EYE PROTECTION
SOLUTIONS
By Troy Patterson
Sports lens technology doesn't have
to be confined to only sports frames.
Plastic Plus's Vandelay Single Vision
Freeform lenses are suitable for sports
and can be put on large wrap frames
like those used in golfing, snowboarding
and basketball. But they're also suitable
for hiking or while at work.
“They'll adapt to any frame very well
without losing any of the optical
advantages,” says Jason Faibish,
Plastic Plus' vice-president.
The lenses have a wider visual field
and higher definition than standard
lenses and eliminate aberitions includ-
ed by tilt or curvature of lenses.
The freeform lens wraps so the curve
doesn't affect the range of sight, where
a lot of competing products can distort
the image. Patients with a high prescrip-
tion can have their lens ground down
to a flatter, thinner base, with a much
wider visual field, says Faibish.
“With a conventional progressive lens,
it fits the progressive into the conven-
tional lens as opposed to a freeform
that's tailored to that person's exact
prescription,” he says.
Essilor Canada says when it comes to
sports, polycarbonate lenses offer the
best shock protection and are a must,
while polarized lenses enhance comfort
and precision of vision by eliminating
reflected glare.
They also recommend finding lenses
that protect against ultra-violet and
blue light as well as coatings to protect
against fog, glare, scratches, smudges,
dust and water.
Essilor has many products that are ideal
for athletes. Airwear Polycarbonate
Lenses offer protection, comfort and
great optical performance. The lenses
are virtually unbreakable, providing
the durability and strength that wearers
seek and are 12 times more impact-
resistant than standard plastic.
Airwear clear and tinted lenses also
provide 100% protection against harm-
ful UVA and UVB.
Varilux and Single-Vision Stylistic
Wrap in clear as well as Xperio and
Physiotints offer excellent panoramic
vision and protection. The lenses boast
a wide range of base curves to fit wrap
sports frames and use W.A.V.E. 2.0
Technology to reduce high order aber-
rations. They also provide improved
contrasts in all light conditions.
Xperio polarized sun lenses, mean-
while, fully eliminate blinding glare
for greater visual comfort and security,
offer crisper and truer colour percep-
OPTICAL PRISM | May 2018 22