Encore Vision has received notice that Younger Optics will be discontinuing the product line of Infinite Gray Nupolar products. On page three of your Encore Vision lens price guide (polarized page) please cross out the Infinite Gray column.
Lens Backorders & Shipping Woes
The optical industry is experiencing unprecedented delays in the delivery of the raw materials used to process lenses here at the lab and we would like to inform you of three sides of the operations that are experiencing problems currently so you can best inform your patients.
Due to ongoing shipping delays, our lens suppliers are experiencing long lead times on the transfer and import of lenses, and it has now begun to affect the daily lens orders here at Encore Vision. We have stocked up on key lenses but certain base curves and add powers have run out sooner than others. This has also started to delay restocks of various frame models that are stuck in production.
Essilor has had production problems with Trivex multi-focals and some unique Transitions products such as 8x35 and round bifocals causing 1+ month delays.
Additionally, one of our main lens vendors, Hoya Optical North America (which includes Vision Ease and Seiko Optical) has had an unexpected network interruption since the 7th of April and have not been able to get their systems back online to ship any lenses. They are estimating that they will be operational and shipping lenses on the 15th, but this is not guaranteed.
Encore Vision will do its best to keep you informed and call with suggestions to avoid order delays. We will also be offering free upgrades to different materials or filters if it will increase the speed of processing your orders.
Eyewear Sanitation
Recommendations on how to sanitize your eyeglasses without damaging coatings, platings, and plastics that are present in most frames. Many commercial sanitizing products contain chemicals that over time will haze coatings or even fracture frames and lenses. The following three options will keep your eyewear looking great for years to come.
With any of these methods you will want to start by cleaning your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer before then putting on vinyl or latex gloves.
Cleaning with a mild soap and warm water: Encore Vision recommends cleaning all frames with an anti-bacterial lotion-free soap or a mild dish soap such as Dawn mixed in with warm water.
If you have many eyeglasses that you need to clean and sanitize, consider filling a tub with warm water and soap and submerging the frame while moving it back and forth to make sure the water/soap solution penetrates all areas of the eyewear before removing the frame and rinsing with clean water under a sink or in another tub with fresh/distilled water. Finish by drying frames with a microfiber cloth.
You can also apply small drops of soap directly onto the frame and lenses and begin to work a lather with a splash of water in a sink that spreads across the entire frame and lenses. After 20-30 seconds you can begin to wash off the eyewear under a stream of warm running water to remove soap film and finish by drying the lenses with a microfiber cloth.
Cleaning with a 1.5% diluted hydrogen peroxide solution: You can make use of hydrogen peroxide 1.5% wipes and gently wiping the entire frame including nose pads, frame temples, and lenses. Let it stand on the frame for several minutes following the directions on the package to give the hydrogen peroxide solution enough time to kill off bacteria and viruses. If you cannot source prepackaged wipes you can make your own solution by using a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and diluting it with water in a 50/50 concentration. Pour or spray onto a microfiber cloth and wipe down the entire frame. You can also fill a small tub with the solution and submerge larger batches of frames for cleaning.
Hydrogen peroxide begins to lose its effectiveness when exposed to light so keep bottles in dark containers, or regularly replace the solution with a new batch.
UVC Chamber: Sanitize frames utilizing 200-280nm light in the ultraviolet spectrum in a UVC chamber. Make sure to follow the manufacturers recommended guidelines to ensure the eyewear reaches sanitation. This includes making sure the light hits every part of the frame and is not obstructed by frame parts such as folded temples. Also make sure there is no dirt or dust obscuring the light penetration.
Please refer to the CDC and Vision Council for more information regarding these sanitation methods. DISCLAIMER - The above information is provided for reference purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. If you have medical related concerns about the spreading and/or contracting of infectious diseases associated with wearing or cleaning of eyewear frames, please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov for the most recent developments and advice. Encore Vision assumes no obligation or liability for the information contained herein.
Customer Service Hours
We want to thank each of our customers for being your lab of choice during these troubling times!
To match the increasing volumes of prescription lens orders, eyeglass orders, and customer calls each day, we are expanding our hours.
Starting July 27th, Encore Vision will now be open Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm pacific time.
Encore Vision's COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Operations
We have taken steps here at Encore Vision to make sure our employees stay safe during this outbreak by sanitizing our workplace and utilizing other exposure-reducing measures. Additionally, we offer sick leave to our employees to encourage them not to come into work with any illnesses.
Encore Vision will continue to accept all orders, and currently we do not expect any delays in the processing of frame and lab orders. That said, since our customers have scaled back operations and in some cases closed their doors for the next two to four weeks. Encore Vision will reduce our work hours to match the reduction in orders and call volume.
Starting Monday March 23rd, 2020 our operating hours will be between 8:30am to 4:00pm Pacific Time. This will be temporary and we hope to resume normal operations as soon as possible. Please refer back to our website and blog for new updates.
The health and safety of our customers, patients, and employees is our top priority and we will continue to monitor the progression of COVID-19 and will adjust plans based on new information.
Younger Transitions Poly Adage
Younger Optics has informed us that the Adage Progressive lens in Poly Transitions is not making the jump to Generation 8 and will be discontinued. Please cross off this product on your pricing guides.
Transitions Generation 8
Starting July 1st Transitions will begin to roll out their newest generation of photochromic lenses, and it will take place over the course of 6 months. There is nothing that lab customers need to do as Encore Vision will replace older Transitions VII stock with Generation 8 as it becomes available.
The following products will be the first replaced starting July 1st: CR-39 Plastic single vision, Flat-top 28, Flat-top 35, 7x28 trifocal, 8x35 trifocal, Image, and Encore Digital products. Polycarbonate single vision, Image, and Encore Digital products. Lastly, 1.67 Index single vision, Image, and Encore Digital products.
Other materials will start at a later date and might also experience delays in the roll out. Contact Encore Vision for more information.
Specialty Lens Designs from IOT
In addition to the new digital progressive and bifocal offerings, Encore is adding on more specialty lenses from IOT.
IOT Reader is a new “computer/office” style lens that brings more options to the dispenser and patient. This lens handles smaller B-measurement frames better than the Beyond Computer and can also handle a wider range of add power. Depending on the patient’s work environment, they can pick four different versions of the office lens: 1.3meter (4ft), 2m (6.5ft), 4m (13ft), and 6m (20ft)
IOT Acomoda is a digital lens option for anti-fatigue style lenses. We expect this will be a very popular lens because it provides pre-presbyopia patients with some relief when doing tasks up close. This lens can be for any age and has several add power options (0.50, 0.75, 1.00).
This lens pairs well with the blue-blocking material for better eye comfort throughout the day.
Three lenses offer “lenticularization” options. They are listed in bold on your price guide: IOT SV, IOT Everyday, and IOT Ultimate. It ensures both that the patient has an area of clear vision and reduces the thickness of the lenses where it is not needed (typically a 45mm diameter area). This will make the patient’s glasses lighter, and may allow patients to choose frames that they couldn’t previously.
Call or e-mail Encore for more information regarding these lenses.