What does the future hold??

[hcjilson]

Jim,

In 1959, the thought of a photochromic lens was beyond belief. By 1964 it was a reality. We had to wait a long time for this technology to appear in plastic but at long last it has arrived. This leads to the following question.

Without divulging company secrets, what do you see for the photochromic lens of the future?

harry j

[Oha]

:cheers: I recently heard about an electrochromic lens being tested, with great results. The wearer can adjust the density of the lens to match their needs both perfectly and instantly by means of a small control attached to a battery on the frame.

Initially these will be very expensive, but will certainly come down as they advance and become commonplace.

[Jim Schafer]

Hi Harry,

What a tough question. Our R&D has many projects and products going full blast. Trouble is, I cant leak anything at this time.

I can say the next two years will be very exciting for new products and technologies.

As always, as new PAL designs are released, Transitions will be included in the launch.

Oha,
I am not aware of a electrachromic product that is new. Do you have any information on it?
PPG had an electrachromic product from 1999-2002. The technology was awesome but there were several draw backs including pricing. Frame designs were limited because the power source is part of the frame. The frames were not bad looking but the product came at a time when rimless and 3 pc mounts started to gain momentum. Also, you had to wait for the product to be custom made at the PPG pilot plant in PA.

regards to all
Jim

[hcjilson]

the frames and lenses which appeared in the first Mission Impossible film. I remember participating in a market survey concerning that product about 5 years ago. I almost freaked out when I saw it in the film. Thats the last I've heard or seen it.

By the future I meant out 20 or more years, not what Transitions is doing now. I was more interested in what you see down the long road, not around the corner!:):)

hj

[Jim Schafer]

Twenty years out...that is different.

I think we will have figured out a "smart lens" that will adapt to any condition. Polarizing when needed, high contrast outdoors when needed, lenses that will allow sharp visual acuity in low light conditions.

It can happen! This is an exciting time for technology.
regards,
Jim

[hcjilson]

Self polarizing!!!!!! WOW!

hj

[chip anderson]

I've mentioned this before but about 20 years ago I read an article that stated a japanse scientist had a lens material that would change indices electronicly. Now think of a lens that would automaticly change powered depending on the distance of the object viewed. Presbyopes could have full field near again.

Chip

[JRS]

The advent of computer's - and there are some very powerful computers has accelerated advancements in all fields. What use to take decades, now happens in a few short years.

War also has a tendency to escalate advances. Unfortunately, due to our size, new innovations are a bit longer getting to the optical (our optical) world.