November 1, 2018 When opticians manage it correctly, contact lenses offer them some good extra business. opti in Munich shows how it’s done…
Because apart from presenting new products from exhibitors, it offers trade visitors the opportunity to gain a wealth of new knowledge, for example through the new lecture series “Lust auf Kontaktlinsen” (“Keen on contact lenses”) organised by the SPECTARIS contact lens group at the opti FORUM.
The number of people wearing contact lenses is increasing throughout Europe, but there are considerable differences in the number of users from country to country. It is therefore evident that the potential of the miniature visual aids has not yet been fully exploited in many places. opti, which takes place at the Fairground Munich from 25th to 27th January 2019 is therefore the ideal trade show for opticians and contact lens specialists to learn more about and improve their skills in this area. After all, there will be a large number of representative global market leaders and significant manufacturers of contact lenses, care products, devices for measuring eyes and fitting contact lenses, as well as providers of accessories.
“At opti manufacturers present their innovations, trade show visitors can make important contacts with exhibitors, exchange ideas with colleagues and broaden their knowledge,” says Dr Stefan Bandlitz, specialist for contact lenses, lecturer at the “Höhere Fachschule für Augenoptik Köln” in Cologne and regular guest at opti. One thing offered by the lecture and discussion series “Lust auf Kontaktlinsen” (“Keen on contact lenses”), organised by the SPECTARIS contact lens group at the opti FORUM in hall C4, is the opportunity for visitors to take further education. It takes place on all three days, with each day having a different focus: successful myopia management with contact lenses (Friday), industry impulses for contact lenses (Saturday), and professional follow-up inspections for contact lenses (Sunday). All lectures at opti FORUM will be simultaneously interpreted into English.
Whether it concerns contact lenses that are hard, soft, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or specially designed to correct specific vision impairments; the product range is diverse and the industry’s innovative capacity tremendous. One thing for certain is that nearly anyone with defective vision can benefit from contact lenses. Ortho-K lenses and special soft lenses even make it possible to slow down the progression of myopia. Anyone who can provide their customers with that information and give them appropriate advice has a definitive advantage. “Every eye is unique. Therefore, contact lenses must be individually selected, professionally adjusted and regularly reviewed by the expert for each wearer,” explains Dr Stefan Bandlitz. opti is also the perfect place to turn to in this regard because this is where the leading manufacturers in refraction and diagnostics will be present. They will include Oculus, Zeiss, bon Optic and many others.
This time, the route leading to where the contact lenses are is even shorter. The new entrance North-East takes you directly into the new hall C6 where the focus lies on contact lenses, contact lens accessories and glasses. Hall C5 presents the extensive range of refraction and diagnostics products and services. Currently (as of October 2018,) about 50 exhibitors specialising in contact lenses will be present at opti 2019; including Alcon, CooperVision, Bausch + Lomb, Hecht, Menicon, MPG&E, and Wöhlk. In addition, exhibitors will be presenting measuring devices for ideal fittings. Visitors can find all exhibitors in the opti 2019 online catalogue at www.opti.de/catalogue.
About opti
opti takes place annually at the beginning of the year and is held at Fairground Messe München. As the international trade show for optics & design it presents the entire spectrum of optics ranging from frames, ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses and low-vision products to shop set-up, technical equipment and devices. This makes opti the platform for product premieres by international market leaders and start-up companies alike. Since 2008 the trade show has been run by GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH. Since then opti has shown continual growth. The trade show was held for the first time ever in 1998.