VisionPlus India

optometrists are interested in. This helps us identify gaps, tailor support, and drive deeper, more meaningful conversations. One emerging KPI is retail benchmarking—giving opticians data on how they compare with peers in areas like product mix, adoption rates, or returns. It empowers them to make data-driven improvements and boost profitability. On the sustainability front, we’re seeing traction around remote edging. The more lens edging we perform in-house using dry edgers, the more sustainable the entire process becomes— reducing water use, waste, and emissions. So yes, the focus is shifting from just “how much we sell” to “how well we enable outcomes”—clinical, retail, and environmental. VP: What is ZEISS doing globally to help optical stores move beyond e-commerce into intelligent digital retail? BD: We believe innovation should drive meaningful outcomes. ZEISS Bridge AI—our internal generative AI platform—is a great example. It’s trained across divisions and is already helping us create custom training tools, personalised lens recommendations, and even internal content like podcasts to boost staff productivity. While it’s currently used internally, we’re gearing up to make these tools available to optical practices worldwide. We were also early adopters of AI-powered virtual try- ons—a feature that’s finally seeing broad adoption. From smart engagement tools to AI-driven product recommendations, we’re helping practices transition from basic online selling to connected, intelligent retail. For ZEISS, innovation isn’t a feature – it is the foundation! VP: You’ve travelled widely. What’s one quirky or unexpected thing you’ve discovered about India’s optical community? BD: What truly surprised— and delighted—me is the incredible entrepreneurial spirit of India’s optical community, grounded in strong, personal relationships. In many countries, business is transactional. But in India, opticians are often multigenerational advisors— serving entire families, and doing so with trust and warmth. Also impressive is how quickly this community adopts innovation— whether it's advanced ZEISS technology or store upgrades for better customer experience—all while retaining their local character. That blend of tradition and agility is uniquely Indian and incredibly inspiring. THE MORE LENS EDGING WE PERFORM IN-HOUSE USING DRY EDGERS, THE MORE SUSTAINABLE THE ENTIRE PROCESS BECOMES— REDUCINGWATER USE, WASTE, AND EMISSIONS 30 VISION PLUS INDIA EDITION