Trufocals Rebranded
Topic: Eyewear
"-Superfocus LLC, formerly known as Zoom Focus Eyewear LLC, announced today the new brand campaign for Superfocus, the award winning adjustable focus eyeglasses formerly known as TruFocals," according to the company's release.

More Eyewear for Gamers
Topic: High Performance/Safety
"SteelSeries, a gaming peripheral manufacturer, has teamed up with Gunnar Optiks, a specialist in optical solutions for the digital age, to produce the SteelSeries Scope-eye wear for gamers," reports PCMag. The eyewear is available with or without a prescription.

More 3D Perscription Eyewear
Topic: 3D Eyewear
"One of the biggest problems with current 3D implementations is that they require viewers to wear glasses, something most people don't really have an issue with, but there's one special category that isn't able to fully enjoy these modern entertainment offerings, and we're talking here about the prescription glasses wearers," so writes Softpedia. "In fact, in their cases, the overall 3D experience effect is not always the best-possible one (in fact, some prescription glasses wearers complain about a so-called “six-eye” effect), and for this reason, Samsung, one of the most serious supporters of the whole 3D concept, will be offering its customers the possibility to get prescription 3D glasses."

New Eyewear for Gamers
Topic: Other
"SteelSeries, the leading manufacturer of gaming peripherals and accessories, along with strategic partner GUNNAR Optiks, today introduced SteelSeries Scope digital performance eyewear for gamers in both prescription and nonprescription," according to a post on HardwareHeaven. "The new line of co-branded pro gaming glasses powered by GUNNAR i-AMP lens technology is designed to improve visual efficiency, endurance, and recovery during gaming sessions. Expanding upon GUNNAR’s line of advanced gaming eyewear, SteelSeries collaborated with the company to customize a design with a larger, extended lens and a lightweight, comfortable frame. The eyewear provides gamers a visually enhanced experience while minimizing eyestrain and fatigue."

Oakley Intros Its 3D Glasses
Topic: 3D Eyewear
"Oakley, Inc. today announced the upcoming debut of its innovative new 3D eyewear. A special edition will celebrate the release of TRON: Legacy, a much-anticipated Disney 3D film opening in U.S. theaters on December 17, 2010. The new 'TRON' Limited Edition 3D Gascan® by Oakley will give movie audiences the superior technologies developed specifically for Oakley 3D eyewear, assuring a premium 3D experience," according to a press release from Oakley.

Gateway Safety Introduces New Protective Wear
Topic: Protective Eyewear
PennEnergy reports that "Gateway Safety introduces Swap, a protective eyewear solution that features two products in one: a safety spectacle and a safety goggle. Swap comes with temples for use as safety glasses as well as a head strap to make it a safety goggle. Ideal for workers who perform a variety of tasks throughout the day, Swap is a cost-effective option that can be easily turned from spectacle to goggle by swapping the temples and head strap with a simple snap."

Alcon Launches New Systane Product
Topic: Eye Care
Alcon, Inc.  launched a new version of Systane, called Balance, which is "is designed to restore the lipid layer and the natural tear film to allow for relief of dry eye symptoms," according to the report in  the Wall Street Journal's MarketWatch.  The report continues, "Patients with Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) are unable to adequately prevent the evaporation of tears, resulting in dry eye symptoms. Systane Balance is a scientifically engineered product that contains HP Guar, borate, sorbitol, propylene glycol and Alcon's exclusive LipiTech System," an emulsion of of mineral oil and an anionic phospholipid. 

New Retinal Camera on Display
Cannon is  showing off its new retinal camera, the CR-2 Digital Non-Mydriatic Retinal Camera at Vision Expo West at the Sands Casino this weekend. The camera is awaiting FDA approval. The Kansas City Star website writes that the unit "incorporates the latest in Canon retinal imaging technology and enhancements in a compact and lighter design, weighing only 33 pounds. The CR-2 retinal camera can be easily installed and takes up minimal office space or for added convenience, can be easily transported when needed. The illuminated control panel on the CR-2 retinal camera allows medical staff to navigate operations in darkened rooms. Contributing to a lower total-cost-of-ownership, the CR-2 retinal camera can help reduce energy costs in medical facilities with its energy-efficient design."

Bioplastic Eyewear
Topic: Eyewear
The Katherine E Hamnett will launch an eyewear line made of entirely of heat-resistant bioplastic manufactured by Teijin Limited. The Katharine E Hammett, in which the "E" stands for ethically and environmentally sound production, was launched in 2004 by English designer Katherine Hamnett. YabushitaT Group Inc. will market the eyewear, seeling it in Hamnett and other retail stores throughout Japan starting in early December. Yabushita will exhibit the eyeglasses at the International Optical Fair Tokyo (IOFT 2010) from October 18 to 20.

Edger Wins Award
Topic: Other
NIDEK's "new Multifunction Lens Edger Me 1200 was awarded the prestigious 'SILMO d'Or' prize in the category of 'Optician Workshop' at the 2010 SILMO Optical Trade Show held in Paris, France."

New Licensing Agreements
Topic: Eyewear

The WallStreetJournal reports that "Luxottica Group SpA ...[will] make eyewear for Coach Inc. (COH) and that the deal should produce sales of more than $100 million a year for the U.S. brand." Coach-labeled eyewear will be sold at Coach stores, department stores,  travel retail outlets, independent stores, and Luxottica's retail chains.

In another deal, HMX Group signed "a worldwide licensing agreement with Signature Eyewear for its Hickey Freeman, Bobby Jones and Monarchy brands. Signature currently holds the license for Hart Shaffner Marx eyewear," according to WWD.

Cutler & Gross New Sunwear Line
Topic: Sunglasses
WWD reports that "Cutler and Gross, which also produces lines for the likes of Giles Deacon, Victoria Beckham and Maison Martin Margiela, has co-produced a capsule sunglass line with Cacharel. The line, which is based on one style in four different color ways (watermelon, lemon, nude and pink), will be distributed in select stores from January."

Licensing Agreements Extended
Topic: Eyewear
VisionMonday reported recently that Marchon and Nike have extended their licensing agreement, as did Dior and Safilo.

Petrol Intros New Sunglass Line
Topic: Sunglasses
Petrol Eyewear has new driving sunglass styles that will comprise the core of its 2011 collection—styles that "continue to blend cutting-edge lens technology within refined, classic frame shapes for men and women," according to the company's press release.

New CL Cleaner Gets FDA Approval
Topic: Contact Lenses
Abbott has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) market clearance for RevitaLens Ocutec, a multi-purpose disinfecting solution for silicone hydrogel and conventional soft contact lenses. Abbott Medical Optics senior vice president Jim Mazzo, senior vice president of Abbott Medical Optics, said the solution with its rub and rinse regimen, establishes a new standard of disinfecting technology for contact lens wearers.

Ryders' New High Performance Eyewear
Topic: High Performance/Safety
Ryders Eyewear, a manufacturer of high-performance eyewear, has introduced the new Shore and Banger, which comprise a revolutionary new line of downhill bike goggles.

Complete Line of 3D Prescription Lenses
Topic: 3D Eyewear
Luxottica will launch in late 2010 the world's first range of glasses for watching 3D films with prescription lenses. Oakley, the Luxottica brand that will launch the next line, reportedly has maintained visual clarity anded extended the peripheral viewing angle, resulting in a better alignment of 3D images. Luxottica has tested its initial idea at DreamWorks workshops.

Maybach Line Launches Soon
Topic: Eyewear

In a few weeks, Maybach Eyewear will launch with eight models of sunglasses in up to nine colors and 10 spectacle frames in up to six colours. The choice will include lightweight, rimless models, metal-rim frames and natural horn-rim frames.

Nicole Richie Offering Eyewear Line
Nicole Richie is enlarging her House of Harlow 1960 fashion line with the addition of its first bag offerings for spring 2011 and an expansion of its eyewear collection, says a short item in WWD, shortened version for Woman's Wear Daily.

Eyewear? Video Monitor? Both?
Topic: Other
As the DallasNews noted recently, "The Vuzix Wrap 310XL is one of those gadgets you either love or you can't see the point of. It's a wearable video monitor." Don't we get enough video in this country without putting it an inch from our eyes? Guess not.