In this issue:

Upfront
Hope Floats
The Mercy Vision mobile eye team, part of the Mercy Ships organization, just wrapped up nine months in the port of Tema, Ghana, where they performed more than 1,350 surgical procedures. The team of volunteer vision care professionals dealt with many cases of blindness aboard their floating hospital, including their 1,000th patient Abdulai Shitu.

Upfront
Dog-gone Good Cause
In order to raise money for animal rescue, the Portland, Ore.-based Amy Sacks Eyewear and Accessories has released a new iconic eyeglass case designed to celebrate our four-legged friends. Fifty

Upfront
Focus On Film
These days it seems like the main coverage of every film festival is about what swag the celebs are grabbing up. But for the vast majority of those involved, the focus is truly about the films, the film makers and the passion they have for the art form.

Upfront
Golden Idols
So which acclaimed actors will be leaving with Oscar on their arm when the curtain finally goes down on the 79th Academy Awards? While everyone else contemplates their picks for the big office Oscar pool, we’ll share some of the nominees’ picks for eyewear.

Upfront
Isn't It Grand
As part of the Sundance Film Festival and Ray-Ban partnership, Luxottica sponsored a Ray-Ban promotion and sweepstakes in which both dispensers and Ray-Ban sales reps were eligible to win a grand prize trip to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Upfront
Muse-ings
Yves Saint Laurent has always been big on the “muse” factor determining fashion direction and inspiration. In the ‘60s YSL worshiped at the attitude-alter of Bianca Jagger and as the ‘70s progressed, the power of Lou Lou De La Falese made an impact on his every runway move.

Upfront
Now THIS is Really CLASSIC
We only wish we had predicted it or even suggested it: Two Austrian companies, renowned worldwide for the precision and distinction of their craft have come together in a unique partnership. Making a full face debut at the classic Wiener Philharmoniker 2007 New Year’s Concert over 70 musicians from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra were wearing Silhouette eyewear. That striking union will now be a sight (so to speak) at all of their sold out concerts worldwide.

Upfront
Project Eyewear
LensCrafters gathered some of the best and the brightest fashion experts in New York for a discussion on eyewear as a fashion accessory. The panel was moderated by the dapper Tim Gunn of “Project Runway” fame who recently was appointed chief creative officer for Liz Claiborne. Other panel members included designer Chloe Dao, winner of “Project Runway 2” and owner of Lot 8 Boutique in Houston; Bobbie Thomas, style correspondent for “E! News” and “Today Show” contributor; Hal Rubenstein, fashion director of Instyle Magazine; and Gretchen Monahan, style and beauty expert and CEO of Gretta Enterprises.

Upfront
Shields on Wheels
Oakley is taking their show on the road… in a 40-foot motor coach. Known as the “Rolling O Lab,” this mobile demonstration unit is set to traverse the country to get the word out on the company’s High Definition Optics technology. The fully self-contained facility will be offering live demonstrations of optical performance and protection at sport venues, retail outlets and other public events.

Upfront
Hall of Frames
JUST SUPER — Football superstar and MVP of Super Bowl XLI, Peyton Manning (1), has just as much style off the grid iron as on. The quarterback of the champion Indianapolis Colts wears Nautica Tortola sunglasses in 136 matte orange, from Marchon...

Upfront
Lens Marketing
• Shamir Offers New Payouts for ReCreating Perfect Vision • Toledo Optical Named Transitions 2006 U.S. LOTY

Upfront
The Breakfast Club
You would be hard pressed to think of a more quintessential New York movie image than Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly shading her eyes from the dazzling window display of luxurious jewels in a scene from the 1961 film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” based on a novella by Truman Capote.

Features
Polar Express
When it comes to polarization, the sunwear call is: ALL ABOARD!

Features
High Style Eye Style
Eyewear heads into the future as a style leader while its designers look back to optical's proud heritage... always moving forward with fresh artistry, techno twists and sophisticated reinterpretations. 20/20 Editor-in-chief James J. Spina guides you through eyewear's present and future.

Features
High Style Signals
Check out these two-word directions to all your Expo Vision needs.

Features
Cat Power
A little bit naughty… A little bit haughty… And very nice. Whether a vintage design from the ’50s or a modern retake (don’t say copy cat), these cat eyes are the cat’s meow.

Features
Not Just Another Puff Piece
Mean spirited? Sean “Diddy” Combs? Nope. In person, in conversation and (nearly boyishly happy) in his new sunglasses from the newly released Sean John Eyewear and Sunglass Collection from Marchon Eyewear, Sean Combs is an absolute gentleman. The “mean spirited” reference is something blotting the reams of stories tracking Combs in both his personal and professional life by a legion of journalistic hacks seemingly intent on filling in the chips on their shoulders with negative “puff” pieces.

Features
Right On Track
One of New York’s most famous landmarks, Grand Central Terminal is a bustling, frenetic locale in midtown Manhattan. Scott Stein, licensed optician and owner of Grand Central Optical, knows well the daily ebbs and flows of traffic in the fast paced historic train station. “Most of my customers are commuters,” says Stein. “They don’t have a lot of time to spare, so they come in knowing what they want and we help them as quickly and efficiently as we can.”

Features
Read On
There is nothing wrong with over-the-counter readers as long as that counter is guided by eyecare professionals.

Whats New
Optylux: Flair
Optylux Group, a newly formed distribution company, has obtained exclusive rights to distribute Flair, a 60-year-old German luxury eyewear brand, in the United States. The initial U.S. collection contains 40 styles made of such premium materials as titanium, bio-steel, stainless steel, acetate, solid gold and rhodium, some accented with gemstones.

Whats New
Polaroid: Polaroid Sport
Polaroid presents its 2007 Sports Collection consisting of 23 styles for adults and four for teens and young adults. The frames are constructed of TR90, feature wide base curves, adjustable temples and no-slip temple tips and are offered in a wide variety of aerodynamic, wraparound designs. All styles are equipped with the PTX4000 high-performance polarized lenses with AR, hydrophobic and flash mirror coatings.

Whats New
Avalon: Nikon Custom
Under an exclusive agreement with Nikon Eyewear for distribution rights in the Americas, Avalon Eyewear launches its Nikon Custom line, featuring a three-piece compression-mount design. Constructed of beta titanium, the frames have soft, floating, conforming nosepads and a patented Smooth Hinge that doesn’t require temple screws.

Whats New
Charmant: Nodoka
Charmant USA introduces a Japanese-inspired eyewear line, Nodoka. The collection channels the tranquility and beauty of Japanese culture into 11 frame styles constructed of metal, including titanium, and zyl. Design elements in the first collection are reminiscent of the city of Kyoto.

Whats New
Luxottica: Ralph Lauren
Luxottica unveils its Ralph Lauren Eyewear line, highlighted by three collections: Purple Label, Ralph Lauren and Polo Ralph Lauren. All of the collections translate the designer’s tailored, refined style found in the like-named clothing brands into eyewear.

Whats New
Marchon: Sean John
Sean John Eyewear, available from Marchon Eyewear, makes its debut with 29 ophthalmic frames and 31 sunglasses for men and women. Targeted to young professionals looking for sexy, sophisticated eyewear with a touch of luxury, styles are bold, but wearable, interpretations of classic rectangles, aviators and navigators, some with double-bridge designs, and oversize ovals in metal and zyl.

Whats New
Optimate: Everlast
Optimate launches Everlast, an ophthalmic and sunwear line targeted to both the urban market and sports enthusiasts. Ophthalmics are offered in zyl and aluminum in a variety of colors. The sunglass collection consists of 26 styles in aluminum, injection-molded plastic and metal/plastic combinations in a choice of three to six colors.

Editors Note
An Expert Cook
It is now four years since Lenses&Technology was integrated within 20/20 as a self defined magazine- within-a-magazine. 

Fashion Feature
High Style Eye Style
Eyewear heads into the future as a style leader while its designers look back to optical's proud heritage... always moving forward with fresh artistry, techno twists and sophisticated reinterpretations. 20/20 Editor-in-chief James J. Spina guides you through eyewear's present and future.

L&T
A Stone of Our Own
Two-hundred-and-seven years ago, French soldiers in Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian expeditionary force were digging the foundation for a fort near the town of el-Rashid (Rosetta) when they uncovered an ancient, 1.5-meter-high slab of dark stone.

L&T
The Karp Expo Scouting Report
L&T editor Andrew Karp previewed the ophthalmic lens products, treatments and processing technologies being spotlighted at this month’s International Vision Expo in New York. Here’s his exclusive report on what’s new and what’s next.

L&T
A Rosetta Stone For Eyecare
Our patients expect to see well, look good and be comfortable in their new eyewear. They also expect, quite reasonably, to perceive a value equal to or greater than the cost of the eyewear. If you are a full-service provider, you have a responsibility to meet these four expectations.