Optical Prism September 2019 | Page 27

On the Cover New lens technology is making its way to the Canadian marketplace this fall. and communications (lenses), Centennial Optical Limited. Essilor Canada has launched a new single-vision lens, just in time for the back-to-school season. The new sunSMART II also offers fast photochromatic activation and fade back, with built-in UVA and UVB protection. “Living a connected life has modified our behaviour, posture and reading distances,” says Martine Ahier, senior marketing manager of brands and products for Essilor Canada. “Unfortunately, standard single-vision lenses don’t take these changes into account.” “ “ Eyezen+ Start lenses are based on an entirely new technology called Dualoptim and will advantageously replace standard single-vision lenses for children and adults up to 40 years old. Living a connected life has modified our behaviour, posture and reading distances. Also, from Centennial Optical and Riverside Opticalab is the Kodak Unique DRO and Kodak Unique DRO HD digitally customized progressive lenses. While conventional single-vision lenses are only optimized at their optical centre, which creates power error and unwanted astigmatism in near vision, Eyezen+ Start lenses with Dualoptim Technology are optimized for both far and near vision. DRO stands for Dynamic Reading Optimization, which improves the overall optical performance of the lens, while significantly reducing oblique astigmatic errors in the reading area. The average increase in effective reading area is 17 per cent over a range of prescriptions, while the average reduction in oblique astigmatic errors in the reading zone is 54 per cent. Power error and unwanted astigmatism are reduced throughout the entire lens, with a 60 per cent reduction in near-vision, allowing wearers to benefit from relaxed vision, especially while using digital devices. For certain prescriptions, DRO can virtually eliminate oblique astigmatism. The technology greatly reduces off-axis viewing, allowing the eyes to comfortably focus in the reading area for longer periods of time. Eyezen+ Start lenses also offer advanced protection against harmful blue-violet light as well as a better contrast thanks to W.A.V.E. technology. A new lens that is ready to launch this fall in Canada is the Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses. Centennial Optical recently made available to Canadians the sunSMART II 1.67 high-index photochromic Flat-Top 28 bifocal lens by Vision Dynamics. “Prior to this introduction, photochromic bifocals were available in 1.50 and 1.56 index plastic, Trivex and polycarbonate, so this 1.67 product represents our first high-index option in a photochromic bifocal,” says Rick Leroux, director, marketing “The new Transitions Signature GEN 8 lens technology allows a new frontier of performance, without compromise,” says Isabelle Tremblay-Dawson, business development director. “Not only are Transitions Signature GEN 8 lenses faster in activation and fade-back, they are even darker than previous generations.” The lenses also block 100 per cent UV and help protect the eyes from harmful blue light. Optical Prism | September 2019 27