TECHNOLOGY: Eye² VM’s Eye2 Zone Is an Instant Hit in Vision Expo West Debut By Staff Friday, November 15, 2013 12:00 PM 1/6 Tyler Moore (l) demonstrates eSight eyewear for VM’s Andrew Karp. Erick Miller (l) of Vergence Labs explains the features of the company’s Epiphany Eyewear to John Bonizio of Metro Optics. Sarah Soliman of Vision Expo’s video unit wears a pair of PSiO Audio Visual Stimulator glasses while reporting from the Zone. Sportiiii, an eyeglass-mounted device that monitors sports performance, was one of 12 new vision technologies featured in the Zone. A visitor to the Zone tries out cinemizer 3D multimedia eyewear from Carl Zeiss. The Eye² Zone was buzzing with activity every day LAS VEGAS—Vision Monday’s Eye² Zone proved to be an instant hit in its Vision Expo West debut. The one-of-a-kind exhibit, curated by Andrew Karp, editor of Vision Monday’s Eye² e-newsletter, provided Expo attendees with a dedicated showcase where they could experience 12 new vision technologies used to enhance vision or athletic performance, communicate or view media, measure and monitor biometric data and promote wellness. “Our goal in creating the Eye² Zone was simple: introduce emerging vision technology vendors and their innovations to eyecare professionals,” said Deborah Castor, vice president of trade shows and meetings for The Vision Council. “While consumers may be the end-user of these vision-related products, we know they will eventually end up in the chairs of eyecare professionals. The Zone provided us with a unique opportunity to inform our attendees about the new non-traditional vision technologies hitting the markets. Armed with this information, ECPs will be in a better position to advise their patients’ overall visual needs. “Onsite, the response was overwhelming positive from exhibitors and attendees visiting the Eye² Zone,” Castor continued. “The Eye² Zone was buzzing with activity every day of the show. Eyecare professionals embraced this opportunity to educate themselves. Equally important, participating companies saw Vision Expo as a critical component to their business success, ranking us alongside other high-tech events around the country. The Vision Expo events are the only optical shows that could have achieved this as we serve the entire breath of the profession. We are eager to expand upon the success of this first-of-its kind area in 2014.” The companies that exhibited their technologies in the Eye² Zone were 4iiii, Boson, Carl Zeiss, eSight, Gunnar Optiks, Innovega, Pivothead, PSiO, Second Sight, Smith Optics, Vergence Labs and Zeal Optics. ■ —VM Staff