The Physio progressive lens concept is launched

Essilor is claiming a new concept in progressive lens design with the introduction of the Varilux Physio.

The semi-finished point-to-point manufactured lens uses analysis of the whole beam of light entering the eye, claimed Essilor. This allows the lens to compensate for higher-order aberrations and makes individualised lenses available to a wider group of wearers.

Michel Crombe, managing director of Essilor UK, commented: 'It is the first lens that combines the benefits of free-form technology with the price affordability of a traditional lens.' If the profession wants patients to benefit from advances in technology it had to make them affordable, he added. 'We will probably see a big shift to this from Panamic.'

It will be priced at the same level as the Varilux Panamic.

Essilor said that at the heart of the Varilux Physio were new techniques which allowed the progressive profile of the lens to be measured using the whole beam of light passing through the pupil rather than making a calculation based on a single ray of light.

Andy Hepworth, professional relations manager, said the combination of the wavefront lens design and digital manufacture provided benefits for the wearer. These had been verified through wearer trials, he said.

In the far zone the lens design allowed the reduction of higher-order aberrations which reduced coma, giving the patient increased sharpness and contrast sensitivity.

In the intermediate zone, axial control of astigmatism into vertical components gave a wider field of view to the patient, said Hepworth.

By controlling the power of the lens allowing a bigger near zone, Hepworth claimed Physio gave the patient better comfort.
Varilux Physio is available in powers from -12.00 to +9.00 across a wide range of indices and materials. It will be released on April 1.