LAS VEGAS—The Exhibit Hall at Vision Expo West opened its doors here yesterday morning to a healthy crowd of attendees eager to soak up the latest trends in new products and cutting edge technology on display throughout the show floor. There was plenty for attendees to see as they hit Exhibit Hall which featured several designated pavilions holding more than 500 exhibitors, including 70 companies who are showing their wares here at Expo West for the first time.

Faced with the turbulent state of the nation’s economy, Vision Expo West attendees said they are carefully scrutinizing their purchases both during and after the show. Whether they’re shopping for refractive instruments and lab equipment costing tens of thousand of dollars or smaller items such as frames, lenses and accessories, eyecare professionals and retailers told Vision Expo Daily they are watching their wallets.

The unsettling economic news of the last few weeks may have an affect on attendees’ buying patterns but if the turnout on the first day of the show was any indication, overall attendance for this year should remain steady.

“We're very pleased with the attendance for the show so far, in particular the conference numbers. The conference program was up 20 percent yesterday over last year and we look for this to continue through Monday as our “Free CE Monday” program is sold out,” according to Tom Loughran, event director for Reed Exhibitions.

For more news about the Show, stay tuned to VisionMonday.com.