Blue Light + Vision

Blue Light+Vision Understanding blue light protection for all your patients

Mapping a Blue Light Game Plan

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Into the Blue

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Lenses to Protect Your Patients A Continuing Education Supplement to VCPN, July 2016 Approved for one ABO credit hour of continuing education, Technical, Level III

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B.L.U.E. A one-hour continuing education course for both optometrists (C.O.P.E.) and opticians (ABO).

Attendence is Free... to register GO TO: KNOWBLUeLIGHT.com 6/29/16 4:47 PM

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Ultraviolet and high-energy Blue Light is everywhere – the highest levels from natural sunlight and lower levels from LED and fluorescent lighting, even digital devices. VISION EASE Clear Blue Filter Lenses block 100% UVB, UVA up to 400nm and filter Blue Light to help protect eyes from harmful high-energy light.

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Call 1-800-328-3449. visionease.com VISION EASE® is a registered trademark of Vision Ease, LP. ©VISION EASE. All rights reserved.

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VISION EASE® is a registered trademark of Vision Ease, LP.

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B.L.U.E. Blue Light Understanding & Education

Did You Know?

More than nine out of 10 people with digital eye strain use digital devices for two or more hours each day.

Vision Council Digital Eye Strain Report 2016 VITARISTM protects from harmful UVA, UVB, and HEV (High Energy Visible) Light up to 420 nm without the addition of a 400

Ultraviolet rays UV

Temporary Eye Damage

B&

Visible rays

blue blocking A/R coat.

420

State of the art protection with clear lenses vs. other

UV A

products with noticeable tints or hues

Sunburned Eyes Cataracts / Computer Vision Syndrome / AMD* Risk of Long Term Eye Damage

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Typical UV Treated Lens

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Availability VITARIS is available in a variety of materials and finish options. Contact PFO Optima for more information about how VITARIS can help your practice protect patients, and increase dispensary profits. *Some studies suggest that prolonged exposure to blue light may increase the risk of long term eye damage including AMD

www.pfoglobal.com • 866.996.7849 • Learn more about VITARISTM during the B.L.U.E. summer education series Untitled-1 1

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ECPs Green Light Blue Light Protection

PHOTO COURTESY OF VSP OPTICS GROUP.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Contents FEATURES

tential hazards of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on the eyes and sur-

Mapping a Blue Light Game Plan

rounding tissues and to make UV absorptive lenses a routine part

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It took eyecare professionals (ECPs) decades to embrace the po-

of their recommendations. Like nearly every new innovation that enters the eyecare arena, such as progressive addition lenses, anti-reflective treatments and vision care insurance, to name a few, the acceptance of UV protection dragged for decades.

Surprisingly, the recognition of blue light as a potential hazard to the eyes is progressing much more rapidly than you’d expect from history. This is probably due to the fact the ECPs are very well informed on the hazards of UV radiation, and since blue light has some similarities with UV radiation, they may be primed for the blue light story. It also seems that ECPs have acknowledged that they can do a lot more with lenses than simply correct refractive errors or reduce outdoor brightness with lenses.

Research continues to indicate that the blue light region of the visible spectrum may be

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Lenses Protect Patients From Harmful Blue Light

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Into The Blue 20

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHTS

damaging to the eye and needs to be addressed by ECPs. Research also suggests that blue

Clear or Dark

light has an effect on sleep and general well-being. With all this at stake, ECPs are taking

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notice of blue light and blue light attenuating products—and faster than they usually do.

To help you better understand this emerging area of eyecare, we created this blue light supplement. In it, you’ll find what you need to know about blue light protection in order to recommend the right solutions. In his ABO-approved continuing education article, Michael Della Pesca, ABOM, explores the fundamental issues surrounding blue light, how it affects the eyes and what you can do about it. Kevin Harrison, ABOC, discusses how to present these lenses, coatings and filters to your patients. And Mark Johnson, ABOC, NCLC, LDO, provides a rundown of a plethora of products available to keep your patients protected from blue light.

As more research emerges, blue light will no doubt expand into a bigger category for ECPs. Become a part of this evolution by learning as much as you can about this topic and utilizing these lenses to their greatest advantage.

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Patient Protection 25

Whistle a Happy Tune 27

A Clear Line of Defense Against Children’s Eye Strain

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Reflect to Protect Ed De Gennaro is director, professional content, of First Vision Media Group.

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All Transitions® lenses help protect from blue light everywhere you need it. Indoors. And Outdoors.

Give your patients lenses that help protect from the sun’s harmful rays.

SEE HOW TRANSITIONS LENSES PROVIDE A STYLISH WAY TO HELP PROTECT FROM BLUE LIGHT.

WWW.TRANSITIONSPRO.COM/BLUELIGHT Transitions and the swirl are registered trademarks and Transitions Adaptive Lenses is a trademark of Transitions Optical, Inc., used under license by Transitions Optical Limited. ©2016 Transitions Optical Limited. Photochromic performance is influenced by temperature, UV exposure and lens material.

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ABO

Mapping a Blue Light Game Plan Americans’ eyes are overexposed to blue light due to electronic gadgets from computers to smartphones. Here’s how to protect your patients’ vision.

By Michael Della Pesca, ABOM ISSUE DATE: July 1, 2016

EXPIRATION DATE: January 1, 2017

COURSE DESCRIPTION: With the increased awareness of the potential harm that portions of the blue light spectrum can cause to the eyes, it is important for eyecare professionals to understand the natural and artificial sources of high energy blue light and how to protect their patients from them. After defining the specific wavelengths of high energy blue light and how they may affect the eye, this course discusses the options available for blue light protection, how they differ from each other and the potential benefits for each.

This course has been approved for one hour of Technical, Level III continuing education credit by the American Board of Opticianry.

Understanding the potential harm that comes from parts of the blue light spectrum is the first step toward preventing it from having a detrimental impact on your patients.

Electromagnetic Spectrum The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the collective term for all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. This spectrum includes all light, both visible (those wavelengths detectable to the human eye) and invisible (much like inaudible sound waves that are outside the range detectable to the human ear). EM radiation moves in wavelengths, categorized by the speed at which the waves travel, as well as the length of the wave itself. The speed of the radiation is defined by its frequency, in terms of hertz or gigahertz, which describe the number of waves that pass a giv-

en point in one second. The wavelength is stated in nanometers, or nm (one billionth of a meter = 1 nm), and literally expresses the distance between the peak of one wave and the peak of the next (see below).

Picture a small child walking next to an adult. In order to cover the same ground, the child must take more steps, faster, and expend more energy to keep pace with the adult. Likewise, shorter wavelengths move much more rapidly and with far more energy than the longer waves. Each frequency exhibits specific behaviors, and those behaviors characterize the purposes of the frequency as they relate to humans and to technology.

Visible light occurs in a narrow band at the shorter wave/higher energy portion of this spectrum. There is some disagreement about where ultraviolet (UV) light ends, somewhere between 380 nm and 400 nm,

and high energy visible (blue) light begins.

Visible light is generally defined as those wavelengths between 400 nm and 700 nm, but the entire spectrum extends beyond this range, both above (longer, slower waves) and below (shorter, faster waves).

Waves above the frequency of visible light include infrared waves, microwaves and radio waves.

The higher its energy level, the more likely a wave is to cause damage to human cells. UV rays, being very short, fall just below the visible light spectrum, measuring between 280 nm and 380-400 nm, and are not perceivable by the human eye.

We are all familiar with the effects of overexposure to solar UV radiation. Sunburn is an obvious and common consequence of prolonged or excessive exposure, but potential damage also includes more sinister results such as melanoma of the skin,

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Blue Light Sources

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The natural environment is far and away the most significant source of blue light; the sun provides about 100 times more blue light than artificial sources, even when we are “viewing” the sun indirectly (facing away from it) (Transitions, 2016). Artificial sources include many of our electronic de-

Source: Transitions Lenses and Blue Light Technical Notes

suppression of immunity and the development or enhancement of cataracts.

As our understanding of the EM spectrum has improved, our awareness of the potential for injury resulting from longterm or excessive exposure has increased.

We wouldn’t think to debate the importance of using protection against UVA and UVB today, and we routinely prescribe protection from these wavelengths to our patients now.

With sufficient magnitude, almost every portion of the EM spectrum can damage the human eye. Recent developments in technology have broadened our awareness of and raised concerns about some frequencies of visible light as potentially having negative effects on human wellness, even with lower intensity exposure levels.

Blue light, as the highest energy wavelength in the visible spectrum, has become a focus of recent research and product development in our industry.

vices, from plasma televisions to hand-held smartphones and compact fluorescent light bulbs. High energy visible (HEV), also known as blue light, is now present indoors and long after dark, times and places where humans did not previously come into contact with it.

As the number of blue-light-emitting devices multiplies and the frequency of use increases, concerns are rising about the length and intensity of human exposure to this high energy light. A 2013 study by Microsoft’s PC Accessories group found that 90% of U.S. workers primarily work in an office and spend an average of more than six hours per day on the computer at work (WinBeta, 2013). They also spend at least one hour in front of a computer

at home, after work. These figures, while startling, do not even take into account the amount of time spent using tablets, smartphones or other portable digital devices. Every time we look at a text message, watch a YouTube video or open an email, we are deliberately focusing our eyes on a source of artificial blue light.

Children are literally growing up with digital devices in their hands. Parents are audibly worried about their kids’ “addictions” to electronic devices and the longterm effects of chronic use. Searching the web on “Internet addiction in children” yields over 8.6 million results, many of which are articles responding to these fears. Recent studies (2010-2013) report that the average 8- to 10-year-old child

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is spending as much as eight hours daily with a “variety of different media.” Teens and older children fare even worse, spending upwards of 11 hours a day interacting with digital media in some form or another. (Pediatrics, 2013) Children also vary significantly from adults in their physical usage of hand-held devices. Their shorter arms (proximity to screens) and larger pupil size (opportunity for light transmission) may dramatically increase the amount of harmful blue light that enters the eye as a result of using them.

UV light frequencies are largely absorbed by the cornea and intraocular lenses (Walsh, 2009) in adults. Young children are susceptible to UVA rays as short as 320 nm, as the protection of the crystalline lens improves as it ages. Most or all UV radiation never reaches the macula at the anterior of the eye. However, the retina has no comparable protection against blue light. The frequencies between 400 nm and 500 nm are the highest energy wavelength to reach the macula and may expose this tissue to potential damage.

Blue Light and Vision

Specific Wavelengths & Issues

Visible blue light is found in the wavelengths between 400 nm and 500 nm. These particular frequencies move very quickly and tend to scatter. This scattering of blue light as it enters the earth’s atmosphere is responsible for the blue hue that we perceive in the sky above us. The same scattering makes it extremely difficult for the human eye to focus well on blue light. In fact, the fovea centralis, located in the center of the retina, where visual acuity is highest, completely lacks any photoreceptors sensitive to blue. Blue light is actually de-focused in front of the retina and tends to cause chromatic aberration.

Clearly, there is no positive value from blue light for vision; it tends to blur images and induce glare.

Chronic exposure to blue light may actually induce eye fatigue. The eye works to resolve the aberrations, and the constant adaptive attempts can create eyestrain and discomfort.

Not all blue light is created equal. Researchers have identified particular wavelengths as contributory to specific conditions and health effects. Reports support the association of the lowest end of the spectrum (380 nm to 455 nm) with the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A recent study demonstrated loss of retinal cell viability with maximum effect between 415 nm and 455 nm (Gregory W. Good, 2014). Some sources cite an even narrower band, from 420 nm to 440 nm, as being hyper-critical. Although AMD is a complex disease with a number of contributing factors, exposure to blue light, indoors and outdoors, is crucial to consider when evaluating at-risk patients, as research suggests a relationship between early-onset AMD and blue light.

The upper end of the blue spectrum has a marked and well-documented effect on human circadian rhythms, the biological clock

that controls sleep/wake cycles. Research demonstrates that light “influences hormone secretion, heart rate, alertness, sleep propensity, body temperature and gene expression.”

(Holzman, 2010). The presence of blue light tends to make people feel awake and alert and can improve cognitive function. While these feelings are desirable during waking hours, they can obviously impede sleep if triggered at the wrong time.

The eye contains specific photoreceptors known as melanopsin retinal ganglion cells that are uniquely sensitive to blue light. These particular cells do not form images as part of their function, meaning they do not contribute to vision. Rather, they are associated with body responses to ambient light. This includes pupillary control and sending signals to the parts of the brain that control the circadian rhythms. The range of light that most affects these receptors is from 459 nm to 485 nm (Holzman, 2010).

Some of the signals from the melanopsin ganglia are received in the brain by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, a sort of “master clock” that routes information to the pineal gland. The pineal gland in turn is largely responsible for producing the hormone melatonin. Melatonin induces physiological changes in the body that induce sleep, lowering body temperature and respiration rate. Light inhibition of melatonin production can significantly interrupt sleep cycles.

(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2016) Interrupted or poor-quality sleep may lead to significant short- and long-term 9

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health issues. Most of us are familiar with the irritability and low productivity associated with sleep loss. There is some indication that children suffering from poor sleep may exhibit symptoms of Attention Deficite/Hyperactivity Disorder. A Harvard study has also exposed a possible connection between interrupted sleep and the development of other significant health issues such as obesity, diabetes and even some cancers. (Harvard Medical School, 2012) Not to be overlooked, chronic outdoor sun exposure is very strongly associated with increased risk of early age-related maculopathy. The well-known Beaver Dam Eye Study (al., 1992) observed that adults who reported summer sun exposure of more than five hours per day during their teens had a higher risk of developing retinal changes associated with early AMD. The same report noted a decrease in this risk of nearly 50% when a hat or sunglasses were worn to protect the eyes. Since we know that UV radiation is absorbed by the cornea and crystalline lens, researchers believe that the important element of sun exposure, relative to AMD, is the blue light spectrum.

Just 20 years ago, it would have been impossible to comprehend how significantly our culture and lifestyles would be altered by portable digital devices and changing technology. Now we face substantial potential effects on our health as well. It may be decades before the full impact of blue light exposure is realized. While we can certainly see the early warning signs, there is not yet any way to understand what the proliferation of artificial blue light will do to our eyes and our health in the final analysis.

Animal studies and their findings clearly show the eye-damaging potential of HEV (blue) light, but the jury is still out on whether this will translate to long-term cell damage in human retinas. Human studies support the hypothesis of a relationship between blue light and the development of macular degeneration, but more research is needed before the medical community is able to make definitive statements about its long-term impact.

Alert health professionals are already focused on prevention and patient education to mitigate the potential for damage.

It is undoubtedly possible that by the time the effects of high energy light on health are fully understood an entire generation of children will have grown up unprotected or under-protected from those effects and be suffering the consequences.

One helpful comparison is our modern awareness of the need for UV protection. Early adopters of UV protection faced significant skepticism from their peers. They struggled with a lack of patient awareness, and difficult-to-produce, cosmetically unappealing treatment solutions. It took years for patient protection from UV light to be generally accepted and readily available in attractive, clear lenses.

The industry reaction to early PHOTO COURTESY OF EYENAVISION’S CHEMISTRIE.

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Health Impact Summary

research on damaging blue light has been far swifter. Ophthalmic manufacturers are responding quickly with coatings, materials, equipment and supplements designed to give eyecare professionals (ECPs) the tools they need to help their patients before blue light damage becomes a national health crisis. Additionally, awareness is being boosted by easy public access to information and social media. Patients are researching this issue on their own and insisting that their ECPs provide solutions to protect their health and vision.

Natural Protection & Filtration

The macula provides its own natural protection to blue light over time. Macular pigment (MP), which is composed of carotenoid deposits in the center of the retina, collects over time as the eye ages and contributes to the “protection of the neural retina from (photo)-oxidative damage and the development of a common visually disabling disorder known as age-related macular degeneration (AMD).” (Beatty, Kuijk, & Chakravarthy, 2008). This protection appears as a “yellowing” of the eye as it ages and the macula collects more of these pigments.

These carotenoid pigments are not created by the body but are derived from dietary sources. They take time to develop; infants have no natural protection of this type, and the pigments become fully effective in mature adults (Landrum, Mendez, Cao, & Neuringer, 2014). Low density in macular pigment has long been associated with increased risk of the development of AMD, and MP appears to have a protective filtering effect, preventing high energy blue light from reaching the retina. (Junghans A1, 2001) Some important categories of patients are especially vulnerable to blue light due to a lack of MP. Children, teens and young adults do not yet have a full complement of MP and will not benefit fully from its protection. Notably, these are the patient

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Solution-Oriented Prescribing

The current consensus is that there is no such thing as “good” blue light, but what type of blue light is affecting your patients most acutely? To get to the heart of the matter, it is necessary to look at the particular symptoms a patient is experiencing and also understand their personal lifestyle, health risks and concerns.

Assessment of patient needs should include a comprehensive health history, with specific questions about sleep disruption and/or visual discomfort relative to prolonged digital media use, outdoor sun exposure and nighttime driving. Most patient evaluation forms include these questions, but it is important to review them periodically and regularly in light of new or recent developments in scientific understanding

Tablets and computers are becoming as commonplace in schools as recreational or social time. Clarify your understanding of the patient’s activities, including outdoor time, and especially digital device use near or at bedtime.

AMD risk assessment is, of course, critical, especially for patients who demonstrate known risk factors including family history, chronic outdoor exposure to sunlight or lifestyle complications. Consider the use of a measuring device, such as the Macular Densitometer, to evaluate the development of macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in the retina (Loughman J1, 2012). Deficiencies in the MPOD may indicate a heightened need for evaluation of blue light hazards.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL ZEISS VISION.

profiles that are generally most connected to electronic media for extended periods of time. Post-cataract patients also lack MP, as it has been removed from their eyes as a side effect of their cataract surgeries.

Protective steps must be taken to prevent these patients from trading one type of blindness for another. Another group of patients to consider are those with deficient or insufficient macular density or who are already at risk for AMD due to other contributing factors such as genetics or lifestyle issues. of blue light impact. Lifestyle questionnaires should include a survey of digital device use. This should not be limited to computer use, which patients may associate only with desktop or laptop computers.

Instead, expand this section of your questionnaire to also cover hand-held devices such as smartphones, tablets and e-readers.

Do not overlook outdoor exposure with respect to blue light. Remember that outdoor workers or sport enthusiasts are exposed to 100 times more blue light during work or sport than indoor computer users. Skiers and water sports fans are especially vulnerable, as reflected light from bright surfaces (such as fresh snow and water) can enhance the magnitude of sunlight exposure.

When working with children, encourage their parents to speak frankly with you about their digital media interaction.

In Your Practice

PHOTO COURTESY OF SIGNET ARMORLITE.

In just the past year, dozens of new options for blue light education and protection have become available commercially.

Given the broad variations in patient lifestyle habits and visual needs, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution for blue light dispensing. Available products fall into one of several general categories:

• lens materials

• coatings and tints

• photochromics

• nutritional supplements

• measuring equipment

• demonstration tools Lens materials that specifically address blue light absorption or filtration have been available for approximately three years. The lenses contain a substance known as Ocular Lens Pigment (OLP), which, in combination with a precise ratio of melanin, mimics the function of the macular pigments within the eye, filtering a high amount of blue light at the lowest end of the visible spectrum, 400 nm to 440 nm, with the filtration rate gently tapering off as light approaches 500 nm. Because these OLP 11

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components of the blue light spectrum that are of highest concern for that individual patient, then your prescribing choice should be guided by the curve documentation. Select the lens option that best balances their identifiable needs and risks with their cosmetic requirements.

Coatings and tints include anti-reflective (AR) coatings that are generally most effective at the upper end of the blue light register, where sleep interruption can occur. They function by reflecting, rather than absorbing, and have a range of reflective efficiency generally between 15% and 20% at wavelengths above 455 nm.

These coatings also have the traditional benefits of AR coatings, in limiting visual discomfort from glare and help to reduce chromatic aberrations due to the scatter of blue light. Patients should be advised that the reflected blue light may give their lenses the appearance of a blue or violet sheen. Most patients do not find this to be a deterring factor. Again, request the transmittance documentation from the lab or manufacturer, and be familiar with the specific benefits of the blue light AR coatings you recommend in your practice.

Photochromics manufacturers have been conducting new tests of their existing products to examine their blue light transmission rates. The results are surprisingly good, both indoors and out. One manufacturer has published transmittance curves that demonstrate dramatic absorption and fil-

tration rates in their activated photochromic lenses. The results tend to vary slightly with color and the specific product, but all block a high amount of the very important natural blue light, present in sunlight.

Nutritional supplements have been around for quite a while. Published studies of the importance of nutritional contributions to macular health pre-date the 1990s. “Optical” supplements are high in the dietary carotenoids that are necessary to build healthy macular pigment—lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin.

Supplementing the diet with targeted formulations appears to result in increased levels of carotenoids in the macula and may help protect against light-induced retinal damage (Lundrum, 2001). Research and documentation of the impact of these supplements has been exhaustive and the results are extremely encouraging, particularly for patients at-risk for AMD who exhibit lower-than-normal macular density or pigment levels.

Measuring devices have now made it possible to non-invasively measure the density of macular pigment. Multiple instruments are available on the market at this time, under various trade names. Comprehensive, scientific comparisons of the effectiveness and accuracy of these machines are available in scientific literature. Explore the available documentation, both from manufacturers and from scientific journals, until you are comfortable that you understand the differences between them.

Manufacturers or distributors of MPODs are generally happy to make themselves available to demonstrate this measuring device for you and explain how you can incorporate it into your blue light dispensing. Explore all of your options and understand how this will change your pre-testing, as well as your prescribing and dispensing, before making a selection.

Demonstration and education PHOTO COURTESY OF HOYA.

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lenses have a slight yellow tint, their sale is sometimes inhibited by cosmetic concerns on the part of the patient. Some patients actually respond well to this color, associating it with gaming and computer use.

There is also anecdotal evidence of heightened contrast and visual comfort, perhaps due to the high-contrast effect of a yellower lens. Additionally, this option is often appropriate as a dedicated computer-use pair of spectacles, addressing a particular occupational need and providing a superb second-pair dispensing opportunity.

Outdoor polarized lenses in blue-lightfiltering materials are an outstanding option for patients who spend a great deal of time outdoors, particularly around reflective elements such as snow or water. You will also want to consider emphasizing the importance of protective sun lenses to your juvenile patients and their parents. Protection from UV and blue light outdoors is helpful for all ages, but there’s significant evidence that starting early, with young patients, is the most effective preventative. The EOS Project Science Office has suggested that up to 50% of UV exposure over a lifetime can occur before the age of 18. Children have less natural protection from UV, no natural protection from blue light and typically spend more time outdoors than adults, yet they often forego sun protection.

Other lenses that offer filtration options in clearer materials have become available over the past year. What differentiates these lenses from the first generation of OLP lenses? It all comes down to the “transmittance curve.” Blue light lens materials attenuate specific wavelengths of UV and blue light. When considering which lens(es) to offer in your practice, request the transmittance curve documentation from the manufacturer or laboratory.

This should come in the form of a chart or graph that will illustrate the ratio of blue light that is filtered at specific wavelengths.

If you clearly understand the needs and challenges of your patient, as well as the

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Don’t Overlook the Basics

Even as technology for addressing blue light hazards improves, and products to protect and enhance patient vision are being improved and expanded, don’t overlook basic common sense. Talk to your patients about mitigating the hazards they introduce into their environments. Educate the parents of your young patients about the importance of monitoring digital device use and limiting it appropriately, especially in the evening hours before bedtime. Parents may wish to consider purchasing plano eyewear in protective materials even if their children do not require corrective lenses.

Promoting polarized or photochromic sunwear to active adults, children and teens is not just marketing hype designed

PHOTO COURTESY OF ESSILOR.

materials help you communicate the dangers of blue light to your patients and your team. Keep blue light information in your dispensary and exam rooms, and explore the various options available for demonstrations. Hand-held laser lights are easy to use and produce a dramatic illustration of filtered and un-filtered blue light, but beware, they are not necessarily specifically tuned to the wavelengths of blue that are most pertinent to your patient. There is no doubt they make an effective demonstration tool, but they can be imprecise.

Another exciting demonstrator that is nearing market launch is a spectrophotometer that can be attached with an adapter to a hand-held tablet computer. The adapter actually reads the exact wavelength transmission of light, which can be filtered or blocked by placing a lens material over the aperture. The tool is accompanied by an application that generates a graphic representation of the spectral transmission and displays it on the screen. Several materials can be compared with the resulting transmittance curves overlaid on the same graph, giving a precise and vivid illustration of the benefits of the material(s) being tested.

to boost your bottom line. The sun is still the most intense and abundant source of blue light, and patients need protection from all high-energy forms of light.

Pair effective UV defense with blue light awareness to emphasize the importance of

sunglasses to your patients.

Blue light is real, and the potential risks associated with chronic or exaggerated exposure, both indoors and out, are a significant concern to modern health professionals. A sound understanding of the potential risks to your patient’s vision and the solutions available to address their individual needs is essential. A blue light center or strategy in your practice should include multiple options to create a comprehensive preventive approach to the issue of high energy light.

Mike Della Pesca, ABOM, is president of Quantum Optical and provides live and online continuing education programs throughout the U.S.

Footnotes: Cruikshanks, et. al., (1992). Beaver Dam Eye Study. American Journal of Public Health, 1658-62 Beatty, S., Kuijk, F. J., & Chakravarthy, U. (2008, March). Macular Pigment and Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Longitudinal Data and Better Tecniques of Measurement Are Needed. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 49(3). Retrieved from http://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2184743 Encyclopedia Britannica. (2016, 4 22). Melatonin, Definition. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Brittanica: http://www.britannica.com/science/melatonin Gregory W. Good, O. P. (2014). Light and Eye Damage. American Optometric Association.

Harvard Medical School. (2012, May 1). Blue light has a dark side. Harvard Health Letter. Retrieved from http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/blue-light-has-a-dark-side Holzman, D. C. (2010, January). What’s in a Color? The Unique Human Health Effects of Blue Light.

Environmental Health Perspectives, 118(1), A22-A27. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pmc/articles/PMC2831986/ Junghans A1, S. H. (2001, July 15). Macular pigments lutein and zeaxanthin as blue light filters studied in liposomes. PubMed, 2, pp. 160-164. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/11437346 Landrum, J. T., Mendez, V., Cao, Y., & Neuringer, M. (2014, April). A Virtual Model for Development of Macular Pigment in the Macaque Retina. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 55(13).

Retrieved from http://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2268912 Loughman J1, S. G. (2012, March). An evaluation of a novel instrument for measuring macular pigment optical density: the MPS 9000. PubMed. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ pubmed/22067014 Lundrum, J. B. (2001, January 1). Lutein, zeaxanthin, and the macular pigment. PubMed, 385(1), 28-40. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11361022 Organization, World Health (n.d.). WHO | Health Effects of UV Radiation. Retrieved from www.who. int: http://www.who.int/entity/uv/health/en/ Pediatrics, A. A. (2013). Children, Adolescents, and the Media. Council on Communications and Media, 132; 958. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/132/5/958. full.pdf Transitions. (2016). Transitions Lenses and Blue Light Technical Notes.

Walsh, K. (2009). UV Radiation and the Eye. Optician, 237(6204), 26-33. Retrieved from JNJVisionCare.co.uk: https://www.jnjvisioncare.co.uk/sites/default/files/public/uk/documents/tvci_uv_radiation_and_the_eye.pdf WinBeta. (2013, August 8). Retrieved from WinBeta: http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-us-workers-spend-7-hours-computer-day-average Heiting, Dr. Gary, OD. Photobiology and the human eye. April 10, 2016.

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ABO

CE SELF-ASSESSMENT TEST Please fill out the answer sheet at the end of this test. Respondents with a passing score will receive one (1) hour of CE credit. Those seeking ABO credit need a passing score of 80 and must answer all 20 questions. This test is valid through January 1, 2017.

1. What range of wavelengths is generally accepted as “visible light”? a. 500 nm to 800 nm b. 1,600 gz to 2,450 gz c. 400 nm to 700 nm d. 15 m to 40 m 2. Which of these statements about electromagnetic radiation is true? a. T he energy of the wave increases as the length of the wave shortens. b. All electromagnetic radiation is visible to the human eye. c. T he energy of the wave decreases as the wave shortens. d. Only long electromagnetic radiation waves are visible to the human eye.

3. What is the biggest source of high energy visible (blue) light? a. plasma televisions b. compact fluorescent light bulbs c. hand-held digital devices d. sunlight 4. How many hours a day do teens spend on average interacting with digital media? a. about 14½ hours daily b. upwards of 11 hours daily c. 6 to 8 hours daily d. none 5. What function do the melanopsin retinal ganglion cells perform in the eye? a. They form images and resolve blue light scatter. b. They trigger body responses to ambient light. c. They filter out blue light and protect the retina. d. They cause image distortion.

6. What responses to melatonin production does the body experience? a. alertness and improved cognitive function b. raised levels of energy c. lowered body temperature and respiration rates d. irritability and short-temperedness 7. What in the human eye provides natural filtration of blue light? a. melanopsin ganglia retinal cells b. the crystalline lens c. eyelids and eyelashes d. macular pigment

8. What event or condition results in the removal of macular pigment from the eye? a. cataract surgery b. a sports or work-related injury c. maturity of the eye d. infancy

d. UV and blue light, both direct and reflected 15. According to the article, how much of a lifetime’s exposure to UV light can occur before the age of 18? a. as much as half (50%) b. about a third c. only 10% d. almost all (95%)

9. What wavelength range has the largest potential impact for increasing the risk of AMD? a. 415 nm to 455 nm b. 485 nm to 550 nm c. 600 nm to 680 nm d. 280 nm to 320 nm

16. What is the term for the graphical representation of light filtration at specific wavelengths? a. effective ratio b. chart of impediment c. transmittance curve d. scientific proof

10. In a study of the relationship between chronic outdoor exposure and AMD, what factor was found to reduce the risk of early-onset AMD in patients who reported significant summer sun exposure? a. e xposure to sunlight of more than five hours daily in the summer b. using sunscreen on the face c. wearing a hat or sunglasses d. avoiding water sports

17. What is the most important blue light protection you can dispense to your patient? a. nutritional supplements b. anti-reflective blue light coatings c. lens materials that filter blue light d. an appropriate combination of available options that best meets my patient’s needs

11. What is the source of carotenoid pigments found in the mature eye? a. dietary sources b. genetic advantages c. exercise of the eye muscles d. eye drops 12. What tool can be used to measure the density of the macular pigment without surgery? a. PD stick b. spectrophotometer c. macular pigment ocular densitometer d. corneal topographer 13. When counseling parents of young children, which of these topics should you include relative to blue light? a. safety eyewear in sports b. limiting digital device use before bedtime c. healthy levels of exercise d. dietary regulation

19. Where in the brain is melatonin produced? a. in the pineal gland b. above the hypocampus c. in the melanopsin ganglia d. in the suprachiasmatic nucleus 20. What range of blue light wavelengths is most associated with sleep disruption? a. 400 nm to 440 nm b. 459 nm to 485 nm c. 500 nm to 600 nm d. 545 nm to 624 nm

14. A patient who works or enjoys recreational time outdoors often needs protection from what type of light? a. UV light only b. blue light only c. reflected light

Answer Sheet

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18. What tool can be used to chart spectral transmission rates of various materials and/or coatings? a. hand-held laser demonstrator b. transmittance meter c. macular wave meter d. spectrophotometer

Fill out and mail this portion to: BLUE LIGHT + VISION CE c/o First Vision Media Group Inc., 25 East Spring Valley Avenue, Suite 290, Maywood, NJ 07607, or fax to: 201-587-9464. Be sure to fill out form completely.

This CE article is also available online with immediate grading at TotallyOptical.com/education.

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TECHNOLOGY HAS A DARK SIDE Visual Strain Macular Damage Sleeplessness

BluTech Eyewear, coming in Fall 2016 from ClearVision Optical, offers the most complete solution to blue light’s triple threat.

BluTech Eyewear combines stylish, comfortable frames with the superior blue light protection of BluTech Lenses.

In plano and prescription for kids and adults, BluTech Eyewear will be the most advanced near-clear blue light protection.

To be the first to offer this innovative complete blue light solution, contact us at cvoptical.com/blutechframes.

Distributed by ClearVision Optical Company | 800.645.3733 | cvoptical.com Untitled-1 1

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PROFIT CENTER

Lenses Protect Patients From Harmful Blue Light A multitude of products have hit the market following warnings of the damage blue light can cause.

By Mark Johnson. ABOC, NCLC, LDO ith blue light emitted from digital devices, indoor lighting as well as from sunlight itself, patients are subjected daily to the potential harm that it can cause, including eyestrain, disruption to sleep cycles and even potentially macular degeneration.

Therefore, it is the eyecare professionals’ responsibility to educate them about what lenses, coatings, tints and other products are available to protect them.

The following products are available to help prevent patients from being exposed to harmful blue light, whatever its source: Transitions lenses have always blocked blue light indoors because the photochromic molecules in the un-activated state still absorb some light without compromising indoor vision clarity. Transitions lenses protect eyes from blue light everywhere needed by blocking at least 20% of the harmful blue light indoors, which is up to two times more than standard clear lenses, and they block over 85% outdoors. Transitions XTRActive lenses are even more effective.

They provide extra protection against blue light everywhere needed by blocking at least 34% of the harmful blue light indoors and 88% to 95% outdoors.

VISION EASE has a great option for practices with their own lab, Clear Blue Filter Lens with 100% UV protection (400 nm) and the blue light filter built into the lens. These semi-finished clear polycarbonate lenses are available in numerous base curves. Coming soon from VISION EASE will be the finished single vision Clear Blue Filter Lens with or without Super Hydrophobic AR. PFO Global’s VITARIS protects

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against blue light by absorbing up to 420 nm without the addition of any special anti-reflective coatings. VITARIS is available in Identity as an uncut, free-form progressive and in the upgrade lens as a free-form single vision or as semi-finished or finished single vision in 1.60- or 1.74-index materials. A premium anti-reflective coating can be added, or for maximum protection, the company’s patented iBlue Coat AR treatment can be added. VITARIS is also available in PFO Global’s SmartEyewear collections.

ZEISS DuraVision BlueProtect filters blue light shorter than 440 nm and

Chart indicates which Transitions products block which portions of blue light.

reflects parts of the blue-violet light, preventing it from entering the eye, while keeping the high transmission level above 460 nm. ZEISS DuraVision BlueProtect is a great solution for anyone who uses digital devices, especially those suffering from digital eyestrain.

Conant’s UV++ filters harmful blue light between 400 nm and 420 nm by having the filtering component built into the material that composes the lens itself.

Appropriate for both indoors and out, the lens is virtually clear without any yellow hue. Available in 1.50, 1.60 MR-95, 1.67 MR-10 and Hi-Vex, finished, semi-finished and D-28 lenses include Crystalux super hydrophobic anti-glare coating with scratch resistance.

HOYA Recharge anti-reflective treatment reflects blue light waves emitted from digital devices, compact fluorescent light bulbs and more. Recharge is a special AR treatment that provides all the same benefits as HOYA’s HiVision AR treatment with The blue light filter is built into VISION EASE’s Clear Blue Filter Lens.

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an added benefit, a 10% reduction in the emission of blue light. It does this through a process that formulates the AR stack to absorb the bad blue light while allowing the good blue light through. Recharge also optimizes lens transparency, keeping eyes comfortable while re-energizing focus.

Chemistrie offers a blue-light-filtering option in its magnetic lens layers. Chemistrie Blue lenses filter a portion of the high energy violet and blue light to help ease digital eyestrain. Chemistrie Blue is available in intermediate distance powers from plano to +2.00D. Chemistrie Blue will fit virtually any frame, base curve matched. They are extremely lightweight and available in both clear and yellow lenses.

The Adlens Interface has all the features of Adlens Alvarez but also with custom, yellow-tinted lenses designed to filter high energy visible (HEV) light in backlit screens, combating digital eyestrain and boosting productivity and focus.

Sharper Image TechShield is a coating that both absorbs and deflects the wavelength of blue light associated with digital eyestrain. With a near-clear appearance, it provides a great way to reduce blue light exposure for both corrective lenses and non-prescription lenses. The coating also resists scratches and smudges, helps reduce glare and cleans easily. Sharper Image TechShield is available on all UNITY lenses from VSP Optics Group.

BluTech Lenses are infused with ocular pigment and melanin that protect the eyes from harmful high energy blue light.

BluTech is available in KODAK Unique HD, KODAK Unique, KODAK Precise PB, KODAK Precise Short PB, KODAK SoftWear, KODAK Digital Single Vision, Signetek FT 28 and Signetek Single Vision from Signet Armorlite, Inc. KODAK Total Blue Lens is a hybrid of lens material and coating that filters up to 80% of HEV blue light and offers 100% direct UV protection. It is available in numerous KODAK Lens designs from Signet

PFO Global’s VITARIS protects against blue light by absorbing up to 420 nm without the addition of any special anti-reflective coatings.

Armorlite in both clear and polarized.

Luzerne Optical Laboratories offers TheraBlue lenses that at 420 nm absorb up to 90% blue light, at 430 nm absorb up to 40% blue light and at 450 nm absorb up to 11%. These are clear lenses available in 1.67-, 1.60- and 1.56-index materials. TheraBlue lenses are available in single vision, progressive, digital round bifocals and computer lenses. TheraBlue is also compatible with a wide variety of anti-reflective coatings.

Essilor of America, Inc. has developed a solution that combines both accommodation of digital eyestrain and blue light protection. Eyezen single vision lenses from Essilor, contain a small amount of accommodative relief (a low add at the bottom) to help alleviaste eyestrain caused by viewing near objects such as cell phones and tablets. Eyezen+ single vision lenses, sold exclusively through independent eyecare professionals, include the Smart Blue Filter feature which is embedded into an aesthetically clear lens and designed to help reduce 20% of harmful blue light from entering the eyes.

Eyezen+ lenses come in three lens designs, Eyezen+ 1 for patients aged 18 to 34 (0.4D add), Eyezen+ 2 for patients aged 35 to 44 (0.6D add) and Eyezen+ 3 for patients aged 45 to 50 (0.85D add). Eyezen+

is available in numerous materials. Combine Crizal Prevencia with Essilor’s new Eyezen+ single vision lenses for the ultimate protection against harmful light.

When it comes to blue light lenses these days, there is no shortage of available products. Sometimes it’s valuable for eyecare professionals to have a partner in the field to help them cut through the wide availability of information. For example, a spokesperson from Walman Optical, an independent wholesale optical lab in Minneapolis, said, “As an independent provider of most solutions that are available in the market today we are actually value-add distributors of the most widely used products.

From Essilor’s SmartBlue Filter lenses and Prevencia coatings, to BluTech indoor and outdoor lenses, to coatings from ZEISS, Quantum and others, we provide an independent view to practices on almost all products and allow the eyecare professional to determine which one best meets the needs of the patient. In fact, we also conduct our own internal testing so that we are able to cut through any potential bias and inform practices of our own experiences and results.”

The information is out there and many products are available; it’s up to ECPs to decide what is best for their patients.

Mark Johnson, ABOC, NCLC, LDO, is the director of optical services at Virginia Eye Institute in Richmond, VA.

Conant’s UV++ filters harmful blue light between 400 nm and 420 nm by having the filtering component built into the material that composes the lens itself.

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COMING TO A CITY NEAR YOU INTRODUCING

B.L.U.E. (Blue Light Understanding & Education)

Join us for B.L.U.E. Continuing Education Dinners with Michael Della Pesca, ABOM, Throughout July and August, 2016 FOR BOTH C.O.P.E. AND ABO CREDITS B.L.U.E. MEETING SCHEDULE CITY

DATE

TIME

Milwaukee, WI

July 12

6:00-9:00pm

Minneapolis, MN

July 13

6:00-9:00pm

Dallas, TX

July 19

6:00-9:00pm

Houston, TX

July 20

6:00-9:00pm

Orlando, FL

July 26

6:00-9:00pm

Miami, FL

July 27

6:00-9:00pm

August 9

6:00-9:00pm

White Plains, NY Albany, NY

August 10

6:00-9:00pm

Los Angeles, CA

August 16

6:00-9:00pm

San Francisco, CA

August 17

6:00-9:00pm

ATTENDANCE IS FREE…BUT SEATING IS LIMITED! To register, go to: www.knowbluelight.com

Michael Della Pesca, ABOM, is president of Quantum Optical, a pioneering company in the field of e-learning and education for eye care professionals. A practicing optician in New Jersey, Michael was an instructor at Essex County College, where he taught for twelve years in the Vision Care Technology Department.

A joint venture by First Vision Media Group, Inc. and Quantum Optical

BLUE OO Spread.indd 26

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MANY THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROGRAM!

Platinum

Silver

CONANT LENS INC.

Miami, San Francisco

PRODUCED BY

BLUE OO Spread.indd 27

Milwaukee, Minneapolis

AND

6/29/16 5:42 PM

PROFIT CENTER

Into the Blue Present your patients with lenses that protect them from harmful blue light to ensure their comfort today and eye health tomorrow.

By Kevin Harrison

Your patients who would benefit from lenses that filter blue light pretty much includes everyone.

B

EVERYONE’S A CANDIDATE

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In my dispensary we like to evaluate the prescription for each person who is shopping for a new pair of spectacles. We ask certain lifestyle questions to help us direct

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL ZEISS VISION.

lue light. By now you have probably been inundated with articles, sales presentations and seminars regarding the perils of blue light exposure. The messages likely range from the fact that blue light can cause you to lose sleep to the warning that blue light can make you go blind!

The question remains, how do you present these lenses to a prospective wearer?

Begin by deciding who would most benefit from lenses that filter blue light.

These lenses can be presented to those patients of yours who need to regulate the amount of blue light reaching their eyes to help balance their circadian rhythms, those who need to reduce eyestrain and fatigue while in front of a computer or those with a family history of macular degeneration. That pretty much includes everyone.

In the 1970s and 1980s the optical industry was all abuzz regarding UV exposure. It took some time before we saw UV-blocking lenses become a natural part of the lens presentation. Eventually, we stopped talking about UV coatings and just started including them on all of the lenses we sell. Similarly, much the same can now also be said about anti-reflective (AR) lenses. Many dispensaries simply include AR in their basic lens packages.

Eventually we could see blue light filtering lenses follow suit and become the norm.

For now, though, the blue light message must be conveyed to our patients.

the patient toward the product that will best satisfy their needs. But what if they don’t realize they have a need? This is usually the case regarding lenses that filter blue light. So, who do we present it to?

Only those who come in to purchase prescription eyewear from us. In other words, everyone.

We explain the benefit of the filtering process much as we did UV-filtering lenses 30 years ago. We are all exposed to harmful UV light, which extends somewhat into the blue spectrum. While UV light

Making blue-light-filtering lenses part of the discussion shows that you are concerned about your patients’ health and well-being. burns our skin and does much the same to our eyes, its neighbor, blue light, causes damage too. There are several properties of blue light that can hurt us all.

Think of light as a neighborhood. UV light is the bad neighborhood. The further

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we get away from that neighborhood the better. Close to the UV neighborhood, it has been suggested that blue light can cause AMD. Conversely, the closer we get to the visible light end of the spectrum, the less physical damage it may do, but it still has the potential for disrupting sleep.

BEGIN WITH LIFESTYLE

REINFORCE THE MESSAGE

All of the discussion around blue light should begin in the exam chair and be repeated throughout the practice. Marketing materials strategically placed around the office can help reinforce the message.

The final decision of course always remains with the patient. Still, it is our duty to warn them. My suggestion has always been to approach every sale with the best interests of your patient in mind. Rather

than scare them with the idea that they could go blind without protection, talk about how eyestrain will be reduced, resulting in more relaxed eyes. Everyone wants to be more relaxed!

Every eyeglass wearer needs to be informed about all of the products available to them to make their lives easier and more comfortable. Making blue-light-filtering lenses part of the discussion shows that you are concerned about your patients’ health and well-being. And concern for their well-being turns those patients into repeat buyers who will recommend you to others, thereby giving you more people to care for. Ultimately, isn’t that what we are here for in the first place?

Kevin Harrison, ABOC, is president and owner of Heritage Vision Center, an independent optical dispensary in Hattiesburg, MS, and president of WHO Enterprises, an optical consulting company specializing in Internet marketing.

Patients are exposed to blue light from every computer, tablet, phone and TV in the house.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CARL ZEISS VISION.

A presentation of lenses that filter blue light will begin with a discussion about how the patient spends their day. Are they outdoors a lot? If so, then a lens that will filter out the harmful blue light is an excellent recommendation. If your patient has a family history that includes AMD then they should definitely consider a lens that blocks out the bad blue light. A good way to explain this is to ask the patient if they have ever been sunburned on a bright, hot, sunny day.

Within 15 minutes they know that they are getting burned and it is time to lather on more sunscreen. Then ask them if they have ever been burned on a cool sunny day with the wind blowing a gentle breeze. Blue light exposure to the retina is a slow burn. You won’t see the effects as they occur, but you could feel the burn later in life.

But what if the patient spends all day indoors? They are not exposed to the blue light from the sun, but, instead, they are exposed to the blue light emitted from every computer, tablet, phone and TV in the house. This exposure can also be harmful. While it is much less than what they would experience while out in the direct sunlight, the blue light emitted by these devices can disrupt circadian rhythms, making it much more difficult to fall asleep at night. I can’t think of a parent who wouldn’t want to see their kids fall into a regular sleep pattern versus having the child get out of bed a dozen times in one night because they cannot sleep!

Then there are those customers who regularly spend eight or more hours at a computer at a job only to come home and get on their phone, tablet or computer.

This elevated exposure increases the risk of AMD-related problems later in life.

Additionally, there is an increased amount of eyestrain. For these customers I like to go the extra mile and mention lenses that have a little color in them as they block blue light. I also like to recommend that a prescription should be written for them that will include a focal distance for where they sit most of the day. This will also reduce some of the strain because their eyes will not have to accommodate as much.

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CHANGE IS GOOD™ Dark when you need them.

Clear when you don’t.

Are you still only offering one brand of light-reactive lenses? Now there’s a new alternative to shake things up. Introducing sunsync light-reactive lenses. Designed for those who are always moving forward. ®

sunsynclenses.com ©2016 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. sunsync is a registered trademark, and “Change is Good” is a trademark of Plexus Optix, Inc.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Clear or Dark Clear when you need them, dark when you don’t, sunsync light-reactive lenses reduce blue light regardless.

sunsynclenses.com • sunsync@vsp.com DETAILS

sunsync light-reactive lenses from VSP Optics Group quickly darken in sunlight and return to clear indoors, combining comfort, convenience and confidence in one stylish package.

Outdoors, sunsync achieves a deep shade of gray or brown, eliminating glare, blocking 100% of UV light and

reducing blue light exposure. Indoors, sunsync lenses quickly shift back to clear, delivering the sharpness and visual acuity of premium prescription lenses, while retaining their blue light filtration properties.

And regardless of environment, sunsync lenses offer the assurance of a one-year, 100 percent satisfaction guarantee for VSP members, taking any anxiety out of the purchase and any dilemma out of the decision.

BACK STORY

When light-reactive lenses made their debut, function came first, fashion seemed like an afterthought, and blue light wasn’t part of the conversa-

tion. But today, sunsync has perfected the development of light-reactive lenses to deliver eyewear that balances style, performance and peace of mind.

WOW FACTOR

VSP Optics Group’s introduction to the light-reactive lens category allows practices to offer patients a fresh alternative to the same old photochromics. Seamlessly blending the precision of corrective lenses, the style and comfort of outdoor eyewear and the reassurance of UV and blue light filtration, these ultra-responsive lenses adapt on the fly to keep up with a patient’s visual and lifestyle needs.

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THIS IS SCREENLIFE Introducing an everyday solution for modern single vision patients

Eyezen™+ lenses • Helps alleviate digital eye strain associated with device use • Reduce exposure to harmful Blue Light with the Smart Blue Filter™ feature*

EYE FATIGUE

EYE RELIEF

Recommend new Eyezen+ lenses with the Smart Blue Filter feature to patients for digital eye strain relief.

To learn more, visit EYEZENPRO.COM *Eyezen+ lenses block at least 20% of harmful Blue Light, which is the high energy waves found between 415–455nm (blue-violet light).

©2016 Essilor of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Essilor is a registered trademark and Eyezen is a trademark of Essilor International.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Patient Protection Essilor’s new Eyezen+ lenses come designed with blue light blocking built in.

DETAILS

Eyezen+ lenses from Essilor of America, Inc. block at least 20% of the harmful blue light rays emitted by digital devices. Embedded with Essilor’s Smart Blue Filter, Eyezen+ lenses create a visually clear lens designed to block harmful blue light

EYEZEN+ LENSES BLOCK AT LEAST 20% OF HARMFUL BLUE LIGHT RAYS. while also relaxing the eye. Eyezen+ lenses achieve this with three different designs, each providing a different amount of accommodative relief. The first level is for patients aged 18 to 34, the second is geared for ages 35 to 44 and the third is for patients 45 to 50. While this is currently the highest category, it is recommended that patients 45 and older consider progressive addition lenses.

BACK STORY

Essilor knows the need to protect eyes extends well beyond those who need vision correction and are currently visiting their eyecare professional for an annual exam. That’s why a multichannel approach had to be created, to reach younger emmetropes who are not actively engaged in their own eye health.

In an effort to continue to support eyecare professionals’ business, Essilor has created a price parity structure with all distribution channels— eyecare professionals, mass retailers and online retailers—who will receive the same wholesale prices for Eyezen lenses.

WOW FACTOR

Eyezen+ lenses, only available through independent eyecare professionals,

are recommended for single vision eyeglass wearers, contact lens users and even the millions who do not require a prescription. Eyezen+ lenses are currently covered by managed vision care plans. Because Essilor is pursuing a national consumer marketing campaign, expect to see more awareness about digital eyestrain and the negative effects of harmful blue light, and take time to prepare your staff to have answers ready about Eyezen+ products.

Essilor of America, Inc. 800.542.5668 eyezenpro.com 25

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HAPPY SIDE OF BLUE LIGHT

Š2016 JRM LICENSING, LLC

SPY’s line of RX-able sunglasses features their patent-pending Happy Lens technology, the most premium color and contrast enhancing lens on the market. The first and only lens technology designed to allow in long-wave blue light transmitted from the sun, Happy Lens still blocks harmful short-wave blue light and UV rays. Research indicates that exposure through the eyes to long-wave blue light, while outdoors, brings about a number of positive physiological changes, including elevated mood and increased alertness.

A study conducted by Tragon Corp. reported that 76% of premium sunglass wearers prefer the Happy Lens, not just for the lens concept, but for its complete set of visual enhancing capabilities. This includes general attributes such as ability to block glare, clarity of vision, and color and contrast enhancement. This is truly the science of happier eyesight, brought to you by independent American eyewear brand SPY.

BLOCKS SHORT-WAVE BLUE LIGHT, TRANSMITS MORE LONG-WAVE BLUE LIGHT ONLY THERAPEUTIC SUNGLASS LENS AVAILABLE IN RX Untitled-1 1

6/29/16 12:09 PM

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Whistle a Happy Tune SPY’S sleek aviator is loaded with tech features and tons of style.

DETAILS

In seven colorways that include silver, gunmetal, gold or rose gold frames, with lenses such as Happy Gray Green Polar, Happy Gray Green with Red Spectra and Happy Bronze with Green Spectra, SPY’s new unisex Whistler targets the weekend warrior.

It features the Happy Lens, a proprietary color- and contrast-enhancing lens technology with premium build materials and options in Trident polarization. Suitable for small to medium faces, Whistler is built from lightweight monel alloy and handmade acetate.

of positive physiological changes, including elevated mood and increased alertness. Similar technology is used by lighting manufacturers in products designed to help with Seasonal Affective Disorder. SPY has a patent pending on this “therapeutic eyewear” and is the only eyewear company with this advanced technology.

sacrifice comfort or durability on outdoor adventures. Whether atop a mountain or relaxing beachside, every skyline gets better with the Happy Lens. Point-of-purchase items to support the Whistler include custom window displays, postcards, cube cards and risers.

SPY

WOW FACTOR

800.779.3937

A modernly designed aviator, the Whistler ensures that style doesn’t

Jeff.Tuttle@spyoptic.com spyoptic.com

BACK STORY

SPY’s color- and contrast-enhancing Happy Lens allows in the sun’s “good” rays (long-wave blue light) that studies suggest create an uplift in mood and alertness while still blocking the sun’s “bad” rays (short-wave blue light and UV rays). Research indicates that exposure through the eyes to these “good rays” brings about a number 27

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HE’S TAKING IN MORE THAN YOU KNOW. By age 17, the average child has spent the equivalent of six years on a blue-light emitting device. Offer parents the power to combat the impact on their children’s eyes with Sharper Image TechShield, an advanced AR coating that reduces exposure to blue light from digital screens. ®

SharperImageVision.com “Americans & Blue Light” 2016 VSP Blue Light Exposure & Awareness Survey. ©2016 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved.

The Sharper Image name and logo are registered trademarks.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

A Clear Line of Defense Against Children’s Eye Strain Sharper Image TechShield combines advanced blue light defense and superior anti-reflective properties in a premium coating.

DETAILS

BACK STORY

Sharper Image TechShield from VSP Optics Group is an advanced antireflective coating that helps alleviate visual strain and fatigue by reducing blue light exposure from digital screens, LED lighting and the sun.

TechShield’s blue light properties make it a perfect solution for parents concerned about the consequences of their children’s excessive screen time.

And with its attractive, near-clear appearance, parents won’t have to worry about spending money on something their kids will be too embarrassed to wear. It also makes the eyecare professional’s choice in anti-reflective (AR) coatings an easy one. If you’re going to recommend an AR, why wouldn’t you choose one that features the additional benefits of blue light reduction?

From toddlers to twilights, there’s not a person who goes about their day untouched by blue light. Children, however, are particularly vulnerable for two reasons: 1. Ever-Increasing Exposure: In addi-

tion to blasting bad guys and busting high scores, children are now learning—some exclusively—on a device.

Combine this with TV time and life under LED lighting, and you’ve got a recipe for eye strain at an early age.

2. Short Arms: Per the Inverse Square

Law, blue light’s intensity increases exponentially the closer our eyes are to the source. For example, a child holding a device 8 in. from their eyes receives four times the blue light in-

tensity as an adult holding the same device 16 in. away.

WOW FACTOR

According to a recent VSP survey, the average child will have spent the equivalent of one-third of their life on a device by the time they’re 16. And with our ongoing shift towards a digitally dominated lifestyle, those numbers will likely increase. This makes it vital to reduce blue light exposure at an early age. Enhancing a child’s lenses with TechShield gives providers a simple solution to help parents defend their kids’ eyes, while giving youngsters a near-clear line of defense they’ll feel comfortable and confident wearing. sharperimagevision.com bluelightinfo@vsp.com 29

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HER LATE-NIGHT WORK MAY BE COSTING HER FAR MORE THAN JUST SLEEP YOUR PATIENTS’ VISION COULD BE DAMAGED

BY BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT FROM THEIR DIGITAL DEVICES

In this digital age, your patients are surrounded by digital devices that emit harmful Blue-Violet light.

Help reduce their exposure by recommending Crizal® Prevencia® lenses, which selectively deflect harmful Blue-Violet light while letting beneficial Blue-Turquoise light through. Educate your patients about the potential risks associated with long-term exposure to Blue-Violet light, and help protect their eyes with Crizal Prevencia lenses.

Crizal.com

©2016 Essilor of America, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Unless otherwise indicated all trademarks are the property of Essilor International or its subsidiaries.

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Reflect to Protect Crizal Prevencia uses reflections to filter 20% of harmful blue-violet light.

DETAILS

Crizal Prevencia from Essilor of America, Inc. represents one of the first products to use reflections as a means to filter 20% of the light between 415 nm and 455 nm, which is the blue-violet light now known as harmful blue light. Previously, reducing exposure to a particular portion of the spectrum was accomplished through absorption

CRIZAL PREVENCIA REPRESENTS ONE OF THE FIRST PRODUCTS TO USE REFLECTIONS AS A MEANS TO FILTER 20% OF THE LIGHT BETWEEN 415NM AND 455NM. (tinting). Crizal Prevencia lenses help protect your patients’ eyes from harmful blue-violet light in everyday surroundings, including sunlight, indoor lighting and most digital screens.

BACK STORY

Crizal Prevencia is also designed to allow light at 480 nm and above, including blue-turquoise light, to pass through the lens. Blue-turquoise light is crucial to several physiological functions, including pupil response and melatonin production, which helps regulate the sleep cycle.

WOW FACTOR

Because Crizal Prevencia lenses work

through the principle of reflection, the lens will sometimes appear purplish as it reflects some of the harmful blue light away from the wearer’s eyes. By contrast, the Essilor Smart Blue Filter feature is designed to reduce transmission of harmful blue light through the principle of absorption, which allows the lens to remain cosmetically clear in appearance. Smart Blue Filter lenses are visually indistinguishable

from clear lenses, which is important because they remove any cosmetic objection a patient may have toward wearing a blue-light-reducing lens. For the ultimate protection against harmful light, combine Smart Blue Filter lenses with Crizal Prevencia.

Essilor of America, Inc. 800.542.5668 crizalusa.com

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The moment your patients can enjoy their digital devices without worry.

ZEISS DuraVision BlueProtect.

Protec Patien t ts with

ZEISS

// PEACE OF MIND MADE BY ZEISS

Enhanced protection from blue-violet light

World-class anti-reflective lenses with blue light protection.

ZEISS DuraVision BlueProtect.

Give your patients peace of mind and healthier eyes by providing them with blue light protection and top-of-the-line AR performance.

Light Blue-violet light

• Advanced blue light filtering • Excellent clarity • Maximum durability

Visit www.zeiss.com/duravision to find out more about ZEISS DuraVision BlueProtect. ©2016 Carl Zeiss Vision Inc. DuraVision is a registered trademark of Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH. DuraVision products are designed and manufactured using Carl Zeiss Vision technology. US Patent 6,852,406. Other patents pending. Rev 06/16

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