Light-adaptive lenses among the most requested by patients
By David Goldberg
Anyone who works, lives or plays in varying light conditions can see the benefits of photochromic lenses.
This game-changing innovation first hit the mainstream 30 years ago and analysts believe the market will be worth at least $7 billion by 2024.
Now, the industry’s biggest players are in an arms race to see who can roll out the “fastest fadeback” or the greatest selection of trendy style colours.
“The two main attributes that make photochromic lenses popular are convenience and visual comfort since the lenses adapt to changing light conditions, providing just the right tint for each situation without having to change eyewear,” says Rick Leroux, Centennial Optical’s director of marketing and communications. “A third important attribute is protection against harmful UV rays.”
Leroux suggests the NuPolar Infinite Gray polycarbonate polarized photochromic lenses by Younger Optics. The versatile polarized sun lenses utilize a high-efficiency NuPolar polarized film to block blinding glare.
The UV-responsive photochromic technology allows the lenses to change from light grey and 35 per cent light transmittance in shade to dark grey and nine per cent light transmittance in bright sunlight.
If you suffer from eye strain or poor vision in bright light, you can always trust Transitions, which originally brought photochromics to commercial markets in the early ‘90s.
Transitions marketing manager Arnaud Rajchenbach explains how Transitions XTRActive new generation lenses have introduced the company’s most advanced dye package ever.
“We finetuned the photochromic molecules to provide the best darkness, improved activation and fadeback as well as consistent colours through all phases of activation,” he says.
These lenses will even perform well in the car, something photochromic wearers had issues with in the past.
Also, for consideration, try Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses, which are built on a unique and exclusive technology, allowing the lenses to darken outdoors with the level of polarization adjusting to light intensity outdoors.
“This dynamic polarization is generated by the ultra-fast dichroic dyes that organize in a linear pattern in the matrix of the lens for polarization,” says Rajchenbach. “When not activated, the lenses have no polarization effect, because the dichroic dyes react to UV light.”
Some people are wary of photochromics, thinking there might be issues with colour distortion or the fadeback process, but those issues are a thing of the past.
ZEISS PhotoFusion self-tinting lenses continue to offer exceptional performance in the photochromic category.
“These lenses have enhanced, faster photochromic response, whether you’re outdoors or indoors,” says Oliver Debregeas, head of sales and marketing for Carl Zeiss Vision Canada. “You’ll also get excellent protection from harmful UV rays without distorting any of the colours you want to enjoy in the beautiful outdoors.”
We might be in the height of summer, but year-round protection is also important to your patients.
That’s why HOYA’s Sensity lenses with Stabilight Technology provide consistent performance in all different climates and temperatures with three options to choose from including Regular, Dark or Shine.
“Sensity lenses are great all year round and you can choose from three natural colours with options that best suit your lifestyle and preferences. They offer patients the convenience of adaptation with better reaction to visible light and blue light protection in the activated state,” says HOYA Vision Care Canada’s marketing manager Dale Mouscos.
“In low temperatures, other photochromics can get extremely dark and are slow to fade back. These same products don’t get as dark in warmer temperatures. Patient needs were extremely important while considering the development of the Sensity product line which is why we developed Sensity Dark to activate behind the windshield of a car and Sensity Shine to offer a subtle yet attractive mirror finish in the activated state.”
Also, be on the lookout for Sensity 2 coming to Canada later this year.
Pictured: ZEISS PhotoFusion
