How much do you really know about Transitions lenses?
I'll be honest, I did not realize how very little I knew before last weekend's Transitions Academy in Orlando, FL.
I've never considered Transitions lenses for anyone other than light sensitive individuals. In fact, it was a discussion that I rarely had in the exam room unless a patient mentioned it to me.
After a weekend of meeting incredibly talented colleagues, making new friends, having fun, and learning a thing or two in the process, here are the main things you should know about Transitions lenses, and how to incorporate them into your practice.
1) There are the three lines of Transitions lenses:
- Transitions Signature Lenses: These lenses are great for your everyday wearer looking for lenses that get fully clear indoors, and are quick to change from light to dark.
- Transitions Vantage Lenses: These lenses polarize as they darken. Great for those who spend a lot of times outdoors.
- Transitions XTRActive Lenses: These are for the patients who are looking for light adaptive lenses that also darken when behind the windshield of a car.
2) They block 100% of UVA & UVB light.
The harmful effects of ultra violet radiation on the eyes have been widely studied and documented. What better way to protect your patients' eyes, especially children who are more susceptible to damage from UV radiation than with Transitions lenses? Think of it as sunscreen for the eyes!
3) They block blue light as well.
There has been a lot of research examining the harmful effects of blue light on the eyes, body, and sleep cycle. Studies suggest that long term blue light exposure may play a role in Age-Related Macular Degeneration. The greatest source of blue light exposure is the sun, but digital devices also emit blue light. Think about how much blue light exposure the average person is subjected to every single day between computers, cellphones, and tablet use! Make sure patients know about this protective property as well!
4) Patients tend to wear them for life.
94% of people who wear Transitions lenses repurchase them. I do not need to tell you what that says about the product and what it means for your practice.
5) They are great for patients of all ages.
These are not just for grandma and grandpa. These lenses have been misunderstood. Unfortunately, many younger patients may believe this technology is for the older demographic unless you educate and have a discussion with them. I recently brought up light adaptive technology to one of my younger patients this week. Her response:
I always thought those were so cool! I never really thought they were for young people though.
Needless to say, she elected to get Transitions Signature Lenses when she ordered her glasses that day.
So how do you incorporate them into your practice?
You need to actively get the discussion going. It is something that needs to not only happen in the exam room, but also in the optical. Here is the approach I've taken:
- Ask your patients if they know about light adaptive lenses.
- Educate your patients on the harmful effects of ultra violet radiation and the implications of blue light exposure. Transitions are not only convenient, but protect the eyes and ocular surface.
- Prescribe them in the exam room, and reinforce it to your optician during the handoff.
- Remember they are not just for the elderly. In fact, Transitions lenses are a fantastic option for the millennial. This is the patient demographic who will benefit tremendously from this technology as we increasingly are spending more time on digital devices.
Read this in-depth guide to better understand Transitions lenses and the benefits of each specific type.
