BUYER’S GUIDE

Product Watch

A look at the latest launches

{SPECTACLE LENSES}
SAFETY FIRST

Transitions Optical, Inc., and ESS introduce a new ballistic Crossbow eyeshield using a Transitions adaptive sun lens. The Crossbow Photochromic, which incorporates Transitions light-management technology, is an extension of ESS’s acclaimed line of Crossbow eyeshields and allows wearers to use a single ballistic eye piece for both indoor and outdoor use.

The non-prescription lens is nearly clear indoors and in dim light conditions, providing a visible light transmission (VLT) range of 86% to 24%, and darkens outdoors to provide comfort from bright light and protection from harmful UV rays. For wearers with prescription eyewear needs, ESS offers two Rx insert options for the Crossbow: the nylon-framed P-2B Rx Insert and the wire-framed Vice Rx Insert.

INFO: esseyepro.com

TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC., AND ESS
Crossbow Photochromic eyeshield

{SPECTACLE LENSES}
A NEW CHANGE

Vision-Ease Lens has expanded its ChangeRx line of plastic photochromic lenses to include D28 bifocals. The D28s join the general-purpose Novel and short-corridor Novella progressives in the ChangeRx line.

ChangeRx D28s are the first plastic photochromic bifocals from Vision-Ease Lens. Novel and Novella ChangeRx combine the visual flexibility of progressives with added comfort by adjusting to various UV levels. ChangeRx lenses block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and are offered in gray and brown.

ChangeRx D28s are available in a 75mm diameter for -10.00 to +6.50 spheres, up to -4.00 cylinder. ChangeRx Novel and Novella progressives are available in 80mm and 75mm diameters respectively, for -10.00 to +6.50 spheres.

INFO: vision-ease.com

VISION-EASE LENS
ChangeRx D28 bifocals

{SPECTACLE LENSES}

A CLOSER LOOK
DIGITAL FOCUS

Zeiss is taking a new approach to addressing the vision needs of the “millennial generation” (and their continual use of digital devices) with a new product—the ZEISS Digital Lens—along with a consumer marketing approach designed to raise awareness and drive demand for the lens.

The lens provides a solution to the visual demands of the use of mobile devices that single-vision lenses can’t meet, and provides a premium product category for practices, company representatives note.

“Patients may not be able to identify their symptoms as Digital Eye Strain, but most adults are experiencing it,” notes Claude Labeeuw, Zeiss vice president of marketing, North America. “Data suggests that a large number of adults wearing single-vision lenses will be more comfortable wearing ZEISS Digital Lens, and their eyes will feel better at the end of the day.”

The Zeiss Digital Lens is a free-form, customized design that integrates the wide, clear distance view that single-vision wearers demand with a digital boost of focusing power ranging from +0.50 to +1.25. This digital viewing area is optimized for digital devices and is reached with minimal head and eye movement. Full Rx customization provides the best possible optics for each wearer. Wearer trials show that the lens reduced reported Digital Eye Strain complaints by more than 50%.

INFO: zeiss.com/vision

{EQUIPMENT}
SUPER GENERATOR

Schneider Optical Machines is lauding its new HSC Modulo XT generator as a new benchmark in digital surfacing technology. The generator draws from Schneider’s extensive experience in the field of ultra-precise machining and includes a bundle of new technical developments. According to the company, its high-speed cutting technology is a “game changer” in the digital generating market.

Together with a new dynamic motor philosophy and newly designed high-frequency drives and controllers, the HSC Modulo XT offers the industry’s fastest milling and turning processes, Schneider reports. It can run as a stand-alone generator or has its own on-board interface for connection to Schneider’s integrated lab system solution—the modulo system.

INFO: 972-247-4000, schneider-om.com

SCHNEIDER OPTICAL MACHINES
HSC Modulo XT generator

{EQUIPMENT}
EZ OPTICAL SCANS

MEI has released Shape Finder 2.0, an optical scanning device conceived to improve and complete the functionality of EzFit, the compact edger that uses milling technology and addresses finishing needs of optical stores. Ezfit can now be equipped with Shape Finder 2.0 to prepare the edging process of even sport and special lenses.

Shape Finder 2.0 avoids the standard camera-based units’ common errors. The camera lens set and the lighting system emphasize the edge profile in any kind of lens—clear, dark, or mirrored. Shape Finder 2.0 shortens the time needed to import a sport lens shape, as well as to detect any hole in rimless demo lenses. The camera system gets a TRX or OMA file with a few very simple steps, reducing the need for edging tests and size and shape adjustments.

INFO: meisystem.com

MEI
Shape Finder 2.0 otpical scanner

{EQUIPMENT}
TOOL BOX

Augmenting its line of finishing supplies, precision tools, frame parts, and working aides, Santinelli International is introducing more than 20 new products—all featured in its new catalog supplement. New offerings range from an “anvil-style” bench block, a spring-hinge tool kit, and a screw-extractor set to replacement temples, bridges, and nose pads for all popular frame styles. The new catalog is available upon request and as an e-mag via the company’s website.

INFO: SIOS@santinelli.com, santinelli.com

SANTINELLI INTERNATIONAL
Tools and Supplies catalog

{ACCESSORIES}
FOLDING READERS

OptiSource International has launched a new breed of folding reading glasses that combines quality and style under the Kodak Lens brand. The compact folding reading glasses feature patented telescoping temples, resilient spring hinges, and comfortable built-in nose pads. The design technology allows the glasses to easily fold into the size of a Zippo lighter and be carried inside a stylish and durable Kodak Lens branded case.

The glasses are designed to offer ECPs opportunities for new add-on sales, especially for newly diagnosed presbyopes who may be reluctant to carry full-sized reading glasses.

The micro-size case easily stashes in pockets, purses, glove boxes, and more. Reading glasses are available in black, gunmetal, and brown in powers ranging from +1.50 to +3.00.

INFO: 800-OPTISOURCE

OPTISOURCE
Kodak Lens folding readers

{LOW VISION}
TV CLIP

In order to make TV viewing more comfortable for low vision patients, Eschenbach is offering the MaxTV Clip, a clip-on version of the company’s successful MaxTV telescopic system. Like the MaxTV, the MaxTV Clip provides 2x magnification of distant objects (such as a television), but since it clips on to eyewear, the MaxTV Clip allows astigmatic patients or those with a high sphere in their Rx to be able to benefit from using a simple telescopic magnification solution.

The prongs of the clip have protective rubber covers and the backsides of the ocular lenses have a thin foam strip so the lenses of the user’s eyewear will not get scratched. And, when magnification is not needed, the MaxTV Clip can be flipped up and out of the way.

INFO: 800-487-5389, eschenbach.com

ESCHENBACH
MaxTV Clip

{CONTACT LENSES}
SIX-MONTH SUPPLY

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.’s ACUVUE OASYS contact lenses are now available in a new six-month supply pack (12 lenses per box). This new supply pack will replace all three-month supply packs (six lenses per box), which have been discontinued. The six-month supply pack will be available in all parameters that were available in the three-month and annual packs: Power ranges of 8.4 and 8.8 BC including -0.50D to -6.00 in 0.25D steps, -6.50D to -12.00D in 0.50 steps, +0.50D to +6.00D in 0.25D steps, and +6.50D to +8.00D in 0.50D steps.

According to Johnson & Johnson, research indicates that patients with larger pack sizes tend to be more compliant in replacing their lenses bi-weekly as recommended by their doctor, have a more comfortable wearing experience, and say they are more likely to return to their doctor the next time they need an eye exam.

INFO: 800-843-2020, acuvueprofessional.com

JOHNSON & JOHNSON, INC.
Acuvue Oasys six-month supply pack