Eye, Ear and HAUTE— Seems everybody’s wired up to something these days from cell phones to iPods. And all those ear accoutrements need the proper eye accompaniment. Sometimes it might be a slight rimless rectangle to balance the bulge of a hi-tech headphone. And in other instances it’s those ginormous shades delivering a sense of street privacy. We especially like the logo-ed designer sunglasses with a brass ring detail echoing the strap on her big-statement bag.

—James J. Spina

In an effort to deliver a product message that goes beyond the realm of branding and eyewear Silhouette has produced an image book marking the debut of its Titan Wave. The lavishly printed and produced brochure approaches classic, full tabloid sizing and contexts such dynamic spheres as architecture, art and space exploration (as well as fashion) in a triumph of instructive intended associations. Powerful as a selling tool in itself, the tone of the new book goes a long way toward making the point of Silhouette AND the totally evolving Titan collection as being a dedicated eyewear brand oriented and accepted by devoted consumers for that specific affinity.

—James J. Spina.

This month for our fashion feature we decided to pump up the volume on value eyewear with a little help from a great T-shirt company called Worn Free. Vintage style shirts have been hot of late, but Worn Free really goes the distance by delving into the rock photo archives and meticulously recreating Ts donned by such music legends as John Lennon, Joey Ramone, Frank Zappa and Gram Parsons. Each shirt has a hang tag sticker with a photo of the rocker in the T-shirt and a little background info.

The shirt our model is wearing is John Van Hamersveld’s Skull Tongue, which he drew as a trademark for Grateful Dead manager Rock Skully in the early ’70s. It later appeared on the band’s “Skeletons from the Closet” album cover.

In addition, check out the glasses John Lennon is wearing on the hang tag at right. They look an awful lot like the Zimco style our model sports on page 36.

To take a peek at all the T-shirts Worn Free has to offer log onto www.wornfree.com

—JM

PPG Launches CR-39 Licensed Lens Caster Program in honor of the 60th anniversary of receiving a patent for CR-39 brand monomer, the first resin to be widely used in the manufacture of plastic ophthalmic lenses, PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) is launching a program to recognize lens casters who have played an important role in the products growth and who remain committed to supplying it to the industry.

According to PPG, the CR-39 Licensed Lens Caster Program identifies those casters who are dedicated to preserving the integrity of CR-39 monomer and promotes them as preferred sources for lenses made from the material. The program's objective is to assure labs and retailers they are getting the genuine product when they specify lenses made with CR-39 monomer.

The CR-39 Licensed Lens Caster Program and its members will be highlighted in advertising and at industry trade shows throughout the year. In addition, a web site, www.cr39casters.com, will provide a listing of program participants.


Essilor Airwear PALs Earn AOA UV Seal The American Optometric Association (AOA) has awarded its Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbers/Blockers to Essilor of America's Varilux Airwear progressive lenses, as well as the company's Ovation, Essilor Natural and Adaptar progressive lenses made with Airwear polycarbonate material.

The AOA's Seal of Acceptance for Ultraviolet Absorbers/Blockers is one of nine categories in the AOA Seal of Acceptance Program. The AOA's Commission on Ophthalmic Standards evaluates the quality of ophthalmic products, devices and instruments. It specifies the minimum requirements and test procedures for acceptance of products for the Seal.

Products meeting the AOA Seal's criteria provide substantial protection of the eye from naturally occurring environmental ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The product sample must not transmit more than 1 percent UVB (290 to 315 nm) or UVA (315 to 380nm) short wavelength VIS (380 to 400nm) in order to be accepted.

Varilux, Ovation, Essilor Natural and Adaptar progressive lenses made in Airwear will now use the AOA Seal of Acceptance in product labeling and marketing.



SOLA Technologies Named First CZV Premier Transitions Lab Carl Zeiss Vision and Transitions Optical have recognized SOLA Technologies as the first Carl Ziess Vision Premier Transitions Lab. This is the first year for the award, which will be given annually to the Carl Zeiss Vision Lab that demonstrates the strongest commitment to growing its business with Transitions Lenses over the previous year.

SOLA Technologies, located in Hebron, Ky., employs a fully ABO-certified sales force, including two optometrists, who have worked closely with Transitions Solutions Team representatives to deliver training and education to customers, as well as roll out promotions.

Pictured above during a recognition ceremony held recently at SOLA Technologies are (left to right) Dan Woebkenberg, account manager; Sandra Hammond, OD, account manager; Bryan Rossi, sales director and Michael Browning, regional director of lab operations from SOLA Technologies; James Roberts, senior account manager, Transitions.



Essilor Announces Definity Promo Winners, Hosts Education Dinners Two ECPs who participated in Essilor's Going Pro promotion for Definity progressive lenses have won the grand prize of trip to the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl in Honolulu, Hawaii. Burt Rubin, an optician with Dr. Raffaele Petrosino in Wakefield, Mass. was the Essilor Laboratories of America grand prize winner. Mary Braun of Eye Care Professionals in Green Bay, Wis. was the independent distribution division grand prize winner.

To heighten awareness and help educate ECPs about Definity progressives, Essilor is hosting a series of educational dinners in various cities in the western U.S.

These dinners give us the opportunity to introduce our breakthrough dual add technology, share the unique benefits that Definity can provide to patients, and demonstrate how Definity progressive lenses compliment other existing Essilor products, says Francois Glon, general manager of Definity.

The evenings feature a doctor from the Definity speakers bureau and Maureen Cavanagh, national sales director for Definity. The speakers provide an in-depth overview of Definity and its technology, ideal patients for the product and how to fit and dispense the lens effectively.

The dinners began in March and more than 50 ECPs have attended each of the events that took place in Denver, Seattle and Portland. Upcoming dinners are planned for Salt Lake City, Sacramento and southern California.