SAN DIEGO—Carl Zeiss Vision, which announced Tuesday that it is terminating lens distribution agreements with prescription laboratory networks operated by its two biggest competitors, Essilor of America and Hoya Vision Care, said yesterday it is extending the termination period for Hoya’s agreement from 30 days to 90 days.

Zeiss sent letters to the two companies last week informing them of the move and its timing. Zeiss gave Essilor Laboratories of America 30 days to stop selling Zeiss lenses. Essilor’s partner labs, which are known as “80-20” labs because of Essilor’s majority ownership, were given a 90-day deadline.

In addition, Zeiss has asked Essilor to cease production of Zeiss anti-reflective coatings in 30 days, except for a few labs that have longer-term closeout agreements with Zeiss. Some Hoya labs also produce Zeiss AR coatings, although Zeiss and Hoya have not yet agreed when production of the coatings will cease.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Zeiss said it is making the move “in response to changes in the wholesale lab ownership landscape, emerging channels of distribution, and the rapid progression of lens technology…”

According to the statement, “Zeiss lenses will continue to be available from all 17 Carl Zeiss Vision laboratories and more than 100 independent wholesale laboratories nationwide. Zeiss lens distribution agreements with lens competitor-owned Rx laboratories will not be renewed.

“This change in policy will allow Carl Zeiss Vision to focus on readying the Zeiss distributor network for emerging technologies, while maintaining Zeiss standards of quality and service,” the company stated.

Zeiss said it will continue to honor all warranties on Zeiss products. There are no changes to SOLA and AO distribution agreements, Zeiss noted.