Companies offer solutions for myopia, digital eye strain, amblyopia and other conditions.
By David Goldberg
As many as five billion people could be living with shortsightedness by the year 2050, according to a study published in the journal Ophthalmology.
However, even today, we have a wide range of lens technologies specifically designed to help patients correct issues such as myopia, amblyopia and computer vision syndrome.
Here’s a round-up of the exciting products that eye care professionals have at their disposal to help patients see the world like they never have before.
ESSILOR INNOVATION
Essilor has unveiled its most advanced and innovative single-vision lenses ever.
Eyezen+ lenses are designed to reduce strain and protect against harmful blue light.
“These single-vision lenses are adapted to our more connected lives as we spend more time in front of screens than ever before,” explains Martine Ahier, Essilor’s senior marketing manager.
Essilor is also tackling the growing problem of myopia in children with the Myopilux Max lenses.
In clinical trials, these lenses were shown to slow down the progression of myopia in children by up to 51 per cent.
“Essilor’s mission is to improve life by improving sight,” says Ahier. “It goes without saying that we have an important role to play as myopia is described as a global epidemic.”
(HOME) OFFICE LENSES
Office lens designs have never been more important.
With many of us spending a large part of our day working on computers or viewing digital screens, traditional bifocals or progressives just won’t cut it.
Then there’s CHOICE Office HD Lenses.
Centennial’s Rick Leroux explains how these go above and beyond traditional office lens offerings.
“Most manufacturers have simplified the dispensing process by having ECPs select one of three (distance) options and adjust the standard progressive prescription accordingly,” he says.
“An exception to the rule is CHOICE Office HD. Although a standard focal distance of one, two or four metres can be selected, ECPs can more precisely specify the desired focal distance for each of their patients. By taking the prescribed additional power for reading and the desired focal distance for the top half of the lens, from 0.3 metres to full distance (infinity), the dynamic power is specified so that the lens can be fully customized to meet the patient’s needs.”
MYOPIA CONTROL
The rate of Myopia in children is expected to climb over the next decade and so Hoya has developed MiyoSmart, an innovative lens for myopia control. It’s been proven to curb myopia progression in children on average by 60 per cent with its award-winning D.I.M.S. (Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments) technology.
The best part is, these lenses are built to withstand whatever a kid can throw at them, or whatever height they are probably going to drop them from.
“The lenses are impact-resistant,” explains Hoya’s marketing manager, Dale Mouscos. “The lens is aesthetically pleasing with its smooth surface and near-identical appearance to single-vision lenses.”
MiyoSmart lenses also feature a MiyoSmart Coating, which includes anti-reflective, scratch resistant, oleophobic and water repellent properties.
ULTIMATE CUSTOM LENSES
When it comes to a lens that can tackle multiple eyesight problems, look no further than the Shaw Lens from Plastic Plus.
Dr. Peter Shaw’s software modeling system accurately predicts distortions caused by glasses. That information is then used to design a lens that reduces or eliminates the distortion other lenses can cause.
The result is a more comfortable experience that can reduce eye strain and result in fewer headaches.
“We have diagnosis-specific strategies for all consumers including, but not limited to, anisometropia (from cataract, surgery or growth), aniseikonia due to macropsia (from ERM), scleral buckle, refractive amblyopia and traumatic brain injury,” explains Dr. Shaw, CEO and CTO at Shaw Lens.
This technology is available in single-vision, bifocal and multifocal options using mid to high-index clear, tintable, photo adaptive and polarized materials.
SIGNATURE LENSES
Always reliable, always there for your eyes.
The Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses remain a viable option for customers interested in lenses that block blue light emitted from digital devices.
“Blue-violet light can be harmful to our eyes and can cause eyestrain and fatigue,” says Transitions’ Christina Gregory. “Indoors, Transitions lenses filter harmful blue light emitted by artificial sources such as digital devices and LED lights. Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses block at least 20 per cent of harmful blue light indoors and over 87 per cent of harmful blue light outdoors.
Transitions is also pleased to offer XTRActive lenses to help provide more protection against blue light everywhere you need it by blocking at least 34 per cent of the harmful blue light indoors and 88 to 95 per cent of harmful blue light outdoors.
