Push button photochromics

[Joann Raytar]

Has anyone seen the Vision Monday article about new photochromic lenses that darker when you push a button on the frame. If I remember correctly they are electromagnetic. Has any one physically seen these. Does anyone know exactly how they work. I believe this is the same technology Mercedes and Lexus use on some of their windshields.

[Blake]

I saw the same article, and surfed the net for more info. Apparently, this technology has been around a few years, including applications in auto glass. "Electrochromic" lenses work by introducing an electric current (supplied by 2 hearing aid batteries in the frame) to the lenses, which causes a chemical reaction that darkens the lenses, much like photochromics.
I believe they're already on the market in Japan. The price is rather high, however (over $400).

Blake

[Joann Raytar]

Hi Blake:

I finally found the article myself. They are only going to roll it out to two stores one in Chicago and one somewhere in the south I believe. The two frame models are going to retail between $1,200 - $1,400.

[chip anderson]

Fifteen or 20 years ago I saw an article about an electromagnet lens that changed index. Change was up to four diopters in power. Would have been great for presbyopes but never saw another word. Anyone else hear of this?

Chip

[Huan]

[You can buy a pair @ $1200-1400 per pair at Salle Opticians, Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta GA 30326.QUOTE]Originally posted by Jo:
Has anyone seen the Vision Monday article about new photochromic lenses that darker when you push a button on the frame. If I remember correctly they are electromagnetic. Has any one physically seen these. Does anyone know exactly how they work. I believe this is the same technology Mercedes and Lexus use on some of their windshields.[/QUOTE]

[Huan]

Wow, 4 dioptres is amazing! Can you track down the reference source?

Originally posted by chip anderson:
Fifteen or 20 years ago I saw an article about an electromagnet lens that changed index. Change was up to four diopters in power. Would have been great for presbyopes but never saw another word. Anyone else hear of this?

Chip

[Laura]

Chip,

Belated reply...However, The Egg Factory in Roanoke, VA is working with Motorola to develop such a lens. They have produced a proto-type but it has not been manufactured. The technology has been patented in several forms by large digital scanning manufactures.

Laura

[Jackie L]

Does anyone have the telephone number for Vision Monday? I stopped receiving the magazine about 9 months ago. Still get the 20-20 and Eyecare business. Thanks.

Jackie O

------------------

Still a Maina for now

[Joann Raytar]

Jackie O.

Here is a link to the VM contact page:
http://www.visionmonday.com/MediaKit/mediakit.htm

[This message has been edited by Jo (edited 02-28-2001).]