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This podcast was sponsored by Transitions
What’s next in light adaptive technology? We’re joined by Tara Hehr, Transitions Optical Key Account Manager for Independent Lens Manufacturing, and Jessica Hoch, Transitions Optical Business Development Manager to talk about the newly released Transitions® XTRActive® Polarized™ and Transitions® XTRActive® new generation lenses.
Dr. Glover had the chance to test drive the product first hand during the Transitions The Studio event back in June. “When I saw this technology I was blown out of my chair,” Dr. Glover states. “The one thing we know our patients love is definitely innovation. To be able to go back to the exam room and talk about these products after I saw them in person, to me, it was an amazing day.”
“Innovation is part of Transitions Optical’s DNA,” Hoch explains as to the driving force behind the new products. The research and development team at Transitions Optical is constantly working to improve indoor clarity, outdoor darkness, color perception, and both activation and fadeback speeds. These target areas are the key factors behind the newest product launches.
Nine years ago, Transitions® Vantage® was the first photochromic lens to offer variable polarization, so what makes Transitions XTRActive Polarized different? Hehr explains that Transitions XTRActive Polarized and Transitions Vantage are both clear with just a hint of tint indoors and offer dynamic polarization, meaning they go from clear to dark and polarized when activated. What makes the new Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses different is that they are even clearer1 indoors, darken behind the windshield2 by absorbing visible light, reach up to 90% polarization3, and are 2 times faster to fadeback4 to clear! Long term, the older Transitions Vantage lens will be phased out and replaced by the new Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses.
There is one other polarized option in the Transitions portfolio – Transitions® Drivewear®. Hehr explains that this product is a very different product that is always polarized and the photochromic color change starts as an olive-green and adapts between three colors specifically designed for different driving scenarios, like reducing glare off the road and car hood. Where Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses are an excellent option as a primary pair because they are clearer indoors, Transitions Drivewear® is a great choice as a second pair, especially for patients who spend a significant part of their day driving.
Transitions XTRActive Polarized lenses are currently available in grey without the style mirrors, with availability in polycarbonate, high index 1.67, and Trivex® depending on your lenscaster. You can check out the digitized Product Availability Guide at TransitionsPRO.com/PAG.
“Eyecare professionals are hearing great feedback from patients!” Hehr shares. “The excitement is building in the trade and we’ve heard from several eyecare professionals that patients are very satisfied with the indoor clarity, darkness outdoors and speed of fadeback. Eyecare professionals feel confident recommending Transitions XTRActive Polarized because it delivers crisp vision and is a great option for patients that are very light sensitive.”
Transitions XTRActive new generation lenses are the latest update to the Transitions XTRActive product line that has been serving patients successfully for the past 11 years. “The whole Transitions XTRActive line of lenses are what we consider the extra dark photochromic lens category.” Hoch explains. “Transitions XTRActive new generation offers advanced performance that delivers the best extra darkness and best extra light protection5 against bright and intense light when compared to other extra dark photochromic lenses at 23 degrees Celsius. Thanks to the new XTRActive dyes and improved molecular structure, eyeglass wearers that are very light sensitive or consistently exposed to high intensity light situations, will find visual comfort from the extra darkness offered by Transitions XTRActive new generation.”
Studies show that the new generation of Transitions XTRActive lenses are impressing patients. Participants in the wearer tests performed prior to releasing this lens reported 98% clarity of vision, 83% were very satisfied with the darkness in all situations and 96% said they would recommend Transitions XTRActive new generation to others.
Compared to previous generations of Transitions XTRActive, Transitions XTRActive new generation is darker than the previous generation and the darkest in hot temperatures. It’s the only photochromic lens achieving category 3 darkness in very hot temperatures (95 degrees Fahrenheit) among the clear to extra dark photochromic category. This cutting edge- clear to extra dark technology uses Transitions Optical’s most advanced dye package and outdoors they block 100% UVA/UBA and block 90% of harmful blue light outdoors6. And indoors these lenses are clearer than ever with a hint of tint and can filter up to 34% of harmful blue light6. Patients want a lens that is dark behind the windshield and Transitions XTRActive new generation absorbs intense visible light behind the windshield and achieves a level 2 darkness in the car7. It’s also up to 35% faster to fadeback8 than the current XTRActive lenses. Transitions XTRActive new generation lenses are available in all three iconic colors and six style mirror colors to help personalize anyone’s look.
There will be a rolling launch of this lens in Europe, US, Canada and Latin America in 2021. You can find availability across several lencasters on all Transitions products on TransitionsPRO.com/PAG.
“For me, it’s all about having the conversation with the patient and truly understanding their lifestyle and capturing their passions while they are sitting in front of you,” Dr. Glover shares about his prescribing philosophy. “For me, this is the perfect technology to elevate my patients’ day to day activities.”
1 Compared to the previous generation, based on tests on polycarbonate grey lenses.
2 Based on tests across materials on grey lenses, achieving transmission below 45% @ 23°C behind a standard windshield. The lens achieves a polarization efficiency of 30% behind the windshield, which is not classified as being “polarized”.
3 Based on tests across materials on grey lenses @ 23°C, using ISO 12312-1 standard.
4 Based on tests on polycarbonate grey lenses compared to the previous generation, fading back to 65% transmission @ 23°C.
5 The darkest in hot temperatures, in the car and offering the best overall blue light protection across light situations* among clear to extra dark photochromic lenses.*Protection from harmful blue light (380nm-460nm) among polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses: blocking (i) up to 34% indoors at 23°C, (ii) up to 64% behind the windshield (iii) up to 90% outdoors at 23°C and (iv) up to 83% outdoors at 35°C.
6 “Harmful blue light” is calculated between 380nm and 460nm. Based on polycarbonate grey lenses tested outdoors at 23C.
7 Clear to extra dark photochromic category. Polycarbonate and 1.5 grey lenses tested at 23°C behind the windshield achieving between 18%T and 43%T.
8 Compared to the previous generation, across materials tested on grey lenses fading back to 70% transmission at 23°C.
Transitions, Transitions Signature, XTRActive, and Vantage are registered trademarks, and XTRActive Polarized, the Transitions logo and Transitions Light Intelligent Lenses are trademarks of Transitions Optical, Inc. used under license by Transitions Optical Limited. GEN 8 and Light Under Control are trademarks of Transitions Optical Limited. ©2021 Transitions Optical Limited. Photochromic performance and polarization are influenced by temperature, UV exposure and lens material.
