A Step-by-Step Dispensing Guide for TechShield Premium Products

If seeing is believing then every patient would ask for the best anti-reflective coating possible. However, not every patient is going to see or understand the benefits of TechShield^® Elite and TechShield Blue premium anti-reflective coatings. Not only are they the best options for visual acuity, but these Category D AR coatings are the best option for your practice because premium TechShield products increase profit on every order. However, dispensing TechShield Elite and TechShield Blue is not just about making more money for your practice; it’s about fulfilling the mission of helping patients see as clearly as possible.

“It’s important to offer the best smudge resistance and easiest cleanability,” says Kaitlyn Keane, Product Manager, Lens Enhancements. “The clearer the lens the more noticeable smudges and dirt become. With our ultra-premium coatings, wearers will spend less time cleaning and more time seeing."

Understanding Category D Premium-Level AR Attributes

The primary purpose of all AR coatings is to allow the full transmittance of light into the eye. The more light that gets through the better the visual experience. Transmittance can increase from 90% to 100% when a polycarbonate lens is treated with a premium anti-reflective coating, allowing the maximum amount of visible light through the lens and into the eye.

While all TechShield AR coatings are considered premium and provide patients with excellent visual clarity, scratch resistance, smudge resistance and cleanability, TechShield Elite and TechShield Blue are “ultra” premium enhancements. This means that in addition to the anti-reflective and hard coating components, these products include super-oleophobic and super-hydrophobic layers that repel oil and water for exceptional cleanability and smudge resistance.

These additional layers are what set TechShield Elite and TechShield Blue apart. TechShield Blue includes all the anti-reflective and hard coating layers of TechShield Elite but adds one more layer for targeted blue light reduction. TechShield Blue targets wavelengths associated with blue light, which is between 400nm and 430nm, reducing exposure by as much as 85%. When in front of a screen, a blue reflection can be seen on the front surface of the lens because the coating is doing its job and reflecting those wavelengths away from eyes. When not in the presence of blue light, TechShield Blue will have an attractive near-clear appearance. 

In spite of these exceptional advantages, some patients may still be resistant to leveling up to a Category D premium coating. Here are some dispensing tips that can help you turn a “no thanks” response into “I’m in.”

Step 1: Identify the Right Patients– and that’s all of them!

Every person who walks into an optometry office is a good candidate for our Category D premium products. All lenses, regardless of the material, reflect and refract light. Everyone who is exposed to light will be affected by lens reflections.

Step 2: Take a logical approach

Explain that most phoropters in the exam room use lenses with AR coating. By not adding a premium anti-reflective coating, the effectiveness of their prescription could be compromised. With a premium AR coating, they will be able to see better and experience sharper, clearer vision due to the reduced glare.

Step 3: Emphasize the cosmetic advantages

No matter what age, patients want to look their best. A premium AR coating reduces reflections from the front and back surface. Without a premium AR coating, whatever or whomever is in front of the lens will be reflected on the surface, not an attractive look on anyone.

Step: 4: Connect AR coatings with a patient’s needs 

Establish a personal connection with your patient’s visual needs and demands. Ask the patient what their occupation is and whether they’re on a computer more than two hours a day, play video games or watch TV often. If they say yes, explain how TechShield Blue with blue light reduction could reduce the symptoms of over exposure to blue light, such as eye strain, fatigue, headaches and watery eyes. 

Step 5: Don’t treat Category D as an add-on

Anti-reflective coatings are as important to eyewear as the frame itself. TechShield Elite and TechShield Blue are the highest quality in the TechShield line and should be part of the package, not just an add-on. Many practices bundle a Category D AR coating into their pricing rather than positioning it as an extra.

Dispensing AR Coatings the Easy Way 

TechShield Blue and TechShield Elite are not only the best choice for enhancing a patient’s visual quality, but these lenses are also easy to dispense. With a streamlined portfolio and near limitless lens compatibility, you can spend more time pairing the perfect coating with your patients’ unique needs. Plus, all TechShield AR coatings are backed by a two-year warranty which gives you even more confidence in your recommendation. 

TechShield Anti-Reflective Coatings are available on all lens brands and materials unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer and can be ordered from VSPOne^® Technology Centers and Authorized Distributor Laboratories. 

Not dispensing TechShield premium products? Reach out for a free, personalized demo and see for yourself just how advanced and patient-pleasing these AR coatings are.