eye health Archives

Looking Ahead At The Eyecare and Eyewear Trends for 2025

The world of eyewear and eyecare is constantly evolving. As we head into 2025, several exciting eyewear trends are emerging that will shape how we see and experience the world. ZEISS Vision Care, a leader in optical innovation, is here to provide insights into these trends, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve.

Sustainability Takes Center Stage

Patients are increasingly eco-conscious, seeking sustainable options in every aspect of their lives, including eyewear. Expect to see a rise in:

Eco-friendly materials: Frames made from recycled plastics, bio-based materials, and ethically sourced wood.

Durable designs: Eyewear built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Ethical manufacturing: Brands, like ZEISS, that prioritize fair labor practices and environmentally friendly production processes.

ZEISS is committed to sustainability. Our lenses are crafted with durability in mind, and we continuously explore new ways to minimize our environmental footprint. Sustainability is one of the key focus areas in upcoming eyewear trends.

Technology Integration Reaches New Heights

Prepare for eyewear that seamlessly integrates with our digital lives:

ZEISS SmartLife Lenses: Lenses are no longer one-size-fits-all designs. They are now personalized for every patient and are designed for their eyes, age and on-the-move, connected lifestyles. These are becoming prominent in eyewear trends.

Blue light filtering technology: Even more crucial as screen time increases, protecting our eyes from potentially harmful digital light.

The Metaverse Influences Eyewear Aesthetics

As the lines between the physical and digital worlds blur, eyewear will reflect this shift:

Bold and futuristic designs: Expect to see avant-garde shapes, vibrant colors, and statement-making frames among the new eyewear trends.

Virtual try-on experiences: Advanced technology, like the ZEISS VISUFIT 1000, allows patients to experiment with different styles virtually before purchasing.

Gaming-inspired eyewear: Specialized glasses optimized for immersive gaming experiences.

Focus on Holistic Eye Care

ZEISS Eyehealth — Eye Health And Care. Closeup Of Beautiful Woman Big Brown Eye And Eyebrow. Girl Eye Smooth Healthy Skin And Perfect Natural Makeup On White Background. High Resolution Image

Eye care will move beyond vision correction to encompass overall eye health:

Preventative eye care: Increased emphasis on regular eye exams and early detection of eye conditions.

Nutrition and lifestyle counseling: Understanding how diet and lifestyle impact eye health.

Advanced diagnostic tools: Cutting-edge technology, like the new ZEISS VISUCORE 500, enabling more precise and comprehensive eye exams.

The Teen Market Explodes

As reported in the Jobson Market Trend report, the teen eyewear market is booming. This demographic seeks: [1]

Trendy and expressive styles: Eyewear that allows them to showcase their individuality.
Affordable options: Meeting the needs of budget-conscious teens and their parents.
Specific Lens Designs: Lens designs for the vision needs and changing anatomy of kids, like ZEISS SmartLife Young Lenses.

ZEISS Vision offers a diverse range of lenses to suit the needs and style preferences of this growing market segment.

Lens Tints and Colors

Lens tints are no longer just about reducing glare; they’re a fashion statement and a functional tool:

Photochromic tints: Lenses that seamlessly transition from clear indoors to tinted outdoors, offering convenience and UV protection. ZEISS PhotoFusion X lenses are a great example.

Tints and polarization for specific activities: Specialized tints and/or polarization designed for enhancing contrast and visual clarity in different environments, such as sports or gaming (e.g., yellow for low-light conditions).

Fashion tints: Subtle or bold colors that add a touch of personality to eyewear, complementing different skin tones and styles. Think gradient tints or subtle pastel hues.

Frame Trends: A Blend of Classic and Contemporary

Frame styles are evolving, blending classic silhouettes with modern twists:

Thin metal frames: A resurgence of lightweight metal frames in classic shapes like aviators and round styles, often with a minimalist aesthetic.

Bold acetate frames: Thick, colorful acetate frames making a statement, with geometric shapes and vibrant colors.

Transparent and translucent frames: Frames in clear or subtly tinted materials, offering a modern and understated look. These are gaining popularity in eyewear trends.

Mixed materials: Combining materials like metal and acetate or wood and titanium for a unique and textured look.

Oversized frames: Continuing to be popular, oversized frames offer a bold and fashionable look in the realm of eyewear trends.

The future of eyewear and eyecare is bright, filled with innovation and exciting possibilities. ZEISS is dedicated to helping you navigate these trends, providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance vision and improve lives.

ZEISS supports eye care professionals with the latest diagnostic tools, lens technology, and educational resources, like our CE course “What is your PAL strategy? Designing a progressive portfolio,” to provide the best possible patient care. [1]

Visit our website to learn more about our innovative lens technologies and eyecare solutions.

Learn more about ZEISS Vision Experience Centers and how they can set the stage for your success.

Looking for an eye care professional that carries ZEISS?

Find one near you by visiting the ZEISS Practice Locator.

How to Create a Successful Back-to-School Campaign for Your Eye Care Practice

Back-to-school is a busy time for everyone, but it’s also a great opportunity for eye care professionals to reach new patients and remind existing patients about the importance of eye health and the impact of vision on learning. By creating a well-planned and executed back-to-school campaign, you can increase your patient base (even in a saturated marketplace), boost your revenue, and help ensure that your patients have the best possible vision for the school year ahead.

What to Include in Your Back-to-School Campaign

Some of the most important elements include:

Campaign Goal: What is the goal of your campaign? To increase the number of patients who schedule an eye exam before the start of the school year? Or perhaps to gain community awareness or to become a KOL (key opinion leader) in your school district?

Target Audience: This can be parents of school-aged children or it might be teachers or school admin.

Campaign Message: Your messaging should remain consistent throughout your campaign. One example would be: Healthy vision is essential for success in school. A comprehensive eye exam can detect vision problems that could be affecting your child’s learning, and it can also help to identify any underlying health conditions. Schedule an eye exam today to ensure that your child has the best possible vision for the school year.

Campaign Timeline: Your campaign should run anywhere from 4-8 weeks, beginning a month or two before school starts and ending after school begins. This will give parents plenty of time to schedule an eye exam before the start of the school year.

Campaign Budget: The cost of the campaign will vary depending on the tactics that you use. You may need to spend money on advertising or if you pay someone to create ads and social media posts.

Campaign Evaluation: The success of the campaign can be measured by the number of patients who schedule an eye exam. You can track the number of appointments by using your practice management system.

Campaign Tactics

A marketing tactic is a specific action you will take to execute your campaign. Some ideas might be:

Incentives: Try offering incentives to students and their families to make an appointment. This is a great way to get new patients into your practice and to make sure that your existing patients have up-to-date eye exams. This can be a freebie, discount, or service.

Email marketing: Send an email to parents of school-aged children reminding them of the importance of back-to-school eye exams. Include information about the benefits of eye exams, as well as a link to schedule an appointment.

Social media marketing: Post on social media about the importance of back-to-school eye exams. Use eye-catching images and videos to capture attention or link to an interesting article that parents can relate to, and be sure to include a call to action that encourages people to schedule an appointment.

Print advertising: Place ads in local newspapers and magazines that target parents of school-aged children. The ads should highlight the importance of back-to-school eye exams and include a call to action that encourages people to schedule an appointment.

Direct mail: Send out direct mail pieces to parents. The pieces should include information about the importance of back-to-school eye exams, as well as a coupon code for a discount or incentive.

How to Promote Your Back-to-School Campaign

Once you’ve created your back-to-school campaign, you need to promote it so that people know about it. Some of the best ways to promote your campaign include:

Your website: Make sure to include information about your back-to-school campaign on your website. This will make it easy for potential patients to find out about your offers and to schedule an appointment. This can easily be done with a pop-up or banner on your website.

Social media: Use social media to promote your back-to-school campaign. Share posts about your offers, education, and promotions on your social media channels. You can boost these with as little as $1/day to your target zip codes so more people see them. If you want to go deeper, you can create an ad campaign targeted to your demographic and location.

Email marketing: Send out an email blast to your email list about your back-to-school campaign. This is a great way to reach out to existing patients and to remind them about your offers. Consider offering an incentive for people that share your information with others.

Direct mail: Send out direct mail pieces to your community about your back-to-school campaign. This is a great way to reach new potential patients. Try adding a promotion that encourages them to make an appointment and to bring in the mailer for a free product or service.

School and community events: Visit local schools or volunteer at a community event to talk to students and their families about the importance of eye health and vision care. This is a great way to get the word out about your back-to-school campaign and to generate interest in your practice. You can provide a free eye screening at the event to demonstrate the need for eye exams.

FAQs

Q: What is the best time to start planning a back-to-school campaign?

A: The best time to start planning a back-to-school campaign is in the spring. This will give you plenty of time to develop your campaign, promote it, and get ready for the influx of patients.

Q: What are some common mistakes that eye care professionals make when planning a back-to-school campaign?

A: Some common mistakes that eye care professionals make when planning a back-to-school campaign include:

Not starting planning early enough.
Not promoting their campaign effectively.
Not offering incentives.
Not providing enough education about the importance of eye health and vision care.

Q: How can I track the success of my back-to-school campaign?

A: There are a number of ways to track the success of your back-to-school campaign. Some of the most common ways to track success include:

Tracking the number of new patients who schedule appointments.
Tracking the number of patients who purchase eyewear or contact lenses.
Tracking the number of patients who share information about your campaign on social media.
Tracking the number of patients who leave positive reviews about your practice.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can create a successful back-to-school campaign that will help you increase your patient base, boost your revenue, and help ensure that your patients have the best possible vision for the school year ahead.

Are you an eye care professional? Find out more about working with ZEISS.

ZEISS makes lens ordering easy for customers with ZEISS VISUSTORE.

If you’re a patient, you can locate a great eye care professional that carries ZEISS products near you.

10 Resolutions for Healthy (and Happy) Eyesight

It’s the time of year again when we start to make about our resolutions for healthy living. Wouldn’t it be great if this resolution could help protect your eyesight? Well, in fact, healthy vision is one of the most important things you can do to be healthy and happy! That’s why today we’re going to share with you 10 eye-healthy resolutions that will not only improve your health but also make you feel better all around.

Why healthy vision is so important

There are many reasons why healthy vision is so important. Healthy eyesight allows us to see the world around us, enables us to work and earn a living, and helps us to connect with our loved ones. In addition, healthy vision is necessary for many everyday activities, such as reading, cooking, and driving and is critical for overall well-being. When we can’t see clearly, it can be difficult to participate and enjoy life in its entirety.

Get an eye exam and make sure you’re wearing the right glasses

Comprehensive annual eye exams are of the utmost important in preventing and diagnosing vision problems. During your exam, your optometrist will check for common eye diseases and conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. They will also test how well you see both close-up and far away.

It’s often easier to prevent than to treat an eye disease, so be sure to get your annual check-up.

If you already wear glasses or contacts, be sure to bring them with you to your appointment. Even if you don’t need glasses now, chances are that this will change as you age. Make sure that the glasses or contacts that you do wear fit comfortably and allow for clear vision without any issues such as blurring, double vision, or headaches.

If you don’t have an eye doctor, we can help you find one in your area. The ZEISS Online Vision Screening examines vision in five different tests and thus provides an initial indication of how sharp vision, color, and contrast perception are.

Give your eyes a break from digital screens

Most of us view digital devices throughout the day

We all know that staring at a computer screen, phone, or TV for too long isn’t good for our eyes. But what many of us don’t realize is just how bad it can be. When we stare at a digital screen, we’re constantly blinking which dries out our eyes and causes eye fatigue. This can lead to headaches, blurry vision, and even dry or irritated eyes.

To avoid this kind of eye strain, try taking a break from digital screens every 30 minutes by looking at an object that’s about 20 feet away for around 30 seconds. This will allow your eyes to rest while still being functional in case you need them quickly! In addition, make sure that the light from your digital devices isn’t too bright. The brightness of a screen should never be above its surroundings, such as streetlights or lamp posts!

Protect your eyes from blue light

Most of us know that UV light is bad for our eyes, but we might not realize just how potentially damaging blue light can be. Blue light has been linked to a number of serious eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts. In fact, it’s estimated that 80% of people with healthy vision will develop some form of cataracts by the time they’re 80-years old.

Luckily, you can protect your eyes from blue light in just a few simple steps! When indoors, make sure that you’re not looking at a computer, phone, or TV screen without wearing eyeglasses with blue light protection, such as ZEISS BlueGuard. At night (when our bodies produce melatonin to help us sleep), avoid using your evening electronics as much as possible and don’t forget to turn off those bright overhead lights! When outdoors make sure to protect your eyes by either wearing sunglasses with full UV protection or ZEISS clear lenses, which all have sunglass-level UV protection.

Eat healthy foods for better eye health

One of the most important things you can do for healthy vision is to eat healthy foods. Foods that are high in vitamins and minerals, such as leafy green vegetables and fruits, are essential for keeping your eyes healthy.

Some nutrients that are especially important for healthy vision include Vitamin A, vitamin C, and zinc. These nutrients play multiple roles in the functioning of your eyes such as helping to protect cells from damage (including retinal nerve cells), preventing inflammation, and supporting healthy night-vision.

Here’s a tip! Eat more blueberries! Blueberries get their deep color from a pigment called anthocyanin. Studies show pigment has been shown to help protect the eyes from damage caused by UV and blue light, as well as improve night vision.

Drink plenty of water to keep your eyes hydrated

Did you know our eyes are approximately 80% water? Well, they are! Water is important for our whole bodies to function properly, and it’s especially vital when you’re trying to protect your vision.

Water helps lubricate the cornea (the clear membrane in front of your eye), keeps tear film healthy, and washes away debris. When our bodies are dehydrated, it can cause a number of problems including dry eyes and eye fatigue. In fact, it’s recommended that we drink around eight glasses of water per day!

If you’re having trouble remembering to drink enough water, try using a reusable water bottle with a built-in reminder. These bottles will alert you when it’s time to drink more water and can help ensure that your eyes stay healthy!

Exercise regularly, which can help prevent or delay age-related vision loss

Exercise is good for your body, including your eyes

Did you know that exercise can help prevent or delay age-related vision loss? It’s true!

One study showed that people who exercised regularly had a reduced risk by 70% in developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) than those who didn’t. And, if they did develop ARMD, the progression of the disease was slower than in inactive people.

Some of the best exercises for healthy eyes are aerobic, which include walking, jogging, swimming and biking. These types of activities help to improve blood flow throughout your body including your eyes! So pick up that water bottle or gym bag and start exercising today!

You can exercise your eyes too.

Just like the rest of our body, our eyes need exercise to stay healthy. This can be done by doing some simple eye exercises a few times a day. Here are a few of our favorites:

– Look up and down, then left to right

– Focus on an object far away for a few seconds, then focus on an object close by

– Roll your eyes in a circle (clockwise and counter clockwise)

– Close your eyes as tightly as you can for five seconds, then release

– Blink quickly 20 times

Sit up straight when you work at a computer – this will reduce eyestrain and fatigue

Maintaining healthy eyesight is even more important when you’re staring at a computer screen for hours on end. As we all know too well, poor posture can lead to lots of problems including neck pain or backaches. It’s also terrible for healthy vision because it places a lot of stress on the eyes.

One easy way to reduce eyestrain and fatigue when you’re working at a computer is to sit up straight with your shoulders back. You may also want to consider using a glare-reducing screen protector or anti-glare glasses. And, lastly, make sure to take breaks every 20 minutes to give your eyes a rest.

When we spend long periods of time focusing on small fonts and images, our vision can become strained and fatigued as the muscles in our eyes tire out from constantly working to focus on these objects. This type of eyestrain is called Computer Vision Syndrome, and it is a serious problem.

In fact, computer vision syndrome has become so common that it affects up to 90% of the people who spend three hours or more per day at a computer! To help reduce symptoms of this condition, make sure you take regular breaks from your screen as well as focusing on larger objects

If you suffer from dry eye, treatment can help with overall vision.

Dry eye affects nearly 30 million Americans each year, and can cause various symptoms including pain or irritation in the eyes. It occurs when your tears are not healthy enough to lubricate your eye properly, which leaves them feeling dry and irritated.

The symptoms of dry eye don’t always feel like dryness. Sometimes they are more like blurriness, stinging, burning, or tearing. And, unfortunately, this condition does not always go away on its own.

If you suffer from chronic dry eyes, there is good news! There are a number of treatment options available for people with dry eyes. They include: warm compresses, eye drops or ointments that add moisture to the eye, and healthy lifestyle changes such as blinking more often and avoiding high temperatures. Additionally there are in-office treatments and prescription medications that can help. So talk to your eye doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Protect your eyes from UV damage

Your eyes are as susceptible to UV damage as your skin.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause serious damage to your eyes, and increase the risk of developing macular degeneration, cataracts and other eye problems over time. UV exposure also increases a person’s chance for skin cancer on their eyelids as well as wrinkles around the eyes, which is why it is so important to protect your eyes from UV rays.

The best way to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays is to either wear sunglasses that have both UVA and UVB protection or eyeglasses that have sunglass-level UV protection as part of the lens material, such as ZEISS UVProtect Lenses.

Make sure you have adequate lighting when you’re reading

If you often find yourself straining to see the words on a page, it may be because you’re not getting enough light. When we read, our eyes should be focused on an object about 18 inches away from us. If there is not enough light in the room, our eyes have to work harder to focus and this can lead to eyestrain and make it harder for us to read.

In order to reduce strain when you’re reading, make sure there is a good light source keeping the area bright enough so that your eyes don’t have to work too hard. Try using natural lighting from a window or lamp with an incandescent bulb, as they provide more light than a fluorescent bulb.

If you’re reading in the dark, try using a book light or clip-on light to help direct more light towards the page.

Start with an eye exam

Even if you don’t have any symptoms of an eye problem, it is important to get your eyes checked by an eye doctor at least once a year. This is because many eye problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma, do not have any symptoms until they are quite advanced. So schedule your yearly eye exam today and start the new year off with healthy eyes! Find an eye doctor near you here.

ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses: Where Innovation Meets Comfort

The Next Generation of Blue Light Blocking Lenses

ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses are the latest innovation in blue light eye protection, providing comfortable vision and excellent clarity and aesthetics, while blocking up to 40% of blue light.

Research has shown that we spend nearly 8 hours a day in front of digital screens which creates new challenges for our eyes. ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses are manufactured using the latest organic-chemical technology and can provide protection against digital eyestrain and potential UV damage to one’s eyes.

The Dualism of Blue Light

The human eye evolved under sunlight, the most natural source of blue light. But LEDs and digital devices are a significant contributor to eyestrain and even more so when exposed to artificial or digital sources of blue light.

Artificial, blue light-generating devices are everywhere. Blue light can have both positive and negative effects on our eyes – increased exposure to blue light may have an impact on eye health. It is scientifically accepted that blue light has both positive and negative effects on our vision, mood and sleep.

The visible light range for the human eye is between 380 and 780 nm. The blue light band, between 380 and 500 nm, is an essential part of the spectrum that is relevant for proper vision performance and some physiological processes.

Recent reports* suggest minimizing the generation of blue light up to 455 nm and maximizing longer wavelengths to avoid interfering with the circadian rhythm and other functions. Consequently, ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses were designed to partially block blue light between 400 and 455 nm but allow transmission of longer wavelengths.

Google searches show people are actively looking for solutions to digital eyestrain. Now more than ever, consumers are seeking products that offer blue light protection because they are worried about the impact on their health and sleep.

It’s a Lens Design not a Lens Coating

As more people spend extended hours in virtual meetings, the demand for blue blocking lenses have increased. The prominent blue-purple reflections from blue light coatings are increasingly apparent and can affect a person’s appearance.

Due to the integrated design of ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses, they produce up to 50% less visible blue light reflections of digital blue light compared to blue light coatings when used with ZEISS DuraVision Platinum UV antireflective coating. The result is blue light protection, full UV blocking, comfortable vision, excellent lens clarity and superb aesthetics.

Blue Light and Digital Eye Strain

Many people today experience digital eye strain as they spend hours at screens. DES symptoms include: glare/dazzle, discomfort, blurred vision, accommodation stress and dysfunction, fixation disparity, pain in or around the eyes, dryness and eye fatigue.[1], [2]

Blue light is thought to potentially contribute to digital eye strain, causing symptoms like blurred vision and tired eyes.[3] When blue light reaches the eye, it enters through the ocular media and travels to the retina where it may induce opto-physical effects.

The ZEISS BlueGuard Solution

ZEISS lenses protect against blue light and UV radiation. These two properties are combined into the all-new ZEISS BlueGuard Lens.

ZEISS BlueGuard is a single solution that combats the potential negative effects of blue light while providing eye protection from UV. It blocks up to 40% of the blueviolet spectrum[4], 400 to 455 nm, while transmitting beneficial wavelengths, 455 to 500 nm. By blocking blue light in the material, ZEISS BlueGuard reduces digital blue light reflections up to 50% compared to typical blue light coatings.[5]

ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses not only block out potentially harmful blue light, they also provide full UV protection, shielding your eyes against harmful UV radiation up to 400 nm.

ZEISS BlueGuard is available in all common plastic lenses with indexes 1.50 to 1.74.

You’ve surely had experience with blue light blocking glasses. ZEISS BlueGuard lenses are the next step in blue light blocking technology. These glasses are designed specifically to block blue light and UV while preserving the aesthetics of normal glasses, especially while online.

Click here to learn more about ZEISS BlueGuard

If you want to learn more about how these lenses will fit into your practice we will have your ZEISS Business Development Representative reach out to you.

Click here to be contacted by a representative

Let us know what you think-we can’t wait to hear from you!

References

[1] Rosenfield M. (2011). Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt., (5):502-15.

[2] Sheppard A.L., Wolffsohn J.S. (2018). Digital eye strain: prevalence, measurement and amelioration BMJ Open Ophthalmology, BMJ Journals

[3] Coles-Brennan C., Sulley A., Young G. (2019). Management of Digital Eyestrain. Clin Exp Optom, 102(1):18-29.

[4] Inhouse measurements and calculations based on the BVB (Blue-Violet-Block) metric. Analyses by Technology and Innovation, ZEISS Vision Care, DE 2020. *while blocking up to 40% of blue light.

[5] Inhouse measurements and calculations based on the DBRLED (Digital Blue
Light Reflection) metric. Analyses by Technology and Innovation, ZEISS
Vision Care, DE 2020. *Due to the integrated design of ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses, they produce up to 50%**less visible blue light.

Pre-Visit App for Eye Care Professionals

Customer Partnership

ZEISS Pre Visit Prep App

Improve capture rate and speed up the dispensing process.

What is the Pre Visit Prep App?

A short 2-minute quiz that can help recommend eyeglass lens solutions to fit your patients’ lifestyles. These recommendations can then be discussed with the eye care professional during the next visit. These recommendations includes lenses, AR coatings and second pair sunglass options customized for their personal needs.

The Pre Visit Prep quiz will show you what challenges your eyes face everyday and which lens solutions from ZEISS can help overcome them.

How do I use it?

It’s easy! Simply embed the quiz on your website to effortlessly enrich the online experience. It will then be viewable on your website to help you educate patients, speed up the lens selection process and drive more traffic to your business.

To add the embed code in your website, follow these
simple steps:

1. Locate the section of your web page where you want
the app to appear.

a. We recommend displaying it your Home page, which is usually named “default” or “index.”

b. We recommend placing the app within the widest body section of your website, rather than a narrow side rail on the right side of the screen.

c. The code must be placed after the <body> tag and before the </body> of your website. The code cannot be placed in the <head> section.

Instructions

1. Copy and paste the following iframe into your HTML code: <iframe width=”600” height=”300” src=”MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from
“eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com” claiming to be MailScanner has detected a possible fraud attempt from “eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com” claiming to be
https://previsitprep.com/”></iframe>

2. You can modify the Width and Height dimensions, to ensure the app aligns with your site layout. However, we recommend that you use the 600×300 dimensions.

3. Save the file that you made the changes to.

Now it’s time to let your patient know.

Share it via social media, email, text, or newsletter to drive people to your site and to help them understand which lenses are right for their lifestyle BEFORE they visit you.

Learn more or take the quiz now at ZEISS.com/patientprep or contact your
ZEISS representative.

The science and fashion behind National Sunglasses Day

Industry News

June 27 is National Sunglasses Day, and it’s a great opportunity to remind patients how important it is to protect your eyes as vigilantly as you protect your skin. And with the variety of ZEISS lenses that offer UV protection, you can really express your personal style.

Eyewear stylist and influencer Alana Whitaker, known as @californiaglassesgirl on Instagram, recently put ZEISS mirror lenses in two of her WOOW frames, and we think they look great.

But there’s more to sunglasses than how great they look. What’s the science behind UV protection? And how can you be sure that your sunglasses are protecting you? Here’s an overview.

UV rays from the sun can cause short-term and long-term damage to both the eye and its surrounding tissue (known to doctors as the external ocular adnexa). Short-term damage comes from UV-B rays primarily, and includes corneal burns (photokeratitis), conjunctivitis, and sunburned eyelids. UV-A rays (320-400 nanometers) can be attributed to long-term problems such as cataracts, photoaging, and even skin cancer. These rays penetrate the deepest into the skin and eyes. To protect your eyes as well as you can, it is important to select eyewear with UV protection which covers the entire UV spectrum up to 400 nm.

Fortunately, ZEISS has the broadest offering of UV400 protection for the eyes on the market. For patients who want full UV protection and reduced glare, ZEISS has a wide range of prescription sunglass tints, gradients, polarized lenses, and mirror options. There is even a quick quiz to help guide your patients into the best outdoor lens option to suit their lifestyle, the Sunlens Type Test.

ZEISS also has a wide range of self-tinting lenses for patients who want the convenience of having one pair of glasses which have clear lenses indoors and a sunglass tint outdoors. ZEISS PhotoFusion lenses adapt very quickly to changing light conditions, come in 5 color options, and offer full UV protection up to 400nm.

But that’s not all. Since April 2018, ZEISS has had the most astounding offer yet for patients wanting full UV protection. All ZEISS clear lenses now come with sunglass level UV protection in all materials. That means full UV protection is now available to all eyeglass wearers – as long as their lenses are from ZEISS.

ZEISS truly has you covered – and protected from UV.

Find out more:

Keep It Sunny: Raising UV Awareness with a Chatbot

ZEISS Advancements

2018 has been the breakout year for chatbots. Just two short years ago, most of the world hadn’t heard of them. Now there are well over 100,000 just on Facebook Messenger alone. They’re catching on quick, and already more than 20% of consumers prefer chatbots as the easiest way to contact a business, beating phone calls, emails, and websites.

“By 2020, 80% of business will have some sort of chatbot automation in place.”—Business Insider, 2016

That’s less than two years away!

Creating a unique, user-driven, interactive customer service experience is something most companies strive for, right? Well, that’s really difficult to do 24/7, unless you employ chatbots. And ZEISS is known for being a trend-setting technology and precision company, so it was time to place our trust in technology yet again and give chatbots a try.

Sunny the UV Chatbot was launched within Facebook Messenger in April 2018 to support the launch of the popular ZEISS UVProtect lens technology, and bring awareness of the need to protect eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) light. Sunny is the first chatbot to be released in the eyeglass lens market. Its purpose is to provide information about UVProtect lenses while educating consumers about UV and its potential to harm our eyes. People can chat with Sunny the UV Chatbot anytime of the day, whenever it’s convenient for them.

It was important to make sure Sunny met the needs of our customers, so it was designed to be both informative and funny with a witty personality. The first question Sunny will ask you is if you’d like your UV Index for the day. Reminding people to consider their daily UV environment and how to best protect themselves is an essential first step to increasing awareness.

Sunny also offers a UV risk assessment so that people understand their risk, not just to their skin, but to their eyes as well.

Think you already know a lot about UV? Well, take Sunny’s fun quiz and find out if you’re right!

Sold on the need for ZEISS UVProtect lenses? Just ask Sunny to find a ZEISS eye care practice near you and you’ll be on your way to having the best protection around.

Want to see for yourself? Open Facebook Messenger and search for Sunny the UV Chatbot by name, or click this link: bit.ly/SunnyUV.

Engaging consumers where they prefer to be served is a crucial step in reaching the ZEISS goal of building awareness about the risk of UV damage to our eyes. Sunny the UV Chatbot is a step in the right direction in effectively engaging with our customers and their patients.