TECHNICAL REPORT

The photochromics market has seen incredible growth in just a few years. That's especially true in the plastic arena.

Now a whole new strain of technical advancements is coming-and just in time, say some industry watchers who suggest overall sales of photochromics have leveled off in the last couple of years.

Indications are that the market share for photochromics in 1998 was 20 percent, but that it fell to 17 percent in '99. That reported three percent decline last year translates to a significant loss of premium lens sales for everyone.

The question now is: Will new advances and new types of photochromics stimulate sales in what has, up to now, been a very profitable category of lens? Though it's too early to answer the question for certain, there is definitely a variety of new and exciting photochromic technologies being introduced that should spur growth.

Given these new advances, this is a good time to re-examine the entire family of photochromic lenses.

Plastic Photochromic Technologies

Plastic photosensitive lenses can be broken down into the following classifications or technologies:

Front surface treatment. Transitions� is the most prominent example of this technology.

In-mass. Photochromic properties are throughout the lens mass.

Cosmetic. More a fashion lens than a sun lens.

The differences between the first two photochromic categories (front surface and in-mass) are primarily technical and probably make little difference from the patient's point-of-view. There are specific advantages to each technology, but the specifics of the differences are of more concern to lens manufacturers than anyone else. Nevertheless, it's important for doctors and opticians to understand them, too.

Market Challenges

Photochromic lens producers presently face two basic problems. The first and more immediate problem is with those consumers who have tried plastic photochromic lenses and have not reordered them a second time.

The greater potential market, however, is that group of eyewear consumers who has never experienced the convenience of photochromic lenses.

Corning's research indicates that one third of the eyeglass-wearing public would be interested in ordering photochromics. Less than half that number currently wears them. And Transitions research is even more positive, finding that the lenses are actually preferred by most consumers for everyday visual comfort.

There are several areas where both new and repeat wearers of photochromics can be captured during the coming years. One major category is young people-a price-sensitive group that's currently largely under-represented in photochromic usage.

In-Mass Producers

Here's a look at this category of producers.

Corning's SunSensors. Corning for one is definitely looking at the younger wearers, suggesting its price and thinner profile should appeal to this market. The Corning photochromic material has a 1.56 index with an Abbe value of 38, typical for a mid-index material. Available in gray and brown, the lens darkens to a depth of 1.5mm, leaving it uniformly dark, even in high powers. Because only UV light activates the darkening process, the lenses are clear indoors. Another benefit of Corning's technology comes from less fatiguing of the photochromic action. In other words, the darkening action will last longer. In-mass lenses will darken somewhat (up to 50 percent) in an automobile, another advantage they offer. Signet Armorlite was the first lens manufacturer to produce photochromic lenses using this Corning SunSensor technology.

Rodenstock has been involved in producing plastic photochromic lenses for years. Eight years ago it abandoned the imbibing technology it had been using, and now all Rodenstock photochromic lenses utilize the in-mass technology. Rodenstock recently announced adding brown to gray in the ColorMatic� Extra series.

Kbco, a prominent producer of polarized lenses, is another company utilizing in-mass technology. It has added a photochromic polarized lens called Transhades that is available in brown and gray.

Hoya Lens is currently releasing its new SunGray IV in-mass photochromic. This will replace SunGray II, which is being phased out. It has a 1.55 index and can be surfaced to 1.5mm centers. The life expectancy of the material will outlast the life of the prescription. The lenses can be AR-coated, and with an AR coating, the lenses become even clearer indoors. SunGray IV will be available in single vision and Hoya's GP Wide progressive. The material is produced in brown for other countries, but will not be available in the United States at this time.

VTO...A New Name

Transitions, the company most responsible for the success of plastic photochromics, has coined a new name for the technology. That name is variable tint optics (VTO). Some 25 million pairs of Transitions lenses were sold during the past nine years, and, according to the company that number includes a 91 percent satisfaction rate with an 88 percent repurchase rate.

Currently, the company is developing new products for specialized needs, such as sports, computer, or professional lenses-and its XTRActive Green was realeased in September. It believes new colors and color combinations will push variable tint optics (VTO) into a new realm.

Transitions recently released what it considers a major improvement in photochromic technology. Carrying the name Quantum�, the new technology is available in polycarbonate from Younger Optics and in a 1.67 high index plastic from Seiko. Transitions claims that no other variable tint lens gets darker faster or fades back faster and that the lenses have proven high heat performance. Younger Optics produces Quantum polycarbonate lenses in both gray and brown, while Seiko's 1.67 index Quantum represents the highest available index in photochromic plastic.

Several companies have been working on "fun" photochromics; lenses produced in fashion colors that darken in the sun. Currently there are two contenders producing lenses in this expanded photochromic technology.

Splitz� and Fanz. Transitions has produced a new series of cosmetic colors, using the trade name Splitz. Currently only available from Sola Optical, they're now in three color combinations: A blue lens that darkens to green, a rose lens that darkens to purple, and a yellow that darkens to orange.

The marketing of these photochromic "fun" lenses is aimed directly at the younger market, a category where photochromic lenses have traditionally had a smaller market share.

Transitions is taking an entirely different approach to the fashion angle with its Fanz lenses, which will be produced in different colors to match the color combination of favorite sports teams.

Produced with plano lenses and sold through sport retailers, initial offerings include lenses that change from orange to brown to match the colors of the Cleveland Browns and lenses that change from garnet to gold for Florida State University Seminoles.

Eye America Sol�ra. Sol�ra's game plan is to have six fashion colors in its line, with gray and brown added later. Initially, the lenses will be produced in plano, with finished stock lenses expected by year's end.

Sol�ra's research told them that young consumers preferred sun lenses that cleared to fashion tints instead of clearing to no color. Their lenses retain color in both the dark and lightened stages.

The Sol�ra technology involves applying photochromic chemicals to the front surface of a CR 39� lens and sealing it with a special hard coat process. Preliminary indications are that the Sol�ra technology can be adapted to polycarbonate.

As part of its marketing strategy to young wearers, Sol�ra coined special names for their fashion colors: Blue Lagoon, Orange Uglad, Plumb Loco, Teal Drop, Gone Bananas, Cherry Baby, Fudge Brownie, and Distinguishly Gray.

Not-To-Be-Forgotten Glass

There is still a stable, built-in market for glass photochromic lenses, the original photochromic material developed by Corning. PhotoGray Extra�, PhotoBrown Extra�, PhotoGray II�, PhotoSun II�, and Thin&Dark� represent state-of-the-art in photochromic glass and still sell well. Corning has developed a two-hour chem-tempering process that also shaves a day off the turn-around time.

Therapeutic photochromics is another area where glass excels. Corning has developed a series of GlareControl� lenses for people suffering from light-sensitive conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and photophobia. They are available with and without prescription.

With all this activity, it's easy to see that the photochromic market should be anything but stagnant. And, a statement by Transitions that increased competition will increase consumer awareness and choice is right on target. EB