extending the life of a photochromic

[kaypaula]

Hello All,
An associate of mine, in a different office, has been telling his pts with transitions and/or photochromics (not glass), to come in every few months to let him "revamp" their lenses thereby extending the life of the photochromic. The pt said he puts them in a machine. I can only assume he puts them in the UV meter, and also tells the pt to put his glasses in the freezer every once in a while.
Now, I understand we used to do this with glass photogreys, way back in the day, before intial dispensing. But really... with transitions? Does this even help? I've never heard of such a thing.
PJ

[CuriousCat]

It's all hogwash!

[Jacqui]

On the same level as the Magic Drawer.

[CuriousCat]

Unless of course, said associate actually believes it works. Then you have an even bigger problem, like losing the box of lensometer dots or loaning out the lens stretcher.

[For-Life]

I have some magic sand that will do the trick. You just put it in the sand for 5 minutes and it will make the lens last longer. This wonderful system only costs $10k per office.

Any takers?

[FVCCHRIS]

I have some magic sand that will do the trick. You just put it in the sand for 5 minutes and it will make the lens last longer. This wonderful system only costs $10k per office.

Any takers?

I'm always 5 minutes too late with my ideas! ok, I'll go $7500 ?! And I'll throw in a magic drawer with each order...

[LENNY]

How about a backside UV cured coater!?

[DC Optix]

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...itions+freezer

[Happylady]

I understand that an AR can extend the life of a photochromic lens.

[Chris Ryser]

I understand that an AR can extend the life of a photochromic lens.

You are so right...................but only certain brands. The harder they work the longer they live

[fjpod]

Sounds like a good marketing strategy to me...if you're desperate.

[Jim Schafer]

I understand that an AR can extend the life of a photochromic lens.

At one time this was a very true statement but todays refined dyes are more pure, oygen does not cause breakdown of the molecule as it did 8 to 10 years ago.
AR added 8 to 10% longer lifetime in fatigue tests than non AR Transitions III and original AR or flash mirror XTRActive Transitions that was very popular at that time.

When Next Generation was launched, a new family of photochromics was introduced. This family of dyes could be synthesized to a purer state. Since those days, the purity of each generation change leading to the current dyes has also improved the purity.

The short of it is...The AR formed an oygen barrier, sealing and protecting the dyes. AR still creates an oxygen barrier, but as I stated, the new dyes are not as sensitive to attack as before.

Jim

[Flat Eric]

Doesn't AR reduce a bit of the UV getting thru to the lens? That could prolong lifetime a little whilst also not allowing quite so much activation of the dye

[Jim Schafer]

Hi Flat Eric

If AR does divert some uv it is not enough to make a noticable difference in performance and lifetime.

Jim

[Uilleann]

As I understand it: UV = photochromic activation. As the UV interacts with the molecular structure of the dye, it changes it's shape and voila! We get a darkened lens. But the molecules don't last forever. It was once described to me to be something akin to Velcro. With repeated use over time, the hooks and loops begin to break down, and the effectiveness is reduced.

If this "master" optician is simply putting the lenses into his UV demonstration box - I'm guessing the only thing he's actually doing is decreasing the life of his patients lenses. Way to work the sale of that new replacement pair of photochromic lenses. *giggle*