Optical Prism November 2015 | Page 20

PHOTOCHROMIC MORE AND MORE EYEWEAR CUSTOMERS ARE CHOOSING SELF-TINTING LENSES. THE UPWARD DEMAND TREND IN FAVOUR OF PHOTOCHROMICS IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN NORTH AMERICA UNTIL AT LEAST THE END OF THIS DECADE, ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY BY THE GLOBAL MARKETING FIRM RESEARCH AND MARKETS. by Denis Langlois The report, Global Photochromic Lenses Market 2015-2019, says the market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 7.6% over the next four years. style than function. While there are several reasons cited for this expected rise, such as an aging demographic and more awareness of the potentially dangerous effects to the eyes of prolonged sunlight exposure, the study says rapid advances in photochromic technology is primarily responsible for the boost in market growth. “There is a technology education opportunity here that more eyecare professionals should be aware of.” Transitions Optical, which was founded 23 years ago, says every second of the day, a person decides to buy Transitions adaptive lenses somewhere in the world. In Canada, like the lenses themselves – which change from clear to dark when exposed to ultra-violet light – the types and varieties of photochromic options available are also changing. Transitions Optical, the leading provider of photochromics to optical manufacturers, recently expanded the availability of both its Transitions Signature and Transitions XTRActive lenses to include grey, brown and graphite green tints. “In addition to |offering more colour2015 20 Optical Prism November - December “Yet 90 per cent of Canadians said they would be willing to try a specific lens colour if they knew it could enhance their vision,” she says. Transitions Signature lenses are developed with a patented Chromea7 technology, an exclusive dye formulation that allows the lenses to be more reactive to indirect sunlight and reflected sunlight and become even darker on hot days. options to suit a wider range of style preferences, the brown and green colours enhance contrast,” says Isabelle Tremblay-Dawson, senior marketing manager, Canada, for Transitions Optical. “Transitions Signature lenses are ideal for patients who are interested in outdoor comfort and value fully clear lenses indoors,” says Tremblay-Dawson. She says a recent study found that nearly six out of 10 Canadians believe the colour of a lens has more to do with The company says eight out of 10 clear lens wearers rated Transitions Signature lenses better than their regular clear