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Blog > Education > Rated for All Ages: Dispensing Photochromics to Teens
Teenagers and young adults who protect their eyes, eyelids, and skin around the eyes from exposure to the sun have a huge head start in terms of eye health. However, appealing to long-term consequences of not protecting your eyes can be a hard sell for this age group. It’s often up to a parent or guardian to make sure they protect their eyes from UVA/UVB rays and blue light from the sun and digital devices. SunSync® Elite Light-Reactive Lenses (photochromics) that adjust from dark to clear in seconds1 help keep eyes of all ages covered with 100% UV protection and offer significant blue light reduction, things that are of little concern to many teens but should be.
“When we’re younger, our pupils are generally bigger and can potentially allow more visible and non-visible UV light into the eye,” notes Jason Gentile, SunSync product manager and ABO-certified optician. “Having one pair of glasses that adapts to changing light conditions is ideal for teens and college-age students who are constantly going indoors and outdoors.”
Once considered specialty lenses that were slow to return to clear, light-reactive lenses have a cool factor now as more celebrities embrace self-tinting lenses. Years ago, lens materials were limited, but now patients are adding this enhancement to their everyday primary pair, and lenses are available in plastic (CR-39), polycarbonate, high-index 1.74 Trivex and 1.67.
As an Eye Care Professional (ECP), how would you recommend light-reactive lenses to teens? Teens often respond to questions differently than adults and emphasizing the health benefits may not resonate as well as issues such as appearance and convenience. If the patient is a minor, invite the parent or guardian to join in on the conversation and listen to their child’s feedback. Here are some examples to consider.
Do you go from inside and outside a lot? Teenagers in middle school and high school as well as young adults in college typically answer yes. You can explain the convenience of not having to fumble through a backpack for their prescription sunglasses. If the patient is concerned about lenses remaining dark indoors, you can explain that SunSync Elite fades back to clear in under a minute, so they don’t need to worry about looking out of place with lenses that have a lingering tint.
Are you a gamer or social media scroller? Hardly any patient in this age group say no to this question. SunSync Elite and Sunsync Drive XT provide excellent blue light reduction and can lessen the symptoms of over exposure to TVs, cellphones, laptops, etc., that can lead to digital eye strain, fatigue, headaches and watery eyes.
“Today’s teens are constantly looking at screens and convincing them to give their eyes a break can be challenging,” says Gentile. “If your patients don't take breaks from their digital devices, why not recommend a premium lens product that provides blue light filtration and reduces their exposure?”
How important is appearance to you? Most teens and young adults exhibit a heightened awareness of their outward appearance. One of the best parts of the dispensing journey is showing them how many stylish frames there are to satisfy their personal style. You can also slip in a reminder that the skin on our eyelids is very sensitive, and reducing exposure to UV light from a young age can potentially prevent skin conditions around the eyes later in life.2
Do you play any sports? Light-reactive lenses are made for movement indoors and out. These lenses are a great fit on the court, in the gym and on the field and can be fit into frames specially designed for sport activities, including wrapped frames.
As an ECP, how would you recommend light-reactive lenses to the person who is paying for the eyewear? Appearance may need to take a backseat to cost savings and convenience.
Are you paying for two sets of glasses? Many young patients have a primary pair and another pair of prescription sunglasses. This gets expensive, especially because teens can be prone to losing and damaging personal items. SunSync Elite functions as two pairs in one.
What is your experience with light-reactive lenses? When bringing the adult into the conversation, ask them what they know about photochromics. The parent may remember kids in class with half-tinted, boxy glasses that looked “nerdy.” Here’s a chance to explain how much these lenses have changed with faster activation and fade-back speeds and endless frame accommodations. Gone are the days of waiting five or more minutes for the lens to go back to clear.
Is your teen driving yet? Many patients are either learning to drive or are new drivers. SunSync Drive XT Light-Reactive Lenses are ultra-dark outdoors and retain a tint in the car. This gives new drivers one less distraction while on the road because they won’t have to hunt for and switch to prescription sunglasses while driving.
SunSync® Elite and SunSync Drive XT can benefit every patient that walks into your office because these lenses are a “life-reactive,” all-in-one solution that responds to a wearer’s environment. A simplified portfolio makes dispensing fast and easy, and technology and frames are light years beyond the days of “nerd glasses,” giving ECPs an opportunity to engage young patients that might become wearers for life.
Learn more about SunSync Elite and SunSync Drive XT or request an in-person demo from your ophthalmic business consultant. For the ultimate visual solution for patients, check out the Unity® Elite Suite.
1. t½F of SunSync Elite in polycarbonate is 51 seconds at 73.4°. 2. National Institute of Health, A Review on Sun Exposure and Skin Diseases