Optical Prism January 2017 | Page 44

PLASTIC PLUS
The Be Free Lens is the focus for Plastic Plus kicking off 2017 , which brings to market the first free-form invisible bifocal .
The new lens has an aesthetic appeal , as it has no line or segment dividing lens , and is available in " virtually every material ."
" There were other invisible flattops , invisible bifocals in the past , but with this one there ' s no image jump between distance and reading ," says president Paul Faibish . " It ' s a very good lens ."
Digitally designed to match any prescription lens , the product is more advanced than conventional bifocals and offers patients " superior optics " that were only previously available in digital SV or progressive lenses .
The lens is expected in the first quarter of 2017 , which is targeting traditional " flat top wearers " who may have once used similar lenses . Switching to the new product would allow them enjoy the advantages free-form and personalized lenses can provide .
Looking back at 2016 , Plastic Plus saw its " busiest year yet ," Faibish says , and the company hopes to capitalize on the dedication of independent practices , who are recognizing the value in supporting Canadian independent labs like Plastic Plus , which does work locally and doesn ' t outsource .
CENTENNIAL
Centennial Optical ’ s plans for 2017 will demonstrate how their CHOICE BluSelect family of lenses continues to grow .
Rick Leroux , director of marketing and communications , said the company has increased the number of lens options , including the UV and highenergy visible light-blocking lenses .
Available in 1.50 , 1.56 , 1.60 and 1.67 indexes , as well as polycarbonate , the CHOICE BluSelect lenses are available in single-vision and as digitallycustomized progressive and office lenses .
" With health-care professionals warning of an AMD epidemic , the need for effective protection from the highest energy visible blue light is becoming increasingly apparent ," Leroux says .
Centennial ' s lenses provide full protection against both UV and HEV light . While the blue light inhibitor does create a slight greyish tint , CHOICE BluSelect lenses are virtually clear and compatible with all anti-reflection coatings .
The lenses also have cosmetic advantages over tinted and anti-blue-light product coatings that exhibit a high blue reflectance .
42 Optical Prism | January 2017