Optical Prism September 2015 | Page 6

From the editor The Fall Opportunity Fall is a defining time for the eyewear industry. It’s the time of year when many companies release their new styles or technologies for the world to see. This year will prove to be no exception as we witnessed a year of transition and change as companies partnered and others arrived on the scene for the first time offering new looks and ideas. One thing that remains a constant struggle for companies is how to get their message to the consumer. Consumers are highly social and media savvy and are not easily swayed to buy products without lots of research. Companies need to present ECPs with comprehensive information that they in turn can share with their patients. This is key as most patients come in with an idea of what frame they want without taking into consideration size and fit. This is what makes buying glasses either through the ECP office or online a good or bad experience for most wearers. Without a proper fit, the glasses will always be a burden to the wearer and the odds of them returning to your office or online store can be reduced. In this issue, we offer resources for ECPs to help suggest a wider selection of frames to fit all sizes and needs. Whether your patient is brand focused or style focused or requires a special accommodation such as larger sizes offering some alternative style options ensures that patients see your office as accessible and not simply focused on offering the latest trend. We also introduce you to a new online company that has been approved by the Opticians Association of Canada to offer glasses online w