BEFORE PROGRESSIVE LENSES were introduced in 1959, the only solution for presbyopia was bifocal lenses, a technology from the 18th century. When progressive lenses were first introduced by Bernard Maitenaz, inventor of Varilux progressive lenses, eyecare professionals were suddenly equipped with a solution that offered corrected vision at different distances without the drawbacks of the previous lined lenses. Since then, as progressive lens technology has grown in popularity, Essilor-Luxottica has continued to invest in research and development to significantly advance the technology and keep up with the demands of the modern presbyope.

New Patient Demands

Patients today, including presbyopes, are living in a world with visual demands unlike any previous generation. Shifts in patient demographics, combined with the rapid advancement and integration of technology in our daily lives, mean modern presbyopes are different from previous generations.

As global life expectancy continues to rise, patients are adjusting to living longer lives. For example, many employees are continuing to work later in life, extending their careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than half of labor force growth from 2021 to 2031 is projected to come from the 65-and-older age group, and the participation rate for the 55-to-64 age group is projected to increase to 68.2% by 2031. Women are also giving birth later in life—the birth rate rose for women aged 35 to 41 years old in 2021, with the number of first-time mothers in their early 40s also increasing by 5% (CDC).

Presbyopes today are not just sitting around at home or working. They are active and engaged in various activities and hobbies. They are chasing their young children around, playing pickleball (the fastest growing sport for the last 3 years), and dating. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that 50% of people 40+ are single. Some people say, “Forty is the new thirty,” and presbyopic patients expect to look and feel younger in all aspects of their lives—work, childcare, hobbies—making it essential that patients have an effective solution for presbyopia.

On top of that, the oldest millennials are starting to turn 40, with more than 4 million millennials entering the presbyopic age range each year. Millennials (born between 1981 and 1996) were the first generation to grow up with computers in their homes and see the rise of social media platforms and tech giants, like Google and Amazon. Millennials (and presbyopes in general) understand that we live in a time of information overload, with more digitally connected lives than ever before. Patients are viewing more devices, at different distances and on the go, leading to more than 100,000 eye movements in a day.¹ We already receive more than 80 notifications per day², and by 2030, it is estimated that there will be 125 billion devices.³ Consumer digital health apps alone have ballooned to 350,000 according to the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science. Patients are looking for a solution that can accommodate their lifestyle and provide effortless vision, regardless of the distance.

A New Solution for New Visual Demands

This year, EssilorLuxottica is launching new Varilux XR series lenses, powered by behavioral artificial intelligence (AI)⁴ and leveraging proprietary data collected from thousands of real-life wearers.

Three technologies form the Varilux XR lens design: Nanoptix, XTEND, and new XR-motion. The Nanoptix and XTEND technologies are both found in Varilux X Series lenses. They work to reduce the swim effect and maximize the volume of vision within an arm’s reach, addressing the common complaints of progressive addition lens (PAL) wearers.

The new XR-motion technology found in the Varilux XR series works to enhance binocular vision. As I would explain to patients, binocularity is the way our vision uses 2 slightly different versions of images (one from our right eye and another from the left) to create a single mental impression. As we live increasingly in a world where multitasking is the new normal, sharp binocular vision is fundamental for efficient ocular navigation.

XR-motion technology creates a digital twin of the patient in its 3D environment, composed of several predictive models based on gaze behavior and accommodation to create a visual behavior profile for each prescription. Combined with behavioral AI⁴ leveraging millions of data points collected from real wearers, the lenses accurately predict and model eye movements, reducing the disparities between the images produced by the right and left lenses in all directions of gaze. This process results in better positioning in the near vision zone, optimized sharp binocular vision, and minimized disparities of power and astigmatism to provide sharp vision even while in motion.

The combination of these 3 groundbreaking technologies makes the Varilux XR series the best overall progressive lens.⁵

Varilux XR series lenses offer 2 new designs: Varilux XR design and Varilux XR track. Varilux XR design leverages behavioral AI to predict wearer behavior.⁴ For a more personalized solution for patients, Varilux XR track offers the ability to tailor to the individual patient’s unique near vision behavior. Measured using an Eye-Ruler 2 (Essilor), near vision behavior takes into account gaze lowering, reading distance, visual behavior, and lateral offset when reading. Through customization, Varilux XR track offers sharp and comfortable close-up vision.

Varilux XR Series Lenses: The Solution for Modern Presbyopes

As medical providers, I believe it is a disservice to patients not to offer a visual solution that will provide them with the best vision possible in any setting. We know we can provide the highest quality eye examination in the medical sense, but ultimately, patients leave our care expecting enhanced visual acuity. Therefore, the visual solution we prescribe for our patients affects their opinions of us as doctors, so it is essential that we prescribe the best. For presbyopes, that means offering a PAL as your go-to solution for all patients, regardless of whether you also explore other presbyopic solutions, such as contact lenses or drops, the latter of which may only work in specific settings or timeframes. Getting patients into a PAL earlier in their presbyopic journey makes it easier for them to adapt in the long term as they age and progress in near point demand. Like you, I have encountered contact lens patients who pride themselves on not wearing glasses. However, we know it is a best practice to also prescribe a good-fitting quality pair of progressive lenses for presbyopes to wear on those inevitable occasions when they run out of their contacts or cannot wear them for medical reasons.

In addition to needing a PAL, today’s presbyopes will not be satisfied with an old solution that cannot adequately address the increasing integration of technology into our daily lives. Patients expect their glasses from their doctors to integrate seamlessly into their busy lives, just like any other new devices they may purchase. Especially for active presbyopes—from patients who are first-time mothers to pickleball players—it is critical that patients be offered the best solution to give them the best quality of vision and life possible. The technology in Varilux XR series lenses addresses the chief concerns of today’s presbyopes by providing instant sharp vision, even while in motion,⁶ through behavioral AI.⁴

Many of today’s patients are looking for more personalized medical care. These patients want to know that their doctor prescribed a unique solution addressing their needs and did not just offer a “one-size-fits-all” solution. With Varilux XR track lenses, you can offer lenses personalized to the individual patient’s near vision behavior. ■

More about the Varilux XR series can be seen at essilorpro.com/varilux-xr .

References

1. Boer LC, van der Weijgert EC. Eye movements and stages of processing. Acta Psychol (Amst). 1988;67(1):3-18.
2. Acer U, Mashhadi A, Forlivesi C, Kawsar F. Energy Efficient Scheduling for Mobile Push Notifications. EAI Endorsed Transactions on Energy Web. 2015. 2. 10.4108/eai.22-7-2015.2260067.
3. Mintel Global Consumer Trends 2030 – April 2020.
4. Essilor uses artificial intelligence to go beyond prescription and eye physiology to understand individuals visual behavior using more than 1 million points of data from real wearers.
5. Based on achieving the highest composite score among premium progressive designs of leading U.S. competitors on 14 attributes identified as important by a survey of U.S. consumers. Measurements were the result of Essilor R&D state of the art avatar simulations 2022.
6. Varilux XR series–in-life consumer study -Eurosyn–2022–France (n=73 high-end progressive lens wearers). 66/73 perceived instant sharpness at all distances while in motion.

Dr. Knight is senior vice president, Customer Development Group, EssilorLuxottica NA. Her team is responsible for medical and professional affairs, eye care professional education, and advocacy in North America. Dr. Knight represents the voice of the doctor as a member of the Senior Leadership Team, NA.