Transitions Signature Flat Top 28 Available Exclusively from Younger

Transitions Signature Flat Top 28 Polycarbonate Composite lenses are now available exclusively from Younger Optics, according to an email from Younger.Its photochromic Trivex layer uses Chromea 7 technology. The lens, which has an 1.59 index like polycarbonate, reportedly has superb segment cosmetics.

Transitions Optical uses a proprietary process to make polycarbonate lenses photochromic. While this process works for a variety of lens geometries, it is not compatible with segmented, or flat-top lenses such as bifocals and trifocals. This has meant that traditionally, a polycarbonate FT28 lens has not been available with Transitions® technology. Until now. Younger Optics and Transitions Optical have developed a polycarbonate composite lens that incorporates a thin photochromic front surface bifocal layer made of Trivex — resulting in a lens delivering Transitions Signature performance in a product that is surfaced, polished, edged and dispensed just like a clear polycarbonate lens.

Transitions' Marketing Aimed at Younger Consumers

"Transitions Optical wants consumers to view it more youthfully," reports AdAge. "The manufacturer of the eyeglass lens that darkens when exposed to light is trying to update its image by reaching out to younger, more style- and tech-conscious consumers via music and events like SXSW (South by Southwest). Themed "See Life Through a New Lens," the push is aimed at broadening the company's primary market of people over 45, in order to change the perception of Transitions' adaptive lenses....The Pinellas Park, Fla.-based company hopes to update its image by bringing its message to unexpected places for eyewear campaigns, such as Rolling Stone and National Geographic." Read more.

New Guide Available from Younger Optics

With Younger Optics new Availability Guide, you can learn the science behind each of its NuPolar, Drivewear, Image and Adage progressives, Trinity Trivex lenses, its Transitions lenses, and many more. The guide explains the benefits of each type of lens for your patients. In addition, it shows what the company offers in terms of patient support tools and educational/marketing materials. To view a downloadable PDF click here. For a free copy, email marketing@youngeroptics.com. Include your shipping information in the email.

Essilor Takes Control of Transitions

“PPG Industries Inc (PPG.N) has agreed to sell its $1.73 billion controlling stake in Transitions Optical, the inventor of modern variable-tint plastic lenses, to business partner Essilor International (ESSI.PA), PPG said on Monday,” according to a Reuters post. “Essilor…already holds 49 percent interest in Transitions Optical….The deal will help Essilor boost expansion in the variable-tint lens market, which is growing twice as fast as the optical industry as a whole, mainly in Asia, Latin America and Europe.” Read more.

Poor Link between Ethnicity and Eye Health Risks, Study Shows

“Transitions Optical released survey results here at Vision Expo East that show Americans continue to exhibit a poor understanding of the link between ethnicity and eye health risks,” reports Healio Optometry. “Three out of four respondents to the survey said that seeing their best is important to them; nine out of 10 agreed that seeking regular eye care is a priority; but just four in 10 visited their eye care professional within the past year. The number was even less for certain ethnic groups, including African Americans and American Indians, the survey said.” Read more.

Transitions Implements a More Intense Marketing Campaign

Transitions Optical is expanding its Official Sponsor of Sightseeing program in 2013.For this program, the company is turning to Neolane and The Marketing Store Worldwide to support its CRM efforts, expand its social integration, and grow its cross-channel communications efforts. Transitions wants access to its database and test marketing campaigns regularly. Working with The Marketing Store Worldwide, Transitions is implementing Neolane’s conversational marketing platform. Therefore, Transitions will create an integrated, cross-channel approach including the integration of social media marketing (i.e. Facebook, Twitter). Additionally, the lens company will have access to advanced reporting and analytics capabilities to obtain deeper customer insight. As such, the company will be able to gather, track, and analyze data to better understand where its marketing efforts are working and where they can most benefit from changes or improvements. Read more.  What could that mean for you? A marketing program that better informs the best potential customers for Transitions lenses, which should make an ECPs job easier.

World's Largest Mosaic for World Sight Day

Transitions Optical, Inc., has set the new Guinness World Records for the “World’s Largest Photo Mosaic.” The record-breaking photo mosaic – consisting of 176,750 individual photographs and measuring 21,479 square feet in size – makes up one singular, recognizable image created to raise awareness about the importance of proper eye care and eyewear and underscores the value of healthy, quality vision and its role in helping to truly experience the world around us. Read more.

Transitions and VSP Running Clinic in Houston

 Transitions Optical, in partnership with VSP Vision Care, will visit the Houston area this week with 40-foot, state-of-the-art mobile vision clinic, nicknamed "Eyenstein," to help hundreds of children start the school year with free eye exams and if needed, prescription eyeglasses – to reinforce the connection between healthy vision and the ability to read and learn. Read more.

How to Pitch Patient on a Photochromic, Polarized Progressive

Transitions offers a video about presenting its photochromic, polarized progressive lens--Vantage, which the company introduced late last year.

Nike and Transitions Team Up

"Nike Vision has partnered with Transitions Optical, Inc. to introduce new Nike MAX Transitions adaptive sunglasses! Available in two styles and two lens colors, the new Nike MAX Transitions adaptive sunglasses respond to changing light while maintaining true to Nike’s advanced, sports performance engineering," according to Eye Surf. Read more.

Nike MAX Transitions at PGA Merchandise Show

"Nike Vision and Transitions Optical, Inc. showcased new Nike MAX Transitions adaptive sunglasses at the PGA Merchandise Show. Available in two colors, the lenses are responsive to changing light and specifically engineered for sport performance including golf, hiking and trail running." That's a post on Midwest Lens. Read more.

Transitions PR Campaign for Eye Health of Minorities Wins Award

Transitions Optical's "Meeting the Eye Health Needs of Culturally Diverse Groups" program won PRWeek Award for multicultural marketing campaign of the year. The company that created the campaign for Transitions was Euro RSCG Worldwide, and it has worked with Transitions Optical on multicultural outreach since 2006. The first initiative focused on the eye health needs of Latinos, then African Americans and Asian Americans. The initiative educates groups about their unique eye-health risks—and helps eyecare professionals do the same (and reinforces Transitions Optical's leadership in this cause). Read more.

Aging Workforce Not Taking Advanage of Vision Benefits

"The annual Employee Perceptions of Vision Benefits survey conducted by Transitions Optical, Inc. reveals that – despite reporting a strong interest in their company vision benefit – today’s aging U.S. workforce isn’t fully taking advantage of it, therefore missing out on a critical preventive care opportunity and leaving themselves at higher risk for age-related vision problems, eye diseases and chronic conditions that impact eye health and compromise productivity." That's the post on The Institute for Healthcare Consumerism. Read more.

Transtions and Dr. Aliza Start Hispanic Channel

Milagro Charter School students helped unveil today the new Salud Visual channel, a collaboration between Transitions Optical, Inc. and Dr. Aliza Lifshitz. Designed as the first online channel in Spanish written for U.S. Hispanic audiences, Salud Visual Channel provides eye health information from a medical, yet user-friendly point of view. The Channel is hosted within http://www.vidaysalud.com. Read more.

Transitions Cancels Its PGA Sponsorship after 2012

Transitions will cancel its PGA sponsorship.

"The PGA Tour’s March stop at Innisbrook will need a new title sponsor after 2012, as eyewear maker Transitions has notified the tour of their intention not to renew their deal," according to ProGolfTalk. "Tampa-based Transitions Optical has been the sponsor of the tour event in the area as part of a 4-year deal with the PGA Tour. According to Golfweek, the company told the tour of their decision last week." Read more.

Transitions Study Says Americans Aren't Caring for Their Eyes

The results of recent, comprehensive research supported by Transitions Optical revealed that the majority of Americans are not taking the proper steps to care for the health of their eyes, and that awareness of both short- and long-term effects of UV exposure on vision is remarkably low. That's the first sentence from the company's press release. The results also indicated that overall awareness about eye health is even lower among certain ethnic groups, including Hispanics, African Americans and Asian Americans, who are already at an increased risk for a number of health-related issues - many that can impact vision. Read more.


Survey results also suggest that ethnic minority groups may not be taking adequate steps to protect their vision. For example, although Hispanics responded the most in-line with the general population, they were still more likely to believe that UV protection is only important in the spring and summer months, and were less likely to say that "eye health protection" is an important consideration when selecting eyewear. 

While African Americans were the most likely to say they would schedule an eye exam if experiencing symptoms of vision problems such as near-sightedness or presbyopia (loss of ability to focus and see things up close), they were also the most likely to do nothing to protect their eyes from UV rays despite their increased risk of developing cataracts. 

Despite research confirming that Asian Americans are at higher risk for developing near-sightedness, they were the least likely (six out of 10) to say they would make an eye appointment if having trouble seeing far away. They were not only the most likely demographic group to believe that UV protection is only important in the spring and summer months, but were also the most likely to believe that wearing eyeglasses can make their vision get worse.

Transitions Team Leads Tour de France

"Thor Hushovd of the Transitions Optical sponsored cycling team, Garmin Cervélo, continues to defend the yellow jersey in the 98th Tour de France after a gritty performance by the world champion in the third category hill climb of Stage 4 on Tuesday," according to a MiVision post.