Extra-Active Phase out

[Shutterbug]

Word is out that the Extra-Active will become history this fall. Is this phase-out all inclusive? All Syles?

[Jim Schafer]

Hello Shutterbug,
It is true, XTRActive Transitions has run its course. Clear indoor lenses are the vogue now. The base of the population that went for that 25% indoor tint has dwindled.

Each manufacturer is announcing their exit strategy. We will support each manufacturer to keep popular products in supply for their scheduled phase out.
It is important to consult with your favorite lab and manufacturer on availability as the year draws to a close.

This paragraph relates the general state of the XTRActive product.

As a consequence of the successful introduction of Next Generation Transitions, XTRActive sales have decreased for the large majority of consumers. Over the past 18 months, sales of XTRActive have steadily declined 70%, now representing less than 0.5% of total lenses sold in the United States. Facing these facts, Transitions Optical in conjunction with its Lens Manufacturer Partners, has decided to phase out the XTRActive product line over the course of the next six months. Transitions will continue to support the production of XTRActive products for our Lens Manufacturer Partners as part of their individual phase out plans.

best regards,
Jim

[varmint]

I was informed the splitz lenses have also been discontinued.

[Jim Schafer]

Hello Varmint,
This is also true, Splitz Fun Lenses are being phased out this year too. AO·SOLA has the propietary rights to this product and elected to pare down and round off inventory back in the spring. It is still available but some skus maybe exhausted.
Splitz, like XTRActive Gray, had a great run. We never expected this fashion fad to last as long as it did.
regards,
Jim

[Bev Heishman]

We use this product because we still have some patients that want a heavier tint indoors. We were giving them a choice.

[Jim Schafer]

Hello Bev,
Very good point. There is a very small hardcore group that went for that look but it grows smaller every year.

For your patients who desire the indoor tint, here are some tinting instructions for 1.50 Transitions Gray. This will make the pair look like XTRActive Gray indoors but will have the upgraded outdoors performance of the Next Generation 1.50 Gray.


Use tint BPI Gray (BPI#31000) at a temperature approximately 180°F to 200°F

• Surface the lens to desired RX
• Tint lens for approximately 5 seconds to achieve a lens with maximum tint of 25% (Gray 1)
• If light transmission equipment is available the lens should measure a reading of no less than 75% light transmission

If you chose this option you must always do it with a complete pair as the performance differs from a current Transitions XTRActive™lens. (That is, you cannot replace a damaged authentic XTRActive lens with a tinted NG Gray lens)

FYI..Stock Transitions®Lenses cannot be tinted, we use non tintable hardcoats, The tint in this example is in the surfaced back side of a Semi-Finished lens.

regards,
Jim

[Occulus Sinister]

Jim,
We hve no trouble tinting stock trans... Are we in anyway damaging the lens?

[Jim Schafer]

Hello Occulos Sinister,

Are you purchasing SF lenses that were surfaced to FSV (some stock houses do this with 1.50 Brown or XTRActive) or our true hardcoated stock 1.50 gray FSV sold by AO·SOLA, Essilor and (Younger Optics offer 1.50 brown FSV overseas)? The surfaced product will tint because the backside is not hardcoated or was hardcoated with a UV cured tintable hc.

I have seen the attempts at tinting the hardcoated product and although a percent or two of tint was achieved, only the small molecule dyes went in. It was not the true color that was desired.

I take it you are tinting in the conventional dyepot using commercial tints.

Leaving any thermal cured hardcoated lens in a pot to long or in a pot that is to hot for extended periods can cause microcracking that will show up months down the road as a hazy looking lens.

I have read Chris Rysers posts on his microwave process but have never seen or any reports of Transitions Lenses that were tinted that way. I would be happy to send Chris a few samples of hardcoated demo plano lenses that he can evaluate or validate with his process.

best regards,
Jim

[BMH]

My how things change.