ATLANTA, Ga.—Amid rising concern
over the dangers of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and HEV blue
light, Robertson Optical is introducing Royal AR, a new line of
anti-reflective coatings that protect the eyes by reflecting this
potentially harmful spectrum of light.
All of Robertson’s new Royal AR
coatings include easy-to-clean super hydro or hydrophobic top coats and
anti-static properties. The coatings, which are highly resistant to
scratching, feature double hard coats and include non-slip grip pads for
easy edging. The line consists of four coatings: RB Tech AR/UVR/HEV,
Royal Elite AR/UVR, Royal Gard AR/UVR, and Royal UltraClean AR/UVR.
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A Robertson Optical technician compares a lens with Royal AR (l) next to one without the coating. |
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The RB Tech AR/UVR/HEV coating
offers protection from backside UV reflections plus up to 95 percent
reduction in HEV light. This coating is identified by its pleasing skin
tone color. Also, as an integral part of the coating, the UV reflector
reduces the amount of UV that reflects off the back of the lens that
normally enters the eye.
When ultraviolet rays hit the back
of an AR coating, a percentage of UV is not absorbed by the lens.
Instead, the UV is amplified by as much as 15 percent and is directed
into the eye. In addition to blocking HEV light the UV reflector reduces
the amplified UV to just 1 percent, thus offering the patient maximum
protection from damaging UV.
The UVR reflectors on the market
are only effective on lenses with built-in UV absorption properties.
Plastic lenses only absorb about 80 percent of the ultraviolet rays;
therefore, Robertson recommends that for maximum protection all patients
wear Trivex, Transitions 1.50, Poly, 1.60 or 1.67 materials.
Royal Elite AR/UVR, Royal Gard AR/UVR and Royal UltraClean AR/UVR feature the UVR reflector but without the HEV protection. ■
akarp@jobson.com