By Andrew Karp: Group Editor, Lenses and Technology

 
Carl Bracy, Essilor of America  
DALLAS—Essilor of America is launching Xperio, a new brand of advanced polarized lenses featuring designs, materials and coatings that deliver superior visual performance and optimal comfort, according to Essilor.

The new line consists of 37 unique polarized lens designs and material combinations. It combines the best designs and materials from Essilor and its KBco and SLC business units.

“Of the 150 million eyeglass wearers in the U.S., only 15 percent [23 million] have a primary outdoor pair and less than 7 percent [10 million] use polarized lenses,” said Carl Bracy, vice president of marketing for Essilor of America. “Essilor’s new Xperio lenses provide eyecare professionals with an opportunity to grow their practices by encouraging every clear prescription patient to also own a primary outdoor pair.”

 

The new line consists of 37 unique polarized lens design and material combinations.

All Xperio-branded lenses meet or exceed Essilor’s performance standards. The lenses are superior to ordinary tints with benefits including glare reduction, natural-color enhancement, 100 percent UVA/UVB protection, unmatched clarity of vision and superior scratch resistance, Essilor said. The company cited a recent clinical study measuring driver reaction times for Xperio polarized lenses versus ordinary tinted lenses that concluded that driver reaction times were reduced by 1/3 of a second with Xperio lenses. For a car traveling 50 mph, 1/3 of a second allows a driver to stop a vehicle 23 feet sooner, according to Essilor.

The clinical studies also showed that Xperio polarized lenses improve contrast sensitivity and visual acuity by 75 percent, allowing wearers to experience the outdoors with exceptional clarity of vision versus ordinary tints. In addition, Xperio grey lenses allow for natural color enhancement, or the ability to see true color outdoors.

Essilor will soon release information about Xperio product availability as well as ECP and consumer materials and a new demonstration unit. ■