Going the distance
> The Varilux X lenses addresses the needs of today’s digital users with their rapidly-changing vision
INA new digital world where people increasingly view things on smartphones, laptops, tablets, as well as television screens, the ability to properly focus on nearby objects is important.
However, as people get older, they will begin to experience vision problems, the most common of which is presbyopia.
Hannah Ng ( below), an education and professional services specialist for Essilor Malaysia, defines presbyopia as a “normal loss of near focus ability that occurs with age”, most commonly occuring after the age of 40.
She adds: “It is basically something that can happen to anyone as they age. It is not a disease.”
Ng explains that presbyopia happens when the lens of the eye loses its elasticity. Making things more complicated is how our needs today are far different from earlier generations, who could easily make do with bifocals or, in some cases, just a pair of reading glasses. “The problem with bifocals [is] you lose out [on] intermediate or arm’s-length vision,” says Ng. “We use the computer at work a lot. This is when we use our arm’s-length vision a lot. “With bifocals, we can only use it for our near and far vision. “That is where progressive lenses come in. You get to see [objects] from far, intermediate and near distances.”
Ng explains that with most progressive lenses, you can see something far away and something nearby very clearly.
However, with a normal progressive lens, there is a narrow corridor for intermediate vision.
“What makes the Varilux X series of lenses different is that the arm’s-length vision zone has been extended using our extend technology. We also [take into account] near-vision behaviour. We measure how our customer sits and reads, what is the person’s posture like.”
When customers are being fitted for a progressive lens such as the Varilux X series, the optometrist will also measure their near-vision range by checking their posture when they read, as well as how far or near they hold their reading material, using a special app that is downloaded in a tablet.
The Varilux X series also offers wearers a higher volume of vision, allowing them to see a lot more within their field of vision that is also clearer compared to normal lens.
Ng says that the lens power required for those who have presbyopia can also change over time.
“It would increase up to a certain point, and then become constant.”
Your optimetrist will be able to tell you if you have presbyopia.
Ng says people should get their eyes tested every year, to establish a baseline. “If there is a sudden change of prescription, there could be something wrong.”
She adds: “From an optimetrist’s point of view, the earlier you get your progressive lens, the easier you will be able to adapt. If you wait until your presbyopia power is high, it is more difficult to adapt, and you will feel a ‘swimming’ effect.”
Ng explains that this ‘swimming’ effect often causes people to stop wearing their corrective glasses due to the discomfort.
On the other hand, those who do nothing to treat their presbyopia risk eye strain, which may lead to other eye complications.
“Besides, you can’t keep taking off your glasses and putting them back on again,” says Ng.
It also looks awkward when people have to lower their glasses and peer over them when trying to read something.
“The idea of the Varilux X series is to help our customers to see everything around them seamlessly. We want easy adaptation for their presbyopia, and also not have them move their head so much, as it can be very uncomfortable.”
The new Varilux X series lenses retail from RM2,000, depending on the prescription required by the wearer.
For more, visit www.essilor. com.my.