTYLEOPTICAL CENTRE SUPPLIES LTDTel: 01923 239267Fax: 01923 [email protected]

CHARMANT UK CO LTDTel: 020 8992 9222Fax: 020 8896 [email protected]

CONTINENTAL EYEWEARTel: 0151 426 3907Fax: 0151 426 [email protected]

COOPERVISIONTel: 0870 9000 055www.coopervision.co.uk

DAVID THOMASTel: 01604 646216Fax: 01604 [email protected]

DIBBLE OPTICAL SUPPLIESTel: 01634 880885Fax: 01634 [email protected]

DUNELM OPTICALTel: 01388 420420Fax: 01388 [email protected]

ESSILORTel: 01454 281281Fax: 01454 281282 www.essilor.co.uk

EYESPACETel: 01527 870550Fax: 01527 [email protected]

GO EYEWEAR UK LTDTel: 0800 9178270www.goeyeweargroup.com

HEIDELBERGENGINEERINGTel: 01442 502 330Fax: 01442 242 386 www.HeidelbergEngineering.co.uk

HENRY BEAUMONTTel: 0116 251 8936Fax: 0116 262 [email protected]

HILCO EUROPETel: 0800 [email protected]

HOYA LENS UK Tel: 0845 330 0984Fax: 0845 330 [email protected]@hoya.co.ukwww.hoya.co.uk

INTERNATIONALEYEWEAR LTDTel: 0121 585 6565Fax: 0121 585 0954www.internationaleyewear.co.uk

LENSTECTel: 029 2088 3009Fax: 029 2088 [email protected]

LLOYDS BANKTel: 07780 [email protected]/business 0

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A refreshing perspectiveTo help you enhance your contact lens practice, CooperVision offers an extensive product range designed to meet the needs of even more of your patients.

For more information

0870 9000 055* www.coopervision.co.uk

*Calls cost 2p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. T 01527 870550

eyespace-eyewear.co.uk

Over 75% of patients agree that they can trust their optician to recommend the best contact lenses for them, regardless of cost.

Designed for quality minded patients, DAILIES TOTAL1 is so comfortable that 1 in 3 of eye care professionals who prescribe DAILIES TOTAL1 also choose to wear this lens.

For more information:

Tel: 03713 760 017 [email protected]

Preferred Suppliers’ DirectoryPreferred Suppliers are suppliers who, by prior arrangement, offer members of the PK National Eyecare Group preferential terms.For full details and terms offered to the membership, please call 01580 713698

Directory listings are available free of charge to all preferred suppliers, with a larger listing available to Vision Now Advertisers.To make changes to the directory listings, please call Sharon Hicks on 01580 713698 or email [email protected]

VV

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Vision Now JULY 2018

LOUIS STONE OPTICAL LTDTel: 029 2073 5293Fax: 029 2073 [email protected]

LUXOTTICA (UK) LTDTel: 0808 165 8555www.luxottica.com

MARCHONTel: 0800 72 [email protected]

MARK’ENNOVYTel: 0800 3280610Fax: 0800 [email protected]

MID-OPTICTel: 01332 295001Fax: 01332 [email protected]

NATIONWIDEFRAME REPAIRSTel: 01706 369530Fax: 01706 [email protected]

No7 CONTACT LENSESTel: 01424 850620Fax: 01424 [email protected]

OPTICAL RECRUITMENT & TRAINING ACADEMYTel: 01359 [email protected]

OPTINET LTDTel: 0845 313 [email protected]

ORANGE EYEWEARTel: 0161 773 5555Fax: 0161 773 [email protected]

PERFORMANCE FINANCETel: 01536 529696Fax: 01536 310033www.performancefinance.co.uk

POSITIVE IMPACTTel: 08446 696907glasklar@positiveimpactsales.co.ukwww.positiveimpactsales.co.uk

PRACTICE BUILDINGTel: 0115 989 [email protected]

PRO-OPTICTel: 01884 [email protected]

RAWDON OPTICAL LTDTel: 0113 288 3094Fax: 0113 288 [email protected]

RETAIL EXPERIENCEDESIGN (RED)Tel: 024 7601 0103dean@retailexperiencedesign.co.ukwww.retailexperiencedesign.co.uk

RODENSTOCKTel: 01474 [email protected]

SEIKO OPTICAL UKTel: 01452 610033Fax: 01452 [email protected]@seiko-optical.co.ukwww.seiko-optical.co.uk

SHAMIR UKTel: 01954 785100Fax: 01954 785101 [email protected]

SILHOUETTE UK LTDTel: 020 8987 8899Fax: 020 8987 [email protected]

SPEC-CARE LTDTel: 01392 [email protected]

STEPPER UKTel: 01732 [email protected]

TANT LABORATORIESTel: 01279 653785www.tantlabs.com

THE NORVILLE GROUP LTDTel: 01452 [email protected]

THEA PHARMACEUTICALSTel: 0845 521 1290Fax: 01782 717 944www.thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk

THREE SIXTYTel: 01686 627595Fax: 01696 [email protected]

ULTRAVISIONTel: 01525 381112Fax: 01525 [email protected]

WEBPOSTTel: 0800 074 [email protected]

XACTTel: 01698 574 [email protected]

YOUNGER OPTICS EUROPEUK Tel: 01242 578971UK Mobile: 0790 133 [email protected]

0845 [email protected]

www.optinetuk.com

Openyour

eyes to

www.HeidelbergEngineering.co.ukTelephone: 01442 502 330

Alisdair Buchanan, Buchanan Optometrists

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The Norville Group Limited, Magdala Road, Gloucester GL1 4DG

Tel: 01452 510321Email: [email protected]

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