EssilorLuxottica’s optometrists have found that out for themselves at its Eyecare Immersion roadshow, test-driving the suite of new technology and clinical services heading into their stores. Insight went along to learn about the rollout.
Shaping the future.
That was the title of the EssilorLuxottica Eyecare Immersion events that travelled to six locations in Australia and New Zealand in September and October.
Insight was invited to the Melbourne event at the Crowne Plaza on 1 October and witnessed over 100 optometrists excitedly getting to grips with what that future looks like, how it feels, and how it might benefit their patients.
This included Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 2) AI glasses to help not only the sighted better navigate and understand their world but also those with vision loss; Nuance Audio Glasses that combine vision and hearing assistance through an app and cleverly placed speakers and microphones; and intense pulsed light (IPL) and low-level light therapy (LLLT) devices to help address the cause of dry eye disease.
Groups of optometrists, from graduates to early career and experienced eyecare professionals, explored the three med-tech immersion stations, where curiosity met innovation and a collective passion for the future of patient care took hold. Even as the session drew to a close, the excitement carried on well past the scheduled time, with professionals eagerly gathered around the new devices and technology.
But before they could get into the hands-on experience, the attendees were given the more broader picture of EssilorLuxottica’s own vision of the future – and how they fit into it.
In the business update that kicked off the event, they were told about the company’s diversification into the med-tech space, with recent acquisitions including high-end OCT manufacturer Heidelberg Engineering; Belgian firm Automation & Robotics, which designs and manufactures automated systems for optical lens quality control; Korean lens developer and manufacturer PUcore; and Optegra, which operates a network of more than 70 eye hospitals and diagnostic facilities across Europe.
It was also about “redefining the functionality of eyewear” through a new generation of AI glasses with Ray-Ban and Oakley, and Nuance Audio Glasses.
There was an ongoing expansion of services in ANZ, including a greater focus on dry eye disease, building on EssilorLuxottica’s 2024 acquisition of Italian company Espansione and its advanced dry eye technology. By year end there will be more than 30 practices offering IPL and LLLT services, with many more planned for 2026.
Audiology, too, would become more of an offering in EssilorLuxottica’s businesses, and the attendees were later introduced to Mr Dominic Riga, the company’s first in-practice audiologist, who is based at OPSM stores in Dandenong and Highpoint in Victoria.
On top of this there would be more investments to elevate EssilorLuxottica’s core services through an expanded footprint in medical diagnosis devices, including Optos Daytona NG, Optopol’s Revo FC OCT and visual field technology.
“Our commitment to excellence in every customer interaction is at the heart of this evolution, and our optometrists play a key role in shaping this journey,” said Ms Tegan Matheson, senior eyecare manager for ANZ.
After delivering the big-picture business update, attendees had the opportunity to consider the ways they can advance eyecare excellence and impact patient experiences as well as the success of their stores.
Optometrists in the room offered their own experiences and tips.
Ms Astha Rai, EssilorLuxottica’s eyecare innovations manager ANZ, said excellence was not about being perfect.
“It’s about finding key opportunities and acting on them.
“What’s in your circle of influence?” she asked.
That could be about understanding the patients’ lifestyle needs, leveraging the available eyecare technology, and looking beyond standard eyewear to care for the patient’s vision in a more holistic way.
It was at this point the focus of the evening shifted towards innovation and EssilorLuxottica’s future path.
Ms Amy Pillay, the company’s professional affairs manager for ANZ, introduced audiologist Riga.
He said 3.6 million Australians were living with hearing loss, with that number expected to double by 2060. But only one in five Aussies who could benefit from a hearing aid actually used one.
The advantages of those aids went beyond hearing, he said.
“It can prevent hearing-related memory loss and dementia, and it also slows down auditory deprivation, and can reduce the feelings of isolation associated with not being able to hear those around you.”
Because of its importance, free hearing screenings will be offered to all patients in OPSM stores with audiology, with a focus on those aged 45 and over.
Pillay then spoke about the company’s Stellest lenses, which had “improved the lives of millions of children around the world with myopia”.
She hinted at a “new realm of performance” and more clinical studies set for release next year.
“Stellest 2.0 is now FDA market approved, the first [spectacle lens] in the United States to do so, so we’re very proud of that.”
It was part of EssilorLuxottica’s pushing of the boundaries in vision care, she said.
That was evident, too, in the company’s move to advance in-store treatments for dry eye disease.
Rai said this was part of its ongoing med-tech journey.
“The prevalence of dry eye symptoms is in about 85% of people – this approximates to 23 million people in Australia,” she said.
The company’s acquisition of Espansione now gives optometrists the ability to provide OPE IPL & LM LLLT treatments in store, offering patients a treatment that targets the root cause of dry eye with this evidence-based approach recognised in the recent Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s DEWS III report.
Following dinner, the rest of the evening was about true immersion: professionals getting to experience the innovations for themselves and a glimpse into the boundless possibilities that the future holds.
Judging by the reaction of those at the Melbourne event, it’s going to be an exciting one.
EssilorLuxottica honours top ANZ optometrists
EssilorLuxottica announced a number of award winners during its road shows.
They are:
Victoria/Tasmania
Optometrist of the year: Anthony Waters, OPSM Mornington.
Practice manager optometrist of the year: Kim Hoang, EyeQ Camberwell.
Early career optometrist of the year: Briely Wight, OPSM Bairnsdale.
South Australia
Optometrist of the year: Amanda Connelly, OPSM Mitcham.
Early career optometrist of the year: Catherine Nguyen, OPSM Tea Tree Plaza.
Queensland/Northern Territory/Northern NSW
Optometrist of the year: James Drakos, OPSM Carindale.
Early career optometrist of the year: Sayo Kokubun, OPSM Pacific Fair.
Western Australia
Optometrist of the year: Wendy Nguyen, Relief WA.
Early career optometrist of the year: Lauren Kennedy, OPSM Bullcreek.
New South Wales/ACT
Optometrist of the year: Arvin Pingol, OPSM Castle Towers.
Early career optometrist of the year: Patrick Walker, OPSM Canberra.
New Zealand
Optometrist of the year: Rutendo Nhemachena, National Relief NZ.
Early career optometrist of the year: Matthew Pierard, OPSM Hornby.
