I consider 9 out of 10 satisfaction a horrible failure. 10% dissatisfied!
You know that is a great point. Unless some of these people went into the study knowing they hated progressives, or had a bad neck or any other of the issues that cause non adapts (which are much fewer than they were 15 years ago) 10% for a super duper top of the line lens is pretty darn high.
Don't confuse "adaptation" with "satisfaction" (the industry often does just this)...
For sure, assuming an excellent fit, most progressive designs should be capable of making 98-99% of people happy enough to wear the lens without bringing it back- after all, progressive lenses work (plus, most people don't get that there are different types of no-line lenses, so they assume whatever performance they are getting is "as good as it gets-" so they don't take them back). However, if you bring progressive lens wearers together and research their wearing experience, you find only about 50% of consumers are really satisfied with the intermediate and near visual performance provided by their progressive lenses. I've sat behind the one-way glass in numerous cities for numerous research projects, and it is amazing how consistent the feedback from progressive wearing consumers is. At the end of each session, I go in to ascertain what design each consumer is wearing (consumers are usually shocked to discover there are markings that indicate what "brand" their progressive is- most do not realize there is more than one "type" of no-line lens). Even those wearing what I would consider "premium" progressives are often not happy with their near and intermediate performance. Ask 100 progressive wearers if they are happy with how their lenses work when they're trying to read in bed, and you are not going to find 90+ of them saying they are completely happy...
Pete Hanlin, ABOM
Vice President Professional Services
Essilor of America
http://linkedin.com/in/pete-hanlin-72a3a74
Pete, one of the big complaints of MF contact lens styles, is (as you undoubtedly know well) the vision is 'soft' due to looking through multiple optics all at once. I understand that on a PAL, this could be mitigated to a small degree, as this would only be done in the corridor, and eliminating the distance portion of the equation should simplify things in a noticeable way.
With that said, we also know that Varilux designs of the past couple decades have been rather soft. I wonder if the softness of the overall design, coupled with the potential added softness due to compounding multiple near corrections in the corridor might lead to overall loss of clarity at mid/near.
Surely the engineers are aware of this and have worked on some complex solutions. Are you able to expand on that particular at all here? Thanks!
This is why I think that the most underrated element of our business is managing patients' expectations. Yes, a PAL will give you a graduated reading prescription that is usable at all distances. No, it is not as well-designed for computer use as a dedicated pair of near-variable-focus or intermediate lenses, and you shouldn't expect it to be.
I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.
A few notes: In a simultaneous contact lens, the lens is trying to provide far and near power (which requires a range of powers well over 1.00D and sometimes over 2.00D). As you noted, the simultaneous effect found in Varilux X Series lenses only occurs in the near and intermediate, and the power variation will therefore be much less pronounced (as in a few hundredths to as much as perhaps 0.50D).
In the development of Xtend Technology, the designers actually focused on acuity targets rather than power (I believe in the white paper they have what looks like a contour plot- it's actually a plot of acuity). For a given point in the lens let's say they established an acuity target of 0.01 log MAR or higher for a viewing distance with a range of 45-54cm. They then worked to create optics that delivered that performance at the given point. In the process of hitting those acuity targets, it became necessary to develop a new calculation process (to allow them to more tightly control the optics of each area of the lens). I know the belief is "going digital" immediately creates infinite control of the surface, but in fact a designer is limited by the power of his/her calculator (because the calculation determines how finely a surface can be defined.
Finally, although it gets discounted as a "marketing term," W.A.V.E. Technology 2 (Wavefront Advanced Vision Enhancement) is a real thing that does allow Varilux designers to create surfaces with lower levels of higher order aberrations (we can prove it with actual wearers and everything :^). When you add the "design based on acuity" approach to the ability to design away aberrations that reduce sharpness, the result is a lens that provides an "extended range of sharp vision within arm's reach" (which is the product claim).
The ultimate proof is in the pudding (or, in this case, the vision), and personally speaking I do notice sharp, extended vision in the four pairs of Varilux X Design lenses I currently own (only downer about owning a couple dozen pair of glasses is updating them when the Rx changes- or when a new design you like comes out :^).
Hope this helps address any concerns/questions...
Pete
Pete Hanlin, ABOM
Vice President Professional Services
Essilor of America
http://linkedin.com/in/pete-hanlin-72a3a74
Please let sleeping dogs lie on OB regarding W.A.V.E., lest we doubting Thomas' start resurrecting Darryl Meister's and others posts proving that myth.
Please?
Have to run to get in line for that iphone 8!!!
Pete, is essilor planning on giving out trial certificates for the x design? Would really like to try it.
Golfnut, your local Essilor Brand or ELOA consultant may be able to hook you up. They have a limited number of samples they can provide to their accounts.
Pete
Pete Hanlin, ABOM
Vice President Professional Services
Essilor of America
http://linkedin.com/in/pete-hanlin-72a3a74
Actually, Essilor did the eclipse up pretty well. ISO eclipse glasses were supplied to everyone at home office (as well as the folks at our remote offices and labs). Here in Dallas, we also had a supply of Starburst candy, Orbit and Eclipse Gum, Sun Chips, and Capri Sun juice boxes (although I have to agree with a coworker who suggested we should have had some Corona as well ;^).
We only had 76% coverage here, but the cloudless day made for great viewing! I was surprised it didn't get "darker" (felt like a mildly overcast day at the height of the eclipse). One of my fellow technical marketers also set up a pinhole camera. So, it was a cool event, but I'm REALLY looking forward to April 2024 (when Dallas will be in the totality area for an eclipse)!
Pete Hanlin, ABOM
Vice President Professional Services
Essilor of America
http://linkedin.com/in/pete-hanlin-72a3a74
Hi Pete! I met you many years ago when you personally made me a pair of Varilux Comfort progressives and I seem to remember you brought them to me where I worked in Lewisville. I'm sure you remember, it wasn't more then 18 years ago!
Anyway, I'm excited about these new lenses. I understand they are replacing the S series? How does the cost compare? And lastly, when will they be VSP approved?
Last edited by Happylady; 09-05-2017 at 05:19 PM.
I actually do remember delivering those lenses- but I don't think it was quite 18 years ago (probably closer to 9-10 :^)!
You are correct- Varilux X Series progressive lenses will be the top of the Varilux portfolio going forward.
Categorization will be the same as Varilux S Series (Varilux X Design = Category O, Varilux X Fit = Category N). There's a small increase to the wholesale price vs. Varilux S Series (you can get specifics from your local lab or brand consultant).
Pete Hanlin, ABOM
Vice President Professional Services
Essilor of America
http://linkedin.com/in/pete-hanlin-72a3a74
I learned that Varilux X will be VSP approved as of September 12th.
Pete, our rep was telling us about the new Sapphire 360 AR. Says it's even clearer but since the lens was already 99.5% clear how much real improvement is there?
So we start with the Varilux S and then the Varilux E and then the Varilux X with Xtenz?!?!?! I can't be the only one noticing this.
I received my x design today and I was unbelievably surprised! FYI I have been wearing the Id space from Hoya as every progressive that I have worn has fallen well short... Until now... Absolutely smooth transitioning up and down. I really am impressed at this point. My rx is only Plano +1.75 but I usually have a back vertex around 16 to 28 mm... I've used the compensated designs from the other pals and I did provide them with vtx and wrap for the x. If this lense preforms as well with my pt trials as mine we will definitely be selling this lense... Hate to feed essilor but I am over the top on this one. I'll post more when I get some pt feedback. Also, the sapphire 360 coating is huge improvement from previous sapphire... Very low residual color and didn't have to clean my but 1 time when I put them on. We get great pricing on Hoya and shamir lenses but like I said we will work this lense in fast once I get some more feedback. Interested on others take on this one
I have a theory that there are two Varilux development cycles, so they always have a lens coming out to give their Reps something to talk about. One makes amazing lenses (Physio series), one makes meh lenses (Panamic, Varilux S) If the X is as good as I am hearing, they have a reason to be flexing their muscles in the industry right now.
Chris they have a promotion going on this fall that if someone buys a Varilux X Transitions Crizal lens, they get ANOTHER lens completely paid for by Essilor. They are obviously confident in this lens design and extremely FLUSH with cash.
To be fair, the cost of what people are charging for Varilux X with Trans and Crizal should cover two pairs easily. It ain't cheap.
Have I told you today how much I hate poly?
Wonder why you feel the S is such garbage, but seem to believe the X isn't. It's cut on the same S design blank you realize, yes? The overall design of both series is quite similar according to several of the regional managers out this way we've had extended meetings with. At any rate, hardly enough difference to see one as terrible, and the other as magnificent it would seem.
Pete? Your thoughts on the same?
Well I don't think the S is garbage I just don't think its a better lens than the Physio design series (inluding W3). It seemed very T design like the IOT lenses I use a lot and Auto II. A bit harder design than the Physio.
As far as why I think the X won't be? I'm optimisitc? Not to mention that I can't remember the last time Varilux has stopped making a lens design, probably was the Old Comfort. They must really think the X is a huge step forward.
Again, it's cut on the same, S design blanks. So I really don't know how "revolutionary" it can be vs the S series. YMMV as always, but if you hated the S, it seems likely you will the X as well. Will be interested to hear your thoughts several months in. Anecdotally, we have yet to fit the X ourselves, but never had any issues with the S - whatsoever.
Disclaimer- Essilor Employee
A few observations...
As I've mentioned, my personal experience with Varilux X Series progressive lenses (I have four pair at this point) has been exceptionally positive. I also really like my Varilux S Series lenses, but the vision from arm's length in is dramatically better with the new design (for me, anyway). The 19 wearer studies (which included over 2,740 wearers worldwide) arrived at the same conclusion. Wearers found they need far fewer head movements and have dramatically improved vision from arm's length in.
As for designs being more or less similar, you can make a very wide range of designs from the same front surface (e.g., there are 100s of Full Back Surface designs created from the same spherical surfaces). The front surface used to create both Varilux S Series and Varilux X Series lenses has a profile that manages swim (normalizes magnification) across the lens surface- this feature is called Nanoptix Technology, and is shared by both designs. Both designs also feature W.A.V.E. Technology 2, and SynchronEyes Technology (which are both clinically proven to provide measurable wearer benefits). Xtend Technology is the feature exclusive to Varilux X Series lenses (and there are 15 new patents pending on the product, so it's not surprising that it would perform better than its predecessors :^).
Regarding the Varilux design team, I've met them on several occasions and- unless they have a second team hidden in a closet somewhere (and closets in France tend to be pretty tiny)- there's only one team. I enjoy being around them, because it gives me a break from being the biggest opti-geek in the room. These folks eat, drink, and sleep optics... studying progressive design and wearer perceptions is literally their livelihood, and they can be pretty darn passionate about it (when we met a couple years ago to start talking about Xtend Technology, they were very excited- now that I'm wearing the lenses, I can understand their enthusiasm).
The phrase I've adopted for Varilux X Series (which is totally non-official from an Essilor marketing standpoint :^) is "Try it, you'll like it!" (for those of us old enough to remember the Alka-Seltzer ad, I am in no way comparing the performance of these products :^).
Pete Hanlin, ABOM
Vice President Professional Services
Essilor of America
http://linkedin.com/in/pete-hanlin-72a3a74
Pete - you've sold me! If the X lenses will cure my gas and indigestion!
I'm intrigued to try the new design, and deeply appreciate your input to the discussion. You're the authority when it comes to the straight poop on the latest tech and the outlook of Essilor.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Bookmarks