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: Seeing the world through powered eyeglasses has just changed. Till yesterday, the monotonous round black glasses were nothing but a necessity, which helped you see better. Today, it makes others see and judge you. The sheen of your progressive lenses may give your client proof of your concern for transparency. Your subtle pink, stylish frame can establish you as a debonaire among ladies. Getting the most modern technology in lenses can even prove how up-to-date you are. Recollect and thank all those checks that you did while picking your new pair of eyeglasses. Functionality, wearability, vogue, colour, etc were all taken care of. The checks now have even made you notice others wearing something better, making you wonder about the features you missed while making the purchase.

Don’t you worry on this, as there is more amazing stuff going on globally which you actually don’t even know about. Like what about a pair of electric eyeglasses? Termed the next generation of eyeglasses, the EyeTap devices created by Steve Mann — a professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto — modify light computationally. The digital eyeglasses merge different visual aids into a single device, and is consequently able to perform in situations where each one of these aids used alone will not suffice, says the inventor. Beyond the crazy inventions, one also sees the advent of online optical stores (framesdirect.com, eyeglasses.com, etc). Here, one can customise eyeglasses with new technological lenses, frames, colour, et al — all online as per one’s needs.

Well with all those expected and a couple of not-so-expected ideas coming to you soon, you are welcome to the clearer, smarter and techier world of prescription eyewear. Though experts point at Europe and Japan to be the most developed markets with better dispensing, optometric processes, fashion products, use of progressives, contact lenses and sunglasses, etc, India is also not so behind schedule. The segment has just become interesting to brands like Titan, which aim to earn big on your failing eyepower and style awareness. With foreign brands too coming in with the latest knowhow, style and services, and users opting to have more than one pair of eyeglasses, the segment is expected to witness loads of action.

Technology bug

In the era of customisation, your need-based prescription eyewear can merge well with trendy and stylish sunglasses. A user can get all the necessary functions (vision correction, sun protection, style, etc) in one by upgrading the same powered glasses with technologies and coatings. In lenses, the options include single vision, bi-focal, multi-focal or progressive lenses, high-index lenses, polycarbonate lenses, anti-reflective coatings, photochromic lenses, tinted lenses, polarised lenses, etc. Most of these technologies — some in refined proprietary versions— are available in India with global brands like Oakley and Essilor and some homegrown introducing better versions on functionality, comfort and durability.

After launching dedicated lenses for drivers, Deven Patil, business director, Transitions Opticals India wants his customers to demand more: “People into professions like IT or those who travel home after night shifts or are into sports are pushing lens manufacturers to get innovative. Disorders like Computer Vision Syndrome, VDU-related eyestrain, cataract conditions and pigmented tumour have already made anti-glare and photochromatic properties a success. Next come the preference for polycarbonate. With demand souring, it’s expected of us to give something better than the other.”

For Dr Dhavid Cooper, CEO, Framesdirect.com, a US-based online optical store, the latest technology in lens material globally is the hi-index lens, which allows the edges of the lens to be much thinner for higher prescriptions. The freshness is also evident in frames, where technologies, processes and high-tech materials like titanium, magnesium and aluminium alloys or special composite rubber have come in. Right now, the big trend in frames is towards the rimless frames. Bigger acetate frames with a lot of detailing on temples in vibrant colours are also in vogue, the experts say.

The prime agenda in frames remains a combination of light weight, strength, ergonomics and style. Companies like Oakley have ophthalmic-specific frames made of lightweight alloys which come with ear stems crafted with material that help a secure grip with minimal cranial pressure. Many of these materials are proprietary and come with a warranty. So one can expect a good brand in a couple of thousand rupees.

Style factor

A recent survey conducted by Transitions Optical in India revealed that people spent about 65% of their time choosing the frames and only 35% choosing the lenses! This is more than enough to force manufacturers to go stylish. The style changes come in the size, shape and colour of lenses and frames. Besides the usual shapes of lenses becoming smarter, one finds contemporary classy frames by global fashion designer brands Prada, Dolce and Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Mont Blanc and many others coming in. “Though these brands design frames keeping in mind sunglasses as the buying behaviour here depends on style entirely, customisation allows them to try these frames for powered eyeglasses too. Expensive frames crafted in gold and platinum also make a good gifting option,” says Ajeet Bhardwaj, president, Asia Pacific Council of Optometry.

Amit Kumar, a merchandiser with an export house in Delhi, recently spent his month’s salary on a pair of chic eyeglasses. “I have been coming across people donning the best of eyeglasses for more than a decade. I used to wonder that only they could shell out thousands on a fragile product. My approach changed when one of my friends fell into the trap. I followed him with something better,” he says. As far as value additions are concerned, Cooper thinks eyeglasses with matching clip-on sunglasses are in. “These are popular worldwide and allow the user access to instant sunglasses without a second prescription pair.”

Selling platforms

The other underestimated section where optical stores and retailers are catching up is service. The stores have gone beyond just an eye test. A new entry, Titan with its new retail format, Eye+, is promising its consumers trust, style and consistent quality. “With Eye+, we want to give consumers what has been missing in India — standardisation and new practices. Titan Eye+ will offer several confidence-building services like a state-of-the-art refraction lab for Zero-Error Prescription, scratch- resistant lenses coupled with warranty and style consultancy. The specifications used for eye testing here are more stringent than even European standards. Moreover, our optometrist is trained to look for any potential problems that could pose a danger to the eye and advise the customer to visit an ophthalmologist if needed,” says Biju Alexander, divisional manager, prescription eyewear, Titan.

Currently tapping the mid-priced segment, Eye+ will leverage Titan’s retail and design expertise to offer world-class optometry featuring a range of stylish products with over 1,000 distinctive frames. Besides making its own designer frames, the company plans to bolster the accessory segment too.