Simplifying the Light-Reactive Lens Landscape with SunSync
Many ECPs dispensing light-reactive lenses, or photochromics, are familiar with the term, “choice overload.” Whether it’s a type of optical lens or a wall of different salad dressings at the grocery store, having too many choices can make it more difficult for people to decide. “This is certainly true when it comes to photochromic lenses,” notes SunSync Product Manager Jason Gentile, ABO. “When we introduced the latest version of SunSync Elite, we also wanted to make it easier for eye care professionals to recommend the light-reactive lens best suited for their patients, so we also streamlined our SunSync portfolio.”
The portfolio included SunSync® Elite, Sunsync Elite XT, SunSync Drive XT and original SunSync. While this might not seem like a lot, combine each lens enhancement with options such as lens type and materials, coatings, color, etc., and “decision fatigue” can set in quickly. Not only that, having two "XT" Extra Reactive lenses could be confusing.
Simpler but Not Simple
SunSync Elite transformed the light-reactive lens landscape because the upgraded lens broke through so many barriers to convincing patients to give light-reactive lenses a first or second try. Independent labs tests revealed astonishingly fast fade-back speeds—2X faster1 than the most common photochromic lens. Clarity indoors also improved with a near clear tint, a highly desirable quality according to ECP and patient surveys. And now, the latest SunSync Elite is even darker outdoors. Add in all the other benefits included in all products in the SunSync portfolio, such as exceptional blue light filtration, 100% UV protection, long performance lifespan and outstanding durability, and we realized that three products would be easier to learn, explain, dispense, and order.
Making the decision to go from four lenses to three was not an easy one; however, the idea was not entirely ours. ECPs have expressed frustration with how complicated dispensing traditional photochromics is with so many different types of lenses and so many opportunities to make a mistake.
Choosing a light-reactive lens should be fast and easy for opticians and patients alike. The new SunSync portfolio includes the following lenses, each with features to cover every patient need:
- SunSync Elite
- SunSync Drive XT
- Original SunSync
From Light-Reactive to Life-Reactive
So why did we simplify the SunSync portfolio? We determined that the remaining three products are more aligned with what patients want. The number one patient request is fast activation and fade-back speeds. SunSync Elite clocks in at less than a minute to go from dark to clear.2 If fast activation and fade-back speeds and darker outdoors are a priority for patients, SunSync Elite is the lens to recommend.
The number two patient request is for a light-reactive lens that works in the car. That’s where SunSync Drive XT takes the wheel.
Driving the Best of Both Worlds
In addition to fast-activation and fade-back speeds, SunSync Drive XT retains its tint behind the wheel, is ultra-dark outdoors and offers exceptional indoor clarity. If a dark lens outdoors and tint behind the wheel are a patient priority, SunSync Drive XT is the lens to recommend.
The Light-Reactive Lens that Started It All
Our first light-reactive lens to come on the scene, original SunSync was the foundation that led to advances like SunSync Elite and SunSync Drive XT. Original SunSync offers fast activation and fade-back speed but not as fast as SunSync Elite. Original SunSync offers indoor clarity and outdoor darkness but is not an ultra-dark lens like Drive XT and does not retain a tint behind the wheel.
So, if SunSync Elite and SunSync Drive XT offer so many other benefits, why keep the original SunSync at all? Original SunSync is available in a variety of lens materials and designs, including lined bifocals for those patients who still prefer using that lens design. If a variety of lens materials, designs and lined bifocals are a priority for patients, original SunSync is the lens to recommend.
A Light-Reactive Lens for All Patients
SunSync Elite, SunSync Drive XT and original SunSync include features that ECPs can tailor to what is most important to patients—faster fade-back and activation, darker lens outdoors, in-car retention or flexibility with materials and designs. Plus, by reducing the number of brands, opticians can offer their patients easy-to-understand choices and experience a more streamlined order and fulfillment process.
The Risk-Free Decision
With a simpler ordering process combined with lenses that meet every patient need, the revised portfolio is a win-win for practices, and no matter which SunSync product a patient chooses, all SunSync lenses include 100% UV protection and superb blue-light filtration. Be sure to remind patients that SunSync lenses are also backed by an exclusive one-year, 100% satisfaction guarantee for VSP members so they can try them risk free for 12 months. Sometimes less really is more.
1. In independent testing, SunSync Elite fades from fully activated to 56%T in 40 seconds compared to 54.5 %T in 120 seconds for Transitions® Signature® Gen 8™. Testing conducted in Polycarbonate to ISO 8980-3 standard.
2. t½F of SunSync Elite in polycarbonate is 53 seconds at 73.4°F.