Definity Turnaround with Essilor

[Bev Heishman]

As a practice that has embraced Definity lenses, I am really disappointed with the length of time taking from the new distribution to Essilor affialiated labs. In the past when they were done in Roanoke they were in our office with in a 3-5 day turnaround. Now, the turnaround is 10-14 days. Very disappointed. May I say that is even for uncuts. Any one else?

[spartus]

We started using Definity around the beginning of the month. One of our doctors began heavily recommending it, while I was content to wait until next month for Physio to come out.

I think our first orders were placed around 12/5. I received my first two of those yesterday.

So, yes. Turnaround has been awful. I think vastly increased demand nationwide has put a kink into the production line. I understand that Physio--at ELOA labs--will be an on-site process, where all Definity orders are going through a limited number of labs. Here's hoping.

[hcjilson]

The problem stems from the fact that Essilor is moving the Roanoke facility to Dallas-should be completed by the end of January.I always ordered directly from Roanoke and their service remained constant through mid Decembar with a 4-7 day turnaround similar to Bev's experience. The handwriting on the wall directed me to begin using a partner lab at the beginning of December. Then I began hearing of backorder problems with some adds in certain materials.My partner lab was telling me things I knew not to be true (due to my ongoing realationship w/ Roanoke, but I figured it was because they were working their way in slowly so I cut them some slack. I delivered a job from them yesterday that was originally ordered on 12/5, and I came in from vacation to do it so you can imagine my joy! :angry:

In any event, the move to Dallas is the main reason, coupled with the new business the sales force is generating.With any new aquisition by anyone, there are bound to be problems which will be solved in time. I expect the delays we are experiencing will soon disappear, and things will be back to normal.

My approach is to say basically the same thing to my customer, and also that regardless of the additional time needed, that the lens is worth the wait.

[drk]

A bit tangential to the orginal question, but a question to you Definity users:

How good is this lens? Good, good-good, or good-good-good?

[hcjilson]

I find it good-good-good- to the second power. I was a former dyed in the wool comfort wearer because it was the only progressive I could use, and trust what I saw in the side view mirrow when driving, but the lens had a definite "sweet spot" and any deviation required head movement. To me, the whole Definity lens was a sweet spot. I could see wherever I looked without moving my head. For the high plus presbyope, this lens is a winner! My educated guess is that others are finding out the same thing which accounts for higher demand.

My understanding is that the Physio will be similar, but we'll just have to wait to try it out.The pre-release hype has me anxious to try it out, and don't get me wrong, I still think the comfort is a heck of a lens. I wear my 1.67's all the time but not when I'm working.

[drk]

Thanks for that.

With this Physio, we'll have to wait to see what the inevitable "downsides" will be.

It's interesting to wonder whether once Essilor bought the Definity technology, did they race to put out this "Physio", based on the Definity dual add design?

I'm also confused as to how it fits with their individualized lens.

Man, Essilor has a lot of cleaning up to do.

[sharonseyes]

Our office has just started using the Definity Lens. We were told outright that this new technology has a long wait. When asking my patients if they would like to wait for this new lens or stay with their old, most are willing to wait. I just make sure the expectations are all in the open.
I use this lens myself. (A high Myope) I love the field of vision I can get at both at distance and near.

[hcjilson]

Although I still prefer my SV computer glasses when at the computer, the intermediate is more than acceptable.

[Cherry Optical]

I'm also confused as to how it fits with their individualized lens.

Man, Essilor has a lot of cleaning up to do.

As always, the Essilor and Varilux lens lines will be seperate and not equal.

1. Varilux Ipseo
2. Varilux Physio 360 (Free-Form)
3. Varilux Physio (standard design)
4. Varilux Panamic (Convert to Physio)
5. Varilux Comfort (Upgrad to Physio)

That is what I have read. The only part I added that did not come directly from the horses mouth was that the Physio 360 is above the Physio. The Powerpoint show I saw just lumped the two lenses together.

Here are some other claims about the lens that may help you to understand how to position the Physio:

• Varilux Physio 360 is better than Varilux Panamic
• Varilux Physio is also better than Varilux Panamic
• I believe Physio 360 is going to be better than Physio.

Perhaps someone more familiar with the Essilor/Varilux lenses can clear this up for us all. I have been told that the 360 version will show the most noticeable difference on higher powers.....

Adam

Breaking my silence... I just can't take it anymore! :)

[Cherry Optical]

I understand that Physio--at ELOA labs--will be an on-site process, where all Definity orders are going through a limited number of labs. Here's hoping.

Not exactly 100% true. Infact, it is only 50% true... perhaps even less. Here's why:

Varilux Physio comes in two styles. Varilux Physio using standard manufacturing equipment and Varilux Physio 360 which will be a Free-Form generated lens. (Essilor will be using a different term for the Free-Form process as Shamir has patented [the value in which I do not see] the word Freeform).

Anyway.... Any Varilux Lab will be able to surface the Physio (standard) using their current manufacturing equipment. Varilux Physio 360 will be manufactured at select locations (Dallas area is the only one I have heard of so far) in the USA.

To recap.. Any Varilux Lab, including Indepedent Varilux distributor, will be able to process and fill Physio (standard) on-site and Phsio 360 (Free-Form) lenses will be processed at a lab in the Dallas, TX area.

Adam

[AWTECH]

Varilux Physio 360 (Free-Form)

Does anyone know what the logic claims for this design are and how does it differ from the Definity?

Is some portion of the power on the front of the lens? or is the front spherical?

[Cherry Optical]

Varilux Physio 360 (Free-Form)

Does anyone know what the logic claims for this design are and how does it differ from the Definity?

Is some portion of the power on the front of the lens? or is the front spherical?

Don't hold your breath.

Launch date is January 9th. Educational programs and info will be released next week. I am as interested in the lens as you are.

Adam

[spartus]

Not exactly 100% true. Infact, it is only 50% true... perhaps even less. Here's why:

Varilux Physio comes in two styles. Varilux Physio using standard manufacturing equipment and Varilux Physio 360 which will be a Free-Form generated lens. (Essilor will be using a different term for the Free-Form process as Shamir has patented [the value in which I do not see] the word Freeform).

Anyway.... Any Varilux Lab will be able to surface the Physio (standard) using their current manufacturing equipment. Varilux Physio 360 will be manufactured at select locations (Dallas area is the only one I have heard of so far) in the USA.

To recap.. Any Varilux Lab, including Indepedent Varilux distributor, will be able to process and fill Physio (standard) on-site and Phsio 360 (Free-Form) lenses will be processed at a lab in the Dallas, TX area.

Adam

My mistake, I should have indicated I was only talking about the standard Physio, not the 360. I actually hadn't even asked about that one.

Don't hold your breath.

Launch date is January 9th. Educational programs and info will be released next week. I am as interested in the lens as you are.

I actually placed my first Physio order two days ago. It was a Definity job that was going to be delayed 2 weeks anyway--so I figured, "Why not?".

[Bev Heishman]

Is this new lens aspheric/atoric? Dual surface add? Just because it is free form doesn't mean it can accomplish the same thing.

[AWTECH]

When trying to understand freeform lens designs Bev Heishman asks:

Is this new lens aspheric/atoric? Dual surface add? Just because it is free form doesn't mean it can accomplish the same thing.

The terms aspheric and atoric have taken on there own definitions within the optical spectal lens world. For example if you ask anyone dealing with precision optics what an aspheric lens is? They would say it is non spherical. Atoric has taken on the meaning of non-spherical in prescribed sphere and prescribed cylinder.

The freeform technology concept in theroy goes far beyond these aspheric/atoric concepts. Freeform technology allows lens designs to developed a lens that is optimized. This optimization is accomplished without having to follow a pre determined lens designs that will work within a range of spherical curves used on the opposite surface of the lens. In theroy every point on the lens can be optically correct for the desired vision.

You can have a different lens surface for every 0.001 diopter of power. This accuracy when combined in a progressive design gives a very broad range of prescriptions with extreme accuracy.

Dual surface is a different approach to an end result that is similar. Dual surfaces also allow lens manufactures who are not able to access patented spherical surface to still produce a freeform progressive lens. Many lens manufactures are limited due to the fact that they cannot obtain a patent license to for a progressive design with one spherical surface.

[Pete Hanlin]

Just a few words...

1.) Yes, turnaround time on Definity has been slow lately. As Harry suggested, the relocation of the manufacturing site from Virginia to Texas- coupled with over 200% growth in orders since Essilor procured the line- created an unfortunate situation which is being resolved as soon as possible. The Dual-ADD technology seems to have gained a following among opticians whose opinion I respect. So, I'm glad you're happy with the design & rest assured everything possible is being done to catch up with the demand. Just as an FYI, the facility in Roanoke would have been unable to handle the current demand for the product as well. Once the lines are all up and running, the capacity will be much higher than in the past.

2.) Varilux Physio has been in development since 2000, and has been awarded numerous patents for the design, fabrication, and calculations used to produce the lens. The design had already entered the clinicals phase prior to the negotiated purchase of Definity- the design technologies are unrelated. As of January 9th, I will be happy to lay it all out (or, more likely, you will hopefully have all the information from your local Essilor Brand Consultant).

[spartus]

It's interesting to wonder whether once Essilor bought the Definity technology, did they race to put out this "Physio", based on the Definity dual add design?

I'm also confused as to how it fits with their individualized lens.

Man, Essilor has a lot of cleaning up to do.

I thought it was obvious: Antitrust. I have a feeling the last-minute Definity push that we all saw in November/December was purely to show that Essilor was putting effort into selling it. Now, if dispensers drop Definity like a hot rock in favor of Physio, that's purely the dispenser's choice, isn't it?

It is a shame about the production delays, though. The few that I have dispensed have elicted some good reactions.

[Mike Fretto]

I had to wonder when Essilor bought the Definity if it wouldnt eventually fade off into the sunset. We to have sold several but now see a 2-3 week backorder. Any thoughts on the dissapearance of Definity altogether???

[Uncle Fester]

Definity is FUBAR for the next several weeks according to my sources.
Avoid them like the bird-flu!

[AWTECH]

Rumors should not be taken seriously unless supported by some sort of confirmation.

I personally object to posts such as this that can harm someones business (Even Essilor, although some think they are too big and powerful already), I think supporting evidence or more rational thought should be included so the reader can draw a conclusion not just an indication that they should not order a particular product.

[karen]

Ok, here is some info straight from the horses mouth. I just returned from the Essilor National Sales meeting. They are aware that turn time is a problem. Between moving the facility and the selling of more product than they initially forecasted for it has caused delays. Major delays. They know it, they are working over time to fix it and anticipate that by next month they will be back to their usual delivery time. This was addressed by several different key people, not to mention Bob Colucci. If you are using it and like it I suggest you just hang tough for a few more weeks.
I am sure Pete could clarify this but Physio and Definity are different. They employ some of the same technologies but the designs are not the same.

It has been my experience that Definity people are Definity people. I have an account that swears by them and prefers to dispense only that. Physio is likely going to replace Panamic and the Physio 360 seems to be in a class all by itself.

[Uncle Fester]

Thanks Karen you're a Queen by me :D
My lab gave me this heads up. I love this lens by the way and am not surprised to see this SNAFU!
I'll be ordering it big time once again after the dust settles :cheers:

[Uncle Fester]

Ordered a Definity on the first got it finished from my lab today!
I guess turnaround has as promised improved. One week I can live with.

[Bobie]

Physio 360 better than DEFINITY or not ? :D

[EyeFitWell]

In my opinion, Definity has been more successful than Physio 360. I would not take a person out of Definity and put them in a Physio. I don't wear progressives, so I'm basing this solely on remakes and patient reactions.