Product: Custom eyewear collection and Freestyle design service
Top Line: Make Eyewear, based in Ft. Worth, Texas is launching a collection of eyeglasses and sunglasses made with 3D printing.
Close Up: The technology used to print three-dimensional objects has been around for a few decades now, but it has only recently attained a level of quality necessary for making end consumer products. It is still rare to find anything which is manufactured using this process, primarily because it tends to be much more expensive than traditional production methods. However, since cost is based on the amount of material consumed and not design complexity, it is reasonable to produce small products like eyewear. Founder David Minich stated, "There are some really interesting 3D printed objects out there, but many of them do not really make much sense to me as products. A basic 3D printed chair, for example, can easily cost thousands of dollars. That's a lot of money for a plastic chair." Sticking with a relatively small product that does not require a large volume of material has allowed the company to keep prices competitive with other, non-3D printed, glasses on the market.
Vital Stats: Each frame style in the online store is available in three standard sizes and can be customized further to provide an even better fit. In addition to the frames offered in the online store, customers can design their own glasses from scratch using the "Freestyle" service. Make provides as much or as little assistance in the design process as a customer wants, and a frame can be designed from something as simple as a rough sketch.
www.makeeyewear.com

Product: Optifog Technology and Optifog Activator
Top Line: Essilor of America is introducing Optifog technology, a new generation of lens products with an exclusive anti-fog property.
Close Up: When paired with the Optifog Activator, lenses with Optifog technology offer protection against foggy vision. Wearers activate the anti-fog property on lenses with Optifog by applying a drop of the Optifog Activator to each side of the lenses once a week to enjoy fog-free vision. The lenses’ anti-fog coating durably retains the Optifog Activator, preventing fog from appearing for up to one week. “Essilor is proud to offer this innovative anti-fog technology to help eyecare professionals answer an unmet patient need,” said Carl Bracy, senior vice president of marketing and new business, Essilor of America. “Fog is everywhere, and now with Optifog technology, patients finally have an option for fog-free vision.”
Vital Stats: According to Essilor, lenses with Optifog are suitable for individuals with all types of prescriptions and visual correction needs. Beginning Oct. 25, Essilor will offer Crizal lenses with Optifog and TD2 lenses with Optifog. The technologically advanced combination provides superior scratch, glare and dust protection, the company said.
www.Optifog.com

Product: Canon CR-2 Plus Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera
Top Line: Canon’s new retinal camera offers Fundus Auto Fluorescence (FAF) photography in a non-mydriatic unit.
Close Up: Complementing Canon’s acclaimed CR-2 Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera, CR-2 Plus Retinal Camera offers Fundus Autofluorescence (FAF) photography, which monitors macular waste materials, including lipofuscin which can accumulate in the Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) layer. Weighing approximately 44 pounds, the compact and lightweight Canon CR-2 Plus Retinal Camera delivers both red-free and cobalt digital filters that are useful in evaluating the vascular and nerve fiber layers. The CR-2 Plus also features a dedicated 18-megapixel EOS camera technology that has been specifically adapted to capture detailed diagnostic images of the retina. The low-flash intensity of the CR-2 Plus minimizes pupil constriction and shortens the time required for taking multiple pictures including stereo photography. The Canon CR-2 PLUS Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera features an ergonomic design and optional hard shell travel case to protect the unit for transport, making it a mobile retinal imaging solution. The control panel’s simplified design can be easily handled by a trained examiner. The camera can be operated using one hand to move the joystick to position the camera to the desired field of view. In darkly lit rooms, the operation panel illuminates for easier navigation. The CR-2 Plus also utilizes Canon’s Retinal Imaging Control Software (RICS), which allows images to be captured, processed and sent to a permanent storage database as DICOM2 or JPEG files. The images can also be printed.
Vital Stats: The CR-2 Plus Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal camera has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
www.usa.canon.com/cr-2plus

Product: UVMax QT
Top Line: Sirius Technologies introduces a new, improved formulation of its UVMax QT coating.
Close Up: The fast curing, durable coating features improved adhesion, reduced viscosity, greater coating stability and a special bonding chemical formulation and unique UV/thermal hybrid chemistry. It provides superb adhesion to all substrates including standard plastic, polycarbonate, Trivex, Spectralite, 1.56 and 1.58, and the best available adhesion with 1.60, 1.68 and 1.70 lenses, according to Sirius. The coating is optimized with HCLT (Hybrid Cross Linking Technology) during lab production, which ensures the best coating adhesion, abrasion and yields and tintability. Better filtration results in less impurities, which improves coating performance. No solvents make it safe for shipping and handling. No problem switching coatings; formulated for plug and play use. Improved yields at reduced costs. UVMax QT has excellent adhesion to AR, and a high Bayer abrasion ratio after AR. The Quick Tinting (QT) coating produces 15 percent in 15 minutes. It is compatible with all standard UV curing systems and bulbs, as well as with all standard spin coaters.
Vital Stats: Available in 4 oz. containers
(561) 241-5557, (561) 300-0942; Fax (561) 241-4941

NEW YORK—What’s your favorite new product to hit the market this year? You’ll have a chance to make your voice heard as Vision Monday and 20/20 Magazine once again host the third annual EyeVote contest to identify the optical industry’s favorite new product entries.

These two Jobson Medical Information pubs are teaming up to tap into readers’ minds by asking optical retailers’ and ECPs to identify their favorite products in eight distinct categories: optical frames, spectacle lenses, sunglasses, contact lenses, optical equipment and supplies, diagnostic equipment and two new categories for this year—practice management software and online ordering website. Selected companies will be chosen based on both brand and company choices supplied by readers.

It only takes a few minutes to cast your vote, which entitles you to a chance to win a trip to New York City for Vision Expo East 2012 (air fare and lodging included) or a $500 American Express gift card. Voting for EyeVote will take place between Sept. 30 and Oct. 31.

EyeVote is about you, our readers, and your choices on the top products in the optical industry today. Vote here and look soon for the pop-up ads with survey links on VisionMonday.com and 2020mag.com.