The Optical Journal

11/14/2025

VANNI launched its new capsule collection, ‘Goggles’, designed by the winner of the 2024 prize, Nicola Bizzarri, at its showroom in Turin city centre, in collaboration with Fuocherello gallery.

The Goggles collection consists of three unique, limited-edition acetate sunglasses models and is inspired by Nicola Bizzarri's work. It stems from the idea of eyewear as a tool, emphasising its materiality and concreteness, inspired by the shapes of protective work eyewear (PPE - Personal Protective Equipment), which is wraparound and sturdy, made of transparent materials and sober, yet refined, monochromes.

The structure of the glasses stems from an unconventional approach shared by VANNI and the artist: they appear to be composed of several parts, like an assembly in which even screws and hinges play a fundamental role.

11/14/2025

Daniel speaks with Neil Handley, the Curator of the British Optical Association Museum at The College of Optometrists in London.

11/13/2025

Following the first set of CPD education sessions that went live in October, organisers of the UK’s largest optical event, 100% Optical, have launched its second wave of sessions with more confirmed industry speakers and newly announced topics.

Set to take place at London’s Excel from 28th February to 2nd March 2026, the optical exhibition, co-located with 100% Ophthalmology, will once again be partnering with the Association of Optometrists (AOP) to deliver an outstanding education programme. Featuring more than 100 hours of CPD-accredited sessions, the three-day event will offer a wealth of learning opportunities for both optometrists and dispensing opticians.
#100%Ophthalmology #100%Optical

11/13/2025

With its new collection, MIGA STUDIO delivers a true manifesto of depth. It doesn’t simply present new models; it questions its own identity, exploring what it means today to create an aesthetic that is both authentic and radical.

This season moves between pure materials, bold volumes, functional precision, and architectural rigor. The result is a sharper, more deliberate visual language — one that abandons decoration in favor of embracing form in its purest essence.

Monobloc titanium speaks a quieter yet more powerful language: matte surfaces, clean lines, essential silhouettes. Black, antique bronze, gunmetal. Solid as stone, light as air.

“Are you deep enough?” serves as an elegant provocation throughout the collection: how capable are we of truly looking beyond the surface?

For MIGA STUDIO, the answer lies in the detail — in invisible construction, precise gestures, and forms that leave a mark without ever raising their voice.

This is not an exercise in style.

11/12/2025

Safilens is celebrating a historic milestone: twenty years since the launch of the world’s first weekly replacement contact lenses, introduced to the market in September 2005 and officially presented to the international audience during MIDO 2006 with the pioneering product Safe-Gel 7Days.

With Safe-Gel 7Days, Safilens ushered in a new era for modern contactology. For the first time, the replacement schedule of a contact lens was not a commercial choice but a functional necessity. The substances embedded in the lens — particularly Hyaluronic Acid, integrated into the material through the patented Hydromade® system — ensured a controlled release of moisturizing agents that naturally depleted after one week of use.

This scientific and biofunctional approach redefined the very concept of “planned replacement,” focusing on genuine ocular well-being rather than market logic.

“Twenty years ago, we wanted to break the mold,” says Daniele Bazzocchi, General Manager of Safilens.

11/11/2025

Bravewear, the urban eyewear brand from GO Eyewear Group, announces a complete rebranding that reflects a bolder, more authentic identity inspired by the fearless spirit of new generations.

Born from the fusion between Brave and Eyewear, the brand stands for self-expression, creativity, and individuality. With its new positioning “JUST BE YOURSELF”, Bravewear celebrates those who are not afraid to show who they truly are — beyond rules, filters, or expectations.

The new brand image brings a more contemporary, fashion-driven aesthetic that connects with a dynamic and diverse audience. Through minimalist yet expressive visuals, Bravewear reaffirms its essence:

“Some days, they’re armor. Some days, they’re art. Every day, they’re you.”

More than eyewear, Bravewear becomes a statement of identity — a reflection of urban lifestyles, art, and street culture.

11/11/2025

John Seegers of Optician Works and Laramy-K have graciously shared some of their awesome videos with us to share with you. John is one of the best trainers of opticians, and his video series has received acclaim from coast to coast, helping thousands of opticians pass certification and licensing exams.

This week’s video is Dispensing Office Lenses and Task-Specific Eyewear

https://youtu.be/D0zs8f3fsy0?si=JyfpPrIJPzYtP20a



For more information or education, visit Laramy-K.

11/10/2025

Let me be clear: I’m not here to bash designer eyewear.

I’ve been in this industry since 1973. I’ve seen the rise of designer brands firsthand, how they revitalized frame sales when contact lenses threatened to wipe them out, and how they brought fashion, excitement, and higher price points into our dispensaries.

Designer brands serve a purpose. They meet a segment of consumer demand, and some patients will always love them, whether it’s in shoes, purses, or eyeglasses.

But as someone who’s spent over 50 years in this business, I think it’s time we pause and ask: At what cost? Yes, designer branding brought growth, but where did that growth go? To whom? Was it growth for independent practices… or for the large retailers who priced them better, promoted private-label alternatives, and chipped away at our capture rates?

This isn’t about being anti-designer.

11/10/2025

bebe, the go-to destination for chic, contemporary fashion, is excited to announce the launch of its latest eyewear collection for this season. Available now, this collection brings unparalleled glamour to everyday style with its one-of-a-kind designs, including custom zebra print, creative color combinations, and innovative shimmer and crystal gemstone applications.

Each frame is designed to make a statement. The Fall/Winter eyewear collection features six optical and four new sun styles. One-of-a-kind details and feminine shapes are available in a wide range of sizes, styles, and sparkles – all at attainable price points. Available in sizes 49-57, offering a comfortable fit for all ages and attitudes.





About bebe

bebe is the go-to destination for chic, contemporary fashion. The brand evokes a mindset – an attitude, not an age. It’s a true original, always defining fashion’s next stride forward.

11/07/2025

11/07/2025

Daniel sits down with Ana Hernandez Thallas to discuss Vision After Violence, the organization she created to honor the memory of her daughter, who was tragically murdered.

11/07/2025

For over fifty years, SILMO Paris has brought together the creative and forward-thinking minds of the optical and eyewear world. With the Optical Design Contest, the show continues its mission: to inspire, showcase, and support the talents of tomorrow.

This new edition invites design students to explore the possibilities of vision, push the boundaries of creativity, and imagine what “seeing tomorrow” will look like. Far more than a mere stylistic exercise, the contest is an invitation to think of design as a vector of emotion, meaning, and the future.

A springboard for emerging talent

The 2026 Optical Design Contest offers outstanding visibility to future designers.
Finalist projects will be showcased at SILMO Paris 2026, a true international stage for optical design.

The winner will receive €10,000, split equally between the student and their school, along with official exposure to the media and industry professionals.