OPTICAL PRISM | COVER STORY
THE COMPETITION AWAY
Performance-boosting lenses BY DAVID GOLDBERG
Vision can make or break your patient ’ s game , no matter what sport they play .
That ’ s why suggesting the right lens for each athlete is so important .
The proper lens can help an athlete line up the ball for that grand slam or eye up that perfect snowdrift for a sick carve .
It ’ s not just about performance enhancement , either .
Above all , lenses can protect a person ’ s precious eyesight from injury , ensuring they ’ ll be able to enjoy the sports they love for years to come .
“ The right lens can provide sharper vision as well as better comfort and protection ,” says Martine Ahier , senior marketing manager of brands and products at Essilor Canada .
22 OPTICAL PRISM | July 2021
“ Both the frame and lenses should be made from highly impact-resistant materials and fit perfectly on the face . For any outdoor sport , sunglasses help eliminate glare and enhance contrast , significantly improving our reactions .”
Golf , for instance , presents a whole new round of challenges for athletes who have to fight blinding sunlight , making it difficult to follow the ball or see a clear path to the green .
Perfect for the links , Essilor ’ s Stylistic wrap lenses , in single-vision and Varilux , provide wide fields of vision , excellent sharpness , contrasts and dynamic vision using patented W . A . V . E . 2.0 Technology , which integrates all pupil diameters in the lens calculation and reduces high-order aberrations . They fit most wraparound frames and , combined with Xperio and Crizal , provide great vision under the sun .
Out on the water , rapidly changing light conditions are the biggest eyesight issue to contend with . That ’ s why polarized lenses are the best option , whether catching waves on a surfboard or casting a fishing line trying to catch “ the big one .”
Olivier Debregeas , head of sales and marketing at Carl Zeiss Vision Canada , says that polarized lenses are specially designed to prevent light reflections and annoying mirror images as the sun ’ s rays hit the wet pavement or metal surfaces .
“ These lenses protect wearers from eye fatigue because the eyes no longer have to adjust to constantly changing light conditions ,” explains Debregeas . “ Also , people who wear