Blue Light Protection: A Marriage of Protection and Aesthetics

By Nikon Optical Canada

The Nikon Difference

From photography to optical lenses, Nikon has developed a long and proud expertise in high-precision optics. Combining Japanese craftsmanship and more than 100 years of innovation, Nikon’s mission is to offer uncompromising quality of vision.

Nikon strives every day to exceed current limitations and offers the best of Protection, Precision and Aesthetics. Nikon’s pursuit for perfection has delivered the sharpest tailor-made lenses for exceptional vision precision. Also, Nikon enhances the aesthetics of vision with thinner and clearer lenses while improving materials and techniques to ensure complete protection of your patients’ vision in every environment.

Light Surrounds Us Everywhere

Over the last two years we spent a considerable amount of time indoors in front of digital devices whether it is for work, social media, celebrating a special loved one or to work out! Nonetheless, it has also given us the opportunity to appreciate nature, do some more physical activity outdoors and explore new parks and trails. The reality is light surrounds us everywhere and part of this light can be harmful.

UV Protection

UV rays are invisible yet they pose a considerable amount of danger not only to the skin but, to the human eye as well. Exposure to UV light can cause short-term problems such as photokeratitis which is basically a sunburn of the eye. Other long term effects can include cancers of the eye, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Certainly polarized lenses with UV protection provide the ultimate in sun protection with enhanced contrasts but clear lenses may also

provide UV protection up to 400 nm.

Let’s Talk About Blue Light Protection

Today’s electronic devices, including computers, tablets, smartphones and TVs emit high-energy blue light. Because of the growing popularity of these devices, the exposure to blue light sources has drastically increased, leading to negative effects on our health and eye vision. Blue light is a colour in the “visible light spectrum” that can be seen by human eyes. It has the shortest and highest-energy wavelength of the spectrum and can be found in energy sources such as the sun, electronic devices, fluorescent and LED lighting. While blue light can be beneficial, as it helps regulate the body’s natural sleep and wake cycle (circadian rhythm), boost alertness and elevate the mood; too much blue light exposure can have serious consequences on our health.

When asking consumers if they would be interested in protecting themselves from blue light, 86% of them responded yes 1. However, what we also know is that 1 in 4 patients are also hesitant to use blue light protected lenses because of their appearance 2. Blue light protected lenses reflect the harmful blue light so the bluish reflection becomes visible on the lens when it’s doing its job. The downside here is whether you are in a virtual meeting, taking beautiful pictures during your sister’s wedding reception or taking silly selfies with friends at a BBQ, these blue light reflections are also visible to the camera showing a bluish hue on your lens and pictures. This is why some patients are hesitant to opt for that option.

Good News! No need to compromise on aesthetics

Nikon was the first to invent blue light cut lenses in 2011 and introduced Pure Blue UV in 2021. With Nikon’s Light Purification Technology, embedded molecules within the lens intelligently filter UV and part of the blue light before it reaches the patient’s eyes. Essentially this light purification technology captures the invisible danger you can’t see while offering enhanced aesthetics. So now whether your wearers are conducting virtual meetings or capturing memories of their in-person events, they can enjoy a better look without blue light reflections being visible on the lens.

Pure Blue UV is a new high end material that allows protection and aesthetics to co-live together. It is the best looking solution compared to standard lenses with similar levels of protection and offers up to 35% blue light cut. For added protection, a blue light filter coating such as SeeCoatTM Next Blue can be added to offer up to 40% blue light cut.

Some simple steps to keep in mind when recommending 1. Select Pure Blue UV as your main solution and not as an option

Do not recommend it as an option like you would for a coating. Rather opt for Pure Blue

UV over a clear solution and then select the index material. Whether your patients are already equipped with a blue light filter coating or not, current wearers of blue light protected lenses and potential blue light wearers will benefit from Pure Blue UV.

2. Additional revenue with every sale

By converting your clear lenses to Pure Blue UV you will be able to generate additional revenue for every sale. It’ll also be a time saver as you don’t need to take the extra time to explain the residual blue reflection and yellow tint.

3. Better aesthetics at the same price point

For the same price as the SeeCoatTM Next Blue in clear material, Pure Blue UV provides clarity and protection all in one. For those non blue light wearers that have been hesitant to convert for aesthetic reasons, demonstrate the benefits of Pure Blue UV it with Nikon’s iPad Revealer*.

4. Additional blue light protection

For added blue light protection and the next generation coating after SeeCoatTM Blue

Premium, top the Pure Blue UV solution with

SeeCoatTM Next Blue.

5. Availability

Available in NL Stock and in surfaced lenses in all indices except 1.74 and on most Nikon designs except NLAS, SOLO and Kids.

To conclude, patients depend on the recommendation of their eye care professional. By offering the best protection, aesthetics and precision to your patients, you are guaranteed to create customer loyalty and repeat business. With this in mind, strategize your consultation and sales approach with your team in order to provide patients the best products and services you have to offer.

*A Nikon Business Development Partner can provide you all the details.

References 1. IPSOS, AMD and Blue Light opinion survey, USA, Germany, China - 2012 n-600 (USA), n=600 (GER), n=600 (China) 2. Web survey conducted with blue light cut wearers and non-wearer from 20-60 years of age, Japan 2019, n=420