New policy from Essilor Lab re: overtinting polarized and Transitions

[drk]

*NEW TINTING POLICY FOR POLARIZED AND TRANSITIONS® LENSES*

August 19, 2022

Dear Valued Customer,

Our primary goal has always been to provide the highest quality eyewear while still accommodating the requests of your patients.

As you may be aware, some managed care providers have prohibited the use of tint over top of polarized and Transitions lenses due to potential film damage, performance impacts and patient safety concerns.
Regarding Transitions lenses, with the use of tintable hard coats, any subsequent tinting of the lens may adversely affect its performance characteristics, including but not limited to the photochromic performance and color/hue. The same can be true for polarized lenses.

Going forward, beginning Monday, August 22^nd, 2022, xxxxxx will no longer be tinting over polarized or Transitions lenses. Any order currently in process will be completed as originally requested.
There are many products available which will provide your patients with a wide variety of polarized and Transitions lens choices. We have provided quick links to our website (below) so you may browse available polarized and Transitions lens options. Our customer service team is always available to help with recommendations as well.

• KBCo Polarized Lenses:
• Transitions Style Colors/Mirrors:
  
  
• Essilor & Xperio Sunwear Colors:
  
  
• Younger NuPolar Gradient lenses: https://www.nupolargradient.com/

[Uncle Fester]

...

[Uncle Fester]

I will just tell the truth about the risk and if something goes wrong the patient is SOL.

I have some that will take that risk as this is a relatively rare request in polarized plastic lenses. I'm not a fan of doing this in other materials.

I can't recall a photochromic request for tint.

fwiw- I worked with early Polaroid made lenses in CR-39 and grooving them without separation on my LOGO groover was a real problem that took a few years for Polaroid to resolve.

Look who had this question almost 10 years ago!!!

https://www.optiboard.com/forums/sho...e-delamination

[mervinek]

I have tinted many many many polarized lenses in the past. Never had a problem. Does that mean I will do that now, meh, probably not. But it's not because it can't be done. As Fester said... just tell the truth about the risks and warranty issue.

[jefe]

It's another reason not to give your business to an Essilor lab.

[AngeHamm]

I've seen many labs, Essilor and non, adopt the same policy.

[KrystleClear]

They probably just don't want to provide warranty replacements if and when the lens starts splitting or peeling. I get it, but I wish they could just say no warranty and still let people order them. We all have that occasional patient who wants extremely dark sunglasses. As long as we warn them of the safety risk and make them aware that tinting over transitions/polarized voids the lens warranty, then, why not? I also guess they are worried about lawsuits. I generally try to talk my patients out of this but if someone was absolutely dead set I'd have them sign something acknowledging the risks and voided warranty and go ahead and do it.