From the very first study that Essilor conducted,(1) a number of important points about how people view digital devices were raised (see Figure 1).
For example:
• Wearers adopt different postures
• Wearers have a higher eye declination when using smartphones or tablets
• Working distances can vary from as little as 33cm for a smartphone up to 140cm or more for a televisual display
A follow-up international study conducted by Essilor assessed 4,000 people and their use of digital devices. The following findings were highlighted:
• More than 90% of 20 to 65 year olds use a digital device
every day
• Four different types of digital device on average are used
each day
• 64% of those assessed spend more than four hours at a computer each day
• Nine out of 10 people spend more time viewing digital devices at present than they did two years ago
Even more interestingly:
• Two out of three wearers felt that digital screens required additional effort in order to see them well
• Three out of four reported that they suffered symptoms such as tired, itchy or dry eyes
• 70% complained about neck and shoulder pain
From these studies, three main patient profiles, in terms of their habits and reported experiences, were identified:
• Young adults (20 to 34 years of age)
• Pre-presbyopes (35 to 44 years of age)
• Emerging presbyopes (45 to 50 years of age)
All three groups experienced the same types of discomfort, but at different levels. Young adults suffered more from symptoms relating to screen brightness, whereas emerging presbyopes had more reported difficulty with reading smaller pixelated characters.
Essilor Research and Development has introduced a new lens to the market to address these new digital world challenges.
Essilor Eyezen
As the wearer needs varied according to age, the Essilor Eyezen range includes three designs optimised for each of the identified profiles;
• Eyezen Initial – for young adults
• Eyezen Active – for pre-presbyopes
• Eyezen Active+ - for emerging presbyopes
The Essilor Eyezen aims to be the ‘solution for modern single vision wearers coping in the modern digital age’.
Technical features
Essilor Eyezen combines two patented technologies: Eyezen Focus and Light Scan (Figure 2)
[CaptionComponent="2479"]Normal levels of accommodation, though they decrease with age, are usually sufficient to focus clearly at close working distances. However, the increased use of digital devices, often at closer working distances and for prolonged periods, perhaps in less well controlled ambient environments, makes more demand upon accommodative effort.
The Eyezen Focus patented design offers an extra power in the lower part of the lens to support the repeated and intensive eye focusing required for digital usage at a level appropriate to the physiological needs of each age group (see Table 1 and Figure 3).
[CaptionComponent="2480"]Each design addresses two elements; the increase in accommodative effort for sustained near work and the objective amplitude of accommodation as a function of age.
[CaptionComponent="2481"]This ensures that each age group receives the appropriate support required. The Eyezen Focus design matches the natural eye declination and convergence when using digital devices. Figure 4 summarises these properties. The lenses when dispensed have the following properties;
• Asymmetric in design, to ensure good binocular performance
• The inset is based on each wearer’s prescription
• The inset correlates with the wearer’s gaze direction for near viewing conditions
• Essilor Eyezen lenses are 100% digitally surfaced and optimised to each wearer’s prescription. This reduces the usual optical aberrations for better visual performance
[CaptionComponent="2482"]Light Scan is a patented light filtering technology that, while filtering the harmful UV and shorter wavelength visible blue-violet light, transmits the useful longer wavelength blue-turquoise light.
Benefits to patients
Benefits that can be recommended include:
• Reduced visual fatigue
• Improved readability of smaller characters
• Maintenance of a more natural posture
To validate these benefits Essilor carried out some subjective questionnaire-based wearer tests,(3) with the following results;
• 90% of wearers declared their eyes to be ‘less tired’ when wearing Essilor Eyezen lenses
• 89% of wearers agreed that Essilor Eyezen ‘reduces glare’
• 91% of wearers reported that Essilor Eyezen ‘improves the readability of small characters’
• 91% of wearers were ‘satisfied’ with their Essilor Eyezen lenses, with 78% being ‘very satisfied’
Dispensing / ordering information
Essilor Eyezen lenses need to be ordered having measured the following;
• Full distance prescription
• Mono distance PDs
• Mono fitting heights
Product availability
Essilor Eyezen is available across a wide range of materials, from Orma 1.5 to Lineis 1.74. Transitions Signature VII (in brown, grey and graphite green) is available too.
For a personalised option, Eyecode can be ordered. Essilor Eyezen lenses are covered by a ‘satisfied or exchanged’ guarantee.
Aude Bouillet is product and services project manager, Essilor
References
1 R&D research, Essilor International, 2014
2 Consumer quantitative study - 4000 individuals - US, Fr, Br, CH - (Br & CH: online representative) - Ipsos – 2014
3 In life wearer test – Essilor Eyezen – France – N=76 - Study conducted by a third independent party – 2015 - Essilor International
