Quick Take: Alcon’s Dailies Total1 water gradient contact lens is now available in the U.S. market, after more than a decade of product development and a successful European launch.
Wearer: Annually, one out of six American patients who are fit for contact lenses stop using them. Discomfort and dryness are the two most common reasons for patients to discontinue contact use. The human eyes blink approximately 14,000 times per day, meaning the eyelid slides over the front of the cornea, and the contact lens, approximately once every six seconds. A lubricious lens surface can help reduce friction between the lens and the eyelid, resulting in greater comfort for the wearer. Dailies Total1 water gradient contact lenses are specifically designed to provide comfort that lasts until the end of the day by offering the highest lubricity available. The lenses maintain 100 percent of their lubricity, even after a full day of wear.
Specifics: Dailies Total1 combine a silicone hydrogel core with the newest generation of Alcon’s proprietary LightStream lens technology and new advancements in surface chemistry to create the delefilcon A water gradient lens material. The new contact lenses have a gradient design in both their material composition and water content, which enhances performance at both the core and the surface.
Selling Points: The highly breathable silicone hydrogel core, with a low water content of 33 percent, transitions into a soft hydrophilic surface gel made up of more than 80 percent water content, which then approaches 100 percent water content at the outer surface. The highly lubricious lens surface results in reduced friction and minimizes interaction with the delicate tissues of the eye. With a Dk/t of 156 at the center of a -3.00D lens, Dailies Total1 water gradient contact lenses provide exceptional breathability, allowing more oxygen through the lens, which is important for the health of the contact lens wearer.
Price Guide: $$
www.dailies.com

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Quick Take: Based upon the popularity of the color royal blue this season, Ogi has curated a selection of standout royal blue styles from across their eyewear collections.
Specifics: Impressionist artists saw great potential in the bold use of color as a tool of personal and naturalistic expression. Among the strongest pigments in the Impressionist arsenal was pure royal blue which has been used since the early 19th century. Ogi has blended bright cobalt, metallic azure and sky blue hues with multifaceted tortoise color combinations to present each style with brilliant color. The vibrant hue makes its presence known in a large variety of Ogi styles, most notably the 4800, the 7148, the 9200 and the 9076.
Selling Points: Each frame emulates an artistic sophistication and has a fashionable flair that personifies Ogi Eyewear. “Summer has arrived, and with it, a renewed interest in bright color accents for personalized fashion expression. Conveying a sense of richness and superiority, this bold and lustrous shade of blue has stolen the show this season, as it exudes an aura of importance and confidence for both men and women. Through the exciting and innovative use of coloration, Ogi consistently satisfies this desire as each style exudes sophisticated style with an extra pop of bold color,” said Karly Anderson, marketing and design for Ogi. Ogi Eyewear counter cards, large window banners and branded counter cubes are available for merchandising.
Price Guide: $$
www.ogieyewear.com

Quick Take: Dragon has created the H20 Floatable Collection, its first ever line of floating sunglasses. Including the brand’s top five styles with Performance Polar, the collection is made for men and women who enjoy an active lifestyle in and around the water.
Specifics: The H20 Floatable Collection pairs five of Dragon’s most popular styles— including The Jam, The Shawn Watson Signature Jam, Chrome 2, Vantage, Cinch and Double Dos — with a specially formulated injected frame designed to stay afloat in the ocean, pool or lake.
Selling Points: Worn by world‐renowned big wave surfer and 2013 Billabong XXL Award winner Shane Dorian, Dragon's Floatable Collection is performance tested and water ready. “The Floatable sunglasses are super functional for me and my friends,” said Dorian. “For people who spend essentially half their lives around the ocean, surfing, fishing, boating, standup paddling or anything else that’s active, knowing you won’t lose your favorite pair of shades if you drop them in the water is key.” Constructed from a durable, lightweight injected material, all H20 Floatable shades come standard with Dragon's Performance Polar, custom water‐resistant rubber logos on the outer temple, nylon lenses, hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings, as well as offering 100 percent UV protection and rubber nosepads and temple tips for performance fit on select models.
Price Guide: $$$
www.dragonalliance.com

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Quick Take: The summer 2013 Revlon eyewear collection for women from Altair offers new styles that combine modern shapes with beautiful dimensional textures for an elegant statement.
Specifics: Six new ophthalmic styles for women, three in stainless steel/handmade acetate combinations and three in handmade acetate. All models feature a spring hinge and are progressive friendly.
Selling Points: The collection continues to focus on glamour and unique detailing, appealing to a broad range of women. Calling on details from the cosmetic line, Revlon eyewear draws inspiration from feminine makeup hues, proprietary packaging with iconic textures and Revlon's strong brand ambassadors. The RV5020 and RV5021 feature a twisted pressed cast metal detail that flows to a swooping laser etched temple reminiscent of the new Revlon Photoready eye shadow packaging. The RV5022 and RV5023 are inspired by Revlon’s signature lipstick case, feautring Revlon’s iconic crosshatch pattern sculpted across the temples. Lastly, the RV5024 and RV5025 feature luxurious cast metal detailing accented by a subtle crosshatch texture and an Austrian Crystal that transition into marbleized temples to give these styles sparkle and shine.
Price Guide: $$
www.altaireyewear.com

Rudy Project has added the Firebolt to their performance line. Weighing less than one ounce, the ultra-light sunglasses offer the perfect balance of ergonomics and optical performance in an affordable package. The new design of the Firebolt utilizes a number of patented Rudy Project technologies in their wrap-around construction and embraces the historical look of the Ekynox SX, one of Rudy Project’s most successful frames. The convenient and easy-to-use Quick Change system allows users to easily swap lenses and thanks to the anti-slip soft rubber temple tips and adjustable Ergo IV nosepiece, the Firebolt fits the face perfectly and comfortably. The Firebolt is also fully RX-able, utilizing Rudy Project’s flagship prescription eyewear technology, ImpactRX FreeForm TEK, which incorporates digital backside surfacing to increase peripheral vision by up to 20 percent over other leading RX lenses, according to the company. www.rudyprojectusa.com

Legacie, the luxury house of B. Robinson, has debuted the newest Judith Leiber group, the Marquetry group. Defined as the inlaying of different materials for an intricate design, the Marquetry group introduces the unique process with a rich color palette. The JL 1667SG, a vintage-inspired square sunglass, features an ornate and decorative combination of gold and silver leafing, beads, studs and genuine Austrian crystals. The JL 1669, a square optical frame; JL 1671SG, a thin wayfarer sunglass; and JL 1673, a deep cat eye optical frame, boast a more simplified version of the same temples. The group also introduced new stone colors: dark indigo and fern green. www.legacie.com

Spy has added the female-specific Libra sunglasses to its Performance Series. Designed from the ground up by female designers for active women who demand the proven performance of Spy’s sport-specific technologies, the Libra is specifically styled and scaled to fit the feminine face. Designed for the active female, the Libra’s smaller-sized wraparound frame, subtle sculptural curves and assortment of technical accoutrements make it perfect for the avid cyclist and triathlete, outdoor adventurist or on-the-go mom. Constructed from lightweight, durable Grilamid, the Libra features 7-Base Victory lenses offering 100 percent UV protection, the brand’s patented Scoop ventilation system and Hytrel rubber nose pads and flexible temple tips. The Libra is available in four colorways. www.spyoptic.com