BLUE LIGHT: MIND YOUR PATIENT S EYES... AND YOURS! UV light is dangerous for the eyes, blue light as well. As eyes are priceless, Essilor has developed Airwear MELANINE lenses.
What s new in sun protection Being a source of well-being and pleasure, the sun has beneficial effects providing that one should not overuse it and know how to protect from it. Indeed the sun produces harmful radiations not only for the skin but also for the eyes, among which UV and blue light are the most dangerous. What about ocular risks linked with blue light? These are cumulative damage which is likely to be responsible for retinal diseases, among which AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration)*. With life expectancy always on the way up, the amount of sun we receive also increases, over the years. For everyone, it results in increasing as well the risks of ocular lesions. The eye has its own defence mechanism against blue light but unfortunately it decreases as we get older: at 40 years-old, we have already lost some 20% of our initial retinal melanin and at 65 years-old, some 50%. The figures: AMD is the 1st cause of blindness for people over age 50 living in developed countries. It afflicts 8% of the population over age 50, and, with increasing life expectancy, it could affect twice as many patients in 25 years time. The risk of developing AMD is twice higher in case of moderate to high sun exposure, compared to low sunlight exposure. In equal concentration, blue light is 15 times more damaging for the retina than the rest of visible radiations. Thus filtering UV and blue light appears to be an efficient means to reduce the risk of AMD. * Among the known causes of AMD there are sun exposure, smoking, heredity, food
An Essential Visual Protection A danger: blue light «HEV» (High Energy Visible) or «blue light» begins the visible range of the light spectrum. They are the rays of shortest wavelength (between 380 and 500 nm) and as a matter of fact with the highest energy content. Daylight contains many of such rays, in particular when the sky is cloudless. One solution: melanin Melanin is a natural pigment which is found throughout the human body. Its role is to protect us against sunlight damage, by filtering UV and HEV light. Melanin is the pigment that gives brown hair and eyes their colour, as well as skin its suntan. In fact it is the best natural defence against the harmful effects of the sun. Protection of the retina To provide the eyes with an optimal sunwear protection, Essilor has created sun lenses which contain manufactured melanin. They act the same way as natural melanin, just like a shield against harmful UV and HEV, which means preserving the retina s health: how essential! Eye contour protection By filtering 100% of UV and 98% of blue light, Airwear MELANINE lenses successfully protect the eyes, but also the thin, fragile skin around the eyes, which is very sensitive to premature wrinkling caused by the sun. Transmission curve of Airwear MELANINE lens
Outstanding Visual Performances A blue light filter which enhances contrast and allows sharp vision of details Blue light is the very part of the visible light which is most scattered within intra-ocular media, resulting in the creation of a veiling glare. Vitreous Humor Lens Iris Cornea Vitreous Humor Lens Iris Cornea Because of the eye s longitudinal chromatic aberration, blue light focuses in front of the retina. A good colour restitution Tints, which filter blue light, may distort colours. Unlike «blue-blockers» which totally stop blue light, Airwear MELANINE lenses filter blue light in proportion to its harmfulness. Airwear MELANINE lenses maintain the perception of natural colours and are even recommended for driving*. * European CEN standard
ATechnical Innovation For Your Customers! Protection frontside Correction backside Benefits - MASS-TINTED Equi-thick mass-tinted polycarbonate layer For guarantee in the long run: pigments remain in the lens and do not damage even though it is subject to scratch and UV light. - ISO-THICKNESS OF THE TINTED LAYER The colour is perfectly regular on the whole surface and just the same whatever the power of the lens. - POLYCARBONATE Particularly light and resistant Lenses adapted to everyone, all life long Airwear MELANINE lenses are perfectly appropriate for: - CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS, in order to reduce efficiently the risk of future retinal problems. - ADULTS, as the natural defences of the eyes begin decreasing at 40 years-old. - PEOPLE OVER AGE 60, for whom the natural defences of the eyes have much diminished, and sensitivity to glare has become more important, as well as intra-ocular diffusion. Airwear MELANINE lenses are mainly recommended in following cases: - blue eyes and pale eyes - eyes sensitive to sunlight - people with sensitive skin - people who are often in the sun - people willing to keep youthful looking eyes - people being operated on for cataract - people with hereditary antecedents of AMD
TECHNICAL FEATURES Material Airwear Index (ne): 1,59 Density (g/cm 3 ): 1,20 Abbe Number ( e): 31 UV Protection: 100% Tint Brown category 3 Visible Transmittance Tv: 15% Blue Light Transmittance (380-500 nm): 2% Prescriptions Single-Vision with spherical front side SPH -8D to +6D, CYL 4D Coatings Hard Coat: systematic Backside AR: recommended Flash Mirror: as an option