Hoya: Polarised Lenses
Hoya says its Polarised lenses effectively block reflections and eliminate annoying glare from the sun while increasing contrast and providing better comfort outdoors, even on extremely bright days. The product is available in a large variety of design, coating and material options and gives the opportunity to upgrade patients from conventional tinted lenses. The lenses have a polarised efficiency of over 98%, come in three colour choices and are said to offer contrast-rich vision.
Younger Optics: NuPolar
Younger Optics says its NuPolar product sets the global standard for prescription polarised lenses. The company notes that, although there are currently no international standards that govern the quality of polarised lenses, NuPolar offers strong performance in eight crucial categories: polarising efficiency, heat stability, film adhesion, colour uniformity, axis alignment, thin film placement and transmittance.
NuPolar lenses are available in five colours, most lens types and six lens materials, which suit most prescription sunwear needs. NuPolar technology is available in a graduated option, with mirror coats and green 15% light transmission factor, in 1.5, 1.6 & 1.67 single vision and digital progressives.
Essilor: Xperio Polarised
Xperio Polarised sun lenses from Essilor are said to eliminate harsh, blinding glare from highly reflective surfaces to increase visual comfort and performance. Further patient benefits include improved contrast, enhanced colour perception for everyday activities and Essilor’s highest UV protection rating, E-SPF 50, so the patient can feel confident their eyes are protected from the sun.
Tim Precious, managing director at Essilor Ltd, says: ‘Visible glare can be uncomfortable, and we believe Xperio Polarised sun lenses represent the optimum vision experience in the sun.’ Xperio Polarised works by only allowing vertical light through the lens to block irritating glare. Two additional options within the lens portfolio are Ray-Ban Authentic, which combines the iconic sunglass brand with Essilor’s lens expertise, and Oakley Authentic. Both options are now available as complete pairs.
Optimum Coatings: Optimum Sun
Lancashire-based Optimum Coatings says its thinnest ever polarised lens to date, the Optimum Sun, is a 1.74 material index lens that gives the lab the capability of manufacturing higher prescription polarised lenses. The 15% light transmission factor lens is available in grey or brown. Available lens types include freeform single vision and progressive designs suitable for various sports and lifestyle activities while offering cosmetic appeal.
Rodenstock: Polarised Lenses
Rodenstock notes that when light hits a reflective surface, such as water, snow or even cars and buildings, the light can become polarised, resulting in glare that can interfere with vision. Only polarised lenses can remove this glare, working like a venetian blind to block out horizontal polarised light waves. Glare can be uncomfortable on the eye, but when the angle of reflection is just right, the glare can become blinding and often dangerous, as in the case of driving a vehicle. Ordinary tinted sunglass lenses only reduce ambient light that reaches the eye, therefore cannot block glare. Only polarised lenses can reduce ambient light and block out this dangerous, blinding glare.
The company recommends its Polarised Lenses brand to increase patients’ safety and comfort in wear while driving and during sports. The lenses offer 100% UV protection and are available in three tint options.
Norville: NuPolar Trilogy
The NuPolar Trilogy prescription sun lens supplied by Norville is said to offer UV protection, chemical resistance, high impact resistance, the ability to filter out blinding glare, and can be put into virtually any frame.
According to Norville, these properties have been achieved by combining two advanced lens characteristics in Trilogy, which is based on research to improve a lens’s impact protection, and NuPolar, which meets all international sunglass standards and blocks 100% of UVA and UVB. The lens is available in grey and brown at a 15% light transmission factor with an Rx range of -9/+7D and in eight base.