Essilor Lenses: lenses for prescription glasses.
We can explain all lens options including Essilor lenses for children and adults
Essilor lenses with UV Protection · fog resistance · blue light protection · smudge resistance · scratch resistance · clear vision · close up vision · distance vision · Lenses for extreme conditions · Lenses for indoor and outdoor
The optometrist vision tests you can expect for complicated or common eye conditions, eye diseases and vision symptoms that occur at different stages of life will serve to reduce your problems that can occur.Glasses or contact lenses may offer special vision protection
Essilor launched in 2013 Crizal Prevencia, in 2016 the smart blue filter and in 2018 widened harmful blue light protection as a specific category in its portfolio of lenses following on from other major cagegory breakthroughs.
Essilor invented the progressive lens category in the 1950’s to correct vision across a visual zone from near to far,beyond the restrictive arm length.
As a world leader in prescription lenses continuous refinements followed.
In 1993 the anti-reflective category of clear and more scratch resistant lenses were developed and all continously improved through R+D.
Despite poor medicare rebates and some poor rebates from some private health insurers,and the plethora of advertising (lower cost products claiming to be the complete solution for all) that concentrates on price,many patients come to find investing in more complex and quality eyewear is worthwhile.
Often the in-store experience in the low cost advertising store that attracts some people,is one where alternative premium offerings are generally recommended way beyond the advertised claims and furthermore then are generally in line with independents as far as price is concerned. The adage compare apples with apples applies as not all lenses and frames are the same.
The Varilux X lens is the result of continuous refinement since 1959 of the first version of the progressive lens (also called multifocals) to correct presbyopia now with more than 50 patents for cutting-edge progressive lens technology as a world leader.
The Silmo d’Or ( Salon Mondial de l’Optique 2017 (SILMO) ) award winning Varilux X series progressive lenses meet the visual needs of todays highly connected generation X presbyopes.
We can help also in choosing frames and the right lenses and to learn all about lenses,your vision and what activities need special vision for the stages of your life.
Varilux range
The VisiOffice system precisely measures many aspects of your eyeglasses in an as worn postion that can influence the success of your prescription.
Visual performance can suffer greatly due to inaccurate centration. Wearer studies means much Essilor can gather statistical information to refine and improve the lens designs.
Our standard Rx will give us about 75% of the clarity we should have from our vision
The challenge for optical designers is correcting for higher order aberrations (including Coma,Spherical aberration and trefoil)
Spherical aberration is increased after myopic LASIK surface ablation as well as from the bigger pupil of night vision. It results in halos around point images.
Pupil size can vary eg between day and night
HOA’s could account for 20% of clarity of our vision – with 5% influence due to the tear film constantly shifting
Aberrometers have evolved and measure HOA’s in one direction of gaze but the eye will rotate behind the lens surface so centre of rotation needs to be measured for the particula eye
The most advanced optical labs work with designs based on the wavefront exiting eg on the back surface of a progressive lens (using adaptive optics calculations) involving a pupil map – measuring the size of the pupil according to Rx, age (add), near distance and light conditions with the pupil sizes being plotted across the lens surface.
Using the Visioffice we know the position of the COR and with position of the corneal Purkinje images calculations such as the far point sphere (FPS) for the patient’s eyes so develpoped optical designs can then be recalculated according to the FPS of the patient’s eye and other wearer parameters
This can manifest paticularly with contrast sensitivity function for the wearer and larger clearer optical zones
The newest technology address limitations due to measurement error with these accurate 3-dimensional measurements such as
Pupillary Distances (Mono/Total), Fitting Heights, Natural Head Position (Head Cape), Eye Rotation Center, frame width,height
Pantoscopic Tilt, Wrap Angle,Vertex Distance, Leading Dominant Eye, Head/Eye Movement Ratio, Stability Coefficient Reading Distance
Prescription lenes can be more advanced and personalised than ever.
Often inferior designs and poor centrations are often at the root of poor optical performance.
Frame size depth and width and bridge design will all involve different centrations ie positioning of the lens to the eye.
Varilux progressive lenses have continuously been improved since first introduced in 1959.
Seven generations followed including
Varilux 2 (1973) to Varilux Comfort (1993), Varilux Panamic (2000),
Varilux Physio (2006) and the Varilux S series (2012).
The 8th generation X series 2018 is a breakthrough as it has an expanded field of near vision that includes “arm’s-length” vision, and the ability to customize the lens progression based on the wearer’s actual real life near-vision behaviour.
The Varilux X series was found to benefit arm’s length vision or intermediate vision.
Also the so called volume of vision offers user friendly optical ranges allowing not just reading but multiple tasks in a near-intermediate distance between 40 and 70 cm as well as clear vision beyond those regions.
Digital devices eg smart phones are changing our visual needs and ranges. The typical working distances are being modified by the growing use of digital devices. Today more and more time is spent on digital devices hence the evolution of specfic lens designs.
Ultra near vision & screen distance personalisation enables more comfortable digital screen use.
• People whose head/body posture is causing them discomfort while using computers and digital devices.
• People whose hobbies and leisure activities require specific correction.
Do you experience back or neck discomfort when spending prolonged time on your digital devices?
Varilux Digitime is personalised to ensure your head and neck are comfortable throughout the day.
Minimum fitting height: 18 mm to ensure benefit of extra power but 24 mm is needed to get full benefit.
Varilux Digitime recomended with crizal prevencia enables clear and comfortable visual posture for digital activities by catering for specific gaze directions used in viewing screens compared to paper.
Average distance to smartphone is 33 cm but can vary compared to standard reading distance of 40 cm whereas average distance to computer is 63 cm
Personalisation options
- Screen distance
- Mono distance PDs
- Mono height
- Wrap angle
- Pantoscopic angle
- Vertex distance
- Eye rotation centre distance
- Head cape
90% of 45-65 year olds use one digital device daily and accordingly changed their visual/ postural behaviour, creating discomfort,
tired eyes and often associated neck and shoulder pain.
Near vision tasks, especially reading, are becoming even more challenging as characters are becoming smaller and digital devices are being held closer.
| Lens Name | Lens Type | Fit Parameters | Height Measurements | Shifts Available | Power At Pupil | Notes |
| EyeZen | Modified Single Vision | Monocular PD’s heights, Distance Rx | Pupil heights, Min ht 15mm | 0.40,0.60 or 0.85D over 15mm | Distance Rx | For the relief of symptoms of visual fatigue brought on by long periods of close work specifically on hand-held or portable digital devices. Suitable for all people with accommodation / binocular vision issues |
| Varilux Digitime | Extended Focus | Monocular PD’s height, Full Rx | Pupil height as per Progressive lens. Min ht 18mm with some boost,24mm for entire boost | Three styles: Near = e.g. computer + mobile phone; Mid = computer + desk; Room = computer + around the office. | Customised to the wearers screen/working distance.EG for Add+2.00,screen distance 50cm.Power will be set for 50+15cm=65cm Power =2.00-o.46=1.54D at pupil | Ideal for variety of occupational needs from computers to mechanics etc. Screen distance at centre pupil;reading at 12mm below pupil;extra power boost Near +0.50D; Mid +0.25D at 20mm below pupil. |
| Essilor Interview | Extended Focus | Monocular PD’s height, Near Rx | Top of lower lid approx 6mm below pupil centre) | 0.80D (Interview Low) 1.30D (Interview High) | Reading Add-shift E.g Add +2.00 with low shift. 2.00-0.80=1.20D at pupil | Full add 10mm below pupil.Suitable for near to intermediate screen distances. Ideal replacement for SV near. |
Of the Varilux Digitime the Mid design is the most commonly prescribed. However the specific design chosen will be determined on the individuals needs.
Screen distance personalisation has an impact on the minimum depths of field. If the parameter is not measured, the average value (63cm) will be used to calculate the design.
The effective power changes take place over:
- Nikon Soltes 19mm
- Nikon Home & Office 22mm
- Varilux Digitime is more compressed by comaprison over 12mm from near to intermediate / working distance power (for direct comparison with Soltes and Home and Office) and 24 mm including the Ultra near power (+0.50D for the Near and +0.25D for the Mid version +0.12D for the Room version)
UV light passing through the lens (=Transmission) and UV reflected by the rear lens surface (=Reflection)
Clear lenses with protection factor E-SPF 25 are the highest level of protection available for everyday protection against the cumulative effects of exposure to UV rays. and means your eye is 25 times better protected than without a lens.
Reflected UV for lenses generally decreases as incidence angle increases, from an average of 28.6% (range 8.2-54.4%) at 8 deg to 20.0% (range 6.2-35.2%) at 45 deg; by comparison, non-AR lenses (scratch-coat only) reflect about 5%.
Based on reflectance and transmittance results ESPF can range in theory from 10 to 61. Changes in lens size, curvature, vertex distance, and tilt can change the amount of UV that will reach the eye, either directly or due to reflectance.
E-SPF is an index rating the overall UV protection of a lens. E-SPF was developed by Essilor International and endorsed by third party experts.
The E-SPF index relates to lens performance only and excludes direct eye exposure that depends on external factors (wearer’s morphology, frame shape, position of wear).
They offer the essential level of protection when conditions demand the wearing of tinted sun lenses (strong sunlight, altitude, beach, etc) lenses or Xperio polarizing lenses.
In today’s optical market, 56% of Australian’s require visual correction solutions.Out of those, only 5% use a prescription sun lens.
Regardless of the tint or polarised colour protection of Crizal Sun UV (up to E-SPF 50) is available and the option of a fashionable mirror coating.
“SolarFlair Sun UV” lens treatment, if being used with a tinted or polarised lens (this treatment is not able to be applied to mirror coated lenses – as the lens will come with a generic multi-coat).
Essilor Suntinted lenses
Stylistic wrap lenses
Essilor mirror coatings
Features and benefits of coatings
Transmission of UV is blocked by the material and reflection from the back is blocked by Crizal UV or Prevencia
Blue light can be blocked by reflection at the front surface or in the material by absorption for Transitions and SBF.
Up to 50% of UV radiation penetrating the eyes is reflected off the back surface of the prescription glasses.UV from front and back surfaces is absorbed
Ensure you have the ideal drivewear and sunwear to enjoy the beautiful Sapphire coast.
On a 1.5 index lens transmission of UV or blue light is not blocked by any multi-coat
Any material >1.5 index blocks UV 100% up to 380nm from being transmitted through the lens;
any index >1.6 will block a bit of blue light which is why they are a little yellow compared to 1.5 or polycarbonate
The Crizal UV coating on the back surface of the lens blocks 96% of UV that can reflect from the back surface of a spectacle lens
Prevencia coating does block 20% of the visible blue violet light by reflecting it away from the front surface.
Any material >1.5 index blocks UV 100% up to 380nm transmitted through the lens
The Crizal Prevencia has the same UV properties on the back surface as Crizal UV
On any index material Transitions blocks 100% of UV even when clear
To block reflected UV from the back surface it requires a Crizal UV coating so the back surface will block 96% of UV that can reflect from the back surface of the lens
The Transitions dyes when clear block 20% of the visible blue violet light by absorption in the lens material which is why they are a little yellow compared to 1.5 or polycarbonate
In the darkened state Transitions blocks at least 85% of blue light by absorption in the material
On a 1.5 index lens transmission of UV is not blocked by the SBF material
Any material >1.5 index blocks UV 100% up to 380nm from being transmitted through the lens
The SBF material blocks 20% of the visible blue violet light by absorption in the lens material however, they it contains a colour corrector which is why they are a little grey compared to 1.5 or polycarbonate
To block reflected UV from the back surface it requires a Crizal UV coating so the back surface will block 96% of UV that can reflect from the back surface of the lens
crizal type by brand | glare | scratch | dust | water | smudge | uv | blue light |
sapphire | *****^ | *****^ | ***** | *****^ | *****^ | *****^ | n/a |
prevencia | ***** | *****^ | ***** | *****^ | *****^ | ***** | ***** |
easy | ***** | ***** | n/a | ***** | ***** | ***** | n/a |
Crizal coatings ^ best in class
Blue light protection ( harmful blue versus beneficial blue)
We are exposed to harmful blue light from the sun that is more than 100 times more intense than the harmful blue light we are exposed to indoors from electronic devices and modern lighting. Exposure indoors though is likely to increase as people convert from incandescent to modern LED lighting including contained in digital devices such as tablets,mobile phones and personal computers emitting high energy visible (HEV) light.
HEV blue light, particularly at the 450nm level that digital devices produce, penetrates to the retina. Blue light between 380 and 470nm can cause cumulative damage to the retina, cataracts, and is linked to sleep disorders.
Computer eyestrain is the main office health related complaint -computer vision syndrome or digital eye strain, dry eyes, eye irritation, blurred vision and double vision.
The short wavelengths of blue light scatter easily to produce discomforting glare and reduce contrast. This has significance when using digital devices and also driving in low light conditions and at night.
Blue light unlike candleight of yesteryear stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands which suppresses melatonin production which is required to fall asleep
Anti-Reflection Coatings, tints to reduce blue light , and the lens material itself can influence the amount of blue light transmitted.
The blue violet light between 415 to 455 nanometres on the light spectrum is believed most toxic to retinal cells and for long-term vision issues such as age related macular degeneration^
Blue-Turquoise Light (465nm – 495nm)
• Essential light / Beneficial
• Contributes to well-being
The beneficial Blue Light however is the blue turquoise wave length between 465 and 495 nanometres on the light spectrum.
Research shows that exposure to this light plays an important role in regulation of the circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle ) by stimulating melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells
- The blue hazard is from 400 – 455nm; is virtually all from sunlight, there is some question over high output industrial LED lighting but it is still very small compared to sunlight; and is specific for the at risk group of patients – those with a direct family history of AMD, smokers; those who are obese or have poor nutrition; people taking photosensitising medications and those who spend their working life outdoors. These people are at risk from the oxidation processes in the outer retina that have been well documented by many researchers. Crizal Prevencia and SBF both block 20% of the light from 400 – 455nm which in the lab reduces RPE death by 25%. Combining the two together increases filtering to 35% with a corresponding reduction in cell death in lab experiments.
- the sleep / wake cycle – melanopsin is active from 465 – 495nm; blue filters can’t increase the amount of these wavelengths arriving at the retina but they shouldn’t block them as in the case of Gunnar blue blocking lenses.
Examples of company awareness of the issue are attested by developments such as GE Align,Apple Night shift,Phillips Hue,Microsoft Night light, Samsung Galaxy Blue light filter and software such as F-lux which reduces the artificial blue light fro the screen.
Essential blue series lenses are the combination of blue light protection and clarity as they provide up to 3 times more protection from harmful blue light than standard clear lenses while still allowing beneficial blue light to pass through. Specific colour neutralizing molecules ensure clarity without any visible residual colour from the absorption of blue Violet light
Still need to avoid reflections so Crizal Sapphire UV ESPF 35 is best-in class UV protection, approved by Cancer Council and is recommended.
The latest Sapphire optical lens coating comes with an E-SPF rating of 35 and 25% reduction of those troublesome off centre reflections.
The ‘sapphire colour’ minimal bloom reflects away wavelengths that are the least sensitive for good vision, unlike eg a commonly found green residual bloom on some lens coatings.
Excessive light leads to a world full of reflections for spectacles wearers – Back and front surface reflections,optical diffusion and ghost images.
There are two ways to cut blue-violet light: via the substrate or via a Smart Blue filter coating.
Crizal Sapphire UV is not a blue cut coating but it can be combined with embedded blue cut filter or Transitions lens technology
Crizal Prevencia lenses
Reduces the rate of retinal cell death by 25% due to to the blue-violet light filtering and thereby reducing cumulative risk of AMD , but let’s the essential blue-turquoise and visible light to pass through.
Such selective filtering by crizal prevencia coatings ensures your eyeglasses guide you safely and clearly even in the simplest of single vision lenses. Often advertising claims can confuse eye problems or medical conditions that are requiring attention so we can help with more information.
Vision problems can exist even with sharp vision eg doubling or ghosting which is why lenses that suit your age and your vision are needed together with scheduled eye exams for complete eye care
Blue wavelengths—which are beneficial during daylight hours because they boost attention, reaction times, and mood —can be most disruptive at night which can upset your internal clock that aligns with the environment. Crizal Prevencia is the recommended coating as a protection as it filters out harmful Blue-Violet light.
For protecting against blue light due to family history of medical conditions or advanced eye diseases such as AMD or other risk factors where transitions lenses are declined combining SBF (smart blue filter) and Prevencia allows maximum blue cut in a clear lens that would be worn outdoors by 30%.
So clear lenses also can protect your vision by protecting your eyes and the coating particularly in these cases is intended to constitute medical benefits.
UV transmission via the lens front surface is cut purely by the nature of the material
UV Cut: Front surface with or without Crizal UV or Crizal Sapphire UV or Crizal Prevencia
all indices > 1.50 = 100% UV cut at 400nm
Transitions all indices = 100% UV cut at 400nm
1.50 = 96% cut at 400nm
Reflected UV via the lens back surface is cut purely by anti reflection coatings
UV Cut: back surface reflected UV without Crizal UV or Crizal Sapphire UV or Crizal Prevencia
all indices / all materials = 0% UV cut at 400nm
UV Cut: back surface reflected UV with Crizal UV or Crizal Prevencia
all indices / all materials = 96% UV cut at 400nm
with Crizal Sapphire UV = 98% UV cut at 400nm
Cutting blue light by material and coating
Blue Cut: Materials
Smart Blue Filter all indices = 20% between 400 & 500nm
Transitions Grey, Brown and Graphite Green – clear state indoors = 20% between 400 & 500nm
Transitions Grey, Brown and Graphite Green – dark state outdoors = min 85% between 400 & 500nm
All other materials regardless of index = minimum blue cut so technically = 0% between 400 & 500nm
Blue Cut Coating:
Crizal Prevencia = 20% between 400 & 500nm
No other Essilor coating cuts blue
Blue cut combining blue cut material and coating:
Smart Blue Filter all indices + Crizal Prevencia = 30% between 400 & 500nm
Transitions Grey, Brown and Graphite Green – clear state indoors = 30% between 400 & 500nm
Transitions Grey, Brown and Graphite Green – dark state outdoors = unchanged at min 85% between 400 & 500nm
Percentage of harmful blue violet light protection
Value | |
Standard lens | 5% |
Essential Blue series SBF | 20% |
Essential Blue Series SBF with Crizal Prevencia | 30% |
Transitions 7 unactivated | 20% |
Transitions 7 activated | 85% |
Transitions Xactive unactivated | 35% |
Transitions X active activated | 88% |
Blurring of vision can be caused by many different ailments or eye defects,to natural deficiencies, illnesses, pre existing medical conditions.
We recognize poor quality lenses and coatings due to poor quality control in manufacture can sometimes be a cause.
Optometrical and medical peak bodies recommend children to those of advanced age seek comprehensive eye care.
Eye problems can occur not only from a vision problem but from a medical condition requiring attention.
No matter the type of vision problem or medical problem or medical condition please consult a qualified professional even if you suspect its due to natural deficiencies.
Our advice and products goes beyond expert tips on how to choose lenses for your eyeglasses to ensure the limitations are not only due to natural deficiencies ( eg as you find out how your age impacts your vision during your life ) but also to what may constitute medical advice for childhood conditions or advanced age related conditions.