PAL update
Keep this quick reference guide handy when you're short on time to help define need-to-know info on PAL releases
By Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC
With all the PAL lens design possibilities on the market today, it can be hard to keep track and stay current. To help, EB has put together some of the latest PAL offerings.
AUGEN OPTICS: CENTURION SERIES SHORT CORRIDOR PROGRESSIVE
FEATURES: Balanced zones of vision through the lens, generous near zone high up in the lens, soft periphery, and precision asymmetry.
AVAILABILITY: Exclusively in Trivex and Trivex Transitions. 8mm corridor length with 12mm minimum recommended fitting height (MFH). Info: www.augenoptics.com
CARL ZEISS VISION: GT2 SHORT
FEATURES: Short-corridor PAL based on GT2 design, continually widening near zone as the fitting height increases, carefully managed power progression and astigmatism, control of wavefront aberrations throughout.
AVAILABILITY: Polycarbonate, 1.67 high-index, Transitions. Compatible with Teflon Clear Coat, Carat Advantage, and other Zeiss AR. 13mm MFH. Info: www.vision.zeiss.com
ESSILOR OF AMERICA: VARILUX ELLIPSE
FEATURES: Design created specifically for the wearer's natural viewing behaviors in a short frame, delivers wide distance zone to maximize visual comfort and performance.
AVAILABILITY: In traditionally surfaced or 360° Optimization. 1.50 plastic, Airwear poly, Transitions, Thin&Lite 1.60, and Thin&Lite 1.67. Compatible with Crizal Avancé with Scotchgard Protector and other Crizal AR technology. 13mm MFH for 360° Optimization; 14mm for traditionally surfaced Ellipse. Info: www.essilorusa.com
HOYA VISION CARE NORTH AMERICA: HOYALUX ID LIFESTYLE
FEATURES: Free-Form Design Technology, double surface technology. Vertical power progressions on the front, uniform front surface curvature, a customized back surface, horizontal progressive powers on back surface, integrated front and back surfaces.
AVAILABILITY: HiLux 1.50 standard plastic, Phoenix Trivex, Eynoa 1.67. Super HiVision AR, Super HiVision AR with View Protect topcoat. Hoyalux iD Lifestyle, 18mm MFH; Hoyalux iD Lifestyle cd, 14mm. Info: www.hoyavision.com
PAL offerings are expanding to include a wide range of options. Image courtesy of ProFit Optix
Images, clockwise from top left: Younger Optics, Vision-Ease Lens, Essilor of America, and Shamir Insight
OPHTHONIX, INC.: IZON RESOLUTION
FEATURES: With information and data from the iZon exam and iPrint, captured by utilizing the Z-View Aberrometer, customized iZon Resolution lenses are produced that are optimized for high-definition vision, with the Rx matching each individual's unique optical requirements.
AVAILABILITY: Through select ECPs. Info: www.izonlenses.com
OPTICAL DISTRIBUTION CORPORATION: RODENSTOCK PROGRESSIV PURELIFE
FEATURES: Progressiv PureLife PALs are designed in the as-worn position with customized channel placement utilizing Rodenstock's Perfect Balancing concept, Retina Focus Principle, and wavefront calculations. Design takes into account that people are now taller and spend more time on intermediate and close-up tasks.
AVAILABILITY: Progressiv PureLife and Progressiv PureLife XS are available in CR39 plastic, 1.54 Colormatic Extra photochromic gray and brown, 1.60, 1.67. Progressiv PureLife, 18mm MFH; Progressiv PureLife, 14mm. Optical Distribution Corp. is the U.S. distributor for Rodenstock lenses. Info: www.rodenstockusa.com
OPTIMA, INC.: HYPERVIEW ASPHERIC 1.66 PALS
FEATURES: Advanced aspheric lens design provides clear, sharp optics at all distances with minimal head movement required. Recommended for active lifestyles and sports players.
AVAILABILITY: 75/80mm blanks, -6.25 to -10.00 base curve +2.50; -4.25 to -6.00 base curve +3.80; -4.00 to +2.00 base curve +4.80; +2.25 to +4.00 base curve +6.40; +4.25 to +6.00 base curve +8.00. Info: www.optima-hyper.com
POLYCORE OPTICAL USA: DIGITALLY CUSTOMIZED PAL
FEATURES: Each pair of Digitally Customized lenses customizes the inset to the wearer's physiology to ensure the reading region is properly positioned. Can be fit in any frame, with a 16mm MFH for 100 percent add, even with wrap styles.
AVAILABILITY: The lenses are available in a diverse offering of lens materials with Polycore's Super AR. Info: www.polycore.com.
PROFIT OPTIX: EXCELITE PROPRIUS GENERAL PURPOSE FREEFORM PALS
FEATURES: Freedom Back-side progressive design, every pair produced for individual needs, now available in NXT lens technology.
AVAILABILITY: In 1.50, Trivex, 1.60, 1.67, 1.74, 1.50 Transitions, Transitions 1.60, and Trivex Transitions gray/brown; SunSensors; gray/brown, 1.50 and 1.60 polarized; NXT Sun Rx gray/brown, Sun Rx Plus 55; Varia Brown, Copper, Day & Nite, and Gray. ProFit Optix is a U.S. distributor for Excelite. Info: www.profitoptix.com or Excelite at 866-889-9776.
SEIKO OPTICAL PRODUCTS OF AMERICA, INC.: SUPERCEDE & SUPERCEDE WS INTERNAL PALS
FEATURES: Patented 100 percent back surface design customizes lens power for each viewing area based on the complete Rx with optimized performance in an as-worn position. Advanced Aspheric Compensation helps eliminate front curve distortion, while a softer back surface design eases adaptation.
AVAILABILITY: 1.50 plastic in clear, polarized and Transitions photochromic, 1.53 Trivex clear and Transitions, 1.59 polycarbonate in clear, polarized, and Transitions, 1.60 clear and Transitions, and 1.67 clear, polarized, and Transitions. Supercede MFH is 16mm. Supercede Ws MFH is 14mm. Info: www.seikoeyewear.com
Images above, top: Signet-Armorlite; bottom: Hoya Vision Care North America
| Sun PALs |
|---|
| New developments in the sunlens PAL arena include free-form produced lenses, new material availability, and a diversity of design options. Here are a few examples. KAENON POLARIZED: Kaenon's SR-91 FreeStyle Progressive Polarized PAL features back side digital surfacing technology for true customized lenses. Info: www.kaenon.com KBCO, THE POLARIZED LENS COMPANY: EOS 1.67 Progressive polarized lenses in MR-10 resin offer expanded distance for outdoor use and driving. Info: www.kbco.net OAKLEY: Combines Younger Image PAL design with Oakley's proprietary Plutonite lens material for ophthalmic and high wrap sports performance eyewear as part of the Oakley Authentic Prescription Lens program. In five polarized colors. Info: www.oakley.com SPECIALTY LENS CORPORATION: iRx Pro 1.67 Progressive lenses feature Polaroid polarized lens technology and a crisp and wide distance viewing area. Info: www.irxlens.com |
SHAMIR INSIGHT: AUTOGRAPH
FEATURES: As-Worn Technology fine tunes Rx's by calculating vertex distance, pantoscopic tilt, and panoramic angle. FreeFrame Technology, which considers frame choice and lens design, is adjusted by increasing or decreasing corridor length to match frame/fitting height.
AVAILABILITY: Autograph II with 11mm and up (variable and fixed); Autograph II-Attitude, 15mm; and Autograph II-Office, 18mm. Info: www.shamirlens.com
SIGNET ARMORLITE: KODAK UNIQUE PROGRESSIVE
FEATURES: Front and back surfaces synchronized, all corrections combined and applied to back surface. Vision First Design, computer controlled intelligent production, integrated surfacing technology, customizes design for frame selection, verified using wavefront technology.
AVAILABILITY: InstaShades PolyClear, EvoClear 1.6, and EvoClear 1.56; Corning SunSensors 1.56; Transitions in 1.67 gray, Trivex, polycarbonate, 1.60, and Next Generation; LifeRx Polycarbonate, Drivewear; SA PolarShades 1.67, SA PolarShades Polycarbonate, PolarShades 1.60, and PolarShades Standard Resin; 1.67 High Index, TLX 1.6, EvoClear 1.56, PolyClear, Trivex, Standard Resin. Available with Kodak Clean’N’CleAR AR. MFH is 13mm. Info: www.signetarmorlite.com
VISION-EASE LENS: LIFERX
FEATURES: Vision-Ease has added an enhanced lamination process to LifeRx photochromic lenses for maximum durability. Also expanded and rebranded product offering.
AVAILABILITY: Illumina and Outlook PAL in Aspheric semi-finished single-vision, and Spherical SFSV in 1.00D steps. MFH for Illumina is 17mm and 18mm for Outlook. Info: www.vision-ease.com.
YOUNGER OPTICS: IMAGE WRAP
FEATURES: Decentered for steeply wrapped frames, designed for sun-wear, no secondary calculations required, wide distance zone, lightweight, thin, impact-resistant.
AVAILABILITY: Polycarbonate NuPolar Gray polarized, 8 base curve, decentered 7mm, 83mm blank size. Info: www.youngeroptics.com EB
These listings are based on information from vendors who accepted our invitation to participate.
![]({"src":"/media/ul2bfdmd/image-not-available.png","focalPoint":null,"crops":[{"alias":"thumbnail","width":1110,"height":700,"coordinates":null}]})