As the back-to-school season approaches, eye care professionals have a unique opportunity to support children’s visual development and academic success. Ensuring clear vision is essential for young learners, as vision problems can significantly hinder their ability to engage with the educational environment.
The Impact of Poor Vision on Learning
Studies show that uncorrected vision problems can negatively impact a child’s academic performance, social interactions, and overall well-being. [1] Children with uncorrected vision problems may struggle to:
Read and comprehend text: Blurred vision or difficulty focusing can make reading a chore rather than a joy. [2]
Focus on the board or digital devices: Squinting, headaches, and eye strain can make it challenging to concentrate in class. [3]
Participate in classroom activities: Difficulty seeing details can make it difficult to follow instructions and complete assignments.
Develop hand-eye coordination: Blurred vision can impact sports performance and fine motor skills. [4]
Warning Signs for Parents and Teachers
Early detection of vision problems is crucial for intervention. Look for these signs in children:
Squinting, rubbing eyes, or blinking excessively
Holding books or devices too close to the face
Covering one eye to see better
Complaining of headaches or blurred vision
Difficulty copying from the board or focusing on digital screens
ZEISS SmartLife Young Single Vision Lenses: Designed for Growing Eyes
Children’s eyes are constantly changing, and ZEISS understands that their visual needs evolve as they grow. Our SmartLife Young Single Vision lenses are specifically designed to accommodate the unique anatomy and visual behaviors of young eyes. These lenses offer:
Sharp, comfortable vision at all distances: Designed to provide clear vision for both near and distance activities, ensuring optimal visual performance in the classroom and beyond.
AgeFit Technology: This technology tailors the lens design to the specific age of the child, taking into account their changing facial features and visual demands as they grow. [5]
Improved contrast sensitivity for better reading and learning: Enhanced contrast makes it easier for children to distinguish details in text and on digital screens.
Reduced eye fatigue, even with extended digital device use: ZEISS SmartLife Young lenses help minimize eye strain caused by prolonged near work, such as reading or using computers and tablets.
Sunglass-level UV protection to safeguard developing eyes: These lenses shield young eyes from potentially harmful UV radiation, reducing the risk of long-term eye damage. [6]
The Link Between Vision and Learning
Research consistently shows a strong correlation between vision and academic performance. Children with clear vision are more likely to excel in reading, writing, and other subjects. [7] By addressing vision problems early on, we can help students reach their full potential.
Marketing Your Practice for Back-to-School
Back-to-school season is a prime time to promote your practice and educate parents about the importance of children’s eye health. Here are some effective strategies:
Partner with local schools: Offer free vision screenings or educational presentations on the importance of eye health for academic success.
Leverage social media: Share informative posts and eye-catching visuals on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, highlighting the unique benefits of ZEISS SmartLife Young lenses and UV protection.
Create special offers:Consider discounts on children’s eye exams or eyeglasses to incentivize parents to schedule appointments.
Highlight ZEISS UVProtect and PhotoFusion X: Educate parents about the year-round need for UV protection and blue light management, and showcase ZEISS lenses as a comprehensive solution for protecting children’s eyes both indoors and outdoors.
ZEISS PhotoFusion X: UV and Blue Light Protection in One
ZEISS PhotoFusion X self-tinting lenses not only provide sunglass-level UV and blue light protection but also adapt to different light conditions. They are clear indoors and turn dark outdoors for an all-in-one solution to eyeglass needs. These lenses offer a complete solution for protecting children’s eyes in all environments.
By implementing these strategies, you can position your practice as a trusted resource for children’s eye care and help ensure that your young patients have the visual skills they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.
National Sunglasses Day: Empower Your Patients with ZEISS
Summer is here and as National Sunglasses Day (June 27th) approaches, it’s the perfect time to remind your patients about the importance of year-round UV protection for their eyes. ZEISS Vision USA is your resource in providing premium sun protection solutions for all your patients’ needs.
Prioritize Eye Health with ZEISS UV Protection
According to many sources, including Johns Hopkins, UV radiation may cause serious eye damage, contributing to cataracts, macular degeneration, and other ocular diseases.
Since 2018 – All plastic ZEISS lenses, even the clear ones, provide eyes with sunglass-level UV protection. All day. Every day. At no extra cost. ZEISS sunglass lenses offer up to 400nm of UV protection for optimal eye health.
A Spectrum of ZEISS Sunglass Lens Options
Offer your patients a tailored sunglass experience with ZEISS’s diverse range of lens options:
Polarized: Enhance clarity and reduce glare for activities like driving or water sports.
Tinted: Choose from a variety of colors to customize the level of light transmission and aesthetic appeal.
Gradient: Combine fashion and function with lenses that are darker at the top for sun protection and lighter at the bottom for clear vision.
PhotoFusion:Self-tinting lenses that adapt automatically to changing light conditions, providing optimal comfort and protection throughout the day.
ZEISS UVProtect: Protection Beyond Sunglasses
Did you know that ZEISS UVProtect technology is also available in our clear lenses? This means your patients receive sunglass-level UV protection even in their everyday eyewear.
With ZEISS UVProtect technology, your patients don’t need to choose between clear lenses and sunglasses for UV protection. All clear ZEISS lenses offer the same high level of UV protection as premium sunglasses, making them an ideal solution for daily wear.
ZEISS: Your Partner in Sun Protection
ZEISS is synonymous with quality and innovation in the optical industry. We offer both prescription and non-prescription sunglass lenses, ensuring every patient can experience the benefits of superior vision and protection.
Leverage National Sunglasses Day to Grow Your Practice
This June 27th, use National Sunglasses Day as a platform to educate your patients on the importance of UV protection and showcase the exceptional quality of ZEISS lenses. Utilize social media, in-office displays, and educational materials to create awareness and drive patient engagement.
The energy at Vision Expo East 2024 was electric, and ZEISS was proud to be at the forefront of innovation for the eyecare community. Here’s a glimpse into what made our presence so impactful.
Unveiling ZEISS SmartLife Young Single Vision Lens
The buzz was palpable around the all-new ZEISS SmartLife Young Single Vision Lenses. Designed with the digital lives of children and teens in mind, this lens boasts personalized lens technology designed specifically for young patients and how they grow and see and supports healthy focusing for both near and far tasks – a perfect fit for today’s young generation.
Robert Spirito, Head of Marketing, discusses ZEISS SmartLife Young Lenses at Vision Expo
Empowering Your Practice with the ZEISS SmartLife Lens Portfolio
We showcased the comprehensive ZEISS SmartLife Lens portfolio, highlighting how these advanced lenses cater to your patients’ diverse needs. From solutions for digital eyestrain to personalized vision experiences, ZEISS SmartLife Lenses equips you to prescribe the ideal lens for every individual.
Brent McCardle, product specialist, demonstrates how ZEISS SmartLife lenses are designed.
Witnessing the Future with ZEISS Equipment
Attendees had the opportunity to get hands-on with the latest ZEISS equipment, including the ZEISS VISUCORE 500 and ZEISS VISUFIT 1000. These technological marvels offer unparalleled precision and efficiency for comprehensive eye exams, allowing you to deliver exceptional patient care. Learn more about year-end tax strategies to upgrade your eyecare practice with ZEISS VTS equipment.
Learning and Inspiration Beyond the Booth
ZEISS hosted two unforgettable events outside of the expo floor. At The Edge in NYC, industry leaders gathered for a night of networking and exploring the future of eyecare. Additionally, Dr. Jennifer Tsai of Line of Sight Vision held a special event showcasing how she seamlessly integrates fashion and function with ZEISS lenses, offering valuable insights for incorporating style and premium lenses into your practice.
Join the ZEISS Family and Elevate Your Practice
Connecting with so many eye care professionals at Vision Expo East was a privilege. If you’re passionate about offering your patients the best vision possible with ZEISS lenses and equipment, we invite you to reach out to us. Visit our website or contact your local ZEISS representative to learn more.
Together, let’s shape the future of vision!
Mark Your Calendars: Vision Expo East 2025 Heads to Orlando!
We look forward to seeing you again at Vision Expo East 2025, which will be held in sunny Orlando, Florida. Stay tuned for exciting updates and announcements!
ZEISS PhotoFusion X is a complete photochromic lens portfolio uniquely designed to satisfy your patients’ need for speed-to-clear with blue light and UV protection. ZEISS has re-engineered its photochromic system to deliver ground-breaking transition speeds, improved darkness, excellent UV and blue light protection and attractive colors – all with premium ZEISS quality. ZEISS launched this new photochromic lens at Vision Expo East in New York.
What makes it unique?
The cutting-edge photochromic technology that uses ZEISS BlueGuard as a base material and includes the sunglass-level UV protection of ZEISS UVProtect, give your patients protection both indoors and out. New ZEISS PhotoFusion X provides excellent blue light and UV protection in any environment.
A Completely New Photochromic System
The photochromic system in ZEISS PhotoFusion X lenses is much more efficient than with previous self-tinting lenses. It includes a new generation of specially developed and patented dyes in a robust and more open carrier matrix for faster transition, allowing them to be clearer indoors, darker outdoors, and quicker to react than previous generations.
Speed Matters
Patients frequently buy a range of prescription lenses: clear, sunglasses, and more recently, blue light protection glasses. However, having many prescription eyeglasses is pricey and can be an inconvenience to some.
When people are indoors, they typically want their lenses to be clear. When stepping outdoors, their eyes perceive light and glare, and they want sunglasses that provide comfortable protection.
Early generations of photochromic glasses were not dark enough or were too slow to clear when coming indoors. Slow fade-back speed is a visual inconvenience, as it’s difficult to see indoors with dark lenses, and in social situations it can be embarrassing.
Fast transition is important to patients:
For many patients, quick clearing indoors is the most important feature in photochromic lenses.[2]
Slow change from dark to light is the most common pain point for photochromic lens wearers.
“too slow to go clear” was the most cited technical performance reason for not purchasing photochromic lenses.[3]
In the same study, 100% of experienced photochromic lens wearers noted “clearing up fast inside” is an important characteristic, even more so than darkness or indoor clarity.
ZEISS collaborated with Colts Laboratories, an independent ophthalmic lens testing company in the USA, to measure the photochromic properties of PhotoFusion® X lenses and compare them to the latest lenses from other brands.
The Colt’s independent tests lead to the following conclusions:
PhotoFusion® X Grey is up to 1.5 times faster to clear than the most common photochromic brand’s latest generation grey(14) .
PhotoFusion® X Pro Grey is up to 4.5 times faster to clear than the most common photochromic brand´s latest generation grey., comparing average fade-back speed to an interpolated time to 80%T. [4]
PhotoFusion® X Brown was twice as fast as the same brand’s latest brown. [5]
Artificial Blue Light: A 21st-Century Problem
Modern artificial light sources such as LED lights and the usage of digital devices like computer screens, tablets, TVs and cell phones are increasing the eyes’ exposure to artificial blue light. While longer wavelength blue light, that that from the sun, can help us stay alert and awake, shorter wavelengths, like those from digital devices, can generate visual irritation and may even harm the eyes. In addition, blue light is thought to contribute to digital eye strain, causing symptoms like blurry vision and visual discomfort.[7]
Online concern is propelling blue light lens sales. People are looking for “blue light glasses” online at a greater rate than before. Google searches for blue light glasses have increased five-fold in two years (figure 1).[8] In 2020, the term (blue light glasses) outpaced photochromic lenses searches.
UV Radiation- A Hidden Danger for Our Eyes
UV radiation is not visible to the human eye but poses potential risks to eye health. Without protection, UV radiation may damage anterior ocular structures and the skin around the eyes.
Eyelids and periorbital skin:
UV induced eyelid damage is common. Experts usually recommend sunscreen on the eyelids to prevent damage, but people often do not take this safety measure because sunscreen can cause eye irritation.
UV radiation may cause several chronic skin conditions:
• Eyelid photo-aging, which makes the skin thicker and generates prominent wrinkles;
• Sebaceous gland damage;
• Skin cancer on the eyelid
Lens: As the eye ages, protective pigments in the lens are converted into pigments that react to UVR, further damaging lens proteins and the lens’s outer layer. When damage accumulates, the lens can develop a cataract, severely compromising vision.
Iris: Melanoma tumors are the most common cancer of the eye, and evidence suggests that UVR is one of its leading causes.[9]
Retina: In young people, some longer UVR wavelengths may reach the retina and cause photochemical damage.
Because of this ZEISS provides sunglass-level UV protection in all clear ZEISS lenses. ZEISS PhotoFusion X lenses provide sunglass-level UV protection up to 400 nm in both the clear and activated states. This protection is built into ZEISS BlueGuard materials. This means PhotoFusion® X lenses provide the same UV blocking as premium sunglasses.
Premium sunglasses typically offer full UV protection to 400 nm; however, people may not own a pair and often do not wear them on cloudy days. A Vision Council of America survey found only 21.2% always wear sunglasses when outdoors.[10]
PhotoFusion® X are everyday lenses, for use indoors and outdoors, so wearers have them on all the time, providing more reliable and consistent UV protection. As a result, PhotoFusion® X lenses may provide the average wearer better protection over time from UV radiation than sunglasses.
Fashionable Protection
Through its Sunlens Division, ZEISS supplies non-prescription sunglass lenses to many of the leading sunglass brands, giving ZEISS unique insights into popular sunglasses fashions and color choices.
ZEISS PhotoFusion X lenses are currently available in six colors including a classic sunglass grey, a fast Pro Grey, a warm sunglass brown, a fast Pro Brown, the pioneer grey-green and a vibrant blue. Utilize ZEISS PhotoFusion X lenses in the latest eyewear trends for fashionable and functional styles.
The Best Overall Photochromic Lens Technology
There are many photochromic lens choices available to eye care professionals. Amongst this field of products, ZEISS PhotoFusion X provides the best total package of performance and protection when viewed across the variables that eyeglass wearers most value. Faster fade-back to clear, providing sunglass level darkness outdoors, higher indoor and outdoor blue light protection, sunglass-level UV protection and excellent clarity indoors.
Key Benefits
Outdoors, ZEISS PhotoFusion X lenses are performance optimized self-tinting lenses that provide glare, blue light and UV protection.
• Sunglass-level (Cat 3) darkness outside
• UV Protection to 400 nm
• Excellent blue light blocking
• New and improved color hues
Indoors, PhotoFusion® X provides blue light protection and clarity.
• Excellent blue light protection indoors (blocks up to 50% of potentially harmful blue light).
Photofusion® X provides ground-breaking transition speeds.
• Speed-to-clear – up to 4.5 times (450%) faster than the most common photochromic brand´s latest generation, and up to 47% faster than previous PhotoFusion® lenses.[4], [12]
• Speed-to-dark – up to 75% faster than previous PhotoFusion® lenses(15), achieving over 70% absorption in as little as 15 seconds and full sunglass-level (cat 3) darkness in as little as 27 seconds.[13]
At ZEISS we believe that since photochromic lenses are used all day and, in all environments, they should offer high level protection in both environments. Wearers want to protect their eyes and vision no matter if they are exposed to artificial blue light indoors or solar radiation while spending time outdoors. ZEISS PhotoFusion X does just this.
To learn more about ZEISS PhotoFusion X click here or ask your ZEISS Business Development Representative for more information.
[2] Photochromic Lens Wearer Study in the UK (n=232) in 2021 external institute).
[3] External Eyeglass Wearer Studies (n=105), DE, 2012
[4] Testing by independent testing laboratory in USA in 2021-22 according to requirement in ISO 8980-3. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of fadeback from fully activated state to the interpolated time to 80%T at 23C in 1.50 index HC only form (CR607 version of comparison brand).
[5] Analyses by Technology and Innovation, Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH, Aus 2021. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of fadback from fully activated state to 80%T at 23C in 1.50 index HC only form, comparison brand CR607 version.
[6] Testing by independent testing laboratory in USA according to requirement in ISO 8980-3. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of fade-back from fully activated state to 80%T at 23°C in 1.5 index (CR607) HC only form.
[7] Rosenfield M. (2011). Computer vision syndrome: a review of ocular causes and potential treatments. Ophtalmic Physiol Opt., (5):502-15.
[8] Google trends weekly result for country selection Worldwide from 1/1/2018 to 12/31/2020 for the terms “blue light glasses”, “photochromic glasses”, “transitions”, “Transitions glasses” and “uv glasses”, Data analysis as of July 2021.
[9] Jovanovic P, Mihajlovic M, Djordjevic-Jocic J, Vlajkovic S, Cekic S, Stefanovic V. Ocular melanoma: an overview of the current status. Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2013;6(7):1230-1244. Published 2013 Jun 15.
[10] Vision Council of America, UV Eye Protection Study, 2018. 1.5
[11] Testing according to requirement in ISO 8980-3. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of fadeback from fully activated state to 80%T at 23°C in 1.5 index (CR607) HC only form.
[12] Analyses by Technology and Innovation, Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH, Aus 2021 in accordance to ISO 8980-3. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of activation from from clear state to 30%T at 23C in grey polycarbonate HC only form.
[13] Analyses by Technology and Innovation, Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH, Aus 2021 in accordance to ISO 8980-3. PhotoFusion X Grey at 23°C, 1.6 index with HC
(14) Testing by independent testing laboratory in USA in 2021-22 according to requirement in ISO 8980-3. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of fadeback from fully activated state to the interpolated time to 80%T at 23C in 1.50 index HC only form (CR607 version of comparison brand).
(15) Testing by independent laboratory in USA in 2021-22 according to requirement in ISO 8980-3. Based on the average speed (%T/min) of activation from clear state to an interpolated time to 30%T at 23C in grey polycarbonate HC only form.
