In this issue N°67 we ask an expert panel to examine the effects of exposure to the sun's rays, and principally the effects due to short wave lengths: from blue to UV. This is a topical subject for dermatologists and vision specialists alike.

As a manufacturer of ophthalmic lenses, it is Essilor's duty to find the appropriate solutions.

Corinne Dot writes about a longitudinal study, begun in 1993, which was transformed into a study at a given time T in 2009, involving a large number of High Mountain Guides in Chamonix working at altitudes of between 1000 and 4000m, and an equivalent number of people living at lower altitude.

Johnson Choon-Hwai Tan and Han-Born Fam show the impacts on the eyes of people living in a region between a tropic and the equator, an area where the sun is practically always at its zenith and where the amount of UV radiation received at sea level is at its highest, due to the thinness of our natural shield, the atmosphere.

Uday Kumar Addepalli et al. (India) demonstrate the harmful effects of UV radiation on the crystalline lens in a country where very little eye protection is used, and the wearing of sunglasses and visors is only very marginal.

Herbert L. Hoover reminds us about the transmission of the suns rays onto and inside the human eyeball.

Kevin O'Connor sets out the variety of standards implemented to date with regard to protection against the sun's most harmful radiation, both for "sunglasses" and tinted prescription or "sun" lenses.

Karl Citek writes about a side effect that is very often neglected, the reflection of UV radiation on the concave side of ophthalmic lenses and the research that has been carried out with the aim of correcting this problem in the future.

Colin Fowler sets out clearly the dangers for eyes and skin due to UV radiation encountered in everyday life.

According to expert findings it is clear that ophthalmic lenses should go beyond their initial role of compensating for refraction defects and become real protective shields for the human eye against all wavelengths that are harmful to the eye. Essilor offers a wide range of products, from tinted lenses through to Transitions® (photochromic) lenses and Airwear (polycarbonate) lenses, which cut out 100% of UV radiation.

Hélène de Rossi et al. present the new Varilux series, the fruit of continued innovation and experience acquired worldwide, ever with the aim of ceaselessly improving Varilux wearer comfort.

Pascal Lacan et al. present the new UV protection Crizal treatment. 

EDITORIAL N°67 by Marc ALEXANDRE

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