OPTI-SHOPPER
buyer’s guide
THE LATEST IN TECH ADVANCES
{SPECTACLE LENSES}
A CLOSER LOOK
Essilor Launches Blue Protection System
To address the growing need for protection against exposure to blue light and UV, Essilor is introducing the Eye Protect System, making eye protection more accessible to everyone. This includes the launch of its Smart Blue Filter, which provides embedded protection against harmful blue-violet light while allowing the beneficial blue-violet light to pass through an aesthetically clear lens.
“We have made a significant commitment to ensure that blue light and UV protection are available to everyone. We will offer this technology as a fundamental part of our business at no additional cost, creating a new standard for our industry.”
—ERIC LEONARD, president, Essilor of America
Smart Blue Filter differs from most other blue light filtering solutions in that it is not a coating and it does not have an obvious color, the company notes.
Beginning in April, Essilor will launch a communications campaign about the benefits of Smart Blue Filter, which will be embedded in all Varilux designs, Transitions lenses, and Essilor’s new Eyezen+ lenses (which were designed for those suffering from digital eyestrain). The technology will be automatically added to the lenses at no extra cost to ECPs or patients.
For more protection, consumers can combine Smart Blue Filter lenses with Crizal Prevencia No-Glare lens treatment, which selectively filters harmful blue-violet light while also blocking UV light.
INFO: essilorusa.com
{LOW VISION}
Low Vision Two-fer
Enhanced Vision is offering its DaVinci Pro HD/OCR, a high-definition electronic magnifier (CCTV) featuring full-page text-to-speech (OCR) and a full HD 3-in-1 camera.
The key highlight of this device is its two-function package: a high-performance 3-in-1 camera for magnification, and the full-page text-to-speech software. This eliminates the need for two separate low vision devices, reducing cost and desk space.
The text-to-speech feature allows a person with very limited vision to—with a push of a button—either magnify small printed text to a larger, contrasting, readable format or have a full page of printed text read back to them in a clear voice.
INFO: 888-811-3161, enhancedvision.com
{TOOLS}
Size Matters
Western Optical Supply has launched a new line of “MicroTools” designed specifically for opticians and other eyecare professionals on the go. With an average length of just 5 inches, the plier collection can fit in a briefcase or carry-on (it complies with TSA regulations).
MicroTools includes a double Delrin jaw plier, combination round and Delrin jaw plier, chain nose plier, nose pad adjusting plier, pantoscopic tilt plier, nose pad popping plier, and nose pad inserting plier.
INFO: 800-423-3294, westernoptical.com
{CONTACT LENSES}
A CLOSER LOOK
New ULTRA Lens for Presbyopes
The new Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contact lenses for presbyopia will be available beginning the second quarter of 2016. The new multifocal lens combines the company’s 3-Zone Progressive design, found in Biotrue ONEday for Presbyopia daily disposable contact lenses, with the end-of-day comfort of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA contact lenses with MoistureSeal technology.
“Since the launch of Bausch + Lomb ULTRA in 2014, eyecare professionals have shared remarkable feedback from both their personal and patient experiences. We’re thrilled that we will soon be able to provide eyecare professionals with an innovative lens that is designed to have all-day comfort and exceptional vision at all distances for their presbyopic patients.”
—CAL ROBERTS, M.D., chief medical officer, B + L
The ULTRA lenses contain polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) for enhanced wettability, and have the highest Dk/t (163) and lowest modulus (70) compared with the leading silicone hydrogel contact lenses on the market, the company reports. The lens also has aspheric optics for exceptional vision even in low-light conditions.
INFO: bausch.com
{SPECTACLE LENSES}
Coppertone Goes Green
Vision Ease’s Coppertone polarized lenses are now available in green, a color option that features enhanced color contrast ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
The polarized polycarbonate lenses are immediately available in 75mm and 80mm SFSV, D28 bifocal, and decentered Novel progressive styles.
All Coppertone polarized lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB rays, plus filter blue light, to protect eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
The sun lenses are also available in gray and brown, and in plano and prescription lenses.
INFO: 800-328-3449, visionease.com
{DISPENSING AIDS}
Beam Them Over
VSP Optics Group has added “beam”—a new measurement technology—to its otto (One Touch to Optical) iPad-based dispensing aid. Beam allows ECPs to quickly and accurately take position-of-wear (POW) measurements for digital lenses without having to attach pattern recognition tools to their patient’s frame.
The new technology works by emitting a small pulse of light, which otto uses as a reference point for calculating measurements. It is available for iPad mini as well as iPad 3, iPad 4, and iPad Air. Active users of otto are eligible for a complimentary tool kit.
INFO: vspopticsgroup.com, shopseeotto.com
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