By Jody Johnson-Pettit

New lens technology is making its way to the Canadian marketplace this fall.

Essilor Canada has launched a new single-vision lens, just in time for the back-to-school season.

Eyezen+ Start lenses are based on an entirely new technology called Dualoptim and will advantageously replace standard single-vision lenses for children and adults up to 40 years old.

“Living a connected life has modified our behaviour, posture and reading distances,” says Martine Ahier, senior marketing manager of brands and products for Essilor Canada.

“Unfortunately, standard single-vision lenses don’t take these changes into account.”

While conventional single-vision lenses are only optimized at their optical centre, which creates power error and unwanted astigmatism in near vision, Eyezen+ Start lenses with Dualoptim Technology are optimized for both far and near vision.

Power error and unwanted astigmatism are reduced throughout the entire lens, with a 60 per cent reduction in near-vision, allowing wearers to benefit from relaxed vision, especially while using digital devices.

Eyezen+ Start lenses also offer advanced protection against harmful blue-violet light as well as a better contrast thanks to W.A.V.E. technology.

 

Centennial Optical recently made available to Canadians the sunSMART II 1.67 high-index photochromic Flat-Top 28 bifocal lens by Vision Dynamics.

“Prior to this introduction, photochromic bifocals were available in 1.50 and 1.56 index plastic, Trivex and polycarbonate, so this 1.67 product represents our first high-index option in a photochromic bifocal,” says Rick Leroux, director, marketing and communications (lenses), Centennial Optical Limited.

The new sunSMART II also offers fast photochromatic activation and fade back, with built-in UVA and UVB protection.

Also, from Centennial Optical and Riverside Opticalab is the Kodak Unique DRO and Kodak Unique DRO HD digitally customized progressive lenses.

DRO stands for Dynamic Reading Optimization, which improves the overall optical performance of the lens, while significantly reducing oblique astigmatic errors in the reading area. The average increase in effective reading area is 17 per cent over a range of prescriptions, while the average reduction in oblique astigmatic errors in the reading zone is 54 per cent.

For certain prescriptions, DRO can virtually eliminate oblique astigmatism. The technology greatly reduces off-axis viewing, allowing the eyes to comfortably focus in the reading area for longer periods of time.

 

A new lens that is ready to launch this fall in Canada is the Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses.

“The new Transitions Signature GEN 8 lens technology allows a new frontier of performance, without compromise,” says Isabelle Tremblay-Dawson, business development director.

“Not only are Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses faster in activation and fade-back, they are even darker than previous generations.”

The lenses also block 100 per cent UV and help protect the eyes from harmful blue light.

The lenses were developed using new, breakthrough technology that combines a disruptive nano-composite matrix and a new generation of ultra-agile photochromic dyes.

The nano-composite matrix in Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses is a nano-structured material that mimics a semi-crystalline structure. This matrix creates free zones for improved dye mobility. Not only can the dyes move more freely, but it is also more stable and consistent in its performance.

“As leader and champion of the photochromic category, our mission is to provide better vision and protection to everyone. We are proud to introduce a new technology, bringing a new level of performance, based on consumer’s needs,” says Chrystel Barranger, president of Essilor Photochromics and Transitions Optical.

 

The latest lens from HOYA Vision Care Canada is their latest progressive lens, Array 2.

The second-generation Array builds on its flexible backside platform and now incorporates Hoya’s revolutionary Binocular Harmonization Technology (BHT).

One of two key components around the Array 2 design is that it offers the broadest range of availability in lens materials and coatings making it suitable for everyday use as well as second pair design.

The second significant design advantage is the addition of HOYA’s patented Binocular Harmonization Technology (BHT).

With BHT, the right and left prescription are treated as individual components defining the required binocular lens design and then the necessary corridor length and progressive power distribution are calculated. Patented algorithms and free form processing technology are implemented to achieve the finished product.

“We know that more than seven in 10 people have a difference in prescription from their left to right eye, which has an impact on adaptation and overall comfort – BHT solves these problems and provides a solution that ensures both eyes receive equal, accommodative support, according to the needs of each eye,” says Ahmos Henry, president of HOYA Canada.

HOYA also recently launched LifeStyle 3, a new lens design that is offered in three variations, Indoor, Urban and Outdoor.

Indoor places emphasis on near vision focus, Urban wearers enjoy equal focus on all main vision areas and Outdoor puts primary focus on distance.

The Lifestyle 3 lenses also use HOYA’s Binocular Harmonization Technology (BHT). 

 

Nikon Optical Canada is launching SeeMax Infinite, a replacement of SeeMax AP, the most advanced single vision lens available on the market.

The technology behind this revolutionary lens takes into account the comfort level, which is unique to each person.

Nikon has developed a tablette application to measure the sensitivity of a person to different aberrations. Understanding what makes them more comfortable, this measurement is the first subjective data Nikon is able to collect from the patient besides the prescription.

As the demand on our eyes is constantly growing, wearing lenses with high hand and ultra performant technologies represents the simplest way to add quality and comfort to our vision.

New technologies will also help alleviate visual stress and provide higher accuracy in delivering outstanding vision to the patient, says HOYA.