Your Best Vision Under the Sun

POLARIZED LENSES

Glare is described as a loss of visibility due to high

intensity light. Glare essentially overpowers the eye,

making it unable to adapt. Polarized light produces

“veiling glare” on the retina, sometimes called blinding

glare. Much like looking through a sheer set of curtains

hanging in front of your living room window, or the veil

that is worn by a bride, objects reflecting polarized light

lose some of their clarity and contrast for the observer.

Colors also appear washed out.

4 Different Types of Glare

Discomforting Glare Normal sunlight conditions, causes squinting and eye fatigue

Polarized Lenses

Distracting Glare caused by headlights, streetlights and lens surface

Polarized Lenses

Blinding or Reflected Glare Light reflected off smooth, shiny surfaces, such as water, sand or snow

Polarized Lenses

Disabling Glare Excessive, intense light that comes when you face directly into the sun

Polarized Lenses

The higher the degree of polarization the light possesses, the more it interferes with vision. This reflected glare (excess light)

can present significant issues such as road safety, as well as the ability to view the outdoor world with comfort and clarity.

POLARIZED VS. TINTED LENSES Not all sun lenses are created equal

Tinted lenses make the world less bright but don’t stop the reflected glare which can be visually impairing and painful for the wearer – Only Polarized Lenses Reduce Glare

Tinted sunglasses and polarized

sunglasses look nearly identical from the outside but when you look through them you can “see” the difference, The polarized filter embedded in the polarized lens reduces glare. Your patients can’t see it but their eyes can tell the difference.

Polarized sunglasses protect your eyes from Harmful UV rays.

How are tinted lenses made?

Lenses are immersed in a special liquid containing the tinting material. The tint

color is slowly absorbed into the material. To make a darker tint, the lenses are simply

left in the liquid longer. Tinted lenses will fade in time and tints are not consistent.

This is your vision

through a polarized lens

This is your vision

through a tinted lens

Your Best Vision Under the Sun

Purple

Red Ice Blue

Pink

“READY-TO-USE” POLARIZED SEMI-FINISHED MIRROR LENSES

Faster delivery time • Process in-house—mirror already applied!

Advanced polarized technology • Provides comprehensive UV protection

Wide power range • Polycarbonate: -8.00 to +6.00 D • High Index 1.67: -11.00 to +6.00 D

Base lens color-matching • Vibrant red and rich gold matched to brown

base lens • Other colors matched to cool grey base

Lens Styles • Single Vision • Progressives—coming soon • For more information, contact your sales

consultant or KBco representative. KBco Standard Mirror Colors (Blue, Silver, Green and Gold)

Available in polycarbonate and 1.67

KBco Premium Mirror Colors (Pink, Purple, Ice Blue and Red)

Available in polycarbonate

AN ARRAY OF OPTIONS FOR ALL YOUR PATIENTS’ NEEDS

Gone are the days of Polarized Lenses in only Gray 3 and Brown 3. Now we have a rainbow

of Polarized colors to choose from: Copper, Ruby, Grape, Plum, Emerald Blue just to name a few,

both in solid colors as well as Polarized Gradients, available in both Varilux designs as well

as Single Vision. There are many mirrors to choose from as well. Here are a sampling

of some of the newest sun lenses available.

With three levels of product, you can get all of your patients in Sun Wear! Essilor Tinted Lenses Essilor Polarized Lenses And the Ultimate in Protection: XperioUV Polarized Sun Lenses

Contact your sales consultant for complete availability and sales aids.

Silver

Gold Green

Blue

2840 Erie Blvd. East | Syracuse, NY 13224 800.678.4225 | FAX 800.343.3925 www.optogenics.com

Your Best Vision Under the Sun Your Best Vision Under the Sun

SKIN VS. EYES – PROTECTION MATTERS Ultraviolet (UV) light is an invisible, electromagnetic radiation. Exposure to UV rays comes primarily from the sun, even on a cloudy day. The sun emits UV rays, and unprotected, prolonged exposure can cause serious vision problems.

UV radiation is no joke. Most people take UV seriously when they think about skin cancer, but they often don't register the danger to their vision. The protective value of sunscreen and hats to shield skin from UV damage is far better understood and practiced compared to UV eye protection. When asked about the dangers of UV, people are much more likely to be aware it causes skin cancer and sunburn, but far fewer Americans grasp the potential impacts on their vision, such as :

• Cataracts • Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

• Photokeratitis, or sunburn of the eye

• Bloodshot eyes

• Swollen eyes

• Hypersensitivity to light

Whether time spent outdoors is brief or spans a longer time, recommending UV-protective sunglasses to all of your patients is vital for eye health.

Many Americans may not understand the dangers of UV exposure and take needless risks with their eyesight. The Vision Council's VisionWatch survey of more than 10,000 adults shows Americans are concerned about potential eye problems from the sun's UV rays, yet they have a passive relationship with UV-protective sunglasses. Some of their findings show:

• Only 21% protect their eyes with sunglasses every time they go outside.

• Over 41% have experienced symptoms of prolonged UV exposure, such as eye irritation, trouble seeing, and red or swollen eyes.

• When it comes to buying shades, more people are concerned with fit (65%) and affordability (54%) than UV protection (44%).

• Only 7.4% of American adults report that their child(ren) “always” wears sunglasses.

It's critical to know the harms of UV radiation and solutions for protecting our patients’ eyes no matter the season, location or activity. Sunglasses, (preferably Polarized), the unsung hero of American accessories, are essential for maintaining healthy vision and looking great outdoors. Excerpted from The Vision Council’s, 2016 and 2017 UV Protection Reports.

THE PATIENT SUNWEAR CONVERSATION

In order to be truly effective at increasing sunwear sales, it is critical to bring the sunwear conversation and messaging to the forefront of the staff and patient’s minds:

Visit www.thevisioncouncil.org/content/uv-protection/adults to download the 2017 UV Report including this helpful

infographic to post in your dispensary.

Xperio UV™ polarized prescription sun lenses provide the maximum in UV protection, scratch

resistance, cleanability and clearest, sharpest vision. This bundle of lens and treatment comes together as

Xperio UV to provide patients the maximum visual benefits that an outdoor lens can offer.

Xperio UV lenses have an E-SPF® index of 50+, providing the highest UV protection available. E-SPF® is a global index rating the overall UV protection of a lens. E-SPF® was developed by Essilor International and endorsed by 3rd party

experts. A lens rating of E-SPF® 50 means that an eye protected by the lens will receive 50

times less UV exposure than an unprotected eye.

Start the conversation when the patient books appointment. The patient should be instructed to bring both their indoor and outdoor glasses to the appointment. This way you set the expectation that sunwear is going to be a part of the patient’s visit.

Send appointment reminder cards which feature the benefits of polarized lenses

Engage all staff in the sun wear messaging. The front desk should ask if they brought their sunwear in with them, perhaps they have left them in their car. The tech can ask to check the prescription of both their indoor and outdoor lenses.

Display sunwear in your dispensary. Consider making your window display only sunwear. Display signage and education pieces to emphasize the importance of having an outdoor pair of glasses.

When the doctor and/or optician are discussing eyewear with the patient, ask:

“What are you currently wearing to protect your eyes from blinding glare while you are driving

What activities do you do outdoors? What type of sunwear do you wear

during those activities?

Have the Doctor write two Rx’s – One for clear – One for polarized sunglasses.

Discuss the benefits of polarized sunwear for outside eye protection and driving, as well as how they provide greater visual clarity and color enhancement. Explain why tinted sunwear doesn’t suffice.

Emphasize that polarized sun wear is a “Primary Outside Pair”. We may not all do outdoor activities, but we do all go outside and require eye protection from the sun.

Encourage patients to try on polarized lenses or utilize a demonstrator tool.

Offer your patient a savings for purchasing polarized lenses.

PRACTICE PROFITABILITY

Prescribing Polarized Sunwear is a huge benefit for your patient but did you know

that prescribing only 1 additional Polarized Rx per week could net your

practice upwards of $10,000* in incremental yearly revenue?

Think of the potential!

*based on an average material costs for sunglass frame and single vision polarized lenses at a markup of 1.5x cost.

Yes, Sunglasses have their own holiday! Get your Practice on board to participate in this media event.

The Vision Council’s website— www.nationalsunglassesday.com— has web banners, social media tools, posters, health info and more for you to use for FREE to help promote National Sunglasses Day and the many benefits of sunwear.

Here are some ideas:

Hold a themed event on June 27th and partner with local businesses for fun and cross-promotions

Celebrate for the whole month of June with a special package price on sunwear when they buy their dress specs

Hold a selfie sunwear contest on your Facebook page with a special gift or savings for the winner who gets the most likes

Create a referral program to get patients to come in with their friends

Find creative ideas to merchandise sunwear during the month of June—Pinterest has many ideas

Make up buttons or t-shirts for your staff: “Ask me about my sunnies”.

PROMOTE NATIONAL SUNGLASSES DAY— JUNE 27, 2017!