The Vision Council concluded its sold-out 2026 Lab Leadership Forum, held September 16–18 at the M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson, Nevada. Over 200 optical laboratory leaders attended the three-day event, which featured panel discussions on lens design, equipment, and lab management systems, alongside networking activities including a golf tournament. During a special dinner, the organization presented the 2026 Goodfellow Award to Brandon Butler, Founder and CEO of Artisan Lab Network, recognizing his outstanding leadership and contributions to independent optical laboratories over his 25-year career. Additionally, The Vision Council hosted the 2026 Emerging Optical Leaders Retreat prior to the forum, offering participants leadership development workshops and networking opportunities at Red Rock Canyon.
The United Opticians Association released the second installment of its comprehensive guide on optician certification. Established in 2024 through the merger of the Opticians Association of America and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools, the association maintains a policy prohibiting discrimination and ensuring impartial decision-making. The provided source material consists primarily of organizational background information, including its founding details and social media links, rather than specific technical content or new regulatory changes regarding the certification process itself.
Jiubida Eyewear, established in 1984 with locations in Tainan and Kaohsiung, has selected three Chrome Hearts eyewear models for display. The featured frames include the BONE PRONE I (BK/SS) priced at $48,300, the BUBBA-A (AG-P) at $60,350, and the JUST IN-A (ARY) at $52,300. These pieces incorporate Chrome Hearts' signature gothic motifs such as crosses and daggers, utilizing materials like 925 sterling silver, 18K gold, and acetate. The selection highlights distinct design aesthetics ranging from geometric lines to vintage copper tones and olive green contours, emphasizing the brand's craftsmanship within the optical market.
Ringdahls Optik, located on Kungsholmen in Stockholm, is celebrating its 80th anniversary. Founded in 1946 by optician Sven Ringdahl, the store has operated continuously at this location. Current owners Mia Alvan and Petra Lind are honoring the milestone, which spans eight decades of business history. The shop retains original elements, including a well-known neon sign featuring the brand name, red eyeglass frames, and parts of the built-in interior design, all of which received extra care ahead of the jubilee. The business maintains a focus on optical craftsmanship and eyewear fashion. In 2021, Ringdahls Optik was named Store of the Year in a competition involving approximately one hundred independent Swedish optical shops.
Smarteyes opened its second store in Västerås, Sweden, on September 10. Located at Livli Västerås, the new outlet complements the chain’s existing presence in the city and follows Smarteyes’ updated store concept, which features an open environment focused on the retailer’s own range of eyeglass frames. The proprietary assortment is continuously developed with new shapes and colors, including various design collaborations. Linda Edholm, store manager at Smarteyes Erikslund, highlighted the location and generous opening hours as key factors for welcoming customers. Marielle Wernoltz, marketing manager at Smarteyes, stated that the expansion reflects the company’s ongoing investment in retail environments and product design, noting Västerås as a significant market where the new establishment brings the brand closer to its customers.
Optometridagarna 2026 took place in Gothenburg, attracting 630 participants compared to nearly 900 the previous year. Rune Brautaset, chair of the Swedish Association of Opticians, attributed the lower attendance to the non-Stockholm location and Synsam's decision to send only its exhibition rather than optician staff. Despite the drop, Brautaset expressed satisfaction with the event's atmosphere and increased focus on panel discussions regarding Nordic market structures and optician-ophthalmologist collaboration. Research presented by Tomas Bro indicated that cataract and glaucoma alone will increase total eye care needs by 19 percent by 2040 due to an aging population. Brautaset suggested this demographic shift may lead to a fragmented industry where optical retailers specialize in distinct market segments rather than competing for identical customers.
Organizers have opened visitor registration for the upcoming Optikmässan trade fair, scheduled to take place at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre on January 15 and 16, 2027. The event will feature a mix of lectures, workshops, and networking opportunities, with the primary focus being an exhibition where suppliers present new products ranging from design innovations to modern technology. The venue is located adjacent to Stockholm Central Station and Cityterminalen, providing convenient access via train, bus, car, or flight. This announcement confirms the dates and location for the next edition of the Swedish optical industry gathering.
Swedish optical retailer Synsam has announced a partnership with singer Carola Häggkvist, naming her the company’s new brand ambassador. As part of this collaboration, Häggkvist will work with Synsam’s design team to develop an exclusive collection of prescription glasses and sunglasses. Design work begins in autumn 2026, with the collection scheduled for launch in early 2027 across Synsam’s Nordic stores and online platform. The initiative follows previous ambassadorships with athletes like Erling Haaland and aims to blend Häggkvist’s personal style with Scandinavian design aesthetics. Some pieces will be produced at Synsam Group’s innovation center on Frösön. Susanne Westford, Synsam’s marketing director, stated that these collaborations support their strategy of creating exclusive collections with profiled individuals.
Nine months after completing its acquisition of Marcolin, VSP Vision announced on September 21 a top management reshuffle for its combined Marcolin and Marchon operations. The new structure assigns joint leadership responsibility across both companies' operations in each key region. This move follows the integration of the two eyewear groups under VSP Vision's umbrella, aiming to streamline management across their respective brand portfolios and regional markets.
Japanese optical technology company HOYA Vision Care served as a Platinum sponsor of the Myopia Action Month (MAM) 2026, a global awareness initiative promoted by Myopia Profile held throughout September 2026. The campaign aims to translate scientific knowledge into action for myopia management, particularly among children and adolescents. During this period, HOYA also highlighted its new MiYOSMART iQ lens platform, which combines D.I.M.S. technology with Triple Enhanced Design. A randomized clinical study conducted by HOYA in partnership with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, presented in 2026, reported that after 12 months, children aged 4 to 12 using MiYOSMART iQ showed an average absence of myopia progression. For children aged 7 to 12, nine out of ten did not exhibit clinically relevant progression, and axial elongation was reduced by 94% compared to single-vision lenses.
The Optical Women's Association published interviews with six Master Opticians addressing the profession's future. Participants, including Cira Collins, Danielle Crull, Diane F. Drake, Deborah Kotob, Carrie Wilson, and Christie Yee, emphasized that upholding standards requires continuous technical competency in evolving areas like myopia management and specialty lenses. They highlighted the importance of mentoring new professionals and prioritizing patient advocacy over self-serving agendas. The insights focus on adapting to technological changes and workforce challenges to ensure exceptional vision care. No specific product launches or financial data were included; the content consists solely of professional perspectives on education, ethics, and industry evolution within opticianry.
The United Opticians Association (UOA) was established in 2024 through the unification of the Opticians Association of America and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools. The organization states that it prohibits discrimination of any type or nature and asserts that all its decisions are made impartially. The provided source material consists solely of this organizational background and a standard footer containing social media links, privacy policy references, and contact information. It does not contain specific news events, product launches, financial data, or detailed answers to professional questions despite the original title's implication. Consequently, no further factual details regarding current activities, membership changes, or industry impacts are available from this text.
The ASEAN Int’l Optics Expo 2026, hosted in Thailand, announced exclusive benefits for pre-registered buyers to facilitate entry into the ASEAN market. Key incentives include free hotel accommodation for up to three nights for international buyers based outside Bangkok, subject to review. Participants may receive subsidies of up to 2,000 THB for buyer-supplier meetings, determined by exhibitor feedback. Additional perks include one complimentary coffee voucher per pre-registered buyer, limited by daily quotas, and a customised cleaning cloth for all on-site visitors while stocks last. Buyers placing qualifying orders can earn scratch-card draws, with up to two chances depending on order value. The event features optical product displays, smart eyewear showcases, and industry exchange meetings.
Revenio Group presented its new strategy and financial targets for 2027–2029 during its Capital Markets Day in Helsinki on September 15, 2026. This event marked the company’s first full presentation since agreeing to acquire French diagnostics group Visionix in April 2026 for €290 million. The announcement details Revenio's strategic direction following this significant acquisition, highlighting how the integration of Visionix will shape the company's operations and goals over the next three years.
DaTE 2026 concluded its three-day event at Salone Margherita in Napoli from September 12 to 14, exceeding expectations. The format attracted 1,000 unique industry professionals and over 1,080 attendances. International participation grew significantly, with 77 professionals from 18 countries attending—more than double the 2025 figure—and accounting for approximately 8% of total attendance compared to 3% last year. A delegation of around 20 European buyers visited through collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency. President Davide Degl’Incerti Tocci emphasized the event’s focus on dialogue over traditional trade fair mechanics. Following this success, organizers announced that DaTE will move to Bologna’s Paladozza venue for its next edition, scheduled for September 11 to 13, 2027.
Fielmann Group is consolidating its two Spanish optical chains, Óptica & Audiología Universitaria and Medical Óptica Audición, into a single brand under the Universitaria banner. The merger creates a combined network of 141 stores across 31 Spanish provinces. The rebranding process is scheduled to roll out progressively through the end of 2026. This move aims to strengthen Fielmann's position in the Spanish market.
The Accessories Council announced the finalists for its 2026 Design Excellence Awards, recognizing innovative products across the accessories industry. The awards include four eyewear categories split between independent brands and multi-brand companies, alongside segments for handbags, footwear, jewelry, sustainability, and technology. Notable optical finalists include Silhouette, Krewe, EssilorLuxottica, Marcolin, Safilo, and Barton Perreira. Winners will be revealed on November 2 at a New York City event. Public voting is currently open and remains available until October 26. Since the program’s inception in 2019, it has celebrated hundreds of brands. Accessories Council President Karen Giberson highlighted increased participation in the optical sector, noting eyewear’s growing role as an expression of personal style and design innovation within the broader accessories market.
Show organizers for Silmo Paris have announced the nominees for the 33rd Silmo d'Or Awards, an annual juried ceremony celebrating eyewear design and innovation. Joachim Froment, co-founder of Futurewave, will serve as jury president. The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony on September 26, 2026, during the Silmo 2026 show scheduled for September 25–28 at Paris Nord Villepinte. Categories include children, sport, vision, materials, technological innovation, smart eyewear, optical frames, and sunwear. Notable nominees feature products from EssilorLuxottica (including Ray-Ban Meta Display), Oakley, Hoya Vision Care, and various independent designers across multiple segments.
SPECTR Magazine has released issue #48, focusing on contemporary eyewear through photography and editorial content. The cover features the Belgian brand theo with its Les pleins et les vides collection, accompanied by an exclusive interview. Collection shoots highlight LOOK, HOFFMANN NATURAL EYEWEAR, and DERIGO alongside PORSCHE DESIGN, CHOPARD, ROBERTO CAVALLI, PHILIPP PLEIN, and RODENSTOCK. Fashion shoots capture eyewear in urban settings across Berlin, London, Munich, and Barcelona. Editorial pages present new perspectives from ETNIA BARCELONA, DITA LANCIER, ROLF, EYEFLY, and OWP. A retail feature profiles BRILLENHAUS TOERSCHEN, while the Trend Special “Into The Season” examines key movements shaping the industry for Autumn/Winter 2026.
CooperVision (CVI) reported little change in revenue for the third quarter of its fiscal year 2026. This stability occurred despite a reduction in US channel inventory, which is expected to negatively impact results in the final quarter of the year. Separately, CooperCompanies, the medical device parent company encompassing both CVI and CooperSurgical, retained CooperSurgical. The source provides limited detail on specific financial figures or the strategic rationale behind the retention decision beyond these core facts.
opti Director Cathleen Kabashi announced that the 2027 trade fair will introduce a new special area, "opti Smart Tech," dedicated to smart eyewear, wearables, hearables, and connected technology. This initiative supports the broader "See. Hear. Next." campaign, aiming to bridge emerging technologies with optical and hearing-care practices. While opti’s core market remains the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), Kabashi emphasized that this density of specialized innovation partners makes Munich a key entry point for international business models. The event also continues existing formats like "Spheare" and "Tomorrow Vision," focusing on tangible commercial opportunities rather than abstract future visions.
Mido announced the adoption of the "Eyewearland Milano" payoff as a new element defining its identity, positioning the event as an eyewear ecosystem rather than just a trade show. The 2027 edition is scheduled for February 6–8 at Fiera Milano Rho, featuring 1,200 exhibitors across eight areas in seven halls and attracting visitors from over 160 countries. Coinciding with Chinese New Year on the opening day, Mido arranged special travel deals for attendees from Wenzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, supplementing existing offers for visitors from the United States, Canada, and Latin America. Further initiatives are planned for announcement in coming months.
INSPECS Group reported mixed financial results for the first half of 2026, highlighting challenges for its new ownership. The company achieved a slightly faster pace of revenue growth in H1 2026 compared to the full year of 2025. However, this acceleration was driven entirely by its Manufacturing division, a small OEM arm that is only recently turning a profit. In contrast, the Frames and Optics segment, which constitutes the larger portion of the group’s business, did not contribute to this pickup. The report underscores the divergent performance between the emerging profitable manufacturing unit and the historically significant frames and optics operations under new leadership.
Eyewear brand BLACKFIN has announced its Fall/Winter 2026 advertising campaign, titled "Urban Sync." The campaign is visually set against the architectural backdrop of Berlin. As an announcement of a new marketing initiative, this report confirms the launch of the creative direction and location for the upcoming season's promotional materials. No specific product details, pricing, or availability dates for eyewear items featured in the campaign were provided in the source material.
The RAMBLE METROPOLITAN 2026AW eyewear exhibition is scheduled to take place at Glade Park Omotesando in Minato-ku, Tokyo, from October 6 to October 8, 2026. This biannual event gathers independent brands and creators from Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, and South Korea to facilitate direct interaction and design exchange. Participating labels include GROOVER SPECTACLES, XAZTLAN, CLAYTON FRANKLIN, ACCRUE, OGK KABUTO, Akira Ishiwatari Design Studio, Yin Year, 22°16-38N, Absolute Vintage, h-i köln, NUTTY, SAY-OH!, and OUTSIDE IN. The exhibition emphasizes a "Commune" spirit, focusing on natural dialogue between brands and visitors rather than formal presentations. Press coverage involves SO! Eyewear Studio, boot_eye, and V Magazine.
SILMO Paris is scheduled to take place at Paris Nord Villepinte from September 25 to 28, 2026. According to available figures, the event’s overall size remains stable compared to previous editions. However, the show is undergoing internal reorganization with a heightened emphasis on technology sectors. Key areas of focus include smart eyewear, artificial intelligence, and "oculomics," defined as the use of eye data for diagnosing broader systemic health conditions. The source indicates these technological shifts represent a strategic pivot within the exhibition's structure, though specific details regarding new exhibitor counts or exact program changes remain limited in the provided text.
National Vision has launched the second phase of its corporate rebranding initiative, focusing on the Eyeglass World banner. This move follows the 2025 refresh of America’s Best, another brand under the company's umbrella. Eyeglass World is described as a smaller banner within National Vision's portfolio compared to America’s Best. The source confirms the start of this specific branding effort but does not provide details on the scope of changes, timeline for completion, or financial implications. Information regarding the new visual identity or strategic goals beyond the sequential rollout from America’s Best to Eyeglass World is not included in the available text.
National Vision Holdings, Inc. announced a nationwide brand refresh for its Eyeglass World retail chain, developed in partnership with creative agency VML. The initiative introduces a new visual identity and the campaign slogan "Change Your Glasses. Change Your World," aiming to position the brand as a digital, curated optical destination. Key elements include a launch film featuring a woman in a mirror maze, an original soundtrack single by Spencer Ludwig released earlier this month, and rollout across digital video, social media, and influencer channels. The update emphasizes virtual try-on capabilities alongside in-store experiences. This announcement marks a strategic shift for the retailer, which operates over 1,200 stores across 40 states and Puerto Rico, though specific product pricing or inventory details were not disclosed.
Leonardo Maria del Vecchio, one of eight heirs to Luxottica founder Leonardo Del Vecchio, called for a change in strategy at EssilorLuxottica. The request comes as the family holding company Delfin remains the largest shareholder with a 32.4 percent stake. Del Vecchio cited the declining value of the eyewear giant’s stock as a key factor behind his appeal for strategic adjustments.
DaTE 2026, an event for independent contemporary eyewear, is scheduled for September 12–14 at the Salone Margherita in Napoli. This marks the first time the exhibition chooses Napoli as its venue. Over 130 international brands from countries including Italy, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, South Korea, Japan and Tunisia will participate. The three-day gathering aims to facilitate networking among opticians, buyers, designers and journalists. A delegation of approximately 30 European buyers will attend through collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA). Admission is free but restricted to industry professionals. President Davide Degl'Incerti Tocci stated the event prioritizes informal connections. The schedule includes a DaTE Party on Saturday evening, during which organizers will announce the dates and location for the next edition.
Silhouette Group released its 2024/25 sustainability report on September 8, 2026. This marks the company’s third voluntary disclosure and its first aligned with European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS), building on EMAS environmental reporting since 1996. The report highlights that the Linz production facility has been natural gas-free since 2026, electricity is sourced 100% from renewables, and a closed-loop process reduces fresh water usage by 50% per pair of glasses. Additionally, bio-circular materials now fully substitute fossil-based raw materials in manufacturing. Future plans include improving Scope 3 data quality, strengthening supplier collaboration, and integrating sustainability into decision-making.
South Korean parent company Iicombined has appointed Renaud Divisia as general manager of Iicombined Europe, according to a LinkedIn announcement made last week. Divisia will oversee organization, retail expansion, and commercial strategy across the EMEA region, including the eyewear brand Gentle Monster. The appointment signals a strategic push for growth in European markets under the leadership of an executive with luxury background experience.
ZEISS Vision Care, part of the ZEISS Consumer Markets segment, has announced a new global brand campaign aimed at raising awareness for visual health. The initiative seeks to guide consumers toward eye care professionals. ZEISS is an internationally leading technology enterprise in optics and optoelectronics, with annual revenue totaling almost 12 billion euros in the previous fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. The company employs over 47,400 people across around 50 countries. As a major manufacturer of eyeglass lenses, ZEISS Vision Care develops solutions including ophthalmic instruments and digital apps. The campaign aligns with the company’s commitment to protecting vision and contributing to lifelong visual health, leveraging its strong brand presence in consumer markets.
Etnia Eyewear Culture has named Massimo Vian as its new chief executive officer. Founder David Pellicer will transition into the role of executive chairman. This leadership change marks the first time in a decade that the family-owned Spanish company has handed day-to-day operational control to an outside executive. The appointment signals a strategic shift for the brand, aiming to sharpen operations while maintaining its creative identity and relationships with opticians. The source does not specify the exact start date for Vian’s tenure or provide further details on the specific operational changes planned under his roadmap.
TDK Corporation announced the acquisition of assets from OQmented (kiiz Technologies GmbH), a Germany-based developer of MEMS-based laser beam scanning and display technologies. The acquired assets will be integrated into TDK AIsight, established in 2026 to accelerate TDK’s smart glasses solutions business. TDK stated that this move supports its strategy to build a vertically integrated light engine platform for AR display systems, combining eye intent technology, Full-color Laser Module (FCLM), and MEMS mirrors. This follows TDK’s June 2025 purchase of SoftEye, Inc. Financial terms were not disclosed. TDK expects steady growth in the smart glasses market over the medium to long term.
Conant Optical reported accelerated revenue growth and improved gross margins in the first half of 2026. A key driver was its emerging XR lens business, which grew nearly 16-fold year on year. Although still small, this segment now accounts for 4.3 percent of the group's total revenue. The company is broadening its push into this technology sector as part of its broader financial performance improvements during the period.
Specsavers reported a sharp improvement in profitability for fiscal 2025/26, with its operating margin increasing by 1.7 percentage points to reach 9.9 percent. This data comes from the group’s latest filing with Companies House, which provides a more detailed and narrower view of the business compared to Specsavers’ own Annual Review document. The source does not specify whether this growth reflects nominal or constant-currency figures, nor does it detail unit sales volumes versus total revenue. The report highlights the financial performance metric but offers no further context on operational drivers or geographic breakdowns within the specified timeframe.
MIDO has introduced the "Eyewearland Milano" payoff to redefine its identity as a global eyewear ecosystem rather than just a trade show. The announcement precedes the event scheduled for February 6–8, 2027, at Fiera Milano Rho. Organizers state the show will feature 1,200 exhibitors across eight areas in seven halls, attracting visitors from over 160 countries. This edition coincides with Chinese New Year on February 6, prompting special travel deals for attendees from Wenzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, alongside existing offers for US, Canadian, and Latin American visitors. Online registration for visitors and journalists opens September 25. Further initiatives are expected to be unveiled in subsequent months.
VisionPlus EXPO has announced new dates for its 2027 edition, scheduled for April 24–25 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The event, hosted by FourPlus Media, will feature Satish Menon as Business Head, leading the Events Division with over 30 years of experience in international exhibitions across India and the Middle East. This announcement confirms preparations are underway for a two-day gathering focused on innovation, networking, and business growth within the global optical industry. Attendees from regions including the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, the USA, and Russia are expected to participate. The exhibition aims to showcase advanced diagnostic equipment, lens technologies, and premium eyewear collections while hosting industry awards to recognize professional excellence.
ZEISS Vision Care has completed the acquisition of EDY OPTIC, a company operating in Romania. The transaction integrates EDY OPTIC into ZEISS Vision Care, which is part of the ZEISS Consumer Markets segment and develops solutions for ophthalmic optics, including eyeglass lenses and digital services. ZEISS Group reported annual revenue of almost 12 billion euros in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. As of March 31, 2026, ZEISS employs over 47,400 people globally across around 50 countries. The source text confirms the completion of the acquisition but does not provide specific financial details regarding the deal value or operational changes resulting from the integration.