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Essilor introduces refraction technology, advanced photochromic
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NEW YORK – Essilor of America launched two major products in the categories of refraction and photochromic lenses at a press conference held here during Vision Expo East.
Advanced Vision Accuracy (AVA) provides “precise measurements that lead to precise lenses,” according to Essilor of America’s chief marketing officer, Sherianne James.
The company describes (AVA) in a press release as an integrated solution for eye care professionals enabled by the introduction of the new phoropter, the Vision-R 800 by Essilor Instruments.
“It’s a unique proprietary combination that’s really going to deliver on patient experience,” James said.
With the “breakthrough refraction technology plus infinitely variable liquid lens, we will now have our most advanced lenses, our Digital Varilux and Eyezen+,” James said. “By the second half of the year you’ll be able to order them not just in quarter diopters; you can get these lenses to one-hundredth of a diopter.”
James said that the company’s research shows that patients can tell a difference.
Also at the press conference, Transition Optical’s global director of research and development, Luc Nouvelot, introduced Transitions Signature Gen8.
“This will be, by far, the overall photochromic performer on the market over Transitions Signature VII,” he said.
With the Gen8, the fade back occurs 3 minutes faster (at 4 minutes, 40 seconds), Nouvelot said, the lens activates 30% faster (in 35 seconds), and darkness and fatigue are improved.
“At the same time, we don’t compromise on anything else, but we will have the highest indoor clarity and ultimate UVA and UVB and harmful blue light protection,” he said.
Nouvelot described the technology as a disruptive nano-composite matrix.
“We created those cells of a soft medium, where dyes can move freely, and still surround it with a structure that is hard and durable,” he said.
The Gen8 is fully clear indoors; even darker outdoors; has faster activation and fade back; offers ultimate eye protection, with 100% UV block, indoors and outdoors, and harmful blue light protection; and will be available in a wide range of colors, Nouvelot said.
At the U.S. July launch, the Gen 8 lenses will first be available in polycarbonate, 1.5 and 1.67 as well as gray and brown colors, “then we will launch other colors and substrates, he said.
Millicent Knight, OD, FAAO, FAARM, Essilor of America senior vice president, customer development group, shared the progress of the Essilor-organized Myopia Taskforce.
She said that at a recent meeting, the task force determined that eye care providers “still need a deeper understanding of myopia. There’s still a lack of understanding and educational reaches available to the consumer.”
She said the Myopia Initiative in Action program provides training modules and tools for implementing a myopia protocol in the eye care practice. The program will be available this summer.
James ended the event with a champagne toast to celebrate the 60-year birthday of Varilux. – by Nancy Hemphill, ELS, FAAO
Disclosures: James and Knight are employed by Essilor. Nouvelot is employed by Transitions.