From the editor
Canadian consumers buy about 8.3 million pairs
of corrective lenses each year.
More than half of those purchases are for single-vision
lenses, while nearly 33 per cent of the sales are for
progressives and 14 per cent are for multi-focal
lenses, according to a recent VisionWatch Canada
report from the Vision Council.
Between October 2016 and September 2017, Canadians
spent about $1.84 billion on lenses. The average price
paid for a pair of single-vision lenses was $152, while
consumers spent an average of $232 on multi-focal
lenses and $328 on progressives.
About 65 per cent of lenses purchased in Canada
have an anti-reflective coating added, while about
12 per cent are photochromic lenses and seven per
cent of prescription lenses have a tinted coating.
In response to the high demand for lenses and competition in the Canadian marketplace,
eyewear companies are continually developing better lenses that take advantage of the
latest technology.
This issue of Optical Prism magazine is focused on the latest and greatest in lens
technology. Our associate editor Troy Patterson has spoken to officials at Essilor, Plastic
Plus, Hoya, Centennial and Dr.'s Choice about their latest products, which are all aimed
at helping people to see even better.
Our assistant editor Jody Johnson-Pettit has written a feature article on the latest in
photochromic lenses, which continue to gain popularity in Canada.
Also included in this issue is a feature on contact lenses.
We also speak with Bryan Rossi, the new general manager of Carl Zeiss Canada's Vision
Care division, a leading manufacturer of eyeglass lenses and ophthalmic instruments,
about the company's products and what's in store for the future.
Every time we put together an issue about lens technology, I can't help but think about
how lucky we are to have so many companies working hard to create the best lenses
possible to help people see.
The world is truly beautiful and everyone should be able to take it all in.
About 66 per cent of Canadians, according to the VisionWatch Canada report, purchase
prescription eyeglasses to help them do just that.
Denis Langlois,
Editor.
6 OPTICAL PRISM | March 2018