2010, What are your predictions for optical..........l

**Chris Ryser** · 12-31-2009, 10:05 AM

New Year 2010

What are your predictions for the optical trade next year ?
----------------------------------------------------

What is going to happen and when ?

Who is going to make history ?

What are your thoughts ?

**Chris Ryser** · 12-31-2009, 10:12 AM

Mid- Year 2010

Somebody is going to pick up the idea of doing in house AR with a manual spin coater and apply chemical liquid AR coating materials that have popped up on the industrial market lately.

**rinselberg** · 12-31-2009, 10:26 AM

The Great Karnak predicts ...

Look for the new electronically-focused spectacle lenses from Pixel Optics in the second half of 2010.

http://www.pixeloptics.com/pages/ele...c_eyewear.html

**rep** · 12-31-2009, 11:31 AM

"Luxury goods will return to growth"

Rep

**Jacqui** · 12-31-2009, 11:53 AM

I can see:

1. A dip-it type AR, no spinning, vacuum or any thing else now used. Just dip and bake, instant AR.

2. A higher index resin lens material.

3. Essilor to start closing or selling unprofitable labs and manufacturing.

4. A merger of AIT, Weco and Briot. This will probably be owned or controlled by Essilor.

**Johns** · 12-31-2009, 02:26 PM

-I see more of the big boys cutting their sales staffs, and pushing the three "O's" to buy more from the company web sites, probably offering bigger discounts to do so.

-I see online retailers attempting to reach out to brick and mortars in an attempt to "partner" themselves into credibility.

-I see more opticals looking for alternative purchasing channels.

-I look for WM to partner have a larger on-line presence.

-I see Safilo still at the bottom of the dung pile.

**edKENdance** · 01-02-2010, 01:10 PM

I'm having difficulty seeing anything. Perhaps I need new glasses. ;)

**MarySue** · 01-02-2010, 01:14 PM

New AR that matches glass on the bayer rating
IOL that accomodates to 2.75
Dispensing Opticians working together to standardise education and training to AAS level or better
Optometry inviting DO's to refract ... I can dream can't I?

**Jacqui** · 01-02-2010, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by edKENdance

I'm having difficulty seeing anything. Perhaps I need new glasses. ;)

Quit trying to see through the bottom of a Moosehead bottle !!!!!!!

**kcount** · 01-02-2010, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jacqui

4. A merger of AIT, Weco and Briot. This will probably be owned or controlled by Essilor.

And I still wont buy their products.

**LandLord** · 01-02-2010, 06:41 PM

online eyeglass revenue will double

**For-Life** · 01-02-2010, 07:18 PM

I do not predict anything major. Most of the stuff will be little things. Here is the one prediction I will make:

Online revenues will grow, but to a point that it will still not have an effect on the individual brick and mortar store. The biggest competition to brick and mortar stores will continue to be the opening of a new brick and mortar store in their region.

People will continue to cry chicken little about the online businesses and make backward decisions in the attempt to defeat them.

**edKENdance** · 01-02-2010, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by Jacqui

Quit trying to see through the bottom of a Moosehead bottle !!!!!!!

I returned those. They didn't even ask any questions! I only got 20 cents back though.

**rdcoach5** · 01-03-2010, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by rinselberg

The Great Karnak predicts ...

Look for the new electronically-focused spectacle lenses from Pixel Optics in the second half of 2010.

http://www.pixeloptics.com/pages/ele...c_eyewear.html

I predict this will be as successful as their " At Last " disaster.

**kcount** · 01-03-2010, 10:01 PM

OK, I don't understand why everyone is concern/frighten by the 'online' guys and the 'chain' guys. The reality is eyeglasses are a commodity. We can all go anywhere and buy them for cheaper than we want, the only thing we can offer is ourselves, our service, our expertise, our service, this is what our communal value-add is to eyewear. Your customers don't come to you because of your amazing decor or your selection. Think about it when was the last time someone said 'Wow, I love your decor. I will buy from you because of your art!" Never, that's when. I have an MD up the street from me his office doesn't offer what I do in service, because of this I will gain market share.

So here's my prediction, those that can't/won't innovate or go beyond what they view the industry to be will continue to complain. Those that innovate or see that service is what separates them from the rest will build their practices.

**FVCCHRIS** · 01-03-2010, 10:09 PM

I predict alot more frames and lenses get made in China. I predict China increases it's direct presence in on-line sales. I predict I'm gonna be telling alot more people who want their on-line glasses checked and adjusted that they can get that done where they bought them. I predict that I will know soon whether or not I'm losing my house. Oh, yes, and I also agree with everything Jacqui said!! :)

P.S. I'll predict that the enjoyment I get from talking to my fellow OB members will continue!

**rbaker** · 01-04-2010, 11:53 AM

Optometry and Ophthalmology will begin to examine the new health care reforms in the US and may discover some challenges to their present reimbursement schedules.

Is there any justification for post cataract glasses after a successful IOL procedure?

Will insurance pay for the non medical procedure of an eye exam (refraction?)

How often will preventive eye exams be allowed? Certainly not as often as you would like.

You will, I say again, will, implement the practice management system in your practice to fully comply with HIPAA "portability" and your expenses in this will be great.

Fee schedules will be greatly reduced.

Once the bean counters and government regulators take more control of the health care system, as they surely will, you may find yourselves practicing in a very different ball park.

Opticians will be positioned further from the "medical" sphere and become far more retail oriented - not eye care professionals but eyeglass clerks. And, your state organizations will have no power to regulate as regulation will come from the federal government. Kiss your state laws (if you have any) goodbye.

Unless . . .
.

**Johns** · 01-05-2010, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Fezz

You sell direct online as well, right?

Yeah...I saw that too.

For a minute there, I was getting excited, thinking it was a cool looking product that might go well in a few of my offices...until I found out that they compete w/ my offices.

Oh well...the search goes on!:o

**Fezz** · 01-05-2010, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by Johns

Yeah...I saw that too.

For a minute there, I was getting excited, thinking it was a cool looking product that might go well in a few of my offices...until I found out that they compete w/ my offices.

Oh well...the search goes on!:o

I know, right!

I was all set to place a 666 piece order with this outstanding company, that seemed to bash one of the BigBoy Frame Co's, until I came to my senses as well.

Oh well............................another one bites the dust!

**For-Life** · 01-05-2010, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by bob66hall

Chances are that "brick and mortar store...in your region" will be Luxottica-owned...Sunglass Hut, Lens Crafters, Pearle Vision, etc. The Evil Empire is coming to a town near you!

Chances are that you are wrong. Lux and all of the companies have been in our regions with all of their stores for years. Still a lot of independents.