Essilor has introduced Varilux Shift, a new progressive lens designed with artificial intelligence (AI) to address the near-vision needs of today’s presbyopes. The lens joins the Varilux portfolio as an entry-level design and is intended to accommodate increasingly dynamic visual behavior, which Essilor says can involve approximately 150,000 focus shifts throughout the day.

Varilux Shift was developed by analyzing millions of wearer data points and using AI to predict differences in gaze declination across refractive errors and addition values. The resulting iComfort technology optimizes the position of the near-vision zone to align with presbyopes’ visual habits and provide easier access to near vision and more intuitive adaptation, according to the company. The launch also rounds out Essilor’s AI-powered Varilux portfolio. Multi-Design by Ametropia and Wearer Mode are now standard foundational elements across the portfolio. They account for factors including ametropia as well as lens tilt, wrap angle, vertex distance, and eye position, according to Essilor.