what's new
Buyer's GUIDE
By Lindsey Aspinall

Low Vision
More Magnification

Eschenbach has introduced the MaxDetail glasses, which provide 2X magnification and a generous field of view for patients who have trouble reading books, menus, labels, and more. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear with flexible plastic temples and a smooth bridge. For more information, call 800-487-5389.

tools of value

Western Optical Supply, Inc., has introduced Budgetool, a new line of affordable pliers. Produced in the Western Optical factory, the Budgetool line uses the same raw materials as Western's other lines of tools, but the plier is scaled down to fit a smaller hand, which also lowers the price. Shown above is #3037, the Screw
In-Forcer, which is $14. For more information, call 800-423-3294.

Tools 
Easy Occluder

Gulden Ophthalmics has introduced the patient-held Lorgnette Occluder, which leaves the ECP's hands free. For more information, call 215-884-8105.

Miscellaneous
That's Brilliant!

Practical Systems Inc. (PSI), introduces Brilliance, a new plastic lens polish utilizing a unique mix of accelerants, antifoam, and suspension agents. This chemistry helps the polish flow easily. For more information, call 800-237-8154.

SPECTACLE LENSES

Expanding Thinness

Younger Optics has introduced High Index 1.67 in Transitions. Available in spherical single-vision and the IMAGE PAL, it's made using MR-10 resin and is ideal for high-power prescriptions and rimless eyewear. With Tran-sitions technology, lenses are virtually clear indoors and will darken outdoors. For more information, call 800-366-5367.

Very Varilux

Essilor of America has expanded several lines. Varilux Physio and Varilux Physio 360° are now available in Thin&Lite 1.60 in clear and Transitions. Lenses are available with Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard AR and power ranges are: -12.00D to +8.00D, cylinder to 4.00D, add +0.75D to +4.00D. In October, Varilux Physio and Varilux Physio 360° will be available in Airwear Polarized. Varilux Physio in Airwear Polarized will be available with Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard, which is standard on Physio 360°. For more information, call 800-377-4567.

Top This

Carl Zeiss Vision has launched the GT2. Its design addresses visual ergonomics to create a more functional overall PAL. The corridor was shortened, allowing the top of the reading area to correspond to the average visual angle of the eyes when reading the first line of text on a printed page. In comparison to CZV's Gradal Top PAL, GT2 delivers up to 50 percent more reading vision. For information, call 800-358-8258.

Redi, Set, Go

Redi-Mirror, a new semi-finished single-vision CR 39 polarized mirror lens from VisAbility, helps reduce mirrored lens' turnaround time to 24 hours or less. It is available in Polycore Optical's Hard-Resin SunClear Polarized Grey. It features a cast-in, true grey polarized filter, high-reflex quality Redi-Mirror, specialized hardcoating, Aquila Super Hydrophobic coating, and Grind-n-Edge Guard Processing Top-Coating. For more information, call 407-857-3928.

Wrap Solutions

KBco introduces Wrap Solutions, a series of polarized polycarbonate lenses designed to provide superior optics in oversized fashion and performance wrap frames. Using asphericity, Wrap Solutions widens wrap Rx and base curve range to offer optics similar to everyday dress eyewear. The oversized lens blanks were specifically designed for extra-large wrap frames. The lenses come in KBco Grey-C, KBco Brown-C, and KBco True Grey. For more information, call 800-722-8776, or visit the company Website, www.kbco.net.

Accessories 

For XL Frames

EK Ekcessories has introduced the Fat Cat, an eyewear retainer engineered to fit thick frames. It features 3mm cording and can be attached to the temple in three different ways. It wholesales for $4.25. For more information, call 800-338-2030.

Equipment
Data Device

Arch Crown has introduced a new lightweight Portable Data Terminal (PDT): Metrologic Optimus S SP5500. The new product includes a laser scanner, eight-line adjustable-font LCD display, an alpha numeric keypad, and 2MB of data storage. It can connect to a computer through a serial or USB port. The PDT retails for $1,100. For more information, call 800-526-8353.

Mighty Mini

BPI's Mini Meter is a portable handheld photometer that can be used in the lab as a diagnostic measuring device and in the dispensary as a demonstration tool. A calibration chart printed on the base of the unit allows for compensation of lens power and thickness. After calibration, the user simply presses the right button for the
percentage of UV transmission and the left button for the percentage of visible light transmission. For more information, visit www.callbpi.com.

All About Alta

Briot USA introduces the Alta Automatic Edging and Drilling System. Alta is designed to make in-office lens processing easy and reliable, especially with premium eyewear like custom-shaped rimless lenses. A complete lens system, Alta performs all processing steps automatically. It finishes all lens types, plus grooves, drills, and safety bevels rimless lenses automatically. State-of-the-art imaging technology displays the image of an uncut rimless lens on a color touch-screen, where it can be reshaped. The system also automatically identifies exact placement of up to 10 drill holes or slots on the touch-screen. For more information, call 800-292-7468.

contact lenses
More Moisture

Vistakon, a division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., has introduced 1-Day Acuvue Moist CLs. The 1-Day Acuvue Moist CLs are daily disposable soft lenses featuring Lacreon technology, a unique process that permanently embeds a water-holding ingredient similar to natural tears into the 1-Day Acuvue etafilcon A material. They also block around 82 percent of UV-A and 97 percent of UV-B radiation. The lenses were cleared by the FDA for use in patients who suffer from symptoms associated with ocular allergies during CL wear. For more information, call 800-843-2020