Contact lenses that darken under sunlight coming in 2019
New Acuvue Oasys with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology™ first of its kind contact lens provides wearers with vision correction and quickly and seamlessly adjusts from clear to dark in response to changing light conditions. Image: PRNewsfoto/Johnson & Johnson Vision Care
Contact lens that adjust based on light intensity may be the next big vision correction product next year.
Johnson & Johnson Vision, a company specializing in producing eye care products, partnered with Transitions Optical to create the Acuvue Oasys contact lenses. These contact lenses adjust to available light by “darkening” the lens in a similar manner to the Transitions adaptive glasses.
Oasys will be reusable up to two weeks and will be marketed by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. according to a joint statement.
Acuvue Oasys achieves the darkening effect through a light-sensitive dynamic photochromic filter developed by Transitions. This filter interacts with light and attempts to balance how much light gets delivered into the eye. Acuvue provides protection from ultraviolet light and also filters out blue light from indoor light sources.
More than 1,000 patients participated in clinical trials until the United States Food and Drug Administration cleared the Oasys for commercial use. Johnson & Johnson plans to make the contact lenses available by the first half of 2019. JB
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