buyer's
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Lenses in the Lead
At Vision Expo West, on the pages of fashion magazines, and in optical dispensaries all over the country, the importance of lenses in eyewear styles is on the rise. Instead of simply performing a function, lenses have taken on a significant role in putting the fashion in frames.
Cutting-edge and high-style companies are offering photochromics in many of their frames. Celebrities, such as Brad Pitt, have made this feature increasingly popular. And these lenses aren't simply light and dark; some frames host colored photochromics that change hue when exposed to the sun. Gradient tints are also becoming more popular and some have been partnered with photochromics to offer complete tinted coverage.
Companies have also placed logos on lenses, offering another location to showcase brands. While not seen by the wearer, the lenses display a hologram-like design visible to passersby. Jumping on these new trends creates a new opportunity for profit.
Dispensers can be more creative with the latest lens technology and provide patients with more ways to customize their eyewear.
Joanne F. Schell
Senior Editor, Frames