Welcome to the Transitions family of light adaptive lenses

Transitions truly have a lens for every light.

In a previous blog, I discussed the latest Transitions® GEN S lenses which react faster and go darker than ever before, along with the range of 8 exclusive colours which not only allow you to choose a tint to complement your frame choice but also choose the colour which provides your eyes with the most comfortable vision..

But what lens solutions are available for those occasions when your eyes need even more light protection?

Transitions XTRActive lenses have a slightly darker base tint- available in Grey, Brown or Graphite Green, they provide sensitive eyes with the best blue light protection indoors and block up to 90% of harmful blue light outdoors. They are extra dark in sunlight, achieving a category 3 level of darkness to help provide the best overall blue and sun light protection across light situations. These lenses will also react behind a windscreen- so ideal for people who are not able to invest in a second pair of sunglasses for driving. The XTRActive Transitions will block 50% of light to the eyes while driving, reaching a Category 2 sunglass level.

If, however, you spend a lot of your time behind the wheel or are an outdoor enthusiast, the ultimate choice would be Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses - these lenses are polarised when outdoors, thus blocking reflected glare and is also photochromatic, adapting to the different light levels you may be exposed to, reaching a category 3 sunglass level of darkness. It also changes colour, further adapting to lighting conditions and enhancing contrast while driving

Remember all our Transitions lenses provide 100 percent UV protection along with blue light reduction. With your eyes being as precious as they are, it is reassuring to have so many options to protect them!

Readers, Bifocals or Progressives- what is the difference?

It is usual after the age of 40 to find your near focus is becoming more difficult. At this stage you would have developed an unpreventable condition called presbyopia. This is where you gradually lose your near focusing ability with age. If you aren’t already wearing glasses this may be a frightening reality but there are many options depending on your lifestyle and visual requirements.  

So what options are there to enable you to still see that restaurant menu or continue your hobby of knitting?

Readers

These will only be able to provide you with clear near vision. This is because the lens only allows you to focus at one particular working distance, usually 40cm. This would be ideal if you are wanting to complete near tasks for long periods of time such as reading, knitting or sewing. Remember that distance objects may appear blurry through your readers so you will need to take them off to look into the distance.

Bifocals

Bifocals consist of two lenses, one which allows you to see in the distance and the other up close. At around 50 years of age when you have lost most of your near focusing ability it can make intermediate objects blurry. This is where a third portion is added to provide an intermediate correction. These are called trifocal lenses and are helpful with tasks such as working on a computer.  

As simple as bifocals and trifocals sound, they can cause an image jump effect. This is due to shift in power of the near segment. There is a dividing line on the lens which can be seen in the public eye as a sign of ageing. This can make bifocals and trifocals cosmetically unappealing to some wearers. Despite this the dividing line helps guide the wearer on where to look and provides a large reading zone.

Progressives

Instead of placing different lenses together as is the case with bifocals and trifocals, progressives are one lens that provides continuous vision at all distances. This is due to a smooth increase in power from distance to near through the intermediate zone.  

The design of the lens can cause a slight ‘swim’ effect in the periphery of the lens. This may initially be disconcerting but after learning how to use them correctly your eyes quickly adapt with the lenses appearing clear and comfortable.. Unlike bifocals and trifocals there is no dividing line or image jumps due to the smooth transition in power through the lens., thus creating the most natural type of vision for those over 40 years.

The adjustment period

As with any change in prescription it requires time for your eyes to adjust and progressives are no different. Don’t be afraid to give them a go and following these steps will make the adjustment process easier: 

·       Wear your glasses as much as you can – this gives your visual system a better chance to adjust to the new lenses.

·       Practice moving your head to see objects in your periphery – if you just move your eyes you may experience blur through the edge of the lens. It is a good rule of thumb to point your nose directly at what you wish to look at.

·       Practice getting used to where your head should be when performing different visual tasks – If you are wanting to read keep your chin up and lower your eyes. If you are walking up or down stairs remember to drop your chin, so you are looking through the top portion of the lens.  

If you still have queries about these lens options book in for a comprehensive eye examination or feel free to drop in and discuss your visual requirements with one of our friendly team. The success of any pair of glasses is not just dependent on the prescription, but also the lens quality and technology along with the frame fit and adjustment.

We are always here to help and aim to give you the best vision possible.

Welcome to the Transitions family of light adaptive lenses

Transitions truly have a lens for every light.

In a previous blog, I discussed the latest Transitions® GEN S lenses which react faster and go darker than ever before, along with the range of 8 exclusive colours which not allow you to choose a tint to complement your frame choice but also choose the colour which provides your eyes with the most comfortable vision..

But what lens solutions are available for those occasions when your eyes need even more light protection?

Transitions XTRActive lenses have a slightly darker base tint- available in Grey, Brown or Graphite Green, they provide sensitive eyes with the best blue light protection indoors and block up to 90% of harmful blue light outdoors. They are extra dark in sunlight, achieving a category 3 level of darkness to help provide the best overall blue and sun light protection across light situations. These lenses will also react behind a windscreen- so ideal for people who are not able to invest in a second pair of sunglasses for driving. The XTRActive Transitions will block 50% of light to the eyes while driving, reaching a Category 2 sunglass level.

If, however, you spend a lot of your time behind the wheel or are an outdoor enthusiast, the ultimate choice would be Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses - these lenses are polarised when outdoors, thus blocking reflected glare and is also photochromatic, adapting to the different light levels you may be exposed to, reaching a category 3 sunglass level of darkness. It also changes colour, further adapting to lighting conditions and enhancing contrast while driving

Remember all our Transitions lenses provide 100 percent UV protection along with blue light reduction. With your eyes being as precious as they are, it is reassuring to have so many options to protect them!

Presbyopia- vision after 40

Change- to vision after 40

Ch- ch- changes turn and face the strain.

Pretty soon you’re gonna get a little older

Time may change me

But I can’t trace time

If you know the rest of the words to this David Bowie song, chances are you are over 40! Speaking of change, an inevitable one to occur around this age is the reduced ability to see near print and objects clearly. 

If you have never required glasses or contacts to correct distance vision, this loss of near vision can be concerning and frustrating. You may feel like you have abruptly lost the ability to read that restaurant menu, your mobile phone or even the DVD screen on that last plane trip. 

In reality, your vision has been undergoing gradual change since childhood but it is only now that your eyes don’t have enough focusing power to see clearly for closer work- this is known as presbyopia. A result of the lens inside the eye losing its flexibility which allows the eye to change focus from objects that are far away to objects that are near. 

Another inevitability is that we all approach change differently. Some of us resist it, while others embrace it, or likely just gradually resign ourselves to things being different. When your vision starts to change, the unknown is scary. However, presbyopia is normal and there are several solutions to enhance your vision. 

While some people resort to cheap over the counter glasses; they are just getting by. Furthermore as we get older, we also need to look after our health. Medically speaking, from the age of 40, is when our risk increases for eye conditions like glaucoma – conditions that with early detection and treatment mean that you can maintain good vision for your lifetime. So the change in near vision focus after 40 could be said to be telling you that it’s time to see your optometrist, and start having regular eye examinations.  

People with presbyopia have several options to regain clear near vision. They include;

 Glasses; with a personalised prescription and quality lenses your vision can be as sharp as ever and depending on your lifestyle, occupation, hobbies and daily visual demands there are several lens options to ensure glasses work well for you. 

Furthermore, don’t underestimate the importance of a perfectly fitting spectacle frame. Frames are not unlike shoes: they not only have to look good but they must fit well for the glasses to work their best. Quality does feel better and will last the distance meaning you can often reuse your frame even if your prescription lenses require updating. 

Contact lenses; including multifocal to provide both clear distance and near vision simultaneously. 

Surgery; such as LASIK or other refractive surgeries

 Initially, presbyopia becomes more advanced. You may notice that you need to change your glasses or contact lens prescription more frequently than you used to. Around age 60, these changes in near vision reduce, and prescription changes should occur less often.

Presbyopia can't be prevented or cured, but most people should be able to regain clear, comfortable near vision for all of their lifestyle needs. So if it is you or someone in your family, experiencing changing vision, help them to embrace the change and book in for a comprehensive eye examination at your local optometrist. And just in case you are wondering, David Bowie’s song Changes, was released on the Hunky Dory album in 1971.