Essilor has introduced Varilux Shift, a new progressive lens designed with artificial intelligence to address the changing visual habits of people with presbyopia.
Modern visual behavior requires approximately 150,000 focus shifts throughout the day, the company says. According to the company, Varilux Shift is intended to support those frequent transitions while serving as the entry-level design in Essilor’s AI-powered Varilux portfolio.
Near-Zone Placement
Varilux Shift incorporates iComfort technology, which Essilor says is designed to optimize the near-zone position based on these visual habits—the goal is to provide easier access to near vision and make adaptation more intuitive.
During the design process, the company says it analyzed millions of wearer data points to identify differences in near-vision behavior among today’s presbyopes. Using AI to predict how gaze declination changes across refractive errors and addition values assisted with placement of the near-vision zone.
Performance Findings
Essilor used AI simulations to compare Varilux Shift with standard progressive lenses. According to the company, this resulted in a 34% improvement in design softness, intended to minimize the “swim effect,” and an 18% far-vision zone enlargement.
In addition, the company says 91% of progressive lens wearers adapted to Varilux Shift lenses, and 89% experienced easy access to the near-vision zone.
Varilux Portfolio
According to Avanti Upponi, senior director of lens product marketing, U.S., EssilorLuxottica, Varilux Shift rounds out the company’s AI-powered portfolio and is an entry-level Varilux design.
“The way presbyopes use their eyes today has drastically changed from the past, becoming more dynamic due to the increased utilization of digital devices,” she says. “More than ever before, presbyopes today need a progressive lens solution that optimizes the placement of the near vision zone, provides a large far vision viewing area, and manages side effects—all while being easy to adapt to.”
In addition to the proprietary technologies used within each individual design, Essilor adds that Multi-Design by Ametropia and Wearer Mode are now standard foundational elements across the Varilux portfolio.