A recent health survey conducted throughout the European Union shows that Spaniards have the least concern for their visual welfare, while Belgian and Luxemburg nationals seem to care the most. Only 28 percent of the Spaniards polled go for an annual eye check-up, which is a smacking 10 percentage points less than any other Europeans. In Luxembourg and Belgium instead, 58 and 46 percent of the population get annual sight tests, respectively. The French and the Latvians are almost as careful, with ratios of 45 and 43 percent, respectively.
The report also tackled the different levels of awareness of eye health across Europe. While only 8 percent of Spaniards go to an annual eye-check voluntarily, up to 46 and 33 percent of population does that in Luxembourg and France, respectively.
Gender, age and education differences were single out as factors that weigh on the people’s concern for eye health. According to the report, women are more worried about their eyes than men. While 40 percent of them go for an annual eye-check across Europe, only 37 percent of men do so.
More in-depth information will be released about the state of the eye health market in Spain and Portugal at the upcoming Expoóptica international trade fair in Madrid. The 27th edition of this fair will be held from Feb. 29 to March 2. The organizers have so far booked at least 109 exhibitors.
An initiative to attract Latin American companies has been organized this year by Spectaris, the German eyewear industry association. Called “Eye to Eye, Latin America meets Europe in Optics” or “Al Invest,” it is to be held on the second and third days of the fair, and will bring together 22 companies from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico, and 60 companies from Germany and other parts of Europe.
A space called La Pasarela will be use for the first catwalk show at the Spanish trade fair, showcasing prestigious names such as Carolina Herrera, Tommy Hilfiger, Daniel Swarosky, Gant and Antonio Pernas. Another area of the fair will be occupied for an international meeting to debate scientific progress in the ophthalmic sector.
An R&D corner will show some of the recent progress in eyewear products, such as the swim goggles equipped with progressive lenses offered by Panoptica–Dely Orgaz, or the lenses developed by Indo for golf, trekking and shooting sports. Some exhibitors will be presenting the latest trends in computer software, furniture or decoration in this area.