Denise Bernachez
President, Nikon Optical Canada
This leading optics company is leveraging Nikon’s expertise in contrast evaluation, long used in its camera and optical lenses, to advance the design of eyeglass lenses and enhance vision for millions of Canadians.
Our vision depicts how clearly we see the world. It enables us to appreciate the small details that shape each moment of our lives. It’s one of our critical senses but as we age, natural processes can cause our vision to lose its clarity. By prioritizing our sight we can continue to keep those important life moments as crisp and clear as possible.
For those in their 40s, presbyopia is a particularly common natural occurrence when one of the primary components of the eye, the crystalline lens, begins to harden and lose its flexibility. The crystalline lens plays a pivotal role in the eye’s ability to focus. This degradation can cause blurred vision, the inability to read small print and headaches. While presbyopia itself cannot be prevented, recent lifestyle changes—particularly the widespread use of digital devices—are thought to make nearvision tasks increasingly difficult for people with presbyopia.
Technology tackles blurred vision
In a world ripe with technological advancements, vision is no exception. The introduction of progressive lenses, a type of multifocal lens, have helped transform the treatment of presbyopia, reducing eye strain and helping the wearer to seamlessly transition between three primary focal zones. At their core, they help correct near, intermediate and far vision all in one lens.
Progressive lenses, referred to as progressives, often come at the recommendation of an optometrist and are typically purchased without the user getting a chance to ‘try them on’ beforehand. It’s important for an optometrist to recommend the best progressive lens design for every unique case, without any back-and-forth. Not all progressives are the same and many traditional models lack the level of innovation and clarity that defines more premium versions.
“The main difference between regular and premium progressives is the technology,” explains Denise Bernachez, President of Nikon Optical Canada. “It may be a little piece of plastic, but there’s a lot of technology inside.” The more premium the progressive lens, the greater the precision and quality of vision it can deliver.
Nikon has over a century of expertise in high precision optics. Its focus on delivering a premium client experience is driven by its continued commitment to innovation in the field. “Nikon may be known for its camera technology, but eyeglass lens innovation is a part of our DNA,” Denise says. “We’ve helped bring the industry to a whole new level.”
Quality creates a clearer view
With a drive to build a better quality product for consumers, Nikon Lenswear has continued to up the bar when it comes to progressive lens innovation. In a recent Nikon Lenswear study, 80 per cent of progressive lens wearers surveyed reported dissatisfaction with their current progressive lenses.1
As a result, the brand introduced its newest premium progressive line-up, the Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES, inspired by Nikon’s contrast evaluation methodology used in its camera and optical lenses. Building on this approach, Nikon Lenswear developed a new evaluation method for eyeglass lenses to assess how optical aberrations affect contrast transmission through the lens.
Powered by the Z-Contrast Technology, Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES optimize the proximal zone – the lower part of the lens used for tasks within arm’s reach – creating a wider horizontal near-vision area that helps reduce the need for head movement when viewing nearby objects*.2 By preserving contrast transmission through the lens, the technology helps wearers discern fine details and text at near distances with greater ease. This enhanced clarity supports a smoother transition of focus between distances. Together, these innovations deliver a more refined, personalized and natural visual experience for progressive lens wearers.
Eyes are used every second of every waking moment, and premium progressives can help make the experience clearer and much more comfortable. “Premium progressive lenses are an investment in your life that you use every second,” Denise says. “It’s so important for patients to invest in the right product. Your life can be changed by choosing good quality lenses.”
To find a Nikon Lenswear partner and to learn more about Z SERIES PROGRESSIVES, visit nikonlenswear.com/en-ca/store-locator.
* compared to a standard progressive lens by Nikon Lenswear.
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