I have been wearing spectacles since I was seven years old. Typically, I change my spectacles once every year – partly out of vanity for newer frames, but mainly because my lenses were worn out.
I put on my spectacles from the moment I wake up everyday till seconds before I go to sleep at night. Putting this into perspective, my pair of spectacles it is the single item that I spend the most time with – even more than my wife, my laptop or my iPhone.
No wonder it wears out fast – my spectacles have to bear the brunt of dropping on the floor; getting wet; smudges and scratches; and dozens of other daily hazards.
Spectacle wearers like me spend 2/3 of our lives seeing the world through our spectacle lenses. Essentially, the lenses are like “second pair of eyes” that helps us conduct our daily activities.
However, observations by optometrists have shown that Singaporeans tend to devote more time selecting spectacle frames (I am guilty of this too); when it comes to spectacle lenses, the majority is less particular or discerning, and often just opts for lenses with higher indices for largely aesthetical reasons.
Thanks to Vibes Communications and Essilor Singapore, I was fitted with a pair of spectacles with Crizal lenses and got to learn the importance of getting the right lenses when fitting a new pair of spectacles.
In its press release, Crizal lenses, developed by Essilor, are said to be able to achieve both visionary benefits and good visual aesthetics for its users. It claims to eliminate all the five enemies of clear vision, namely reflections, scratches, smudges, water and dust, while enabling the wearer to maintain a pleasant disposition.
I was sceptical at first. Having wore spectacles for over two decades of my life, how come I never knew such good stuff exist?
However, after two weeks of usage, I am now a Crizal lenses convert (which explains the permanent banner I have put up on my blog’s right-hand-side bar). When my lenses get wet, smudged or dusty, I can wipe it with any cloth material and it will be crystal clear again. Amazing. 🙂
Let me touch on the benefits of Crizal lenses, point-by-point. The no smudge; no water and no dust features are the three that impressed me the most:
No Smudges
Mishandling of spectacle lenses leading to recurrent thumbprint smudges is a common problem amongst both adults and children. This can be largely avoided with Crizal lenses’ in-built smudge-repellent feature that eliminates the occurrence of oily smudges or dirty spots.
No Water
Crizal lenses feature hydrophopic or water-repellent properties that prevent water from lingering and spreading across the lenses. Instead, water droplets simply roll off the lenses. This makes the lenses more stain-resistant and easier to maintain. Wearers need not fret about experiencing blurred vision on a rainy day; droplets or water vapour that cloud lenses after a hot meal or exiting a cold room; and engaging in water sports like sailing or boating.
No Dust
Crizal lenses have also been designed to resist dust accumulation. Standard lenses attract dust because of static electricity, which is even more prevalent when lenses are being cleaned. Crizal lenses have anti-static properties that help to keep dust and grit particles at bay, even in a dusty environment or walking along dust-covered roads amidst strong winds.
No Reflection
Crizal lenses eliminate reflections and ‘ghost’ images caused by artificial light, enhancing visual comfort and overall aesthetical outlook. Visual performances for activities such as night driving, playing sports, or watching large-scale outdoor events like fireworks displays are greatly improved, as spectacle wearers can view and judge with better accuracy.
No Scratches
Lenses surfaces are highly susceptible to scratches. Crizal lenses provide scratch resistance to ensure optimal visual clarity. This makes the lenses ideal for children, as well as wearers who engage in active lifestyles.
I cannot bear to subject my new pair of spectacles and lenses to deliberate abuse for testing purposes. However, fellow blogger, Yong Wei, did that to his Crizal lenses and older lenses for comparison. Check out his blog entry.
Crizal lenses are available nationwide, at all authorised retailers and distributors. For more Crizal information, visit www.crizal.com.sg.
About Essilor
Founded in 1972, Essilor is a worldwide leader in developing and manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, lens coating and dispensary technologies. Premium eyeglass lenses from Essilor are the result of more than 150 years of advanced research, innovation and technology.
Essilor offers a wide range of lenses under the flagship Varilux®, Crizal®, Essilor® and Definity® brands to correct myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia and astigmatism. The company has subsidiaries in more than 30 countries and is represented in more than 100 countries with major production centers in Europe, North and Central America and Asia.
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I guess this is an old post, but do you still feel the same way about Crizal lenses? Is this a paid advert post? I have Crizal lenses and, frankly, they stink. Smudges cannot be cleaned at all. Well, I can clean the smudge on my left lense, but it just comes right back in as little as an hour if it’s humid out. The same smudge has been on my lense for about 2 years now, and the company will not inform me of any method for cleaning it.
They surely have no scratch resistance! I just brough back my Cryzal lenses after 11 months because they are the most scratched up lenses I have ever owned. Fortunately they are still under the one year guarantee. The right lense looks almost like it was rubbed with emery cloth. Its become hazy. So far I can say they are the worst lenses I have ever had. I put back on an old pair and I can see much better. A pair that has 5 years of use and not a scratch. I think I’ll get the frame fixed to use for a back up pair. So if this is what Cryzal is like so far I can say they are the worst lenses I have ever had. I hope I get a new one year guarantee with the replacement set.
i agree with what notmygravatar mentioned. I use Crizal lenses for about 6 months. There’s some water spots that can’t be cleaned.
i wonder how ???
I was able to reduce the smudging by soaking them in lense cleaner for several nights alternating with soaking them in soapy water for several nights. Spray on generous amounts of lense cleaner, then let the glasses sit (don’t wipe off the lense cleaner). Next night, let the glasses soak in soapy water. Keep alternating between lense cleaner bath and soap water bath on alternate nights. for a while.