LONDON—100% Optical, which took place Feb. 4 to 6, opened to record numbers of delegates attending the show. With 8,051 attendees—12 percent of the audience coming from outside the U.K—and 200 exhibitors, visitors were offered an education program offering 120 CET points, fashion forward catwalk shows and hundreds of new product launches, show organizers told VMail.

“100% Optical really cemented itself as the optical event of the year by bringing the industry together to learn, be inspired, do business, network and have fun all under one roof,” said Nathan Garnett, the show’s event director. “We’re honored to have supported the prestigious Association of Optometrists (AOP) Awards for the first time and always proud to provide a platform for the next generation of young designers to kick-start their career by entering our eyewear design competition in partnership with the Royal College of Art.”

The show attracted a large number of optical teams, with many bringing optical assistants for the first time, stated show organizers. Over 175,000 different eyewear brands were present and more than 75 new brands were first-time exhibitors.

Myopia was also a popular topic among speakers, with Professor Ed Mallen from the University of Bradford School of Optometry and Vision Science, giving the short and long view of therapies on the main stage. He outlined the promising myopia control techniques, stating, “We need more data to get an evidence base in order to influence health policy and establish best practice and prescribing guidelines. Myopia is not just about inconvenience but about far bigger eye health issues, like glaucoma.”

Fight for Sight, an eye research charity and the show’s charity partner since 2015, also provided talks from industry experts and arranged a number of fundraising initiatives, including the #BlinkWinkThink social media selfie campaign and a Rock-a-oke party.

Hannah Cosh, head of fundraising at Fight for Sight said, “We are grateful to 100% Optical and the AOP for allowing members of the Fight for Sight Speakers Network to raise the importance of eye research. The funds raised from the show will continue to help support our ongoing mission to stop sight loss in its tracks and we’re grateful to everyone that has supported us.”

The Fifth Annual 100% Optical is slated to take place from Jan. 27 to 29, 2018.