On the Cover
The key to children’s vision is the
perfect lens.
Optical companies have designed
lenses that not only can correct
and improve a child’s eyesight,
but also protect their eyes from
potentially harmful ultra-violet
or blue light and guard the lenses
against scratches and impact.
“On top of our regular work, we’re
part of the Eye See...Eye Learn
program where we provide free
lenses to any junior kindergarten
child in the province,” he said.
The best lenses for children,
according to Faibish, is a
polycarbonate lens with UV 420
protection.
At Hoya Vision Care Canada, the
Eye-M-Growing Kids program
uses Hoya’s state-of-the-art Phoenix
lenses, which are 60 times more
impact-resistant than standard
plastic. The lenses are extra thin
and ultra-lightweight. “We have a huge inventory of both
finished and semi-finished product
that eliminates blue light up to
420 nanometres with virtually
no residual colour. In my opinion,
that’s what all children should be
wearing,” he said.
“We proudly support children’s eye
health and safety awareness,” says
Teresa Schiavone, sales strategy and
marketing supervisor at Hoya. Polycarbonate lenses are highly
impact resistant, which Faibish said
ensures a child’s eyes remain safe.
“The program offers a substitute
pair of lenses within 16 months of
the original order for any reason.
This enables you to accommodate
your young patient’s changing visual
demands, when they occur.”
The Eye-M-Growing Kids program
is available to children 16 years of
age or younger. Made with premium
lens material, the lenses available
through the program are highly
impact resistant, extremely strong
and protect sensitive young eyes
from the sun.
Toronto-based Plastic Plus also
manufactures a lot of lenses for
children, according to president
Paul Faibish.
Essilor has also created lenses to
both protect a child’s eyes and
correct their vision, so they can
grow into their full potential.
Airwear polycarbonate is the
material of choice for children,
as it resists impact up to 12 times
more than a regular plastic lens,
is very lightweight and protects
from UV rays, says Martine Ahier,
senior marketing manager at
Essilor Canada.
By adding one of the Crizal coatings,
UV protection is increased and
clarity of vision maximized.
Also, the choice of any lens from
the Essilor Blue collection will
provide the protection and relief
that children need from harmful
blue light to which they are being
overexposed, both indoors and
outdoors.
“We have a specific range of
products for children that simplifies
the selection process for parents
and ensures the best protection for
kids,” says Ahier.
“The crystalline lens of a child lets
through six times more harmful
radiation than that of an adult, and
they are particularly vulnerable to
the harmful effects of UV radiation
and blue-violet light. Providing
children with the best visual
solutions is an investment in their
future.”
Also from Essilor, Eyezen + First
lenses respond to the needs of
today’s connected child with
W.A.V.E. Technology that provides
better sharpness and contrast,
while integrating protection against
harmful blue light. These features
alleviate screen-related eye fatigue.
Meanwhile, Myopilux lenses correct
and stabilize children’s myopia.
There are two designs: Myopilux
Plus for wearers with esophoria that
has been shown to reduce myopia
evolution by up to 38 per cent;
and Myopilux Max for those with
exophoria, proven to reduce myopia
evolution by up to 62 per cent.
Essilor also offers Essilor Junior
for wearers up to 15 years old. It
combines Airwear lenses in clear or
Transitions, Crizal, and blue light
Optical Prism | July 2019 27