Middle East: growth of the eyewear market
In the Middle East, the market for high-end ophthalmic products and branded optical aids is now worth over $2 billion. Regional consumers spend significant amounts on the purchase of prescription lenses and frames, sunglasses, contact lenses and assorted eye care products, thanks to their relatively high purchasing power and the extreme climatic conditions in which they live.
However, opticians and public health experts have expressed concern that levels of patient education regarding optical health are not high enough in the region. Typically, opticians recommend that people visit a trained optician every year, but the evidence suggests that insufficient numbers of people in the region are managing to do this.
Dubai World Trade Centre (Dwtc), organisers of Vision-X Dubai 2006, to be held from February 12-14, the largest regional exhibition for the latest in eyewear, optical aids and accessories, are expecting this year's event to be at least 40 per cent bigger than the previous show in 2004, due to greater interest in optical health and rising fashion consciousness around glasses and sunglasses.
The exhibition, formerly known as Optical Middle East, has been rebranded Vision-X Dubai to reflect its increasing profile and new status in the optical and ophthalmic industry. To contribute to a wider discussion around eye health in the region, running alongside Vision-X Dubai 2006 will be a major conference organised by Emirates Medical Association Ophthalmic Society (Emaos).
'Vision-X Dubai supports exhibitors from both the medical and fashion ends of the eyewear spectrum, and as such presents a major opportunity for a broad range of companies and healthcare organisations', says Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dwtc.
'There is huge, largely untapped potential for optical and ophthalmic products in the region, ranging from low-end, affordable products which help ensure lifelong clear eyesight, through to products for the very fashion-conscious, who own multiple sets of lenses and other optical aids or fashion accessories', added Al Marri.
