Special Feature
That’s where we really pushed the limits of
the technology to a totally new level where you
continue to satisfy the current photochromic
wearers - the people who are used to experiencing
these benefits with even more performance - but
it also allows us to start to talk to a new generation
of wearers who maybe never experienced the
photochromic lenses.
It’s really the best performance on the market.
OP: How do these lenses protect the eyes from
blue light?
Luc Nouvelot: The thing that’s unique about
Transitions lenses is this concept of dynamic
harmful blue light protection. So, of course, the
lenses cut UV in any condition, that’s pretty much
a standard, but there is a lot of discussion around
harmful blue light protection and some clear
lenses protect against blue light. But blue light is in
the visible range, so you cannot on a clear lens cut
blue light to a significant extent.
have always-on protection against UV and harmful blue
light, indoors and outdoors. It’s seamless and you’re well
protected.
OP: Please tell us about the team that helped to
develop these new lenses.
LN: We have a team in Thailand, we have a bigger team
in Ireland and small teams in Tampa and Dallas. The
real research part is in Pittsburgh with PPG who are the
guys who are playing with the molecules.
So there’s five locations, we have 13 different nationalities
in the R&D organization worldwide and even in Ireland
only, we have more than 10, so it’s a real mix.
Diversity is definitely one of our strengths. OP
But what happens with Transitions lenses is that
when you go outside, and you get 100 to 500 times
more harmful blue light exposure, then the lens is
acting as a harmful blue light detector. Because UV
and blue light is what activates the lens, so when
it’s there in large proportions, the lens is reacting
and making a shield to protect you and you go up
to 85 per cent harmful blue light protection, which
is something you will only get with a sunglass or
photochromic lens.
EB: That’s super important because what
consumers want today is full protection; they want
always-on protection. They don’t want to have the
hassle of changing glasses or maybe they have good
UV protection with clear lenses, but not harmful
blue light. So today, you put your Transitions
Signature GEN 8 glasses on, you’re ensured you
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