Varilux X Series Essilor
Varilux X Series progressive lenses address the key visual challenges of today’s presbyopes. They feature Essilor’s new Xtend Technology, which extends the area of sharp vision within arm’s reach, so patients no longer have to move their head to find “just the right spot.” Essilor reports that patients experience sharper vision at every distance, without compromise.
Features: With other progressive lenses, wearers are only able to see one distance through any given point in the lens, but Varilux X Series lenses feature Essilor’s new Xtend Technology, which allows the wearer to see multiple distances through any point in the near and intermediate zones. The result is significantly extended vision within arm’s reach.
The lenses are the result of five years of research and development; 19 wearer studies among thousands of wearers; 15 new lens- design patents; a new design-calculation engine powerful enough to process such an advanced progressive lens design. Seven out of 10 consumers prefer over Varilux S Series, according to a 2017 independent wearer study conducted by University of Arkansas, sponsored by Essilor of America.
Availability: Varilux X Series is available in three options:
- Varilux X design—allows the lenses to be fit like any other progressives, with PD and fitting height.
- Varilux X Fit—incorporates position of wear (pantoscopic tilt, vertex distance, wrap angle); defaults are accepted.
- Varilux X 4D—dispensed with Essilor’s Visioffice System.
varilux.com
Cobalt NXT & NXT+ Generators
Coburn Technologies
The Cobalt NXT is the successor to Coburn’s current large-format free-form generator, the Cobalt DS. Together with the Cobalt NX generator which was launched in March, the Cobalt NXT represents Coburn’s next generation platform for lens surfacing.
“With the Cobalt NXT, we have expanded the basic fundamentals of our very popular Cobalt DS, while shrinking the footprint to better fit the needs of the market. Cobalt NXT now allows the production volume of a larger lab to fit into the spacing of a smaller lab,” explains Alex Incera, president of Coburn Technologies.
Features:
- Automation ready: Cobalt NXT has the capability to be upgraded to a fully automated machine for labs looking to completely automate their free-form processes.
- Superior lens quality: The quality of the lenses produced with the Cobalt NXT is far superior to that of the Cobalt DS. Cobalt NXT is designed for processing all indexes of lenses (1.498 to 1.74).
- On-board engraving: With engraving built in the machine, the need to purchase additional equipment is reduced, thus saving costs.
- Automated calibration: Manual calibration is still available for those customers wanting to still control this process, but for those who want an automated machine, Cobalt NXT comes built with automatic calibration for faster and more efficient lens processing.
- Higher throughput: Cobalt NXT comes with increased speeds and higher throughput than the Cobalt NX, allowing labs to process jobs faster.
coburntechnologies.com
(800) COBURN-1
My Frame Gallery
Frames Data
My Frame Gallery will allow independent retailers to subscribe to a service which automatically generates a virtual frame board using the extensive Frames Data database of eyewear, which includes data and full-color imagery. This online frame board can be customized by the practice in a number of ways, including with the retailer’s logo, hours and location address, as well as frame selection by supplier, brand, collection and style. The result is a highly customized website that reflects the branding and selection of the retailer, which can be added to an existing website as a link, or can even function as a default site in the case where one does not already exist.
Features: “I’m very excited about this project,” says Tom Doyle, director of marketing and key accounts at Frames Data. “We think it is a tremendous opportunity to help our customers grow and compete in today’s digital environment. Consumers expect to be able to browse products online, and this is a way for independent retailers to meet those expectations without a huge investment in website development. Plus, we’ve made it very easy to set up, so you don’t need to be a technical wiz to get started.”
According to Jane George, product manager for Frames Data, My Frame Gallery is designed to be used in a number of ways, including both in-store as well as online by the patients of the individual retailers. “The objective is to help the independent practices drive traffic into their stores with an expanded online presence,” George explains. “Once the customer is in the store, My Frame Gallery can also be a sales tool that the optician can use with the customer in person. We know that consumers like to browse products online before they purchase. Eyewear is no different, but you need the in-person expertise of the optician to truly help you get the right fit. My Frame Gallery allows people to browse online even before their appointment, and then steers them to the practice for their exam, fitting and finally, purchase.”
There is no direct e-commerce option for My Frame Gallery, and Frames Data is not currently displaying any retail pricing. “We’re focused on helping to drive customers to the practice which is how you really create loyal customers, and we think that this delivers a truly memorable experience,” George notes.
Availability: My Frame Gallery can be previewed at www.framesdata.com/gallery.
framesdata.com/gallery
RGB SpectrometerBrain Power Inc. (BPI)
The BPI RGB Spectrometer is an invaluable aid for matching the colors of tinted lenses or filters. It may also be used to check CIE or (L*,a*,b*) color coordinates. It also checks the upper UVA (350 nm to 400 nm) transmission and provides filter level information with precision.
Features: For color matching the RGB Spectrometer should be used with a personal computer running the Companion Program. The system power pack requires 115 volts 50/60 Hz and is fuse protected by a 1 amp, 250 V glass fuse. Components are UL and CSA recognized. PC #: 19508 (110v) 219523 (220v).
callbpi.com
(800) 225-5274; (305) 264-4465
The Eye Doctor Plus OptiSource International
Hot and cold eye compress used to treat meibomian gland dysfunction, dry eye disease, blepharitis, cysts and other symptoms. Its efficacy is backed by clinical studies, safety testing and endorsements from medical advisers such as the UK’s TV personality, Hillary Jones, MD.
Features: The Eye Doctor Plus features a removable washable cover, an adjustable strap for extra comfort and revolutionary patent pending BodyBeads, which are self-hydrating filling specifically designed to provide consistent moist heat during the duration of the treatment.
The Eye Doctor Plus is FDA approved and also functions as a full treatment pack for the three-step eyelid hygiene procedure recommended by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Optometric Association.
1-800-optisource.com
(800) 678-4768
