Transitions has brought forward the launch of its sixth generation variable tint lens due to its success in the US and the growing maturity of the UK market for photochromic lenses.
Transitions VI will be launched on October 1 in the UK, months earlier than the planned 2009 introduction.
Speaking exclusively to Optician last month, Brett Craig, president of Transitions, said the UK has proved to be one of its strongest global businesses for variable tint lenses. The strength of the UK meant it would be among the first countries in Europe to see the new Transitions VI product.
A spokesman for Transitions said North America was the first to launch Transitions VI and the response has been in excess of expectations. Sales of Transitions VI were currently growing at double the expected rate. 'Logistics and manufacturing are running smoothly so we have identified three markets for an early European launch. The UK is our most important market in Europe so we felt it important to offer our customers the lead. Spain and Italy will also be launching on October 1and this reflects the market needs in Southern Europe for a product that is less temperature dependent.'
Transitions VI combines the darkness of Next generation Transitions with the speed of Transitions V, said the spokesman. 'The best way to see the improvement is to test the lens, which is why we will be offering opticians the opportunity to take part in our trial lens programme in the coming weeks.'
Transitions VI has an inactivated transmission of 95 per cent, with an anti-reflective coating providing the same performance as a clear lens. Outdoors the lens takes 30 seconds to activate and Transitions VI has the advantage of darkening more in higher temperatures than earlier generations.
At 23°Cthe grey lens activates to 88 per cent and at 35°Cit is still a 73 per cent tint.
'Probably prior to Transitions VI there were some limitations with the technology but with Transitions VI we are providing all of the key attributes a clear lens has but more. It's a clear lens indoors with AR and beyond that we provide glare protection outdoors with fast activate, fast de-activate, so there is no benefit with a clear lens.'