Varilux is a brand name belonging to Essilor International, a producer of corrective lenses. The first version of the lens was invented by Bernard Maitenaz and released in 1959, and was the first modern progressive lens to correct presbyopia. The progressive lens is characterized by correcting near, intermediate and far vision.
History
Previous attempts to create a progressive lens
Progressive lenses The first patent for a progressive lens was British Patent 15,735, granted to Owen Aves with a 1907 priority date.[1] Aves' patent included the progressive lens design and the manufacturing process. However this was unlike modern progressive lenses. It consisted of a conical back surface and a cylindrical front with opposing axes in order to create a power progression. This design was never commercialized. However, due to this patent, Essilor cannot technically be considered the creator of the first progressive lens.
While there were several intermediate steps (H. Newbold appears to have designed a similar lens to Aves around 1913), there is evidence[2] to suggest that Duke Elder in 1922 developed the world's first commercially available progressive lens (Ultrifo) sold by "Gowlland of Montreal". This was based on an arrangement of aspherical surfaces.
The idea
Following in his father's and in his grandfather's footsteps, Bernard Maitenaz joined Société des Lunetiers (which became Essel, and is now
Research and development
With the launch of Varilux Comfort in 1993, Essilor developed the dioptric loop method, making it possible to gauge wearer satisfaction. It involves using repetition until an effective result is achieved for the wearer. It comprises five stages:[17]
In 2008, the Varilux Ipseo New Edition was designed using Essilor's Virtual Reality system.[18]
- Collection of the wearer's physiological data
- Optical design
- Creation of prototype lenses
- Measurement control
- Clinical tests
Varilux Experience
In 2008, Essilor designed the Varilux Experience, a virtual simulation concept using the various ophthalmic solutions offered to presbyopes.
Varilux Experience demonstrates the technologies used to produce Varilux lenses, which are quite similar to those used in research laboratories, so as to provide an effective communication aid for optical professionals and their customers with presbyopia.
In a theater showing a 3D film, viewers wearing polarized, stereoscopic glasses follow in the footsteps of a young man with presbyopia. Stage-by-stage, he experiences the vision produced by single-vision and bifocal lenses, and then that of standard progressive lenses, and ultimately Varilux lenses.
The world premiere of Varilux Experience marked Varilux's 50th anniversary and took place at the SILMO optical trade fair, which ran from October 30 to November 2, 2008, at Paris' Porte de Versailles.[19]
Varilux Designs
1959: Varilux
As the first progressive lens, Varilux allowed wearers with presbyopia with a correction for near vision, intermediate vision and far vision, on the same lens.
1972: Varilux 2
With the merger of Essel and Silor (forming Essilor), new innovations were delivered on the Varilux 2. Essilor claimed that this new lens provided increased comfort and further ease of adaptation.[20]
1988: Varilux Multi-Design (Varilux Infinity)
The Varilux Multi-Design claimed to maintain the breadth of the near-vision field regardless of the addition degree.
1993: Varilux Comfort
As Essilor's best selling lens, the world #1 selling progressive lens the Varilux Comfort has been subject to several studies.
Further reading
- Progressive Memories & Calculus