tomorrow's lens trends

A look at the short- and long-term future of the spectacle lens market

By Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

You're probably aware of the digital revolution. But do you really know where digital is leading the optical industry?

Our interviewees do, and they share their predictions here, along with their insights on other future developments.

LENS TRENDS

The lens arena is a true frontier right now, and as with any Wild West story, the horizon is just over the next hill…and the next…and the next.

“There are still plenty of unmet needs,” says Jean-Marc Leroy, vice president of marketing and design for Essilor of America. “Current technology available on lenses can be improved. And, new technology coming from other businesses can be modified and offered to the market.”

■ DIGITAL/FREE-FORM. The industry as a whole agrees and sees that digital/free-form technology, designs, and products are on the cusp of mainstream breakthrough. “The lens market will be dominated by free-form technologies,” says Ron Barnes, director of marketing for The Hoya Free-Form Company.

The next few years will show real digital impact, according to many industry sources, and the digital distribution channel is evolving.

“In the next three to five years, free-form lens Rx production will be the norm in the U.S. as more advanced technologies are introduced in all areas of lens design, equipment capability, automation, processing techniques, dispensing aids, etc.,” says Michael J. Rybacki, senior vice president sales and marketing for Seiko Optical Products of America. “This will allow for vast growth in a relatively short period at all distribution channels.”

■ NICHE KNOCKS. In the future, niche will be the norm. Quick and easy customization will allow consumers to get virtually any kind of lens they desire, and ECPs to design the product specifically for them in every detail.

“Further customization of free-form lenses to the patient will continue to happen as the software to design lenses continues to improve and develop,” predicts Matt Lytle, vice president of sales and marketing at Shamir Insight. “As more labs invest in the equipment to produce free-form lenses, we'll see more specialized and niche lens designs coming to market.”

Will it really be possible to get any lens design the patient desires or the doctor prescribes? Experts say yes.

■ TASK-SPECIFIC DESIGNS. The main way that niche will grow is in the task-specific category.

“We foresee the growth of task-specific eyewear and the development of treatments that allow greater customization to meet those tasks,” says Barry Resnick, director of marketing with Vision-Ease Lens. “This is because more and more people are interested in products and services that meet the needs of specific life-styles and activities. Think apps, for example.”

Computer programs and software, a true digital revolution, will continue to drive and hone lenses and lens processing. “As computer programs for lens manufacturing become more sophisticated, we will see an increase in made-to-order digressive lenses—designs that start with near vision and digress to mid-range vision for specific occupational purposes,” says Marco Machado, PhD, CEO, and founder of Augen Optics.

■ SINGLE-VISION BOOM. Single-vision lens manufacturing will also surge.

“As responsibility for generating the final PAL product passes from the manufacturer to the lab with free-form processing equipment, we will see a greater emphasis from manufacturers on producing single-vision blanks in different indices of refraction,” notes Machado.

“This category will become increasingly competitive over the next few years as personalized lenses with optimized Rx's gradually become the norm.”

LENS TREATMENTS

The optical industry often views lenses and lens treatments separately. But that will change as lens treatments literally become part of the lens.

■ UV. “Be prepared to see more products providing better protection, then longer life for eyes,” Leroy says. For example, “UV is not only a full-sun threat; any external activity in daylight exposes the eye to UV, and with cumulative effect. So the more we protect, the longer we are safe. UV is as critical with clear lenses as for sunwear.”

■ TOPCOATS. Looking to topcoats, expect more sophistication, diversity, and strong performance. “We can expect more treatments—unique or in combination with others—that will overcome the trouble of ‘fuzzy' vision that challenges the clarity of lenses: smudges, scratching, even fogging,” Leroy adds.

■ AR. Anti-reflection will become part of the entire lens sale rather than an add-on and presented to virtually every patient as such.

“In the U.S., AR will finally reach European penetration levels,” predicts Barnes.

Think of crossover treatment developments and combinations that you never thought possible.

LENS PRODUCTS

■ POLARIZED. Polarization has been the second pair of choice, but its future will be stronger than that due to expanding product options, specialization, and marketing.

“Advancements in manufacturing processes will allow for new polarized surface technology that can easily be customized with advanced materials and treatments, offering excellent optical clarity and minimizing thickness,” says Lyle Rubin, Corning's North American sales manager—ophthalmic.

■ PHOTOCHROMICS. The near future promises a big development or two.

“If you think we've reached the limits of photochromic technology, we haven't,” states John Ligas, director research and development, Transitions Optical, Inc. “We're looking beyond clearer, darker, faster to the next breakthrough that will change the industry.”

■ HIGH-INDEX. High-index, a category traditionally defined by pleasing high-Rx patients by delivering thinner and lighter lenses, will become more of an everyday product than simply a problem-solving one.

“High-index lenses, in particular 1.74 index, will take on a more prominent presence in the next three to five years,” says Amy Kusinski, customer service manager for Optima. “Consumers are becoming more educated concerning materials and the benefits of purchasing the highest index lenses available for both cosmetic and visual acuity purposes.”

MARKET TRENDS

Optical visionaries foresee unique, super-advanced technologies driving retail lens trends, primarily ultra-customization. “The days of general designs for the masses will slowly disappear and more personalized niche lens designs will become widely available,” Lytle observes. But how will this occur? By utilizing never-before-seen manufacturing technologies.

■ ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY. This to-order manufacturing produces parts by machining, or adding, successive layers of materials (not removing materials) for an all-in-one solution.

“The industry will eventually see the introduction of this technology, enabling the composition of optical products completely to order, including the lens with all treatments and frame built together using computerized processes,” explains Machado. “This new approach to manufacturing will potentially revolutionize the industry, affecting manufacturing processes, cost structures, as well as customization and delivery of end products.”

■ SURFACE DESIGN CAPABILITIES. Working with digital technology may produce unique manufacturing capabilities and results. “Think about what a lens really is: nothing more than a piece of plastic produced in lot sizes with an accurate front and back curve and some material in between,” says Rudolf Suter, president of Pro Fit Optix. “With the free-form technology and surface design optical calculation we have, in two to five years, we'll be able to offer lenses with multiple and different surface geometries and advanced materials in between for different uses and consumer benefits.”

■ PATIENT NEEDS. And what will be the benefits to patients of product and technology advances? Concludes Leroy: “In the scope of three to five years...the three areas of patient need that will benefit from coming products are better optics, better protection, and better convenience.” EB