As myopia rates continue to climb globally, Lipo is positioned at the forefront of paediatric eyewear innovation, with frames specifically engineered to optimise myopia control lens performance in children. mivision asked Lipo founder, Li Zhaojiao about the vision behind the brand.

The story of Lipo began not in a corporate boardroom, but in a trampoline park where founder Li Zhaojiao watched his youngest son GuaGua – born with myopia – struggle with ill-fitting glasses that constantly slipped during play. As both a doctor and eyewear designer, Li recognised the profound implications: children’s developing visual systems require precise optical correction, and poorly fitting frames can jeopardise this critical developmental process.

Despite extensive searching, Li could not find a single pair of children’s glasses that met his professional standards. Faced with what he viewed as a father’s responsibility, he committed his expertise to creating the solution that the market lacked. Drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese mortise and tenon carpentry techniques – a screwless, metal-free joinery method renowned for its durability – Li developed Lipo’s revolutionary construction approach.

What began as one father’s quest to protect his child’s vision has evolved into an internationally-recognised brand, now distributed across 32 countries. Lipo’s innovations have earned prestigious recognition, including international design awards and designation as a Shenzhen top brand, with the company’s story documented in the China Central Television programme Ingenuity.

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Li’s three patent-pending designs represent a fundamental shift in how many eyewear designers approach children’s vision correction, moving beyond simple size adaptations to address the unique anatomical and developmental needs of young wearers. His professional understanding of myopia’s impact on developing visual systems, combined with his personal experience as a father, has driven innovations that prioritise both optical precision and real-world durability.

Lipo’s design philosophy centres on accommodation and adaptability. The company recognises that children’s faces undergo constant changes, necessitating frames that can evolve alongside their development. Each frame incorporates screwless adjustable temple lengths, eliminating the need for frequent professional adjustments while maintaining structural integrity. The comprehensive sizing system spans from 38 mm to 55 mm eye sizes, encompassing both rounder and squarer lens shapes specifically calibrated for myopia control applications.

Features of Lipo's paediatric range of spectacles.

The S-shaped temple design addresses a critical issue in paediatric eyewear: the negative wrap effect commonly experienced with traditional frame geometries. This innovative temple configuration, featuring a subtle indentation at the tip to accommodate the soft ear bone structure, ensures optimal positioning without compromising comfort during extended wear periods.

ANCIENT CRAFTSMANSHIP MEETS MODERN INNOVATION

Li’s heritage craftsmanship approach, using the inspiration of Chinese mortise and tenon joinery, underpins Lipo’s screwless design philosophy, creating frames that withstand the rigours of childhood while maintaining structural integrity.

Constructed from Swiss EMS material, Lipo frames deliver exceptional performance while maintaining environmental responsibility. The hypoallergenic, heat-resistant material achieves remarkable lightness – weighing between 6–10 grams – without sacrificing durability. This weight reduction proves particularly significant for children who may be sensitive to heavier frames or experience fatigue during prolonged wear.

The company’s pop-out flexible hinge system represents a breakthrough in frame resilience. This design accommodates the inevitable stresses of childhood activities while providing additional accessibility benefits for children with mobility considerations. The screwless construction across the Bai, Xiao, and DU series further enhances both safety and longevity.

OPTIMISING MYOPIA CONTROL LENS PERFORMANCE

Central to Lipo’s value proposition is the patent-pending fitting grid system, which addresses one of the most critical aspects of myopia control: precise lens alignment. This tool enables eye care professionals to achieve accurate pupil centration, ensuring optimal alignment between the specialised lens zones and the child’s line of sight – a factor that can significantly impact treatment efficacy.

The frames accommodate multiple nose pad sizes (S, M, L, XL, or no nose pad options), providing practitioners with comprehensive fitting flexibility. This system reduces sweat accumulation while ensuring proper lens positioning, both crucial factors in maintaining consistent myopia control lens performance.

SUPPORTING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Lipo extends its commitment to optimal fitting beyond the initial dispensing through a comprehensive service kit. This resource enables eye care professionals to perform necessary adjustments during follow-up appointments, ensuring continued proper fit as children grow. The company’s recognition that effective myopia control requires ongoing professional support distinguishes it from traditional children’s eyewear manufacturers.

The extensive colour palette, ranging from vibrant to pastel options, acknowledges that children’s willingness to wear their glasses consistently – critical for myopia control success – often correlates with their aesthetic preferences.

Lipo is distributed in Australia by AsiaContacts1. Visit: asiacontacts1.com.