NEW YORK—Wearable technologies are coming on-stream fast, and Vision Monday's Eye² Zone at International Vision Expo East is the place to see some of the latest offerings in this exciting new consumer product category.

Vision Expo attendees who visit the Zone—located in booth #5525 on Level 3 of New York’s Jacob Javits Center—will get a first-hand look at the visionary ways technology is being used to enhance and advance eyewear. Inventive and unconventional next generation products that enhance vision or athletic performance, communicate or view media, measure and monitor biometric data, or promote wellness will provide a unique interactive experience.

“While consumers may be the end-user of these vision-related products, we know they will eventually end up in the chairs of eyecare professionals,” said Deborah Castor, vice president of trade shows and meetings for The Vision Council, which organizes Vision Expo. “The Eye² Zone provides us with a unique opportunity to inform our attendees about the new non-traditional vision technologies hitting the markets. Armed with this information, ECPs will be in a better position to advise their patients’ overall visual needs.”

Expo attendees can experience free, live demonstrations of wearable technology at "Tech Talks" from 8:00 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. Friday, March 28 through Sunday, March 30 in the Continuing Education area on Level 1. Registration is not required.

Many of the participants featured in the Eye² Zone exhibited at International CES in January and have selected International Vision Expo to be the exclusive eyecare event in which to participate.

At press time, the participants in the Eye² Zone are Carl Zeiss, Epiphany Eyewear, eSight, Evena Medical, iOptik, Google Glass Explorers, Rochester Optical, Gunnar Optiks, Orcam, PSiO, Pivothead and Zeal Optics.

Following is a list of exhibitors that are participating in the Eye² Zone, along with descriptions of the products they will display:

Cinemizer by Carl Zeiss —The cinemizer OLED multimedia video glasses combine 3D movie enjoyment with outstanding image quality and stereo sound. The cinemizer utilizes lightweight, mobile technology to create a theater atmosphere by projecting a 40-inch image into the eyeglasses. The glasses can be connected to an iPod/iPad/iPhone, smartphone, Blu-ray player, gaming console, computer and more. Eyeglass wearers can also configure their prescription in each eye with a setting wheel.

Crystalline Lens — Gunnar Advanced Computer Eyewear featuring Crystalline lenses protect, enhance and optimize visual performance for anyone who spends long hours viewing computers or digital screens. The lenses are engineered for the graphic designer, video editor, or creative visual artist that requires an equally balanced color spectrum to design and edit in true color. The glasses help minimize eye fatigue and visual stress caused by high intensity blue light and glare from screens while improving contrast, comfort and focus.

Epiphany Eyewear from Vergence Labs — Inside of each pair of Epiphany Eyewear smartglasses from Vergence Labs is a mobile computer, up to 32GB of solid state storage, plus a sophisticated HD digital video camera with wide-angle optics.

eSight Eyewear —eSight Eyewear is wearable, electronic assistive technology designed specifically for low vision. It incorporates prescription lenses with a high-resolution video camera and a bright, high-contrast, “virtual” display for each eye to maximize the effectiveness of remaining eyesight. Settings are adjusted to suit personal vision challenges and may be helpful for people with macular degeneration, Stargardt’s Disease, ocular albinism, diabetic retinopathy, Leber’s Disease, glaucoma, con-rod dystrophy, some forms of retinitis pigmentosa and other low vision conditions.

Evena Medical — Evena’s Eyes-On Glasses unit is a breakthrough wearable design that brings an entirely new vision to vascular access.

Glass Optimized Lens Designs (GOLD Lenses) —Rochester Optical Manufacturing Company’s proprietary digital lens designs are optimized for Google Glass wearers who require prescription lenses. Rochester Optical will also display its new Glass Prescription Lens Carrier (GPLC), a full frame carrier for RO GOLD lenses that resemble regular eyeglasses.

Google Glass Explorers — Google’s wearable computer with head-mounted display lets you take pictures, record videos, share images, access the Internet, and much more.

iOptik — iOptik enhances normal vision using special contact lenses that make it possible to view virtual and augmented reality images in the same way we view the real world. The technology utilized in the iOptik approach eliminates bulky optics that have previously been required in the design of video eyewear products, enabling higher performance and better style than ever before.

Orcam — Orcam’s frame-mounted device uses advanced computer vision to help the visually impaired and blind regain the functionalities that were lost.

Pivothead — Live, capture and share moments from your own unique perspective. Pivothead technology allows for true point-of-view hands free image capturing. Glasses feature HD video, 8MP Sony CMOS Image Sensor for crisp still images, auto scene adjustment, wind-resistant audio recording, up to 16-shot rapid burst still photos, 8GB internal memory capacity, micro USB connector, interchangeable 100 percent UV A/B/C blocking lenses, and more.

Mind Booster PSiO 1.1 — The Mind Booster PSiO 1.1 by PSiO is a powerful relaxation tool that utilizes sound and colored rhythmic lights to enable focus, quieting any internal dialogue and enabling a higher state of awareness. Programmed sessions range from five to 30 minutes and leave you feeling renewed, refreshed and energized. This powerful AVS (Audio Visual Stimulation) system can serve as a personal development tool, and can be programmed to be used for weight loss, memorization, performance, pain relief, smoking cessation, concentration, relaxation and much more.

Z3 GPS MOD Live Ski Goggles — MOD LIVE GPS System from Zeal Optics is Bluetooth enabled and allows for tracking speed, altitude, GPS, jump stats, temperature, distance, run, count and chrono. Widescreen in-goggle display is ideal for smartphone connectivity to view Caller ID, text messages, buddy tracking, trail maps and navigation.