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Digital Lenses: How Designs and Competition Stack Up

Ed Robson

Account Manager, Walman Optical Company

Old Process vs. New Process

Why is digital better?

How is digital changing the market?

Who are the major players? How is each different?

How do we sell this technology to different generations?

Agenda

How does this propose issues?Old Technology Processing

Design Algorithm

Molded front surface

Semi-Finished Blanks with up to 1/8 of a diopter in accuracy

Blocking

SurfacingX= CylY= Sph

Finishing and polishing

Coating

Finished Lens

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Solving the problems that the old technology couldn’t

Digital Free Form Process

Computerized software design

3-D Computerized Back Surface Cutting Design and Rx

Coating

Finished Lens

Laser markingon the inside

Single Vision Blanks Molded Lenses

Polish

Increased options– Ability to increase materials and color options– Ability to come to market with new technology and designs faster.

Better accuracy in design – 6 times more accurate than traditional lens surfacing, gives us up to 1/12th of a

diopter of accuracy– We know the true lens mapping before production– Gives us a better understanding of expectations of the lens performance– Less breakage from production

Eliminates aberrations that were unavoidable with conventional surfacing‒ Up to 20% wider vision channels

Why is Digital Better?

Patients with high prescriptions

Patients with a high amount of astigmatism

Patients who wear progressive lenses

Who are good candidates for digital?

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Digital Lenses provide the patient with his/her exact prescription, rather than rounding

to the nearest setting in traditional grinding.– Suit off the rack vs. tailored suit

Digital lenses are like looking at an Ultra HD television vs. Standard Definition

How should we talk to the patient about digital?

Design releases happen much quicker.

Very FEW new casted products being released.

We are now producing old technology and low quality designs digitally because of the

ease of use with digital production.– Example: Ovation and Natural

How is the move changing the market?

Current Leaders:– Shamir Full Back Side Icon and Leader– Essilor Dual Side leader– VSP emerging with many digital lens options– HOYA**

Current producers + Emerging Leaders:– Walman Optical: Servicing the most manufacturers in house.

• Owner of the Power Lens, exclusively available to practices using Walman

Who Are The Major Players In The Digital Market?

** Indicates outsourcing

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Best• Autograph III

Better• In Touch

Good• Spectrum+

Shamir-Progressives

Autograph III – This lens is a Full Back Side Design– A truly customized lens. Each RX is compensated based on PD, vertex, pantoscopic

tilt, wrap, and frame geometry.– There are 4 technologies used to make this lens like no other.

• As Worn Quadro• Natural Posture• Eye Point Technology III• Intellicorridor

– Custom Suit InTouch- This lens is a Full Back Side Design

– Designed for people that primarily use handheld devices.– Intermediate area is 21% wider and add occurs 25% quicker than other PAL’s – Doesn’t need additional measurements and RX is not compensated

Spectrum+- This lens is a Full Back Side Design– Good standard progressive lens. Non-compensated but incorporates natural posture.

Shamir-Progressives

Manipulation of ProgressionSegmentmeasurement

Lens Seg Height Selected (fixed)

Intermediate Range

Reading Range

15mm 11mm 6mm 9mm

13mm 13mm 8mm 5mm

14mm 13mm 8mm 6mm

15mm 13mm 8mm 7mm

15mm 15mm 10mm 5mm

16mm 15mm 10mm 6mm

17 mm 15 mm 10mm 7mm

18 mm 15 mm 10 mm 8 mm

18 mm 18 mm 12 mm 6 mm

19 mm 18 mm 12 mm 7 mm

20 mm 18 mm 12 mm 8 mm

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Autograph II and III Fixed Vs. Variable

Similarities Both have full reading in bottom of lens of

5 mm Both will change intermediate corridor

length Neither lens will have over 13-14mm

intermediate corridor length After 18mm, both lens designs become

similar in the add portion of the lens will become larger

Differences Fixed can be used in scenario in which

you need to manipulate the add size. Variable should never be ordered with

intent to manipulate the PAL

Best• Autograph III

Better• Autograph II

Good• Spectrum

Shamir-Single Vision

Autograph III– Customizable lens that uses Eyepoint Technology III allowing increased clarity

across the entire lens and As-Worn Quadro ensures that no matter what frame choice the patient makes they will see just as well as they did in the phoropter.

– Patients with an rx of +/-3.00 or 2.00 diopters of cyl or higher will see a big difference. – Requires additional measurements including optical center height.– Compensated RX

Autograph II-– Utlilizes EyePoint Technology and As Worn technology which is one step down

from the EyePoint III and As-Worn Quadro. Still a good lens just doesn’t take into account as many touch points when calculating the Rx.

– Compensated RX and does require additional measurements including optical center. Spectrum SV-

– This is a non-compensated RX. – The lenses are digitally ground providing the patient a technologically advanced single

vision lens at a price that fits any budget. Additional measurements not needed.

Shamir-Single Vision

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WorkSpace-– Wider field of vision at their computer as well as 10-15 feet in front of them. – Ideal for monitor and seeing across the room.

Computer-– Designed for a person doing heavy near work– Ideal for multi monitor use.

Autograph II Office-– Designed for heavy computer users– Customized based on work space of the patient– Need: Head posture(up/down/neutral), Working Position(Sit/Stand), Distance from Task– Ideal for custom work spaces

Relax– This lens eases the strain normally associated with prolonged accommodation.– Typically used for SV patients working in mid and near zones majority of the day.– Provides a .65 Add boost at the bottom of the lens. 16mm fitting height.

Shamir-Task Specific Lenses

Best• Varilux X Series

Better• Physio W3+/ Comfort W2+

Good• Physio/Comfort DRX

Essilor-Progressives

X Series–- This lens is a Dual Side Digital product. It features 4 different technologies to help the patient have a comfortable viewing experience.:

• Nanoptix- elimination of swim using a different shaped lens to lower distortion levels• Synchroneyes- clarity throughout the entire lens by calculating the right and left lenses

as a pair.• Xtend- extends your vision within arms reach. Reduces head movement. Makes the

intermediate a lot easier to find. • 4D technology-images instantly come in focus by enhancing vision in the dominant eye

to focus quicker.(Only in X 4D)

- Comes in 3 different designs:- X Design- Has Nanoptix, Synchroneyes and Xtend technology. DOESN’T require

additional measurements.- X Fit- Has Nanoptix, Synchroneyes and Xtend technology. DOES require the additional

measurements.- X4D- Has Nanoptix, Synchroneyes, Xtend Tecnhology and 4D technology. REQUIRES

you have Visioffice.

Essilor-X Series Progressive

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Comfort W2+- This lens is a dual side digital lens that offers the patient benefits of:

• W.A.V.E Technology 2- Allows the patient to see clearer in low light situations ex. Low lit restaurant

Physio W3+- This lens is a dual side digital lens that offer the patient benefits of:

• W.A.V.E Technology 2- Allows the patient to see clearer in low light situations• Synchroneyes-Allows the patient to move much more easily from near to far without

as much image jump and having to hunt for the right part of the lens.

Varilux Comfort W2+ Physio W3+

Comfort DRX- This lens is a back side digital design

• Smart Blue Filter- provides some protection from harmful blue light.• This lens uses the same design as the traditionally surfaced Comfort lens. • It is digitally surfaced on to the backside of the lens making the prescription ground into

the lens more accurate than the traditionally surfaced lens.

Physio DRX- This lens is a back side digital design

• W.A.V.E Technology- Allows patients sharp vision at all distances• Smart Blue Filter- provides some protection from harmful blue light.• This lens uses the same design as the traditionally surfaced Physio• It is digitally surfaced on to the backside of the lens making the prescription ground into

the lens more accurate than the traditionally surfaced lens.

Varilux Comfort and Physio DRX

What you may not have known…..– High end lens producer and masters of reverse engineering

• German based• Primary market is high end lenses for camera and telescopes• Biggest believers in visual acuity and reverse engineering to resolve acuity

issues within lenses

Zeiss

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Best

• Zeiss Individual 2• Zeiss Individual 2I• Zeiss Individual 2N

Better• Zeiss Choice Plus V- Variable• Zeiss Choice Plus- Fixed

Good• Zeiss Choice

Zeiss

Individual 2- Very similar to the Autograph III. This is a personalized lens with a

compensated RX that will account for frame geometry, panto/ retro, wrap and vertex

distance. Like the Autograph III, you can use equipment to take the measurements or you

can take them by hand, or it will default.

Choice Plus V- Like the Spectrum, this is a FBS lens and it does take into consideration the

frame geometry when plotting the PAL. The plot schedule is based off of the A, B and ED

measurements

Choice Plus- Same as plus V but in a fixed corridor

Choice- Like the Comfort DRx or the Physio DRx, This is the GT2 design, digitally mastered

and placed on the backside of the lens rather than being a molded PAL. The design itself has

not changed but you remove the ceramic molding of the lens, polishing, and fining.

Zeiss- Progressives

This lens was created to simplify ordering for opticians.

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Best• Unity Via Elite

Better• Unity Via Plus or Mobile

Good• Unity Via

VSP-Progressives

Variable Inset– Allows your eyes to work together more seamlessly. Giving the patient a larger

reading area and ease when moving from far to near. Automatic Reading Height Optimization

– Corridor lengths are automatically calculated. This provides a continuous range of progression lengths, which gives optimal reading zones for different PD’s and facial structure as well as frame styles.

– The benefit to the patient is there is design consistency between corridor lengths and the patient will always have 100% of their add power in the frame.

Digital View Point Technology– This uses the “as worn” measurements as well as the position of frame and natural

movement of the patient’s eyes to optimize the lens at every point. – The patient benefit is reduced peripheral distortion.

Advanced Fit Technology– Allows for very precise location of the near reference point to provide the patient with

even better binocularity.– Benefit to the patient is faster adaption, larger reading area and more natural vision.

VSP Lens Technologies

Unity Via Elite– Customizable lens that uses all 4 of the VSP technologies- variable inset, automatic

reading height optimization, digital view point technology and advanced fit technology.. – Additional measurements are encouraged but not required– Compensated RX

Unity Via Plus and Via Mobile– Has all of the VSP technologies except advanced fit technology. Still a good lens just

doesn’t have quite as smooth of a transition from distance to intermediate to near.– The mobile lens is going to give you .12 add boost at near which will make things

much clearer at 32 cm instead of the normal 40 cm. – Additional measurements are encouraged but not required.– Compensated RX

Unity Via-– Uses automatic reading height optimization and variable inset to provide larger

reading areas. For those patients that are budget oriented this is a good entry level lens.

– Non compensated RX no measurements needed

VSP-Progressives

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Unity SVxtra– Customized single vision lens. Takes into account the position-of-wear

measurements to customize to each patient’s needs based on prescription and measurements.

– Additional measurements required– Compensated Rx

Unity SVx– Entry level digital single vision lens offering less peripheral distortion than a

traditional single vision lens– Non compensated Rx

VSP-Single Vision

Best• Power Plus

Better• Power

Good• Power Lite

Power-Progressives

Retail positioningValue / Good

Progressive and single vision (OC required)

Superior to both conventionally molded & other basic digital designs

Flexible design, appropriate for all visual tasks

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Included technologies:

Optimized for every Rx

Optimized for every frame

Flexible balanced design

PowerThin Technology-allows the lab to decenter the lens

to use the smallest lens blank possible to keep the thickness

to a minimum

Retail PositioningMainstream / Better

Progressive and single vision(OC required)

Far superior to both conventionally molded & other basic digital designs

Superior performance at an affordable cost for greater margin at retail

Flexible design, appropriate for all visual tasks

Included Technologies:Optimized for Every Rx

Optimized for Every frame

Flexible Balanced Design

PowerThin

Digital Ray-Path-allows the patient to have much less distortion

when looking in the periphery

Power Short available

Minimum Fitting Heights Power Short: 10 mm Power: 14mm

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Retail PositioningValue Add / Best

Progressive

Superior to advanced compensated lens designs

Premium performance at an affordable cost for greater margin at retail

Included Technologies: Optimized for Every Rx

Optimized for Every Frame

PowerThin

Digital Ray-Path

Visual Pattern

Camber Technology

VISUAL PATTERN

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VISUAL PATTERN

Power Plus Balanced Power Plus Near Power Plus Distance Power Plus First

Flexible designs, appropriate for all visual tasks

CAMBER LENS TECHNOLOGY • Camber combines curves on the front and back surface of the lens. Flatter

curves for the distance and steeper curves for near. This provides the best base curve for optimized vision at distance and near, through the most optically correct base curve throughout the entire lens.

• Camber lens technology creates a variable base curve throughout the lens.

• There is a three diopter difference in base curve from the top to the bottom of the lens.

• Both surfaces of the lens are used to make the prescription. This allows them to work together to create an expanded Rx range, offer better cosmetics, and deliver a superior near vision experience.

POWER THRU PAL FOR SPECIFIC VISUAL TASKS

POWER Thru 4Up to 4 feet of clear vision. Ideal for long hours on the computer without the headache or tense neck

POWER Thru 6Up to 6 feet of clear vision. Perfect for those one on one conversations with your coworkers

POWER Thru 13Up to 13 feet of clear vision. See everyone in your meetings with clarity and ease

Task specific design not to be worn for distance tasks like driving

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POWER BOOST SINGLE VISION

A lens designed to reduce visual fatigue available with 0.50, 0.75

and 1.00 additions. Ideal for 18 to 45 year old wearers who experience visual fatigue

symptoms

OC Height Required

Flexible design, appropriate for all visual tasks including driving

NEW POWER SPORT PAL

Fully personalized & compensated Designed for outdoor active use Wide clear distance vision Optimized for wrap frames (4 base

& higher) Ideal for outdoor dynamic vision

Flexible design, appropriate for all visual tasks

NEW POWER SPORT SINGLE VISION

Flexible design, appropriate for all visual tasks

Fully personalized & compensated Wide clear distance vision Edge to edge clarity Optimized for wrap frames (4 base &

higher)

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Default Position of Wear

39%

14%

47%

Improvement in VisionDefault POW

Not Noticeable <.12 D Noticeable >.12 D Very Noticeable >.24 D

Noticeable

visual

improvement

for 61% of Rxs

22%

17%62%

Improvement in VisionPOW Measurements

In a recent analysis of 300 actual Rx calculations

Noticeable visual

improvement for

78% of Rxs

Power Lens Portfolio

Knowledge Check

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THE CUSTOMER CONVERSATION

The Young Adult The Parent The Techie

How would you sell Single Vision Digital Lenses to each category?

Parent:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Young Adult:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Techie:

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Knowledge Check

THE CUSTOMER CONVERSATION

Emerging Presbyope Digital Conversion The Techie

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How would you sell Digital Progressive Lenses to each category?

New Presbyope:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Current non digital PAL wearer:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Knowledge Check

The InTouch lens is best for patients that:

a) Need just a small boost in Add power to help with eye fatigue.

b) Spend the majority of their day on a hand held device.

c) Don’t use any form of electronic device.

d) Traditionally wear a lined bifocal.

Knowledge Check

The InTouch lens is best for patients that:

a) Need just a small boost in Add power to help with eye fatigue.

b) Spend the majority of their day on a hand held device.

c) Don’t use any form of electronic device.

d) Traditionally wear a lined bifocal.

Knowledge Check

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What are the 4 technologies incorporated into the Autograph III progressive:

a) Synchroneyes, Nanoptix, 4D and W.A.V.E

b) Posture, Nanoptix, Quadro and W.A.V.E

c) As Worn Quadro, EyePoint Technology III, Natural Posture, Intellicorridor

d) W.A.V.E, EyePoint Technology, Nanoptix, and Synchroneyes

Knowledge Check

What are the 4 technologies incorporated into the Autograph III progressive:

a) Synchroneyes, Nanoptix, 4D and W.A.V.E

b) Posture, Nanoptix, Quadro and W.A.V.E

c) As Worn Quadro, EyePoint Technology III, Natural Posture, Intellicorridor

d) W.A.V.E, EyePoint Technology, Nanoptix, and Synchroneyes

Knowledge Check

What are the 4 task specific Shamir lenses offered:

a) Computer, Near Lens, Tact, Sync

b) MyStyle, Tact, Sync, Work Area

c) Lifestyle, Sync, Tact, Computer

d) Workspace, Computer, Autograph II Office, Relax

Knowledge Check

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What are the 4 task specific Shamir lenses offered:

a) Computer, Near Lens, Tact, Sync

b) MyStyle, Tact, Sync, Work Area

c) Lifestyle, Sync, Tact, Computer

d) Workspace, Computer, Autograph II Office, Relax

Knowledge Check

What is the name of the most customized VSP progressive lens:

a) Via

b) Via Elite

c) Via Plus

d) Via Mobile

Knowledge Check

What is the name of the most customized VSP progressive lens:

a) Via

b) Via Elite

c) Via Plus

d) Via Mobile

Knowledge Check

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What is the name of the value progressive in the Power Portfolio:

a) Power

b) Power Lite

c) Power Plus

d) Power Boost

Knowledge Check

What is the name of the value progressive in the Power Portfolio:

a) Power

b) Power Lite

c) Power Plus

d) Power Boost

Knowledge Check

Thank You!