Varilux

Varilux is a trademark of Essilor International, the world's leading provider of prescription lenses. This brand name is used as a term of Bernard Maitenaz invented, the first progressive lens for the correction of presbyopia. Typical of the Varilux progressive lenses is the ability to see close to correct medium and far distances. The first version of the glass was put on the market in 1959.

• 2.1 The Design Loop
• 2.2 Virtual Reality
• 2.3 Varilux Experience

• 3.1 1959: Varilux
• 3.2 1972: Varilux 2
• 3.3 1988: Varilux Multi- Design
• 3.4 1993: Varilux Comfort
• 3.5 2000: Varilux Panamic
• 3.6 2004: Varilux Ellipse
• 3.7 2006: Varilux Physio
• 3.8 2008: Varilux New Edition Ipseo

History

The idea

Bernard Maitenaz followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and began in 1948 his career as a research engineer at the Société des Lunetiers (later nettle and today Essilor ), having previously been a double degree at the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers and at the Institut d ' had completed Optique.

The idea for the progressive lens came to him trying out the bifocals of his father. The abrupt change in effect in these glasses seemed anything but natural and he was convinced that it would make more sense to use a glass that seeing in the distance in the upper glass area, the vision at intermediate distances in the central glass area and near vision in corrects the lower part of the glass.

March 2nd, 1951 Bernard Maitenaz deposited with the French Patent Office INPI an envelope, which contained four drawings, and mechanical data, which should enable the production of a progressive lens. On November 25, 1953 Essel filed a first patent for his invention.

The first progressive lens

According to calculations, the progressive lens seemed conceptually problematic, however, had to be brought technically ready for production. Maitenaz and his team had begun to manufacture lenses using different techniques and improvised until 1958 Essel had developed mechanical plants that were able to produce the glasses in series.

After the result was tested on 48 people in January 1959, the number of extremely positive reactions 5, the number of good responses 29, the average number of reactions 2 and the number of negative responses was 10

The brand " Varilux "

The closer was approaching the launch date, the greater was the number of pricing strategies. Finally, the Maitenaz - invention should be priced between the bifocal lens of Essel, the Diachrolux, and its three- strength glass, the Trilux, settled. In the course of the progressive lens by Bernard Maitenaz was baptized in the name of Varilux, would shape the other products later. The glass was in May 1959, France officially introduced at the Hotel Lutetia in Paris.

International expansion

After the launch of Varilux Essel set out a strategy to secure the market presence of Varilux outside France. On the basis of numerous partnerships and distribution agreements, the Varilux progressive lens was introduced in the 1960s in Holland, Germany, Great Britain and the United States, Canada, Brazil and Japan.

The sales of the glasses increased from 6000 in 1959 to 2 million glasses in 1969. Industry had in terms of time to get used to the progressive lenses are still concerns. Maitenaz and his team therefore worked under utilization of new technologies and methods of calculation will work on improving the first version, which led to a new progressive lens with fewer aberrations and increased comfort.

Varilux 2

In early 1969 the French spectacle lens market was dominated by two companies: Essel and Silor. Although both companies own innovations brought forth ( or bowl of Varilux and Silor with the plastic Orma 1000), they were not among the major players on the world market. On January 1, 1972, nettle and Silor merged to Essilor.

As part of the merger, Essilor Varilux 2 resulted in a Europe, united optimized design with low weight of the glass and thus a higher overall comfort offered. Compared to the first product Varilux 2 is considered to be significant improvement.

A new generation of Varilux

With new technologies and manufacturing processes, the research department developed in 1988 Varilux Multi- design or VMD. By the end of the decade Essilor should the world leader in advance ophthalmic products.

1993 Varilux Comfort has been put on the market and it became the best-selling progressive lens in the world. The developed by Essilor new grinding techniques brought a noticeably shorter adaptation period compared with the earlier progressive lenses and mediated comfortable vision regardless of the posture of the wearer.

In the 21st century, Essilor introduced the Varilux products Panamic (2002), Varilux Ellipse (2004), Varilux Physio (2006) and Varilux Ipseo (2008).

Research and Development

The research and development team of Essilor employs 500 scientists at four locations: France, Japan, Singapore and North America.

The Essilor R & D team develops an average of 100 new patents per year, to be added to the 2600 protected patents.

Over the years, Essilor also built an international network of partners, including universities, industrial corporations and SMEs, such as PPG Industries (developers of Transitions) and Nikon.

The Design Loop

With the introduction of Varilux Comfort in 1993, Essilor developed the design loop method that allows the assessment of the satisfaction of the wearer: This methodology includes an iteration process is continued until an acceptable for the spectacle wearer result is achieved. The design loop is divided into five phases:

• Recording of physiological data of the spectacle wearer
• Optical design
• Development of glass prototypes
• Measurement controls
• Clinical tests.

Virtual reality

The Essilor 's research department focuses primarily on the individual achievements of two complementary areas of expertise, optics and physiology, with particular use of virtual reality. Here, a simulation tool allows multi-sensory perceptions and interactions in 3D mode. Thus, the virtual reality opens up potential in ophthalmic research and makes it possible to influence the design of more powerful lenses.

Today, scientists use a virtual visualization system with algorithms and modeling, which was developed by Essilor to explore new optical solutions that can then be tested directly on the straps. The simulator makes it possible to change the optical properties of the glasses tested to analyze the optical effects and to evaluate the carrier satisfaction immediately. In this case, a magnetic sensor records the movements of the head, and the images of a subject, showing the exact focus of the eyes 120 times per second. After the test phase, the results are used to fine tune the performance glasses.

In 2008, Varilux Ipseo New Edition was developed by using the virtual reality system from Essilor.

Varilux Experience

In the same year, Essilor Varilux Experience, a virtual simulation concept developed that brings various optical solutions for presbyopia used.

Varilux Experience demonstrates that used for the production of Varilux progressive lenses technologies that are very similar to those used in research laboratories. To reach opticians and their presbyopic customers to enjoy effective communication help.

In a 3D movie theater, the audience wearing polarized glasses enable a young man presbyopic. Step by Step experienced this vision with single vision and bifocal glasses, then with standard progressive lenses, Varilux progressive lenses and finally with.

Varilux Experience was first introduced in the optical trade fair SILMO the 50th anniversary of Varilux, which took place in the period from 30 October to 2 November 2008 at the exhibition center Paris Porte de Versailles.

Varilux designs

1959: Varilux

First Varilux progressive lenses mediated the presbyopic eyeglass wearers comfortable vision at any distance.

1972: Varilux 2

The merger of Essel and Silor the Essilor group influenced the development of the Varilux 2 was made. This progressive lens offered greater comfort and lighter habituation. Process engineering enhancements allow a constant improvement of the quality of the glass.

1988: Varilux Multi- Design

The Varilux Multi- design represented an innovation in higher prescription values ​​, since it offered the possibility of maintaining the width of the Nahblickfelds regardless of the addition value.

1993: Varilux Comfort

As the best-selling progressive lens Essilor Varilux Comfort group has been the subject of several studies. In its design ergonomic Sehkriterien were first consideration. These advances led to more rapid habituation as well as to increased attitude comfort for the wearer.

It is important also that the Varilux Comfort has marked the launch of the Design -loop method - a research tool that allows the evaluation of the carrier satisfaction. This methodology is used to this day.

2000: Varilux Panamic

The Varilux Panamic progressive lens is based on the so-called global design management; a technology that brings the parameters of the central, peripheral, and binocular vision under control. Therefore, it offers wider fields of view and makes for a more effortless habit.

2004: Varilux Ellipse

With Varilux Ellipse of presbyopic wearer has the opportunity kleinrandige eyeglass frames at the same time excellent visual comfort to choose.

2006: Varilux Physio

A characteristic of the progressive Varilux Physio is an improvement of contrast sensitivity by 30% and wider fields of view. His performance is a patented innovation based on the so-called WAVE Technology - a combination of Wavefront Management System ( calculates the optical objective function using the wavefront ) and Advanced Digital Surfacing ( point by point processing and coordination of the surface ).

The progressive lens is also f - 360 available as Varilux Physio, which takes into account personal wearing conditions and is thus adapted to the vision needs of the wearer.

2008: Varilux New Edition Ipseo

The Varilux Ipseo New Edition is the first progressive lens, which was developed and tested in a virtual simulator. In addition to the parameters taken into account wearing Varilux Ipseo the personal viewing habits of the wearer. It measures these parameters with Visioffice, the first integrated fitting and counseling system that includes versatile functions for the entire sales pitch.