From the editor
Eyewear Is Booming
When I think back to my childhood, I can picture the eyewear
my grandparents wore when I would visit them.
They ranged in age from their mid 50s to mid 70s, but one thing was clear
– they looked like 'grandparents' in their thick rimmed glasses and bi-focals.
I can remember my Grandad sitting on the end of the chesterfield in a cream
coloured cardigan and grey slacks doing a crossword, 'specs' as he referred to
them, on the end of his nose and even though he was only in his 50s at the
time, he certainly looked older.
Today wearers in this age group are called Boomers and there are more than
7.4 million of them nationwide. Unlike my grandparents who lived through
the war, this post-war generation are more keen to follow fashion trends and
have a multitude of style options available to them.
In this issue we highlight some of these styles from chic and trendy to sporty
and functional. For many Boomers who lead more active lifestyles than their
predecessors, the loss of vision seems a little less expected. We talked to the
CNIB to learn about resources ECPs can offer to their patients as they make
this new lifestyle transition. ECPs are the first resource for vision loss
sufferers and it's important that they are fully informed and engaged in
the care of their patients.
For those with a face for fashion, we offer the latest looks from the industry's
leading eyewear designers and suppliers including Marchon, WestGroupe,
Oakley and more. It's never been so easy to look stylish while wearing a pair
of glasses.
Were you at Vision Expo West last month? There is something about the Las
Vegas show that embodies the energy and buzz the fall eyewear season creates.
It's also exciting to see the latest technology and innovation coming from the
areas of research and development. This year we saw more examples of smart
lens technology and 3D print technology. As the eyewear industry continues to
move forward into the 21st century, the way medical conditions are treated and
glasses are worn will change too. It truly is an exciting time to be involved with
eye care and eyewear!
Check out our behind the scenes coverage both in Optical Prism Magazine and
online. We have fun videos, all of your favourite new looks and of course – the
best the eyewear industry has to offer.
Make sure you connect with us on Facebook,
Twitter and YouTube for all the latest information and styles. Share your thoughts with us.
Sarah McGoldrick
Editor
[email protected]
10 Optical Prism | October 2014