RADIATION AND SUNLIGHT
Eyecare professionals need to be on top of the latest products and
developments so they can offer patients the best possible lens
options available. In order to have a leadership position in the
photochromic lens category, it is important to be well versed in the
newest technology so you can explain the benefits of a lens that
automatically adjusts to a variety of light conditions and how it can
meet your patients’ needs.
Here we review a series of unique and innovative photochromic
technology advances from Transitions Optical. In nearly every lens
design and material—including the most impact-resistant lenses,
bifocals, trifocals, progressives and standard and high-index
material—Transitions VI offers unparalleled lens performance.
Discussing the benefits of Transitions VI and its advanced
performance can help your patients maintain healthy sight.
 Successful photochromic eyewear
dispensing combines
an understanding of
the benefits of a lens
that automatically
adjusts to a variety of
light conditions wearers experience as well
as lens technology,
performance, availability and professional and consumer
opinions. Using new
technology improvements and the results
of market testing,
from both an ECP
and consumer perspective, each dispenser can teach
patients about seeing
better today and providing for healthy
sight tomorrow.
Transitions VI lenses provide the wearer with clarity improvements that make it indistinguishable to
the expectations a wearer has of clear lenses. In fact, they deliver
higher performance than clear lenses because they more
conveniently manage outdoor glare and ultraviolet light.
ADVANCED PERFORMANCE — AN OVERVIEW
Changing lens attributes require agreement by chemists, process
engineers and product managers and are the result of a dialog with
eyecare professionals and their patients—the consumer. In using a
direct feedback mechanism for continual improvement, changes
can be made that are meaningful and well timed to continue
professional business growth while better satisfying a patient’s needs.
The targets for this new lens series were to make all Transitions
lenses perform equally regardless of material or lens design. In the
process, each of the characteristic properties that contribute to the
overall performance can also be adjusted where possible. What
were the results?
While the previous generation of Transitions lenses provided
exceptional performance in high indices/polycarbonate
(Transitions V), standard 1.5 index was still limited to earlier
technology (Transitions Next Generation). Now, Transitions VI
offers consistent, high-level performance across all materials.
Transitions VI lenses build on the strength of Transitions V and
Transitions Next Generation lenses and provide even better performance on key criteria. They are darker outdoors than previous
technologies, very clear indoors—actually improving indoor transmission on polycarbonate and high indices in comparison to Transitions V lenses, darker at hot temperatures than Transitions V
lenses, faster to fade back than Transitions Next Generation. As
you would expect from Transitions, Transitions VI lenses block 100
percent UVA and UVB radiation and provide UV400 protection.
Now, for the first time, Transitions VI lenses offer improved
performance, consistent across all materials and indices. This
means each office can now offer the same level of lens clarity,
the same level of darkness, and the same speed to fade-back
irrespective of the material, index or design.
The fact that all Transitions lenses react equally regardless of
material is significant. Previously, standard plastic (Next
Generation) and poly or high index (Transitions V) had somewhat
different characteristics. The translation to patients may have been
difficult for the dispenser or the patient to remember. This new
change means all lenses perform the same.
 As always, Transitions VI are as clear as regular clear
lenses indoors and are now darker at moderate and
hotter temperatures than all previous generations.
When fading back, Transitions VI is faster than the
previous plastic version Transitions Next Generation.
Transitions products have always taken a leadership role in
promoting healthy sight by reducing glare, improving contrast and
absorbing ultraviolet radiation. For patients this results in less eye
fatigue and eyestrain, therefore providing improved visual comfort.
They protect the eye by blocking 100 percent UVA and UVB rays.
Now, new Transitions VI lenses provide UV 400 protection as well.
All this is done automatically and conveniently without patients
having to worry that they are wearing the best lenses.
PROFESSIONAL AND PATIENT FEEDBACK
Transitions Optical conducted extensive wearer trials among eyecare
professionals and consumers as part of the product evaluation.
A number of the experiences of ECPs who participated in the
wearers study are listed here. But how should one use these
results when talking to patients?
 First, using peer-testing results
provides you the confidence that
this photochromic is already recognized as a good change. More than
favorable responses by patients
provide the confidence that you and
your patients will also be successful.
Here are the key results. More than
nine out of 10 eyecare professionals
and almost nine out of 10 consumers
rated the new lenses as excellent or
very good. Eight out of 10 consumers preferred Transitions VI lenses
to regular clear lenses. Considering the eye health requirements of
their patients, almost nine out of 10 ECPs agreed that Transitions VI
lenses are better for your eyes than clear lenses and better at helping
protect their patients’ eyes from future damage.
In summary, Transitions VI lenses provide consistent advanced
performance across the widest range of lens designs and materials.
In wearer trials, eight out of 10 eyecare professionals said they
would recommend Transitions VI to more patients, and nine out
of 10 eyecare professionals said they will recommend Transitions
VI lenses to their patients currently wearing clear lenses.
NEW PRODUCT PERFORMANCE — THE DETAILS
To best present the attributes and benefits of any lens property, a
clear knowledge of the performance characteristics is essential.
Simply describing consistency, improved darkening and fading as
well as less temperature sensitivity can be the exact words used with
patients when they want to know why they are being changed to this
new lens. The fewer words used that clearly communicate the
benefits are most easily understood. Therefore, use the following.
Faster to Dark — While the previous Transitions V lenses were fast
this new version is just
as fast and nearly 10
percent darker in gray
and 15 percent in
brown in moderate
temperatures. In 1
minute, lenses are 82
percent (gray) and 78
percent (brown) dark.
Faster to Clear — When compared to Transitions Next
Generation, Transitions VI fades back faster, 30 percent faster in gray
and 40 percent faster in brown.
This means that patients that preferred a faster fading lens but also
used standard plastic lenses can now continue with their preference
of lens material but with the improved attributes of Transitions VI.
In this way, each dispenser can better manage the performance
expectations of every patient.
Performance in Hot and Cold Temperatures —While all photochromics have some hot temperature sensitivity that reduces darkness, improved manufacturing and dye processing reduces that sensitivity. Now in hotter climates, these lenses will perform better.
Compared to their previous hot weather performance (35°C / 95°F)
lenses are now 10 percent darker in gray and 15 percent darker in
brown (vs. Transitions V). This is a welcome change for patients in
states like Florida where the test market described as noticeable, the improvements in activation in hot weather.
100 Percent UV
Absorptive — With
the knowledge and
concerns of the professional community
regarding ultraviolet
radiation and its contribution to cancers,
cataracts and sunburn, all lenses worn should block 100 percent of
UV rays. It is vital to educate all patients about the risks of sun damage to their eyes. All Transitions lenses, block 100 percent of harmful
UVA and UVB rays. In addition, Transitions VI lenses provide
UV400 protection.
THE CLEAR ALTERNATIVE
Transitions VI lenses are a better alternative
than clear lenses. They provide 89 percent light
transmission indoors or at night. When
combined with a premium anti-reflective
coating, indoor clarity is improved by up to 6
percent achieving 95 percent transmission.
When combined with a premium AR coating
Transitions VI lenses deliver a lens to the patient
that improves lens clarity, speeds fading and
improves a wearer’s convenience. For example,
when patients are moving between car, office or
store, the lens is better able to fade faster and
get to a clear state when going indoors. It now
takes 30 percent less time to reach 70 percent
transmission. The activation range of Transitions
VI gray is improved by nearly 10 percent versus
Transitions V. There is the same terrific
performance in brown. When fully activated
outdoors in bright sun, Transitions VI brown
lenses attain an 88 percent tint (12 percent
transmission). Therefore, as a patient’s primary
pair of lenses, they provide the wearer with the
clarity of clear lenses when un-activated and the
darkening and fade back improvements of a
higher performing photochromic.
To summarize, Transitions VI lenses offer the
same advanced performance in all materials
with improved clarity, darkness and speed. This
is advanced performance for healthy sight.
PATIENT TESTING
Patient testing and their responses add credibility to the descriptions
that dispensers use with patients. In a test with 141 ECPs and 120
consumers, each wore clear lenses for two weeks—then Transitions
VI lenses for another two weeks. Following each two-week period,
they answered questions about their experience; questions were
randomized to avoid bias.
In this acceptance and attitude trial, responses provide direction to
researchers as well as descriptions of performance that are usable by
dispensers. The results were Transitions VI lenses were seen as better
than clear lenses by both groups. ECPs felt that given their performance
characteristics, they would provide healthy sight for patients. Details of
responses are listed below. Use these descriptions and attitudes directly
with patients and to shape your own comparisons and opinions.
PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDES & RESULTS |
ECPs that wore the lenses agreed
Transitions VI lenses are for people of
all ages. They are stylish and in fact,
nine out of 10 will recommend them
to their patients who wear clear lenses.
They also agree that Transitions VI is
the best recommendation for everyday
needs and now will recommend them
to more of their patients. |
In the study, nine out of 10 ECPs rate
the new lens as excellent or very good.
They are satisfied with how clear the
lens is indoors, the speed at which it
darkens, how dark it gets outdoors
and the speed at which it fades back
to clear. Ninety percent agree that
Transitions VI is a technologically
advanced lens. |
Ninety four percent of eyecare professionals agree that Transitions VI
provides healthy sight, protecting
against future eye damage and are
better than clear lenses for your eyes. |
CONSUMER ATTITUDES & RESULTS
 Consumers were satisfied with the
clarity, speed and darkness of
Transitions VI lenses. When considering long-term and short-term benefits, Transitions VI help protect
against the damages of UV rays and
they also eliminate squinting and eye
fatigue from sunlight, which result in
improved visual comfort.
|
RECOMMENDING PHOTOCHROMICS
Why should you recommend photochromic lenses to your
patients who wear regular clear lenses?
Photochromics are better for patients than regular clear lenses
because they are clear lenses indoors while offering much more
outdoors. Transitions VI lenses are clear lenses that automatically
adapt to changing light conditions to reduce glare, eye fatigue and
eyestrain. They also help preserve your patients’ eye health and
well being as they block 100 percent of harmful UV rays and
provide UV 400 protection. Clear lenses simply can’t compete.
Some patients who have worn photochromics in the past may
not know that technology has improved. This provides a great
opportunity to describe the differences, improved performance
and demonstrate how these lenses can make a difference. For
example, telling patients: “Transitions lenses help to optimize the
quality of vision every day and in virtually all light conditions. They
help you see better today and help preserve the health and
well-being of your eyes for the future” is an easy way to promote
lens benefits that are important to all patients.
ANSWERING QUESTIONS
Patients have lots of questions about products; some are based on
their own previous experience or the experiences of others. Being
knowledgeable about the details and being able to respond
quickly with short, direct answers can make a difference. Here are
a variety of common questions and answers that will make
you better prepared to answer the questions most asked when
considering photochromics.
What is the life expectancy of Transitions VI lenses? The
performance life of Transitions VI lenses will generally last the
lifetime of the prescription. According to VisionWatch research, the
repurchase cycle is 2 to 2.5 years. As a result, the normal small loss
of photochromic performance is generally not perceptible by the
wearer. Chances are that the patient will replace their glasses long
before their lenses have any perceptible change in performance.
Are Transitions VI lenses compatible with premium anti-reflective
coatings? Transitions VI lenses are compatible with all premium AR
coatings and hard coats. Transitions VI lenses are clearer than regular
clear lenses when a premium AR coating is applied and lenses fade
faster. Transitions works with major lens coaters to ensure lens and
coating compatibility. Call your lab if there are any questions.
Do new Transitions VI lenses perform behind the windshield of a
car? UV rays activate photochromic lenses and most automobile
windshields block UV rays to protect the interior of the car to protect
the passengers from the majority of UV exposure. As a result, Transitions lenses just like clear lenses will not darken behind a car wind-shield. Patients with light sensitivity will want a supplemental pair of
sun lenses or polarized sun lenses for driving and other high-glare
outdoor activities such as at the beach, on the water, or on the snow.
A two pair purchase, using photochromic lenses as the primary
pair and polarized sun lenses as the secondary pair is the right
vision package for most patients. Research indicates that wearers
of Transitions lenses are more likely than clear lens wearers to own
sunglasses as their second pair.
Are Transitions VI lenses suitable for night driving? Yes and as
with clear lenses, adding an anti-reflective coating will make
driving at night even more comfortable for your patients, as they
reduce distracting glare and are even clearer than regular clear
lenses. Transitions VI lenses are suitable for night driving as per
the ISO 14889 standard.
Should I recommend Transitions VI lenses as a sunglass replacement? Even though they get sun lens-dark outside, Transitions lenses are
not intended to replace sunglasses. Transitions lenses are intended to
replace regular clear lenses as the patients’ primary pair of lenses.
Sunglasses, especially polarized lenses, are specialty eyewear for specific, sustained outdoor use and blinding glare situations. Transitions
lenses, as a first pair, in combination with polarized sunglasses as a
second pair, make an excellent two pair selection for your patients.
Most patients should be open to that recommendation.
POINT-OF-SALE
Points-of-sale materials help you and your patients understand the
benefits of lenses and their special features. While many patients
know something about photochromics this is an opportunity to
re-introduce them as an option and help you communicate more
effectively with patients.
Request a Transitions VI launch CD, request materials from your
labs and their representatives, and visit www.transitions.com
professionals for the latest support tools and performance details. A
demonstration video can be downloaded directly for use on a
computer or used on a flat panel display in your office.
CONCLUSION
Building on the strengths of previous Transitions, the new Transitions
VI lenses provide better performance on key criteria. They are
darker outdoors, clearer than Transitions V, darker at hot
temperatures and faster to fade back than Transitions Next
Generation. For healthy sight, they manage glare, block 100 percent
of UV radiation and provide UV400 protection.
For the first time, Transitions VI lenses offer improved
performance, consistent across all materials and indices. This means
each office can now offer the same level of lens clarity, the same level
of darkness and the same speed to fade-back irrespective of the
material, index or design. It ensures that all patients can get the lens
they want with advanced performance for healthy sight. |