5 Eyewear Trends for 2022: Matching the Right Frames and Lenses to your Patients’ Needs

The eyewear industry has seen a lot of changes over the past few years, and it seems like 2022 will be no different. So let’s take a look at what eyeglass frames and eyeglass lenses are popular in 2022! The eyewear trends that you should keep an eye out for are: rimless eyeglasses, cat-eye frames, wrap-around sunglasses, marbled eyewear, and geometric frames.

Eyeglass frame and lens combinations to keep an eye on this year.

Rimless eyeglasses with titanium frames

Perfect for patients who want a sophisticated and modern look, without the distraction of frames on their face. Rimless eyeglasses also tend to be very lightweight, which is great if they wear glasses all day long. Titanium is incredibly durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear, making them perfect for people who are hard on their eyewear.

For the finest style and vision combination, combine it with ZEISS SmartLife progressive or single vision lenses.

Cat-eye frames with blue light blocking lenses

Cat-eye frames are making a comeback in 2022, and it didn’t hurt that they looked fabulous on Cruella. They’re perfect for people who want a retro look. Cat-eye eyeglasses are also very flattering on most face shapes.

If your patients are like the rest of the world, they’re probably staring at a computer or phone for most of their day. For a fashionable and healthy pair of glasses, add blue-light blocking lenses to their cat-eye sunglasses. ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses block blue light with less unsightly blue glare.

Wrap-around Sunglasses

If your patients are looking for eyewear that can protect their eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays, wrap-around sunglasses are the way to go. Besides being stylish, as seen here in the Matrix, they provide more UV protection for the sides of their face and also shield their eyes from wind and debris.

Luxury, style, and vision come together in this exquisite pair of prescription sunglasses when paired with a high-quality pair of sun lenses that provide 100% UV protection, scratch resistance, and anti-glare coating.

Marbled eyewear with self-tinting lenses

If your patients are looking for eyeglass frames that are uniquely theirs, check out marbled eyeglasses like these. They come in a variety of colors and can be customized to any preference. If you want to add some color or dimension to the eyeglasses, these unique glasses should definitely be on your radar!

These glasses can be used in a wide range of light conditions, thanks to the addition of self-tinting lenses like these, without sacrificing style.

Geometric frames with digital lenses

The 70s-inspired frame shapes, like these, with a hipster twist are back in style. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, such as rounds, rectangles, ovals, and squares, so you can find the perfect pair for any face shape and style.

Digital lenses are designed for patients in the 25-45 age range who frequently use their mobile phones and tablets. Designed for all-day wear, digital lenses are ideal for patients who are constantly on their phones or computers. They help to reduce eye strain and fatigue by providing a wide, clear distance zone with a comfortable near zone for stress-free viewing of digital screens.

Find the pair that works best for you

So, which eyeglass frame and lens combination will you reach for in 2022? Whichever you decide, make sure that it provides the best protection and style for your patients’ individual needs. Additionally, all of the lenses should include sunglass-level UV protection, which all clear ZEISS lenses have.

Are you an eye doctor and want to learn more about ZEISS partnership? Click here.

Are you a patient and would like to find an eye doctor near you with these types of lenses and frames click here.

10 Resolutions for Healthy (and Happy) Eyesight

Here’s to healthy vision in 2022.

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

Hydrate all day for optimal health

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

Improve posture so it becomes a habit

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.

Celebrating 175 Years in Optics: From Curiosity to Innovation

This year, ZEISS celebrates its 175th year in business. A historic milestone and a rich legacy unmatched in the vision care industry. Since the early days when Carl Zeiss created his first microscope, ZEISS has played a leading role in advancing the field of optics. From pioneering surgical microscopes and slit lamps, to developing optical glass and precision eyeglass lenses featuring point-focal imagery, ZEISS has always been at the forefront of optics. ZEISS continues to pursue innovations that change the world and make a difference for the people that live in it. But how did this story begin and how did ZEISS become the global company it is today?

The first steps

On November 17, 1846, German entrepreneur and university mechanic Carl Zeiss opened a small workshop in the German city of Jena where he would work on precision mechanics and optics. One of this workshop’s first products was a microscope, which was praised for its superior imaging properties.

In 1853, Carl Zeiss invented an improved microscope that he called “the wonder of Jena”. It had twice the magnification power of other microscopes and provided a higher level of detailed observation by using transmitted light. Such an advanced device made many new scientific discoveries possible and would later be called the compound microscope.

The Wonder of Jena

But it would take a collaboration with physicist and mathematician Ernst Abbe in the mid-1860s to transform this small, specialty business into a large-scale commercial enterprise. Through a unique combination of scientific excellence and manufacturing expertise, ZEISS would grow to become a globally recognized brand name synonymous with excellence in optics.

A formula for better vision

In 1873, the young scientist and professor at Jena University, Ernst Abbe, discovered the now-famous optical formula, called the Abbe Sine Condition. This is one of the essential properties that a lens must have to produce a sharp image with significantly reduced distortion, aberrations, and imaging artefacts. Even today, the Abbe Sine Condition must be fulfilled by all high-performance lenses in order for them to produce sharp and crisp images.

Abbe Sine Condition

Another key contributor to the company’s dynamic growth was glass chemist Otto Schott (1855-1940), a glassmaker’s son. Together with Carl Zeiss and Ernst Abbe, he founded the company which is now SCHOTT, a high-tech materials producer renowned the world over for its specialty glass.

Otto Schott

Otto Schott produced exceptional optical glass with novel properties. In 1879, he offered a sample to Abbe, which sparked a collaboration that resulted in the creation of Glaswerk Schott & Genossen, a factory that began operations in September 1884.

The high quality of the new optical glass helped make Abbe’s theory applicable in all ZEISS instruments from that point onwards. The combination of scientific rigor with entrepreneurial know-how proved to be the first leap in a future full of technological breakthroughs.

The company later developed the first camera with a photographic objective lens, which was patented as an “objective for optical instruments” in 1891.

The ZEISS Foundation is established.

In 1889, shortly after the death of his business partner Carl Zeiss, Ernst Abbe created the Carl Zeiss Foundation to honor his late friend. The Foundation’s charter would include the promotion of science and the advancement of optical research and education. Over 125 years after its creation, the Carl Zeiss Foundation continues to be one of Germany’s largest and oldest science foundations.

Today, the Foundation is the sole shareholder of Carl Zeiss AG and the Schott AG glass companies, making for a unique ownership structure with no shareholders. In fact, the Foundation has become a model for similar ownership structures with long-term outlooks.

A company unlike any other

As a foundation-owned business, ZEISS is dedicated to sustainability as laid down in the original 1889 Carl Zeiss Foundation charter. Responsibility is at the core of the corporate identity, and it drives company initiatives such as providing access to eye care services in underserved communities and supporting educational opportunities across the field of optics. Of course, today, corporate responsibility has to include activities for climate protection. As an example ZEISS plans to be 100% carbon neutral in power consumption by 2022 and in all other activities by 2025.

ALOKA Vision Program

One recent example ZEISS’ support is Aloka as a social business. The program offers vision exams and eyeglasses in underserved regions in developing countries.  Through Aloka, ZEISS provides up to 20,000 patients per month with quality eye and vision care. Click here to learn more.

To find out more about what the ZEISS Foundation click here.

The Path of Progress is Never-Ending

Back in the 1960s, ZEISS partnered with NASA’s space program to capture and immortalize what remains one of mankind’s greatest accomplishment – the first moon landing. Throughout the Gemini, Mercury, and Apollo missions, specially designed ZEISS lenses were used to create iconic images that graced the covers of magazines around the world and inspired millions. Furthermore, the lenses employed throughout the space mission became the basis for today’s advanced optics, for example in the field of cinematography and lithography.

It’s almost impossible to overstate the role and many contributions of ZEISS technologies in modern science. For example, the Nobel Prize-winning researchers like Robert Koch, the discoverer of the bacteria responsible for tuberculosis, and Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard, whose research gave insights into the mechanisms of early embryonic development, have all worked with ZEISS microscopes. Other notable researchers include Rudolf Virchow (1821–1902), the German pathologist known as “the father of modern pathology” and as the founder of social medicine. More information about Nobel laureates who worked with ZEISS can be found here.

Beginning in 1900, Swedish ophthalmologist and 1911 Nobel Laureate for Medicine, Dr. Allvar Gullstrand started a collaboration with Moritz von Rohr, the head of development at ZEISS. Their work together resulted in the creation of the slit lamp, Katral lenses, Punktal lenses, and eventually in the establishment of both Vision Care and the Medical businesses at ZEISS in 1912.

The earliest model of the slit lamp, known as the Nerst Slit Lamp, was the first instrument to feature slit illumination, and is now a permanent fixture at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Nerst Slit Lamp

Meanwhile, the ZEISS “SL” microscope became an indispensable tool in ophthalmology, dermatology, and gynecology as the first clinically applicable technology that allowed for diagnostic procedures on patients, even those under local anesthesia.

Unlike any other lens of its era, ZEISS Punktal, the world’s first precision eyeglass lens with point-focal images that deliver razor-sharp vision into the periphery for the moving eye, was another revolutionary result of their collaboration. The first generation of Punktal lenses changed the world of eyeglasses lenses forever.

ZEISS Punktal Lenses

To develop innovative ophthalmo-technology for the benefit of patients worldwide is the core of our company’s activities, as it has been since Carl Zeiss founded his optical workshop in 1846.

Michael Kaschke, President and CEO (2013-2020), ZEISS Group

Yesterday’s innovations have led to today’s scientific breakthroughs

As ZEISS celebrates 175 years since its founding, the company is looking ahead to a future filled with breakthrough research and innovations that will change how we see our world.

The development of the OPMI 1, first introduced in 1953 and regarded as the precursor of contemporary surgical microscopes, was based on the optical system of the very first slit lamp.

ZEISS OPMI 1

As far back as 1877, ZEISS had already developed a visible light optical system to view the retina at high magnification.

In 2014, ZEISS announced the development of a laser-guided microscope that allows surgeons to better focus on their work inside the patient, without having to hunch over an eyepiece. Meanwhile, the new ZEISS LSM 880 3D Laser Scanning confocal microscope is designed to provide unprecedented speed and accuracy during surgery while reducing stress for ophthalmologists.

ZEISS LSM 880 3D Laser Scanning Confocal Microscope

Today, this microsurgical microscope is used in vitreoretinal surgery to solve problems with conditions such as a detached retina and retinal tears.

The ZEISS’ long history of innovation in ophthalmology continues to this day with cutting-edge technologies and application-centric solutions. Recent advancements include the Artevo 800, the first ophthalmic digital microscope, and Forum an ophthalmic data management software created to improve practice efficiency.

ZEISS Artevo 800

The Kinevo 900 for spine and neurosurgery is one of the most recent microsurgery technological innovations. The system integrates robotics, digital visualization, and various assisting technologies to create the most advanced surgical robot available on the market.

Every single day, an estimated 75% of all cataract surgeries utilizes a ZEISS device to diagnose (slit lamps), plan (biometry, EQ Workplace), visualize (microscopes), or treat (IOLs) the disease.

Success didn’t come without struggles

From wars, pandemics, and economic crises ZEISS has faced—and overcome—more than its fair share of challenges.

After the Second World War, Germany was formally divided into two separate countries: West Germany, which was aligned with the Western democracies, and East Germany, which was linked to the Soviet Union.

The company subsequently split into two businesses: Carl Zeiss West Germany and Carl Zeiss Jena. The two businesses functioned independently in a divided Germany, where they also evolved separately, but not without competing against each other and fighting over which was the true ZEISS.

Evolution of ZEISS logo

After German reunification in 1990, things took a dramatic turn. This is when ZEISS truly understood how vital it was for both East and West to grow again—as one. Both sister companies were subsequently reunited in 1991, bringing to an end one of Germany’s longest corporate litigation fights.

To this day, the company has stayed true to its roots. ZEISS remains a leading optical manufacturer of world-class microscopes, cameras, telescopes, eyeglass lenses, and binoculars – not to mention high-tech components and technologies used daily in research, medicine, and across multiple industries.

International expansion and globalization

The creation of the firm’s first subsidiary in London in 1893 paved the way for the globalization of the company as many new international branches were steadily added.

This process was sped up by the spread of machine tools during the Industrial Revolution, which allowed ZEISS to open factories and sites in various cities around Germany and Europe.

Today, Carl Zeiss operates in over 50 countries worldwide.

ZEISS in the US

Zeiss Vision first set up a headquarters in the US in 1965, following a partnership with American Optical – the US leader in the ophthalmic field – which allowed it to expand into both distribution and manufacturing.

Carl Zeiss London

The ZEISS Vision headquarters in San Diego was established in 2009, and the company set up a subsidiary in South Carolina (ZEISS Microscopy LLC) in 2012.

ZEISS’s presence in the US continues to grow and evolve; the German-based company now has operations all across the US.

Earlier this year, ZEISS Vision US moved its headquarters from San Diego, CA to Hebron, KY. The site of the company’s most advanced lens lab and the home to the first ZEISS Customer Experience Center. This comes after a multi-million dollar lab renovation creating a state-of-the-art and Industry 4.0 production facility using the most advanced robotics in combination with artificial technology. ZEISS has invested in the renovation of their new facility, incorporating high-tech equipment that brings mass manufacturing into the modern age.

ZEISS Headquarters in Northern Kentucky

ZEISS Customer Experience Center

The state-of-the-art facility in Northern Kentucky, which is a first of its kind, is designed to help eye care professionals grow and differentiate their business. By combining the latest ZEISS Vision Technologies in a breathtaking retail store concept called the ZEISS Vision Center, eyecare professionals can now offer a truly unique vision experience for patients.

ZEISS Customer Experience Center in Northern Kentucky

Situated directly next to the Customer Experience Center is the new optical lab which is 100% paperless and utilizes the latest technologies to develop eyeglass lenses that are customized to each patient’s prescription and eyeglass frame.

Working together for a better future

For more than 175 years, ZEISS has been committed to changing the world through cutting-edge technologies, social responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. In the future, ZEISS intends to maintain its focus on innovation by investing more than 10% of revenues on research and development.  The company currently spends around $1 billion each year on R&D.

Since the inception of Carl Zeiss’ modest Jena facility, there have been numerous milestones and scientific achievements. While 175 years may seem like a long time, it’s likely that ZEISS’ greatest technological breakthroughs and contributions to humanity are yet to come.

ZEISS BlueGuard Lenses: Where Innovation Meets Comfort

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.

Not all blue light is visible

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.

Fewer blue-violet reflections

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.

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.

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

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

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

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 avatar

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.