EYES on Varilux XR – AI Powered Lenses

When it comes to subjects we never thought we’d be writing about, varifocal lenses powered by artificial intelligence was fairly high on the list.

Admittedly slightly below the idea that Jez will break all ties with rock and roll and ban all things yellow from the shop… but still high on the list.

In that we believe in stocking the most innovative frames we can find; it makes sense that we offer the best possible lenses too.  When Essilor came to us with their new Varilux XR series, we were impressed.  Really impressed. 

‘Oh yes, they’ve been developed using AI’ piqued our curiosity though.  How can AI be used for such individual needs when it comes to the variations in eye physiology and prescription?

The answer to this is examining our behaviour – which is where AI comes in.  Our eyes make about 100,000 movements a day and our working and communication styles have evolved over time, many of those are between the ‘outside’ world and screens.

Whether that’s from your satnav to the road, your computer to a colleague or your watch notifications back to your run, you need sharp vision throughout these movements – fast.

A large piece of research using a blend of wearer tests, postural analysis and AI has enabled Essilor to create the Varilux XR series that gives that clarity of vision – to such an extent that 95% of wearers reported that they adapted to them on the first day of trying them.  We’d normally expect this to take 3 days to a week!

This rather funky graphic explains the range of vision that these new lenses provide vs other premium varifocal lenses.  The innovation that means we can even see this mapping is why we love being in the optical industry – things are always changing.

These lenses can be made even better by adding a variety of coatings (and not just one) protecting them against smudges, scratches and dust and you against UVA & UVB rays, driving glare at night, reflections during the day and blue light from screens and your phone.

Add in the transitions range (in all 7 available colours) and you’ve got the most amazing glasses that adapt to the light levels as well as enabling those wearing them to keep up with the speed of the information that they’re processing throughout each day.

Curious as to how they might be better than your current varifocals?  Or whether this technology means that you might actually ‘get on’ with varifocals… pop in for a chat.  We guarantee that no AI will be involved in your consultation – just solid experience, real people and a definite splash of yellow.