NEW YORK—The new 2011 Opticians Handbook at www.opticianshandbook.com has launched this week, in a new online, interactive format. The Handbook is produced by 20/20 Magazine and the 20/20 Opticianry Study Center, both part of the Jobson Optical Group.

This year, unlike previous hard copy editions, noted Mark Mattison-Shupnick, director, education and training for 20/20 and the 20/20 Opticianry Study Center, “The new Opticians Handbook has taken on the identity of an online, interactive guide that can be accessed anytime information is needed. This Handbook will contain a long list of topics in the areas of lenses and frames as well as freeform, sunwear, in-office and many more. Each of the sections, will have a variety of text, videos, links and continuing education courses to round out the information provided on each topic.”

Shupnick added, “We’re thrilled to launch the online version of the Opticians Handbook. I know that when I want an answer or an opinion, I go online because it’s so convenient. That’s the idea behind this new website—to provide users with quick references and some depth, when they want it, on both contemporary and more traditional concepts of opticianry.”

Designed for PC, iPad or Smartphone, the Opticians Handbook website is accessible anytime. The site requires free registration for access to all available content. All registered users of the Opticians Handbook will receive email updates as material is added. Users can comment on various articles, add their own experiences about specific patient solutions as well as share comments with other members.

If visitors “have questions or want to know more about a subject, just send me the question,” said Shupnick. “If you want to add your expertise, let me know. Like most resources on the web, we anticipate users will come back often to find new features; since the web is changing, so will we.”