Parents and opticians alike will say it is often very difficult to find the right eyewear for young people.
There is no question that this market has their own ideas about fashion, what is cool and even their own eye health.
Todays youth are highly informed consumers who are eager to follow and set trends. HOYA Vision Care has spent years listening to customers’ challenges in selling glasses to youth.
They also actively work with eyecare professionals to ensure they are educated and can provide the latest information to their clients.
“HOYA has two great programs that help ECPs meet the needs of younger children and lens designs that are especially designed for today’s active youth market,” said HOYA president David Pietrobon .
The HOYA Eye M Growing program provides independent ECPs with a program that grows with their patients who range from toddlers to 13-years-old.
The program offers a free substitute pair of lenses within 15 months of the original order for any reason.
“Kids are notoriously tough on glasses and their prescriptions may change rapidly,” said Pietrobon adding the program provides premium lens material and HOYA coatings.
Outreach is also key to ensuring young people get the eyecare they need. HOYA has partnered with the Ontario Association of Optometrists Eye See Eye Learn (ESEL) program
since 2009.
Using social media and community programs the program helps raise awareness among parents about the importance of having their children’s eyes checked.
“As part of the program, HOYA provides complimentary premium glasses using the Phoenix lens material and HOYA’s Super Hi Vision Anti-reflection easy clean coating to
junior kindergarden kids when prescription lenses are prescribed,” said Pietrobon.
He added educating parents is a huge responsibility of eyecare providers and should not be taken lightly. The ESEL website offers fun and interactive tools for both parents and their children to learn more about eyecare and help kids become HOYA connects kids with eye care
more comfortable with the idea of glasses.
A helpful link helps parents connect with participating Optometrists across Ontario and offers information in more than a dozen languages.
Many parents often dread the idea of getting glasses for their children because of the cost and the possibility of breakage. HOYA has worked to develop products that have
a long life and fit the budget of busy working families.
“We believe ECPs should spend time on educating parents on the advantages of kid-friendly materials, lens designs for active youth and a new lens coating that provides
a measure of health protection,” he said.
The Phoenix lens material is one of two lens materials recommended by the American Optometric Associations’ Clinical Practice Guideline for Paediatric Eye and Visual Examinations.
The durable and robust material is light and comfortable for young people to wear, ensuring the glasses stay on fussy young faces.
HOYA has also addressed the growing use of digital devices by young people. New lens treatments such as ReCharge coating reduces this light and increases visual sharpness when you are using back lighted devices.
Pietrobon noted the Nulux Active 5 lens is a popular choice because it offers quick focus and defocusing abilities for wearers in a highly digital age.
“(The) lens design has been very popular for the youth market since visual requirements demanded in the digital age of devices, tablets and smart phones have increased the demand for supporting the requisite vision requirements. The lens design provides support in the lower part of the lens which can help reduce eye strain and tiredness,” he said. The addition of Recharge will help with contrast and visual comfort. •
To learn more about HOYA Vision Care Products visit www.hoya.ca
To learn more about the ESEL program visit eyeseeeyelearn.ca