NEW YORK—Eyecare professionals who want to better understand the business and clinical benefits of wearable technology and other new vision innovations can get a close-up look at some of the latest, most advanced products at Vision Monday’s Eye2 Zone, a special exhibit at next month’s International Vision Expo in New York.

“Vision Monday’s Eye2 Zone features groundbreaking wearable technologies that have the potential to revolutionize the eyewear industry and shape how patients view the world. International Vision Expo funds this program because we believe this investment is essential to provide eyecare professionals an opportunity to see, touch and test non-traditional eyewear technologies that are often only showcased at events such as International CES,” said Deborah Castor, vice president of shows and meetings for The Vision Council, which sponsors Vision Expo.

Andrew Karp, curator of the Eye2 Zone and editor of Vision Monday’s Eye2 newsletter, added, "Eyecare practitioners typically look at a patient’s lifestyle and then recommend eyewear that is designed to enhance the patient’s visual performance in various tasks. Now manufacturers of wearable tech are doing the same thing by designing task-specific eyewear for activities such as sports, gaming, entertainment or work. Visitors to the Eye2 Zone can experience these technologies and talk with knowledgeable manufacturer’s reps.”

The market for wearables is growing rapidly. According to Juniper Research, global wearable “smart glasses” shipments will reach 10 million per year by 2018, compared to an estimated 87,000 in 2013. Wearables sales are expected to triple by 2016, before reaching $53.2 billion by 2019, more than 10 times current levels, Juniper estimates.

The exhibitors in the Eye2 Zone are: 3-D Frame Solutions, AVIwear, EyeNetra, Gunnar Optiks, Kopin Corp., Total 3-D Solutions, Pivothead, Rochester Optical, Six-15, SmartVision Labs, VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies and Vuzix.

The Eye2 Zone will be located in Booth #LP 7483 on Level 1 of New York’s Jacob Javits Center. Attendees can also attend "Tech Talks" presented by Eye2 Zone exhibitors from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 22 at the Javits’ Tech Theater located in Booth LP 7867 on Level 1. There is no registration fee for the Tech Talks. In addition, Andrew Karp will present a COPE-approved course, “New Trends in Wearables” as part of Vision Expo’s education track on Saturday, March 21, at 2:45 pm.