California cruisin’ with the Beach Boys on the radio and a cool pair of shades: That’s the image of Americans’ love affair with driving. But real-life conditions include dangers and distractions, and since Americans own an average of 2.28 vehicles per household, chances are many of your patients could benefit from driving lenses.
Designers know that drivers spend 97 percent of the time looking into the distance and the rest looking at the dashboard, mirrors and navigational aids. As a result, “When you look at a lens specifically designed for driving, the balance between distance, intermediate and near changes,” says Bill Heffner Jr. of FEA Industries. The result is “a lens with a rather small reading area, but a wider intermediate and very large distance area.”
According to Boris Dejonckheere, Carl Zeiss Vision’s DriveSafe lenses, now available in the U.S. in progressive and single vision designs, are “an all-day lens that will give you the best vision for driving, reduce glare, provide dynamic vision, reduce reflection and contain the best optics.” Zeiss worked with headlight manufacturer Hella to create DuraVision DriveSafe AR coating.
Spy’s new Joyride sunglasses feature its Happy Glass lens technology (and Dale Earnhardt Jr. as brand ambassador). Tag Heuer’s Night Vision uses a specific yellow tinted lens that prevents headlight glare and improves contrast perception. — CAROL GILHAWLEY
This article originally appeared in the January 2016 edition of INVISION.
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Driving Lenses
Dr. David Kaplan
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Family Eyecare of Glendale, AZ
➤ We sell primarily Zeiss lenses, and we’ve been prescribing Zeiss’ DriveSafe lenses to patients who present with glare and night driving issues. First, we determine if a problem exists by asking the appropriate questions. Then, we explain that we have technology which can enhance their vision in low-level light situations. DriveSafe eliminates glare, which can be disruptive to acuity. The design of the progressive is more dynamic than a standard progressive. It improves visual efficiency in presbyopic patients. It’s a vision solution.
Sherry Cassano
Rochester Eye & Laser Center, Rochester, NY
➤ We’re trying to optimize vision for our patients post-surgery. In Rochester, weather changes from bright sun to overcast minute by minute, so we want patients to have sunglasses that are good for the varying degrees of light. Serengeti Drivers is a photochromic lens that comes in a polarized or non-polarized version. It is engineered for better light transmission. The amber colored lens improves visual acuity and enhances color and contrast. It also has a huge amount of blue light blocking capabilities. This technology protects a patient’s eyes on the cellular level and the price point is fabulous. Drivers have a huge range for Rx from +6.00D to -8.00D.
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Dr. Paul Wilson
Bear Creek Eye Care, Wildomar, CA
➤ I sell Transitions Drivewear lenses from Younger Optics, and about 80 percent of our patients who buy a sunglass lens get them. If they don’t say they need sunglasses, then I bring it up. There are many different sunglass lenses to choose from, but this one’s outside visual performance is above the rest. Drivewear reacts to UV and visible light. In a car where you need more light control and the windshield filters out some UV, the lens automatically turns a copper color.
