buyer’s guide

Alicia Hoglund and Susan Tarrant

SPECTACLE LENSES

VIRTUALLY FREE-FORM

Seiko Optical Products of America’s Supernal is the first freeform lens created using an advanced 3D Virtual Reality System for improved lens design capabilities. The lens offers seven semi-variable insets based on the Rx that range from 1.75m to 3.25mm, in 0.25mm increments, and uses a patented “internal progressive and internal aspheric design” to reduce blurriness and distortions. The width of clear vision around the fitting point has been increased by approximately 50 percent using non-linear progressive power change. Its advanced aspheric compensation and multi-polar astigmatic correction combine to improve visual comfort, panoramic vision, and image stability, especially with Rx’s with high astigmatic correction.

Supernal incorporates many of the same technological design features as the company’s Surmount lens, and is available in a range of materials and coating options, including polarized, 1.74 index, and Transitions lenses.

INFO: seikoeyewear.com

SEIKO OPTICAL PRODUCTS
Supernal lenses

ENCHROMA
Cx Series sunglasses

SUN RX PROGRAM

Bollé has launched an Rx programwith Solidar Express Coatings that allows nearly all sunglass models in its Competitor, Sports Lifestyle, and Kids collections to be fitted with lenses for a broad range of prescriptions. The B-Thin Active Design lenses uses extremely advanced calculations that allow for prescriptions from +6.00 to −8.00 (surpassing the typical range of Rx’s available for sport sunglasses).

The lenses are also up to 45 percent lighter and 72 percent thinner than standard lenses, offer impact resistance and optimized fit and comfort, and have the Rx calculated with the frame dimensions and wearer’s facial measurements for precision performance. Other options include 20 lens tints, poly or Trivex lens material, polarized or photochromic lenses, and models with interchangeable lenses. ECPs can order easily online, in three steps, company representatives note.

INFO: bolle.com/rx

BOLLÉ Rx Program

IN LIVING COLOR

EnChroma, a developer of optical products for patients with color vision deficiency (commonly known as red/green color blindness), has unveiled its first line of advanced optic sunglasses for the enhancement of color vision. The line features an optical coating that selectively filters wavelengths of light responsible for color confusion.

The EnChroma Cx Series features three models, available in both Rx and plano lenses: the Cx Super Color Enhancing lens, suitable for general use and enhances the vividness of color; Cx-D, an optical aid for deuteranomalous color deficiency; and Cx-PT, for protanomalous color deficiency. The optical coatings are ultra-durable metal oxides on a lightweight 1.3mm glass lens. They are 100 percent UV blocking and available in both men’s and women’s styles, with a children’s line to follow.

The company has also released EnChroma Cx.UV450, an advanced protection sunglass that boosts color vision for those with sensitive eyes, low vision, and those exposed to extreme sunlight.

INFO: enchroma.com

OPTISOURCE INTERNATIONAL Lady’s Line

TOOLS

LOVELY LADIES

OptiSource International has developed an exclusive line of hand tools designed for smaller grips. Featuring an innovative, lightweight design, the 10-piece set includes the company’s most popular adjusting, cutting, and specialty pliers with smaller handles, coated grips, and an internal spring design. In addition, each sale of the Lady’s Line Pliers contributes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

INFO: 1-800-optisource.com

EQUIPMENT

NEW CONSUMABLES

Santinelli International has extended its consumables line with Value-Edge Blocking Pads and Grip-Tight Intermediate Film. Made of a specially formulated foam and adhesive combination, the pads improve the edging performance of today’s coated and uncoated lenses. The foam resists high rotational forces and prevents the pad from wrinkling. The adhesive bonds to hard-coated, standard AR, and many hydrophobic-coated lenses. The film helps prevent slippage, giving the lens clamp a more secure grip. It comes in standard and high-curve versions. The high-curve film is thinner and more flexible, and adheres to high-curve lenses with better “wet out” results without wrinkles.

INFO: santinelli.com

SANTINELLI INTERNATIONAL
Value-Edge Blocking Pads

ESSILOR OF AMERICA
M’eyeFit

MISCELLANEOUS

DEFINITE MEASUREMENTS

Essilor has formed a partnership between Definity progressive lenses and M’eyeFit brands to release M’eye Fit, an advanced electronic dispensing device that precisely reads pupillary distance, fitting height, A and B, pantascopic tilt, wrap, and vertex measurements, all for maximum patient benefits from premium Essilor lens designs.

The M’eyeFit device comes preloaded with additional tools to make dispensing easier, including frame selection, patient education, patient information management, online ordering, and PMS connection.

M’eyeFit can aid in dispensing Definity 3 Plus, and can take measurements for the entire Definity family of lenses (Definity 3 Plus, Definity 3, Definity, and Definity Fairway) and other Essilor lenses.

INFO: definity.com

CONTACT LENSES Weekly Update

Hydrogel Vision Corporation, maker of H2O disposable soft contact lenses, has introduced a new lens and a new modality: Icuity H2O one-week replacement. It represents an option for patients who would benefit from a more frequent replacement regimen, but don’t want to incur the cost of a daily disposable. Frequent replacement, when combined with the right material, can help alleviate dryness and deposits and increase comfort, company representatives report. The lenses are made with hioxiflcon A, a non-ionic hydrating material. Icuity H2O comes in a median (+6.00 to −10.00) and steep base curve (−0.25 to −10.00). INFO: hydrogelvision.com HYDROGEL VISION Icuity H2O