The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) held its "START STRONG" global connection breakfast at SILMO Paris, marking a milestone in its international expansion. The event focused on leadership and networking for optical professionals, featuring the "In Focus" program with speakers from MOREL, New Look Vision Group, and EssilorLuxottica Retail. SILMO President Amélie Morel provided opening remarks. Attendees included International Optician of the Year finalists, such as Karen Michaelson, who noted she did not win the title but valued the recognition. OWA stated the initiative aims to build a supportive global community for women’s professional growth in the optical industry.
Meta, the Pinacoteca di Brera museum in Milan, and EssilorLuxottica have launched "Sensing Art," a pilot project using AI glasses to enhance art accessibility for blind and visually impaired visitors. The initiative integrates Meta and EssilorLuxottica's AI glasses with the museum's existing Grande Brera app, which features audio tours developed by sight loss charities ANS, UICI, and Fondazione Istituto dei Ciechi di Milano. Visitors can activate artwork recognition on eight selected pieces via the glasses, listening to descriptions through open-ear speakers. Additional tools include Meta AI for contextual questions and Be My Eyes for real-time volunteer support. The tour is available upon reservation Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Editorial relevance: This partnership demonstrates a specific application of smart eyewear technology in cultural accessibility, highlighting the functional capabilities of AI glasses beyond standard consumer use cases.
At Connect 2026, Meta announced new features and expanded availability for the Meta Ray-Ban Display. Key updates include hands-free cycling and public transit navigation launching later this month in the US and Canada, and a Hologram feature for calls rolling out in Early Access on WhatsApp in the US later this fall. The company also introduced Dolby Atmos video capture, enhanced calendar integration, mirrored notifications, and Threads community feeds. Regarding sales, Meta is expanding into the UK, Canada, France, Italy, and Germany with online ordering. Sales began today in Canada and the UK; pre-orders started today in France, Italy, and Germany, with full availability on October 13. Prescription lenses will be available via EssilorLuxottica stores in France and Italy starting October 13, and later in Germany.
Editorial relevance: The announcement details specific online ordering channels and geographic availability for Meta Ray-Ban Display, directly impacting eyewear e-commerce distribution.
At Connect, Meta announced Ray-Ban Meta Audio, its first audio-only glasses, priced from $349 USD with pre-orders open and shipping on October 13. The company also launched Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) starting at $449 USD, featuring a slimmer design, longer battery life, and a 6-mic array. Additionally, Meta expanded its EssilorLuxottica partnership to include new styles like the LISA collaboration and Kylie Jenner Ivory colorway, plus more affordable options starting at $249 USD. By year-end, Meta plans to offer over 100 glasses options across Ray-Ban, Oakley, and Meta brands. New markets including Singapore, South Korea, Mexico, and the UAE are receiving Meta Glasses today, while other regions will see broader brand availability later this year.
Editorial relevance: This release expands Meta's AI glasses portfolio with new audio-only and camera-equipped models, broadening price points and market availability for eyewear ecommerce.
The United Opticians Association held its 2026 conference in Chicago from June 25–27, gathering nearly 250 opticians, educators, and industry partners. The event featured technology demonstrations by MEI Systems, EssilorLuxottica, Optikam, and Eyebot, alongside exclusive visits to Europa Eyewear and MEI Systems. Attendees elected new FY27 leadership, including Board President Dr. Aarlan Aceto, and recognized award recipients such as Mary Seguiti and Heather Branderhorst. The conference raised more than $20,000 for the Vision of Hope Foundation and Optical Heritage Museum, with donations remaining open through July 31. Organizers announced Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the host city for the 2027 conference and launched the "Get Certified. Stay Certified." initiative.
BBGR and Nikon Verres Optiques will exhibit at Silmo 2024, the Mondial de l’Optique trade show. The event is scheduled from Friday, September 20, to Monday, September 23, 2024, running daily from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center. Attendees can find the companies in the dedicated BBGR-Nikon space within the EssilorLuxottica stand. The announcement invites visitors to request badges and access practical information via provided links. This notice confirms participation plans for the upcoming optical industry exhibition without detailing specific product launches or sales figures.