Focusing on
new lens tech
By Jody Johnson-Pettit
Advances in new technologies is
allowing eyewear companies to
produce better lenses to improve and
protect patients’ vision. In the coming
year, the importance of blue light
protection will remain top-of-mind
for one Canadian lens company.
“Essilor Canada is convinced that
everyone needs and should have
access to blue light protection,” says
Martine Ahier, marketing manager
for Essilor Canada.
“Since we have all been talking about
blue light for five years already, the
subject is well known in the industry.
However, there is a significant gap
between what our industry knows
about blue light and what the
consumers know.”
Essilor Canada is motivated to keep
developing blue light protection and
are looking at expanding their product
offerings in the next couple of months.
“Even if only 11 per cent of corrected
consumers in Canada have blue-fil-
tering lenses, 72 per cent of them are
concerned about blue light exposure
and 85 per cent of wearers are likely
to purchase eyeglasses that prevent
24 OPTICAL PRISM January 2019
eye strain once they are informed of
the benefits,” says Ahier. The various
lens options on the market are many
and Essilor’s focus is all about
simplification.
“Consumers are shopping differently,
looking for product information from
different sources before going to their
eye care professional,” says Ahier.
Essilor Canada wants to offer the best
products possible to answer the needs
of all consumers.
“Offering the best designs in single-
vision with Eyezen and the most
recommended progressive lens with
Varilux along with Crizal and Transitions
really brings the benefits consumers
are looking for.”
Transitions Optical is continuing to
increase people’s ability to personalize
their lenses with the expansion of the
available colour options of Transitions
Signature lenses with new Transitions
Signature style colours as well as
Transitions XTRActive style mirrors.
“Both lens options help people express
their style,” says Isabelle Tremblay-
Dawson, marketing manager.
Transitions Signature lenses have been
available in grey, graphite green and
brown, known as the iconic colours.
Now they are also available in four
new vibrant style colours - sapphire,
amethyst, amber and emerald green.
“They are suitable for eyeglass wearers
who want optimum comfort and
hassle-free protection both inside and
outside throughout the day,” says
Tremblay-Dawson.
“Transitions Signature lenses are our
fastest-adapting and most popular lens.”
These lenses have light-intelligent
Chromea7 technology and are the
clearest indoors and have fast fade-
back speed. They also block 100 per
cent of UVA and UVB rays, while also
helping to protect from harmful blue
light indoors and out. Transitions
XTRActive style mirrors are now
available in flash gold, silver and violet
blue. Copper and blue green will be
available soon.
“These are another great choice as a
second pair of lenses beyond primary
clear lenses.”