Vision-X 2017 , the Middle East’s largest optical trade show, opened today in Dubai, UAE, for its 18th edition.

The show was inaugurated by Humaid Mohammed Obaid Al Qatami, director general of the Dubai Health Authority, who then toured the exhibition halls and met the numerous exhibitors who have gathered for the three-day exhibition, being held at the Dubai world Trade Centre till October 19.

“Eye care and vision is a critical field in healthcare and advances in treatment and technology is vital to prevent disease as well as better treat it. Such conferences present an opportunity for healthcare professionals to exchange state-of-the-art information and discuss latest advances in the field. The growth of this conference reinforces its importance and presents an opportunity for participants to discuss new technologies and treatment methods to a wider targeted audience,” said Al Qatami.

Designing ways to help lens manufacturers streamline their services, long-term exhibitor Satisloh believes their technology solutions will provide companies with an edge.

Paula Rosales-Danuser, International marketing manager for Satisloh said: “Many ophthalmic laboratories are moving towards automated lens manufacturing to maximise their productivity and improve the delivery time to their customers.

“To help labs achieve this, we developed the new Integrated Smart Conveyor (ISC), a completely unique automation approach for lens production. ISC is a highly configurable, extremely flexible, intelligent solution.

“Satisloh´s MES-360 manufacturing execution system, tracks and documents all lens production steps and helps labs understand with real-time information how their manufacturing operation can be optimised to improve productivity, yield, costs and service level.”

Joined by more than 80 local and international exhibitors at the three-day exhibition, Satisloh is among a number of companies showcasing lens manufacturing and technology solutions.

International presence at the three-day trade show has been steady in recent years and Vision-X organisers are reporting an increase globally this year.  The Korean pavilion has seen its number of exhibitors represented grow by 30 per cent, while there is strong representation from Germany, and Italy showcasing a range of products. Additionally, many of the major brands and luxury names that dominate the industry will be displaying their latest designs.

The Vision-X Opticare Conference runs alongside the three day exhibition and is held in cooperation with the International Association of Contact Lens Educators and the European Academy of Optometry and Optics.

Joining as the exhibition and conference knowledge partner, Moorfields Eye Hospital Dubai, the first overseas branch of Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, the oldest eye hospital in the world, will lend their wealth of expertise to the show and deliver exclusive keynote presentations to attending delegates.

Trixie Loh Mirmand, senior vice president, Events and Exhibitions Management, DWTC said: “Eyecare, and the importance of vision is a paramount topic, especially as populations grow in international cities such as Dubai. We have experts here gathered from all across the globe, from the GCC, Europe and South East Asia.

Delegates and businesses recognise the need to network likeminded people and discover new technologies within their industry in order to grow, and over the next three days Vision-X will see the largest meeting of opticare and optistyle experts in the region.”

Celebrating excellence in the eyewear and optical care industry, the Vision-X Vision Plus Awards returns for the third year to provide a platform for leading brands to celebrate the best in business. The ceremony takes place on October 18 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. - TradeArabia News Service