Transitions Lenses named Official Eyewear of TOUR

Transitions Optical, Inc. and the PGA TOUR today announced a global four-year official marketing partnership designating Transitions lenses as the Official Eyewear of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour.

"Aligning with Transitions Optical creates a powerful partnership for the PGA TOUR and golfers everywhere," said Tom Wade, chief marketing officer, PGA TOUR. "In Transitions, we have a partner with a global brand platform that is not only relevant to golfers, but to all those who value healthy sight and who lead active lifestyles or simply enjoy spending time outdoors."

Golf enthusiasts -- professionals and amateurs alike -- depend on healthy sight for optimal performance. Playing golf requires a range of visual skills, including eye-hand coordination, speed and accuracy of eye movements, focusing, depth perception, judgment of location, and reading contours. From reading the greens to judging a putt, vision is critical to enhancing a golfer's game and prolonging ability to play. With such obstacles as varying lighting and playing conditions and ongoing exposure to ultraviolet radiation, their visual ability can be affected without proper eyecare and eyewear.

As part of the announcement, Transitions Optical introduced a broad-reaching consumer education program -- Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game -- complete with tips and tools that link healthy, quality sight to athletic performance.

"Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game embodies Transitions Optical's commitment to educate consumers about the importance of healthy sight and quality of sight as contributors to optimal sports performance," said Brett Craig, president, Transitions Optical.

Transitions lenses are clear indoors and at night, while outdoors, they automatically darken as light conditions change. This provides visual comfort and enhances visual quality by reducing glare and enhancing contrast. Whether a game of golf stretches from morning to afternoon, afternoon to evening, or takes place in bright sunshine or overcast conditions, Transitions lenses always block 100 percent of harmful UV rays while providing the right amount of tint. This provides an advantage over regular clear lenses and sunglasses which do not adjust to changing light conditions.

"Varying light and playing conditions combined with ongoing exposure to ultraviolet radiation without proper eyecare and eyewear may compromise everyday performance and visual ability," said Lawrence D. Lampert, O.D., F.C.O.V.D.** Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development, and sports vision specialist and trainer. "Photochromic lenses, such as Transitions lenses, are the ideal everyday lens choice for golfers, as well as those avid golf fans who want to achieve and enjoy healthy sight on and off the course."

Improve Your Vision, Improve Your Game will be introduced to consumers later this year through retailers, independent eyecare professionals and a robust interactive experience. Point-of-sale materials, educational tools, and a Web site featuring a downloadable widget will offer healthy sight and golf tips to enhance vision and improve performance. Consumers can also enter to win a weekend getaway for two at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club.

As the Official Eyewear of the PGA TOUR, Champions Tour and Nationwide Tour, Transitions Optical is proud to sponsor the Transitions Championship, which tees off March 16-22, 2009 at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Fla.

TAG HEUER Night Vision eyeglasses for safer driving

Driving at night is far more dangerous than driving in daylight according to the statistics. Though only 10% of road miles are driven in the dark, 48% of road fatalities occur at night. That’s primarily because at night our pupils dilate, and we become short-sighted, though glare, halos, and reduced peripheral vision all contribute to ocular tiredness. TAG Heuer has released a set of ophthalmic Night Vision glasses specifically designed to correct dark-induced myopia, reduce glare, contrast the dark blue surroundings without changing colour perception and ultimately offer safer driving after dark.

The US$400 night driving glasses were originally developed specifically for the Peugeot race team’s Le Mans 24 hour racing efforts, through TAG Heuer’s long involvement with motor racing, but they have now surfaced as a mainstream product with a very compelling feature set, particularly when you consider how much a set of these innovative glasses might reduce the probability of an accident.

The Night Vision frames are made of titanium and over-moulded with an anti-slip elastomer, so they’re light, flexible around the temple area and the height of driving chic. As they are specifically designed to be worn under a helmet, they make a lot of sense for motorcycle riding too.

The frames are available in both Wide and Panorama, and the pale yellow lenses offer constant clear, sharp vision with a very high light transmission rate in order to contrast dark blue and green surroundings without changing color perception.

The special ophthalmic lenses are shatter-resistant, provide complete UV-A and UV-B protection, and offer an anti-reflective treatment, which reduces glare and offers more accurate sight from dusk to dawn.

Controlling any vehicle on the road is a sight response game where mistakes can cost you your life, so we’re giving these a huge “thumbs up.”

International Players Tour adopts Oakley as its Official Eyewear

International Players Tour (IPT) announces the selection of Oakley as the “Official Eyewear” of the IPT, joining the best athletes in the world who recognize that Oakley eyewear products provide the best optical clarity, impact resistance, and UV protection in the industry.

Under the terms of their agreement, IPT will promote Oakley eyewear to its membership at the 200+ events across the country in 2008, including major events such as the Ted Rhodes Classic and the 2008 Tour Championship Week later in the season.

Ron Beaman, Founder and President of IPT, voiced his excitement with the Oakley relationship, “Partnering with Oakley is a huge step for our organization. Their recognized leadership and endorsements in sports parallel our commitment at IPT to provide the best playing experience for our membership. And we’re indeed honored to promote their brand in our many events across the country.”

As stated on their web site – www.oakley.com – “Oakley was created for world-class athletes, those who see the limits of possibility as just another challenge. Their dedication drives us to look beyond the conventional ideas of industry standards. It’s in our DNA to identify problems, create inventions, and wrap those inventions in art. And simply to make things better than anyone thought possible.”

Buy Oakley Sunglasses

John Galliano signs global eyewear license with Marcolin

The Marcolin Group, one of the global leaders in the eyewear industry and Les Jardins d’Avron S.A., the company producing and distributing John Galliano’s Products, announced the signature of an exclusive license agreement for the production and worldwide distribution of men’s and women’s sunglasses and prescription frames under the brand John Galliano. The 5-year licensing agreement, renewable for another 2 years, will be effective September 1st, 2009 and the first John Galliano Eyewear collection will be unveiled in Fall 2009. The distribution will be selective and focused in the most prestigious accounts and Department Stores worldwide, as well as John Galliano boutiques. The expertise and know-how in the production and distribution of eyewear by Marcolin Group and the creativity, inspiration and design of John Galliano are a guarantee to a successful cooperation. John Galliano, stated: 'S unglasses and eyewear are essential accessories to make a statement on and off the runway and I am really excited to give them a Galliano twist. I am thrilled to be working with Marcolin and to add eyewear to the Galliano brand. I can't wait to begin a new vision in vision!'” Maurizio Marcolin, Style & Licensing Officer of the Marcolin Group, stated: “John Galliano is a true genius. It’s a tremendous opportunity for Marcolin to work with such a talented designer. This new agreement further establish Marcolin’s strategy in pursuing top Luxury Brands where to exploit our competitive advantage.”

Marcolin Group