What’s Happening at FOL

Going Mobile

Have you realised that more people are using their smart devices to find out information? While these devices now seem like obvious choices, what is not so obvious is how the use of these devices has quietly increased the visual demands made upon our eyes. Today, with the arrival of easy access to WI-fi and cellular networks, more and more people have integrated digital devices into their everyday lives. No matter what digital device you choose, be it computer, tablet or smart phones, they all place unconventional demands upon our eyes.

Many of us do not even realise that smaller devices like cell phones are now typically held 9 inches to as little as 2 inches closer to the eyes than traditional books and newspapers. With tablets, where there is a larger surface areas, there is even more unstable levels of brightness, contrast and glare. Most devices compound these problems by not providing a button that can provide access for altering contrast and brightness.

Symptoms or complaints associated with the use of digital devices include intermittent blurry vision, dry eyes, red eyes, neck and back pain, headaches, difficulty with vision at night and overall eyestrain.

Some of the solutions that we have especially for mobile devices are :

• AR coating -Crizal Avance with UV – this can be added to any prescription and any design lens i.e Single Vision or Progressive. This coating allows for more light to be transmitted through the wearers prescription and this would virtually eliminate surface reflections from the wearers lens which gives rise to eye fatigue or Visual Fatigue Syndrome of which Computer Vision Syndrome is a subset. You can refer to Essilor’s website for additional features and benefits of Crizal Avance with UV. http://www.crizalusa.com/Crizal-Lenses/Crizal-Avance-UV/Pages/default.aspx
• Crizal^® Prevencia™ No-Glare lenses – is an AR coating which is the latest in Crizal’s line. This coating has all the attributes of the Crizal Avance with UV, with a special emphasis on blocking “blue” light that is predominant to persons who use LCD and LED devices e.g. Tablets and Smart Phones and persons who spend large amounts of time in fluorescent lightening. Again, this can be placed on most designs and materials of lenses. For more information click here: http://www.crizalusa.com/Crizal-Lenses/Crizal-Prevencia/Pages/default.aspx
• Lens designs like Anti fatigue for pre presbyopic patients from Essilor® Anti-Fatigue™ lens has a specific correction at the bottom part of the lens, a sort of boost zone, which helps your eyes to focus more easily. It’s added to your current prescription so you can have good vision and comfortable eyes till the end of the day. See more features and benefits here : http://www.essilor.com/en/BrandsAndProducts/Lenses/Lenses/Pages/AntiFatigue.aspx

Lenses and technology: there’s an opp for that

Have you realised that more people are using their smart devices to find out information? While these devices now seem like obvious choices, what is not so obvious is how the use of these devices has quietly increased the visual demands made upon our eyes. Today, with the arrival of easy access to wi-fi and cellular networks, more and more people have integrated digital devices into their everyday lives. No matter what digital device you choose, be it computer, tablet or smart phones, they all place unconventional demands upon our eyes.

Many of us do not even realise that smaller devices like cell phones are now typically held 9 inches to as little as 2 inches closer to the eyes than traditional books and newspapers. As well, with tablets, where there is a larger surface areas, there is even more unstable levels of brightness, contrast and glare. Most devices compound these problems by not providing a button that can provide access for altering contrast and brightness.

Symptoms or complaints associated with the use of digital devices include intermittent blurry vision, dry eyes, red eyes, neck and back pain, headaches, difficulty with vision at night and overall eyestrain.

To remain competitive in this evolving eyewear market, we must understand the diagnostics and lens technology need to properly address the vision problems created in the new age of digital information delivery.

As Optical professionals, in order for our customers to use digital devices more effectively, we have to stop viewing lens solutions in “one size fits all” terms. We have to become comfortable with recommending prescription eyewear featuring lenses designed for especially for higher levels of computer use. It is time to move beyond thinking in strictly occupational vs. general use terms when making lens recommendation and make adjustments for the customers’ lifestyle. For both single vision and progressive users, there is now a new class of “enhanced” designs that are even more optically tailored to the needs of cell phones, tablets, video games and computer users.

Additionally, one of the best things that you can recommend to customers like these, besides quality lenses that will suit their lifestyle, is an anti-reflective coating. One of the newer ARs that we can recommend would be the Crizal Prevencia AR coating, which offers more protection from bright light and provides superior clarity of vision, improved protection and comfort when using these devices.

For us, having these solutions and staying current with the latest technologies, like the Visioffice system, helps us to remain ‘top of mind’ in a highly competitive, local market where we encourage persons to trust us with their eyecare.

So the next time a customer visits us and is in need of eyewear as it relates to their digital usage, remember to recommend lenses and coatings that will best suit their needs and lifestyle. Let’s show that we are knowledgeable and our customers will appreciate the time spent in finding the best solution for them.

Visoffice Machine

Ferreira Optical Limited is now a part of a very elite group of optical practices in the world that would be able to take measurement and dispense ALL Varilux premium state-of-the-art lenses. This is facilitated by the Visoffice Machine, a piece of equipment which has been launched under the Essilor brand. These lenses include:

• Single Vision Fit with Eyecode
• Varilux Physio Enhanced FIT
• Varilux Physio Enhanced with Eyecode
• Varilux Ipseo
• Varilux Ipseo with Eyecode
• The latest revolution in progressive lens technology Varilux S-4D

It is also interesting to note, that this is the very first machine of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago and very possibly the english-speaking Caribbean. We believe that this is a representation of Essilor’s confidence in our organisation, to be the preferred retailer of their specialised ultra-premium lens designs.

This machine is currently available at our Gulf City branch, call 652-6818 to find out more about the Visoffice Machine.

Optician Aquilla Bhagan demonstrating how the Visoffice machine works.

A closer look at the measuring capability of the Visioffice machine.