Amélie Morel

Amélie Morel

Future of the Industry Begins at Silmo Paris

In this exclusive interview, Silmo Paris President Amélie Morel says their ambition is for every industry professional to leave Paris with more ideas, more opportunities and more confidence in the future than when they arrived.

Every September, the global optical community gathers in Paris. Beyond the show itself, what do you believe professionals are really seeking at Silmo Paris?
I believe they come looking for perspective. Our industry is evolving faster than ever before, and professionals need more than products. They need inspiration, ideas and meaningful conversations. Silmo Paris offers a unique environment where people can step back from their daily business, meet peers from around the world and better understand the forces shaping tomorrow’s market. It’s this combination of business, innovation and human connection that makes the experience so valuable.

Silmo Paris brings together professionals from more than 140 countries. How important is this international diversity for the future of the industry?
It is essential. Innovation doesn’t happen in isolation. It grows through dialogue, through different cultures, different ways of thinking and different market realities. When professionals from every continent meet in the same place, they don’t simply exchange products—they exchange visions. This international diversity is one of Silmo Paris’ greatest strengths because it creates opportunities that simply cannot happen elsewhere.

The optical industry is changing rapidly. What transformation do you believe will have the greatest impact over the next decade?
Without hesitation, I would say the convergence of technology and human expertise. Artificial intelligence, connected eyewear and digital tools will profoundly transform our profession. Yet I firmly believe technology will never replace the expertise of optical professionals. Instead, it will enhance their ability to advise, personalise and create better experiences for patients and customers. The future belongs to those who successfully combine innovation with human relationships.

Silmo Paris has always celebrated creativity. Why do you think design remains such a strategic asset for the optical industry?
Because eyewear is unlike any other product. It improves vision, certainly, but it also expresses personality, confidence and identity. Design therefore plays a much broader role than aesthetics alone. It creates emotion, differentiates brands and responds to evolving lifestyles. Encouraging creativity also means encouraging the industry’s ability to reinvent itself, which is why initiatives such as the Trends Forum and the Silmo d’Or Awards are so important to us.

Finally, what would you say to a professional who has never attended Silmo Paris?
I would simply tell them: come with curiosity. Whether you are looking for new suppliers, new technologies, new ideas or simply a fresh perspective on your business, you will find far more than you expected. Silmo Paris is not only a place where business happens. It is a place where ambitions grow, where international connections are built and where the future of our profession becomes tangible. Once you have experienced that atmosphere, you understand why so many professionals return year after year. Because the future of optics doesn’t wait. It meets in Paris.

September 2026

Beta Optik

Beta Optik

Constantly Evolving to Deliver the Right Solutions

“Silmo Istanbul’s increasingly strong international exhibitor and visitor profile each year makes a significant contribution to raising the global visibility of the potential within Türkiye’s optical industry.”

Hello Mr. Mustafa Kemal Köksal, could you tell us about Beta Optik’s development process from its establishment to the present day?
Beta Optik began its journey in 2003 with the import, marketing and sale of organic stock lenses, gradually expanding its focus toward manufacturing and technology. Under our Novax brand, we offer a broad portfolio ranging from personalized progressive and single vision solutions to products designed for different needs, while also manufacturing Zeiss Vision Care’s premium product range at our factory in Türkiye, combining a strong distribution and manufacturing structure. From raw materials and coatings to measurement systems and innovative lens technologies, we manage our processes within a fully integrated structure wherever possible, aiming to maintain the highest standards of quality and service at every stage. With our nationwide organization, manufacturing capabilities and strong partnerships, we position Beta Optik not simply as a product supplier, but as an integrated solutions partner that adds value to Türkiye’s optical industry through its technology, manufacturing expertise and service infrastructure.

How did Beta Optik achieve the most significant development milestone in its journey within the industry?
Starting customized RX production with FreeForm technology nearly 20 years ago marked one of the most important milestones in Beta Optik’s manufacturing journey. This step transformed us from a company that simply supplied ophthalmic lenses into a manufacturer continuously advancing its own technology and production capabilities. Personalized designs, different index and material options, progressive and single vision products, and advanced coating technologies subsequently became key elements of our portfolio. We continue with the same approach today. Rather than viewing technology simply as innovation, we see it as a means of providing users with a more comfortable and personalized vision experience.

Which criteria do you prioritize when building Beta Optik’s brand and product portfolio?
When building our portfolio, our primary criterion is to offer solutions that genuinely address different user needs. Today, many factors, including visual habits, age, working environment, digital device use and lifestyle, directly influence lens choices. We therefore develop our product range to address different needs rather than adopting a one size fits all approach. We place great importance on creating a balanced structure that combines Novax’s own technology and product development capabilities with international expertise and collaborations. For us, the fundamental goal is not simply to add a new product to the portfolio, but to provide the right solution that delivers meaningful benefits to both optical stores and end users.

Could you tell us about Novax’s contribution to the user experience and the key features of its proprietary technologies?
Today, a good ophthalmic lens is expected not only to meet prescription requirements, but also to adapt to the user’s daily life, viewing behavior and visual needs at different distances. This approach lies at the heart of the technologies we develop at Novax. For example, Dynamic Gaze Mapping Technology used in Synthesis aims to provide a more personalized vision experience by incorporating the user’s natural viewing behavior into the design, while Variable Base Technology in Nucleo allows the optical design to be optimized more precisely according to different visual needs at different distances. In our other Rx products, Novax proprietary Rayform AI helps minimize oblique astigmatism across different distances and gaze directions, while DuoBalance contributes to balancing the vision experience between the two eyes. OptiPure aims to provide a more balanced distribution of power across the progressive surface. MidPoint technology also enables personal measurements and frame parameters to be incorporated into production. Our advanced Novax coating technologies complement the overall performance of the lens with features that support optical performance, surface durability and user comfort.

Could you tell us about Beta Optik’s manufacturing structure and its growth strategy for global markets?
I would like to emphasize that our operations in Istanbul and Portugal play an important role in enabling Beta Optik to serve international markets through a more accessible, flexible and sustainable structure. Leveraging the manufacturing expertise we have built in Türkiye over the years on an international scale is a strategic step for us. We do not view global growth simply as entering new markets; we also aim to establish Novax’s technology, product quality and service approach on a lasting global footing by exporting to more than 50 countries across four continents. Going forward, particularly in Europe, we want to expand our activities in markets where we can strengthen our existing partnerships and bring Novax’s personalized vision solutions to broader audiences.

How does Beta Optik respond to growing user expectations for personalized lenses and coatings?
Our product development and positioning approach is built around this shift. For the needs arising from digital lifestyles, ophthalmic lens solutions such as Novax Blockage and Zeiss BlueGuard stand out, while Novax Drive-On and Zeiss DriveSafe address safe and comfortable driving; Novax Sportive and Zeiss Smartlife Sport cater to users with active lifestyles and sports needs; and photochromic solutions such as Novax Wizard and Zeiss PhotoFusion respond to different scenarios involving frequent changes in light conditions. For office and near-to-intermediate vision, Novax and Zeiss office solutions focus on the needs of users who spend extended periods working at screens and at close range, while our anti-fatigue solutions such as Novax Serenity and Zeiss Digital offer alternatives designed to reduce visual fatigue caused by intensive near work and digital device use throughout the day. Our different coating options further broaden the range of solutions we provide.

Could you tell our readers about Beta Optik’s myopia management solutions and its approach to this issue?
Myopia control has become one of the most important topics in the optical industry today, both in terms of eye health and technological development. C.A.R.E. technology in Zeiss MyoCare and C.I.R.C.L.E. technology in Novax Myopi-X are designed to create controlled myopic defocus. With the development of these technologies, ophthalmic lenses are evolving beyond products that simply correct refractive errors to become an important therapeutic solution in myopia management. At Beta Optik, we see this development as a significant transformation that will shape the future of the optical industry. As myopia control lenses become more widespread, the role of opticians also extends beyond simply providing the correct prescription, requiring a more informed approach to myopia management in which physicians, opticians, families and lens manufacturers work together. Looking ahead, we believe personalized optical designs, advanced measurement and analysis technologies, AI-assisted design processes and clinical data will become increasingly important.

What do optical stores mean to Beta Optik? Could you tell us about the support and solutions you provide to the stores you work with?
For us, optical stores are not simply points of sale, but our most important business partners in reaching end users. This is why we consider fast and accurate order, production and after-sales processes just as important as offering a good product. Alongside our nationwide sales organization, we also use digital systems to streamline processes for our business partners. The OptiPal Online Ordering System is one of the best examples. Given the importance of accurate measurements in personalized production, we also invest in developing technological measurement and ordering infrastructures. Our aim is to create an integrated service experience that enables opticians to match the right product with the right user as easily as possible.

How would you describe the benefits of participating in international trade fairs such as Silmo Paris for Beta Optik?
We see international events such as Silmo Paris as highly important meeting points where we can gain insight into the future of the industry. By bringing together industry professionals from different markets around the world under one roof, these events provide great value both in observing new technologies and evolving user expectations, and in presenting our own products and technologies to international professionals. For Novax, these fairs are not simply places where we showcase products, but valuable platforms where we can communicate our technology and design approach on a global scale and exchange knowledge with the industry.

Could you tell our readers about Beta Optik’s short and long term goals?
In the coming period, our focus will be on continuing to develop innovative solutions centered on user needs while further advancing our manufacturing and design technologies. As we continue our R&D and product development efforts at Novax in this direction, our goal at Beta Optik is to maintain our strong structure in Türkiye and further expand our presence in international markets. In the long term, we aim to remain a brand that represents Türkiye’s technology and manufacturing strength globally, not only following innovation but creating it.

How do you evaluate the development of Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair and its contribution to the optical industry?
I consider Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair one of the most important platforms connecting Türkiye’s optical industry with the global market. Silmo Istanbul’s continued growth and increasingly strong international exhibitor and visitor profile each year make a significant contribution to raising the global visibility of the potential within Türkiye’s optical industry.

Thank you for this valuable interview. Finally, could you share your thoughts on 4 your eyes?
I believe that 4 your eyes, as a strong communication platform that brings industry developments, innovations and global trends to professionals, complements the ecosystem created around Silmo Istanbul. I believe the synergy between Silmo Istanbul and 4 your eyes makes a valuable contribution to the globalization of our industry, knowledge sharing and preparing more strongly for the future.

September 2026

Makeup Readers

New Segment for Optical Stores

MAKEUP READERS

Revived by global brands with acetate craftsmanship, bold color palettes and strong lines, makeup readers promise optical stores a fresh perspective, commercial advantage and an entirely new fashion focused prestige segment.

As the global optical industry turns to innovations in reading eyewear and lens technologies amid the growing population with near vision difficulties, niche and purpose-driven designs are opening new avenues in the market. One practical example with strong commercial potential is makeup readers, designed to overcome the ergonomic barriers women face during their beauty routines. Featuring rotating or flip-down mechanisms, these special designs offer practicality and comfort, particularly for women experiencing age-related near vision problems. By eliminating the need to move excessively close to the mirror, they enable safe and precise makeup application without losing focus. Once regarded as simple e-commerce accessories, makeup readers are evolving from a technical solution into a blend of fashion and functionality as design brands introduce them into their collections. Offered in high-quality acetate, with anti-reflective lenses, advanced technical features and a variety of colors, this niche product category also presents optical stores with an attractive opportunity for ‘second-pair’ sales and impulse purchases.

How Do the Mechanisms Work?
What sets makeup readers apart from standard reading glasses is the positioning of the lenses and the frame’s ability to move. Two main mechanical designs stand out in the industry to meet this need. The first is the single-lens ‘Swivel’ system, which rotates 180 degrees around a central pivot on the bridge. When applying makeup to the right eye, the user rotates the lens in front of the left eye to maintain a clear point of focus. However, hardware quality is crucial in these systems, as looseness in the mechanism may shift the optical center of the lens and affect user comfort. Swivel systems are therefore better suited to hyperopia or presbyopia than to astigmatism correction. In the ‘Flip-Down’ system, particularly favored in the premium segment, the two lenses operate independently. Micro hinges along the lower edge of the frame allow the lens in front of the eye being made up to fold downward, while the other eye continues to see the mirror clearly through the focused lens. The key advantage of Flip-Down systems for optical retailers is their structure, which allows pupillary distance adjustment and the fitting of prescriptions that include astigmatism.

From Inexpensive Aid to Luxury Accessory
Despite their high functionality, makeup readers were long overlooked by experienced opticians because they were available only as inexpensive injection-molded plastic products. Today, however, they offer commercial potential as an emerging niche segment. The design brands such as Miami-based Vicci Eyewear are among the first to transform this niche category from a purely functional accessory into a lifestyle object. The brand combines hypoallergenic, aspheric and anti-reflective lenses resistant to cosmetic chemicals with premium Italian acetate and monel metal frames. Bold shapes and rich color palettes further appeal to different aesthetic tastes. Hong Kong-based EYEisland, meanwhile, brings new alternatives to the segment with its colorful style inspired by the energy of street fashion. This growing diversity points to makeup readers becoming an enduring category in optical fashion.

Fresh Perspective for Your Store
While selling another pair of reading glasses to women with near vision loss, particularly presbyopia, may often meet resistance, offering a stylish yet functional beauty accessory that adds value to their makeup routine can help reduce hesitation toward a ‘second-pair’ purchase. Presented in elegant boxes and special cases, this new segment can also create an appealing ‘luxury gift’ option for your store. Addressing an important need in a more stylish and refined way, this niche segment promises a new experience for both you and your customers.

Eylül 2026

Kapadokya Optik Lens

KAPADOKYA OPTİK LENS

Quality and Lasting Satisfaction

“Silmo Istanbul offers much more than an opportunity to discover products; they allow us to recognize the evolution of the industry, understand changing customer needs and look ahead to the future.”

Hello, Dilan and Hüseyin. Could you tell us a little about yourselves and what first drew you to the optical industry?

Dilan Sartık: Hello, I’m Dilan Uslu Sartık. I was born in Tekirdağ in 2000. I was introduced to the world of business at a very young age through my father’s grocery store. During high school, encouraged by my older sister, who is a doctor, I enrolled in the Opticianry Program at Kırklareli University. While I was still studying, I took my first steps into the profession on Edirne’s well-known Çilingirler Street.

Hüseyin Sartık: Hello, I’m Hüseyin. I was born in Istanbul in 1999. My interest in entrepreneurship began in high school and, after a few unsuccessful attempts during university, took a different direction when Dilan and I crossed paths. We realized there was a lack of quality service in the industry at an accessible level, and that realization laid the foundations for our store.

You founded Kapadokya Optik Lens in 2023. What was your vision for the store, and what sets you apart from other optical retailers?
From the very beginning, we wanted Kapadokya Optik Lens to be more than just a place to shop. We envisioned it as a space where vision care, aesthetics and personal style come together. Our priority was to build a brand that offers personalized solutions, inspires trust and creates lasting relationships with every customer. We noticed that customers across the industry were often guided toward a quick sale rather than the right product, and we wanted to change that perception. What motivated us most was the desire to create a more transparent, informed and customer-focused approach. We also believe eyewear is not simply a necessity, but an expression of personal style. In short, Kapadokya Optik Lens was born not just as a business venture, but from a desire to make a difference and raise standards in the industry. We are not in this business simply to make money. For us, earning people’s trust is far more valuable, and I think that mindset is ultimately what sets us apart.

What kind of approach did you take when creating the overall concept for your store
Our starting point was to create ‘an experience center’ rather than a conventional optical store. From the moment our guests walk in, we wanted them to feel a sense of comfort and spaciousness in a calm, visually relaxing environment. Our minimalist design also allows us to guide customers clearly without overwhelming them or creating confusion. Every detail went through a process of turning our ideas into design and then into reality. Simplicity was the key throughout; we believe it opens the door to perfection. We focused entirely on feeling and experience, designing each element individually while making sure everything worked together as a whole. We carefully selected every material and closely followed the production process in industrial workshops. We also consulted leading names in minimalist architecture, bringing their perspectives into the process before finally creating Kapadokya Optik Lens.

What are your key criteria when selecting brands and products for your store? Are there any particular categories you like to highlight?
Our most important criteria are quality and lasting customer satisfaction. We evaluate a product not only for its design and aesthetics, but also for the quality of its materials, durability and comfort. We also look for brands with a distinctive character and identity. We are quite selective and don’t carry every product that comes our way. For us, every piece we select needs to offer real value to the customer beyond simply looking good. When building our collections, we carefully balance global trends with the expectations of our customer profile. The season’s standout pieces always have a place on our shelves, while collections by leading designers from around the world and handcrafted products are among our favorites. We also have a dedicated corner for customers who prefer a more classic style. What matters most to us is being able to stand behind every product we carry and recommend it to our customers with complete confidence.

You mentioned your focus on quality and lasting customer satisfaction. What does this approach mean to you?
At Kapadokya Optik, we define our approach to service as ‘personalized consulting and lasting customer satisfaction’. For us, the process doesn’t begin with selling a product, but with truly understanding the customer’s needs. We carefully consider each person’s facial features, everyday habits, lifestyle and expectations before guiding them toward the right product. This allows us to build long-term relationships based on trust rather than simply creating satisfaction at the time of purchase. We carry the same approach into our after-sales service as well. We personally follow up for a period of time to see how the products we provide are contributing to our customers’ quality of life. We then invite them back to the store periodically to check the condition and maintenance of their products. This way, we can make sure every guest receives a seamless experience and reliable service from beginning to end.

How does your focus on personalized solutions influence the lenses you choose for your customers?
When it comes to lenses, our priority is always visual quality and wearer comfort. We therefore favor high-definition lenses, anti-reflective coatings, blue-light filters and thin, lightweight materials. Choosing the right lens based on each customer’s individual needs and habits is extremely important to us. Someone who spends long hours in front of digital screens does not have the same needs as someone who is constantly on the move throughout the day. That is why, rather than relying on standard, conventional products, we focus on developing personalized solutions tailored to each customer.

You’ve made a name in Çorlu, Tekirdağ in a short time. Do you have any new investment plans ahead?
Yes, absolutely. We’re already moving quickly on plans to bring the concept we’ve created to our customers in three more locations that we feel truly reflect who we are. We also have ambitions to become more involved behind the scenes and explore the production side of the business. Perhaps we’ll have the opportunity to join you again in the future and share more about our new ventures and what we have been working on.

Could you share your thoughts on Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair, taking place from November 18 to 21 this year?
We believe Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair continues to grow every year and brings tremendous value to the industry. Having global brands, new technologies and trends come together on the same platform is a major advantage. International fairs like Silmo Istanbul offer much more than an opportunity to discover products; they allow us to recognize the transformation of the industry, understand changing customer expectations and look ahead to the future.

Thank you for this valuable interview. Finally, what would you like to say about 4 your eyes?
We highly value 4 your eyes for its vision and contribution to the optical industry. By raising industry awareness and highlighting new developments, it plays an important role in the sector while giving emerging brands like ours a platform to express themselves and share their vision. We would also like to thank you for your contribution to raising quality standards across the industry and wish you continued success.

September 2026