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SPECIAL REPORT: Training & technology: How are they shaping the future of optics?

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The optical industry is constantly evolving, and the lens manufacturers and eyewear makers of the future will need to adapt to new technologies and skills to meet changing customer needs. Training and the use of technology play a vital role in preparing the next generation of optical experts. This report offers an overview of the trends and developments that are shaping, or are already shaping, the future of these professions.

Optical training and technology: staying at the forefront of the industry

In the optical sector, continuing education is essential for lens manufacturers and eyewear makers to remain competitive and adapt to the constantly evolving optical industry. Technological advancements and new trends in eye health require regular updates to skills and knowledge. Lens manufacturers and eyewear makers must familiarize themselves with the latest technological advancements in the design and manufacture of eyeglasses. This includes learning computer-aided design (CAD) software, precision measuring equipment, and advanced lens mounting techniques. Furthermore, skills diversification is becoming increasingly crucial. Some professionals opt for specialized training in areas such as contact lenses, low vision, advanced contact lenses, and neuro-optometry. This allows them to meet specific customer needs and broaden their expertise. But technical skills are not the only ones that need to evolve. Business management, customer service, design, trends, ethical and environmental needs… All these elements are likely to significantly alter the roles of those involved in the optical industry. In short, continuing education and specialization are fundamental pillars for the lens and eyewear manufacturers of the future. This allows them to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market and to meet the diverse and complex needs of their customers, while being sensitive to technological developments, market trends, and social concerns.

Rapid evolution of optical technology

In a highly competitive sector, technological evolution plays a crucial role in how lens manufacturers and eyewear professionals shape their expertise and practice. High-precision measurement tools, such as automated refractometers and corneal topographers, which allow for more accurate and faster assessment of visual defects and eye shape, are constantly evolving. Computer-aided design (CAD) software, which offers lens manufacturers the ability to create custom frames based on specific customer needs , such as 3D printing , is significantly changing the way frames are purchased. Furthermore, the integration of augmented reality into everyday life is virtually certain for the future. Thus, next-generation glasses ( smart glasses) could soon become essential items on opticians' shelves or even assist them in their work by personalizing the customer experience. Among the most incredible innovations are those surrounding the development of more advanced lenses, such as digital progressive lenses and photochromic lenses with rapid transitions between tints. Smart contact lenses are also undergoing R&D to offer increasingly amazing features. In short, the adoption of cutting-edge technologies allows lens manufacturers and eyewear professionals to improve the precision, personalization, and efficiency of their services. These tools enable them to meet the specific needs of their customers while remaining at the forefront of the latest technological advancements in the optical industry.

One day, 100% customizable?

Personalized frames have become an essential aspect of the optical shopping experience, offering customers the opportunity to obtain glasses tailored to their specific needs and individual style. Modeling tools allow lens manufacturers to design custom frames based on the customer's precise facial measurements. These frames are adapted to the facial morphology, providing optimal fit and comfort.

Personalization already includes the selection of high-quality frame materials, ranging from lightweight metal to eco-friendly materials like wood or biocompatible acetate. Customers can also choose from a range of finishes, colors, and textures to create unique frames. Other specifications further enhance personalization, such as the ability to modify the frame oneself through accessories and interchangeable features.

As we can see, optical experts are engaging customers in a collaborative process , involving them in the design of their glasses. Will we one day see an optical store devoid of any physical frames? If frame personalization becomes the norm in the optical industry, this approach doesn't necessarily seem unrealistic.

The boom in telemedicine and mobility

Telemedicine and tele-optometry are revolutionizing access to optical care, adding a new dimension to eye health services. Still widely criticized, they spark a debate between proponents and opponents that we will not attempt to resolve here. However, remote consultations have enabled patients with mobility issues or those living in areas with limited access to healthcare to consult an eye care professional. This approach therefore contributes to improved accessibility, even if the solution is not perfect. It will undoubtedly be one of the elements shaping the near future of optics, as it facilitates rapid diagnosis and follow-up.

Similarly, mobile professionals have seen their services in high demand in recent years. Opticians who visit clients directly at their homes will undoubtedly be a key player, as this new way of working facilitates addressing challenges such as distance and sedentary lifestyles .

These services will again require training related to evolving technology.

And what about eco-responsibility in all of this?

Sustainability and eco-responsibility have become crucial aspects in many fields, including the optical industry, reflecting a growing concern for the environment. Behaviors need to change, and consequently, the value of work is also being emphasized in this regard. In this context, frame manufacturers are using recycled or sustainable materials, such as bio-based plastics, wood from responsible sources, and recyclable metals, in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of eyeglass production. These new ways of working are part of a broader program that aims to adhere to ethical and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) charters. The way of working is therefore fundamentally transformed, and these contributions are among the concerns of professionals. Design, improved recycling programs, adjusted working hours… everything is linked in order to offer a meaningful approach that goes beyond mere greenwashing .

Training and technology: anticipating the dangers of change

Finally, and this is where we will conclude this report, all these changes related to training and technology will require significant anticipation of the risks that all these advances will generate. As in all fields, there are almost as many risks as opportunities, to which we will need to try to respond.

For example, effective data management and a well-maintained customer relationship will prove essential for providing quality optical services and improving the customer experience. Analyzing customer data will offer a personalized experience but must be carefully managed to prevent any risk of intrusion. Training and technological advancements will improve skills but also risk exacerbating inequalities between generations.

Telemedicine, which offers a diversification of activity, can largely, due to the high cost of the necessary equipment, leave some professionals unable to offer it, and the desire to offer a 100% responsible service must be careful not to exclude a more disadvantaged clientele.

In short, training and technology in optics are poised to profoundly transform the sector, making the future exciting and intriguing. This future is already underway or shaping trends that will require questioning the status quo, a willingness to innovate, and egalitarian approaches.
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