By Cat Wolinski

Increasingly, Rx and sunwear are the order of the day. Transitions Optical’s recently released Adaptive Sunglasses Selection Survey found that a majority of Americans—70 percent of survey respondents—report technology is a critical factor in their sunglasses selection. The report also states that for nearly a quarter of prescription eyeglass wearers, technology is “extremely important” when deciding on a pair of sunwear. And further, 35 percent say optics is the most important aspect when deciding which sunglasses to buy, with 15 percent saying quality of optics and sharpness of vision is the feature they would most like to see improved in their next pair.

As the Transitions survey makes clear, consumers want and need high performance prescription sunwear. Sunglass and sun lens suppliers are meeting the demand with an array of new products designed specifically for the Rx sun wearers. Photochromic and light filtering lenses, thinner and lighter lens materials, eye-catching mirrors and tints, and enhanced peripheral protection from glare and harmful light are just a few of the options available, providing more shade and style for any environment, from the garden to the golf course. Here’s a roundup of what’s new in Rx sun.

COLOR VISION: SUN PROTECTION FOR EVERYONE
One of the most exciting tech trends in Rx sun are lenses that block particular wavelengths of “spectral noise.” These specialized lenses can enhance one’s perception of specific colors while boosting color perception. The following are a few of the sunglasses on the market that are making colors pop, while reducing glare and protecting against harmful UV.
ESSILOR KOLOR UP
These sun lenses from Essilor Sun Solution, the Essilor Group division dedicated to nonprescription lenses, are said to amp up the brightness of “pure primary colors” with a built-in color equalizer, producing improved color sensitivity and contrast, while also offering UV and blue light protection. Kolor Up color enhancement technology was developed in partnership with Mazzucchelli and was released in 2015 in four of the acetate collections:
  • Rio, paired with Kolor Up CR39 polarized, gradient lenses in amber, brown, grey, green-grey and copper.
  • Stripy, paired with Kolor Up CR39 lenses in gradient amber and dielectric bronze, gradient brown and multi-layers champagne, gradient grey and dielectric blue, gradient grey-green and dielectric silver, gradient copper and dielectric silver.
  • Monocolors, paired with Kolor Up CR39 sun lenses in double gradient amber, brown, grey, grey-green and copper.
  • M49 Tokyo, paired with Kolor Up polarized polycarbonate sun lenses in amber, brown, grey, grey-green and copper.


COLOR VISION: SUN PROTECTION FOR EVERYONE
SMITH OPTICS CHROMAPOP
By filtering the crossovers of blue and green, and green and red wavelengths, ChromaPop lenses eliminate spectral overlap to further separate specific wavelength ranges that each cone covers, allowing enhanced color definition and clarity. Now available in a variety of materials and price points, ChromaPop options include:
  • ChromaPop+ Polarized, featuring durable Italian-engineered Trivex polarized lenses, offer more clarity in central and peripheral vision than polycarbonate lenses, are up to 10 percent lighter, and also offer water resistance and 100 percent UV protection. ChromaPop+ Polarized are available in two styles, Guides Choice (Matte Black with ChromaPop+ Polarized Blue Mirror) and Drake (Tortoise with ChromaPop+ Polarized Brown), as well as in six customized tints: ChromaPop+ Polarchromic Ignitor (good for trail, everyday, fresh water, in-shore and ocean), ChromaPop+ Grey Green (good for ocean, road and everyday); and ChromaPop+ Bronze Mirror (good for in-shore, fresh water and everyday).
  • ChromaPop Polarized, offering visual comfort, impact protection and enhanced glare reduction, while also offering water resistance and 100 percent UV protection, are available in two styles, Lowdown (Matte Black with ChromaPop Polarized Gray Green) and Collette (tortoise with ChromaPop Polarized Brown), and three tints.
  • ChromaPop Performance, available in the sporty PivLock Arena (Matte Black Reactor with ChromaPop Sun Green Mirror) and Squad MTB (Reactor with ChromaPop Contrast Rose Flash).
MAUI JIM POLARIZEDPLUS2
This lens technology from Maui Jim is also an option for those seeking UV protection, glare elimination and vivid color enhancement through filtering of overlapping cone stimulation. According to the company, PolarizedPlus2 lens technology protects eyes on both sides of each lens, reducing 99.9 percent of harmful glare from any flat, smooth or shiny surface. Colors are available in Neutral Grey, HCL Bronze, Maui Rose and Maui HT, and four lens materials:
  • MauiBrilliant, Maui Jim’s newest offering, featuring optics nearly as clear as glass with just one-third of the weight, according to the company.
  • MauiEvolution, a polycarbonate which is lightweight, scratch and shatter resistant, and offers higher optical clarity.
  • MauiPure, a lightweight material featuring scratch and shatter resistance.
  • SuperThin Glass, which is 20 percent thinner/ lighter than standard glass (making it the heaviest option to date).
ENCHROMA
Created for patients with red-green color deficiency (CVD), EnChroma color-correcting lenses are said to enhance the vibrancy and saturation of certain colors, as well as improve color discrimination, depth and detail, for 98 to 99 percent of the color blind. According to EnChroma, the lens alleviates red-green photopigment overlap by filtering out specific colors using the company’s patent pending method called “multinotch” filtering, which targets and eliminates sharp wavelengths of light to enhance specific colors.

Also available in prescription, the lenses—which, the company stresses, do not “cure” or “correct” color blindness, and do not provide 100 percent color vision—are available in three options, offered in men’s and women’s styles, specialty styles, and children’s styles:
  • Cx-14 Dark Sunglasses, for use outdoors only.
  • Cx-25 Medium Sunglasses, for use outdoors mostly, with some benefit inside in well-lit conditions.
  • Cx-65 Indoor/Computer Glasses, for use indoors only.
COSTA 580P AND 580G LIGHTWAVE GLASS
These color enhancing lenses available in glass (580G) or plastic (580P) block UV and blue violet light, while also offering a wide variety of color filtering tints and color mirrored tints. Both options selectively filter out the harsh yellow and harmful high-energy ultraviolet blue light, making colors brighter and objects appear more defined, with 580G glass lenses ideal for situations that require ultimate clarity, and the 580P plastic lenses offer a more cost-effective option with durability and clarity. According to Costa, 580G Lightwave Glass, the company’s most high-tech lens, offers 100 percent polarization to block glare and reduce eye strain, and is 20 percent thinner and 22 percent lighter than average polarized glass.


PERSONALIZED LENS DESIGNS
Sun lenses, which often have high base curves due to their wrap angle, are now available in personalized designs, which have long been available in clear lenses. These are some of the latest.
OAKLEY PRIZM TECHNOLOGY
Oakley Prizm technology first became available in October 2015 in high-wrap Oakley sport and active frames with OTD and OTD Edge lens technologies. Originally available in four styles, the Prizm collection now offers lenses for eight environments:
  • Prizm Road, enhancing vision in bright light and shadows to help riders spot changes in the texture of road surfaces.
  • Prizm Trail, to spot subtle differences in shades of brown and make obstacles and subtle transitions in dirt conditions more visible.
  • Prizm Golf, giving more depth cues to gauge distance for wedge shots, as well as differentiate grass conditions to predict ball speed.
  • Prizm Field, aimed to assist in tracking a ball across grass, dirt or sky background.
  • Prizm Daily, for improved comfort in varying light conditions, with HDPolarized optics.
  • Prizm MX, for detecting subtle transitions in dirt conditions during split-second decisions (as in BMX bike riding).
  • Prizm Cricket, featuring precise color filtering for enhanced contrast between the red ball and background or white ball and background.
  • Prizm Deep Water, improving color contrast and boosting greens and reds, giving better underwater views.
OAKLEY TRUE DIGITAL EDGE
In the high-wrap sunglass arena, Oakley’s True Digital Edge or OTD Edge, incorporates technology introduced last year allowing prescription range to expand from +2.00 to -3.00 to +4.00 to -6.00. With this technology, prescription sun wearers can enjoy visual clarity, a minimum of 120-degree binocular field-view, curvature that improves side protection (whether against sun, wind or impact) and eliminates peripheral visual distortion. The lens is available in single vision and progressive lens designs, as well as OTD Sport Specific progressive lenses optimized for outdoor activities such as golf, cycling and fishing.
COSTA C-SHAPE BIFOCAL/WAYPOINT DIGITAL/VARILUX STYLISTIC
Costa announced the re-launch of its Rx lab program last year with the addition and expansion of several new lens technologies, including its C-Scape Bifocal, a prescription sun lens offering a backside round segment ideal for “mature wearers” (presbyopes) in need of up-close magnification for tasks, such as reading. The lens is also equipped with Costa’s Waypoint digital processing, which features a blended line on the lens surface, allowing for clearer distance viewing that can be helpful during outdoor activities—as well as aesthetically pleasing, as patients can be wary of the visible “line” apparent in many bifocal lenses.

Also available is the Varilux Stylistic progressive, a lens design created to complement Costa’s C-Scape PAL design as well as accommodate patients who seek a greater near field of vision.

In addition, Costa introduced a polycarbonate lens option to its line of 580P and 400P lenses. The 580 lens technology selectively filters out harsh yellow and harmful high-energy UV blue light, which in turn can enhance reds, blues and greens, as well as produce better contrast and definition, along with reducing glare and eye fatigue, according to the company.
OAKLEY TRILLBE
Oakley’s latest progressive lens design is the Trillbe, released in July. The progressive offers the full coverage of Oakley’s Performance Lifestyle Shield Lens, including a silhouette with sculptured stems for optimum coverage. According to the company, the new design offers protection, comfort and increased visibility in the peripheral for its wearers.

Key features of the Trillbe include durable and lightweight stress resistant O Matter frame material; 100 percent UV ray lens protection; medium to large face fit design; optimized peripheral vision with a toric lens curvature; and Three-Point Fit to keep lenses aligned and maximize comfort by eliminating common pressure points.
MAUI JIM MAUIBRILLIANT
Maui Jim’s new MauiBrilliant lens, released in April is now available for prescription, the company says. According to Maui Jim, MauiBrilliant is a prescription-ready lens with close to double the clarity of traditional polycarbonate lenses. MauiBrilliant is offered in Maui Jim’s PolarizedPlus2 technology, meaning the new lens will also eliminate glare, manage 95 percent of HEV light and block 100 percent of harmful UV light. According to the company, MauiBrilliant is the lightest lens material to be produced by Maui Jim, at nearly one-third the weight of standard glass. Additional features include grilamid or titanium frames, hypoallergenic rubber nosepads and temple tips, and a variety of lens colors for various light conditions. The lens was initially available in three rimless styles:
  • Kumu, available in Metallic Gloss Copper with HCL Bronze lens; Blue with Neutral Grey lens, and Gunmetal in Maui HT and Gloss Black with Maui Rose lens.
  • Alaka’i, available in Metallic Gloss Copper with HCL Bronze lens, Blue with Neutral Grey lens, Gunmetal in Maui HT and Gloss Black with Maui Rose lens.
  • Kupuna, available in Metallic Gloss Copper with HCL Bronze lens, Blue with Neutral Grey lens, Gunmetal in Maui HT and Gloss Black with Maui Rose lens. All three styles will be available in prescription this month.


PHOTOCHROMICS
TRANSITIONS
The full line of Transitions lenses helps protect against harmful blue light, in addition to blocking 100 percent of UV radiation. For outdoor use, each lens helps provide extra protection from the sun by shielding eyes from glare, harmful blue light and UV rays. For indoor use, the lenses help protect eyes against harmful blue light emitted by artificial sources, such as digital devices and LED lights. Transitions is currently offering several new types of Rx sun lenses including:
  • Transitions XTRActive, for those who spend a lot of time outdoors, protecting the eyes from the brightest sun and harsh artificial light. The lens also achieves up to a category two darkness behind the windshield, to protect eyes from sunlight while driving.
  • Transitions Drivewear, combining Transitions photochromic technology and NuPolar polarization technology, compatible with any type of frame.
  • Transitions Signature VII lenses, now available in gray, brown and graphite green, and Younger Optics Transitions Signature VII Flat Top 28 polycarbonate composite lenses released in both gray and brown, making the lens available to more bifocal wearers. According to Younger Optics, the two companies developed a polycarbonate composite lens that incorporates a thin photochromic front surface bifocal layer made of Trivex, resulting in a lens delivering Transitions Signature VII performance and improved segment cosmetics in a product that is surfaced, polished, edged and dispensed just like a clear polycarbonate lens. The new lens provides an opportunity for ECPs to satisfy patients who wear polycarbonate bifocals; 8 out of 10 patients prefer Transitions Signature lenses to clear lenses, the company says.
HOYA SENSITY
Hoya recently launched a new photochromic lens, Sensity, the company’s answer to photochromic lens wearers’ disappointment with the inconsistency of lens activation and fade back performance during different times of the year, Hoya says. The lens offers Stablight Technology, ensuring the lenses perform consistently in varying climates and temperatures, particularly useful to lens wearers who live in distinctive four-season climates.

Sensity, originally launched in the U.K. and Europe, and joining the U.S. market in April, is available in a full line of free-form progressive and single vision lens designs, materials and anti-reflective treatments, and can be worn in gray or brown, the latter of which is intended to improve color contrast.
RUDY PROJECT IMPACTRX-2
The ImpactRX-2, made with a casted substrate originally developed for the Apache helicopter windshields, offers superior light management by combining photochromic particles and advanced polarized technology, Rudy Project says. This performance-focused lens touts advanced visual acuity, reduced glare and light transmission management for all climatic conditions. According to Rudy Project, the lens is also guaranteed unbreakable; is 16 percent lighter than CR-39 and 10 percent lighter than polycarbonate; has high thermal stability up to thermal temperatures of 80 degrees Celsius (176 degrees Fahrenheit), and is resistant to common chemicals and solvents such as acetone or methyl alcohol.


POLARIZED
VISION EASE COPPERTONE POLARIZED LENSES
Last year, Vision Ease introduced Coppertone Polarized Lenses in green, a new color option featuring enhanced color contrast ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, available in 75 mm and 80 mm SFSV; D28 bifocal; and decentered Novel progressive styles. According to the company, all Coppertone Polarized Lenses block 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and filter blue light. The lens also carries the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation and is ideal for activities such as tennis, driving and golf. Coppertone Polarized Lenses are also available in gray and brown plano, and prescription lenses.


TINTS AND MIRRORS
MAUI JIM BLUE HAWAII LENS WITH POLARIZEDPLUS2
This lens treatment launched by Maui Jim in October 2015 applies a blue flash mirror coating to the outside surface of each PolarizedPlus2 lens, the original version of which blocks 99.9 percent of glare, manages 95 percent of HEV and blocks 100 percent of harmful UV light, according to the company. The Blue Hawaii Collection includes four aviator frame styles: Baby Beach, Cliff House, Mavericks and Wiki Wiki, each outfitted with lightweight MauiPure lenses aiming to reduce the passing through of light, eliminate glare and boost color. The collection also includes two styles in nylon frames with SuperThin Glass lenses, Leia and Sweet Leilani.
ESSILOR SUNWEAR COLORS
Essilor recently announced the launch of Essilor Sunwear Colors, a new line of sun lenses available in six new solids (gray mist, sienna brown, forest gray, emerald blue, grape and plum), as well as six new gradients. All colors and gradients are available to combine with three mirror options, allowing for up to 48 custom color combinations in total.

The lenses are available as Xperio UV polarized sun lenses, providing maximum UV protection along with Essilor tinted lenses, which help reduce light intensity and Essilor polarized lenses, which eliminate glare. All color options are available with polarized and standardized tint in 1.5 standard plastic or polycarbonate lenses, and in single vision and full backside progressive lens designs.
SIGNET ARMORLITE KODAK SUN
In June, Signet Armorlite announced the addition of mirrored lenses available in its Kodak Sun Lens line, available in gray polarized polycarbonate with four solid-mirror color options: blue, red, silver and green. Available in three lens designs—Kodak Unique HD, Kodak Unique and Kodak Digital—the mirrored lens sunwear package includes backside Kodak Clean&CleAR UV Lens Coating, along with a hydrophobic coating to repel water as well as oily smudges, dust and dirt. Kodak Sun Lenses are released as part of the Kodak Lens Professional Series.
YOUNGER OPTICS NUPOLAR GRADIENT
Younger Optics recently expanded its NuPolar Gradient polarized lens line by adding gradient brown/brown, which is dark brown on the top and light brown on the bottom. This is in addition to the original two gradient colors, gray/gray and brown/gray. NuPolar polarized lenses are also available in solid, non-gradient colors: Gray-1, Gray-3, Brown, Green and Copper.


THIN SHIELDS FOR WINDSHIELDS
SERENGETI VARIO DRIVE THIN
Serengeti introduced its Vario Drive Thin Design Rx in 2013, making its Polar PhD lens technology available for most prescriptions. According to Serengeti, the new technology works by calculating an axial compensation of the prescription with the frame dimensions and wearer’s facial anatomy measurements, determining the precise optical zone to create the most exact prescription possible. The lenses are available in +6.00 to –8.00 for the Serengeti sunglasses range, and 99 percent of prescriptions in SV and progressive lenses.

The Vario Drive Thin design technology are also 72 percent thinner and 45 percent lighter than traditional prescription lenses, the company says, with digital surfacing technology that combines advanced customization with a patented wrap ideal for competitive sport.
BOLLE B-THIN ACTIVE DESIGN
Bolle offers high-performance sunglass lenses available for most prescriptions. With the 2013 launch of its B-Thin Active Design Rx program, a partnership between Bolle and Solidar Express Coatings, almost all models in Bolle’s three collections became available to be fit with a range of prescriptions from any manufacturer. B-Thin Active Design lenses use technology that allows for prescriptions from +6.00 to -8.00, surpassing the traditional +4.00 to -4.00 range available for sport sunglasses.

According to Bolle, in addition to being suitable for 99 percent of all prescriptions, B-Thin Active Design Rx lenses offer prescriptions calculated with frame dimensions and the wearer’s facial measurements; optimized fit and comfort; impact resistance; and are up to 45 percent lighter and 72 percent thinner than standard lenses.

Options include more than 20 different lens tints; choice of polycarbonate or Trivex lenses for all frames; polarized, non-polarized and Modulator (photochromic) lenses; and models with interchangeable lenses. In total, more than 40 unique models are available in multiple frame finishes.
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