Independent eye care providers have a simple goal: To have the freedom to set their own standard of care--a standard of care that assures patients the best eye care available. We believe that eyewear is eye care. Your patients’ lenses factor into your standard of care as much as anything else. So it helps to understand what's available, to know that you're making the best decision possible for your patient. That's why we're comparing progressive lenswear on the market. Today we're taking a look at Varilux vs. Hoya progressive lenses.

Why compare Hoya and Varilux progressive lenses?

Hoya has a long reputation for supporting independent eye care providers. As supporters of independent eye care ourselves, we think it makes sense to consider selling patients Hoya progressive lenswear. To be clear: We don't think there's anything wrong with Varilux progressive lenswear. They may not be perfect for every patient's needs, but that's the same of any lens. Most lens vendors have reached the same level of innovation in their products. However, patients' needs differ. They're unique and it's important to find the right lenswear for their individual corrective needs.

Often when patients are in the wrong lenses it's because of vision plan constraints. Understanding comparisons of all the progressives on the market within a good, better, best framework, makes it easier to identify exactly which lens is the best fit for each individual patient. We've compared Varliux and Nikon, as well as Varilux and Shamir. Now it's time to review how Varilux compares with Hoya's progressive lenses.

By taking a look at Hoya’s lenswear, we hope we can help you provide patients with an expanded field of options from which they can select the best product for their corrective needs. If you're interested in another vendor you can find our other Varilux lenswear comparisons here: Nikon and Shamir.

Varilux vs. Hoya lenses: A lens-by-lens PAL breakdown

In our comparison of Hoya and Varilux progressive lenses we’ll take a look at the PALs through the good, better, best framework. This article will only compare progressive lenses. We have another article on task, computer and near variable focus lenswear that covers various vendors.

Hoya Amplitude BKS

Our lens comparisons start with the entry option: Hoya Amplitude BKS. The closest comparison among Essilor’s progressive lens options is the Varilux Comfort DRx. These lenses are designed to provide patients with an affordable progressive lens product.

Hoya Amplitude BKS offers patients a comfortable design made to fit most lifestyle needs. All Amplitude lenses are designted to systemically lessen astigmatism in the peruphery for each base curve and add power combination offering optimized clarity of vision in all zones. Hoya Amplitude BKS features BKS Hoya Free-Form Backside surfacing technology. This backside surfacing technology offers patients a wider viewing area, clear and distortion-free viewing, and superior vision at all distances. These lenses are part of a line or products that, unlike bifocal lenses, eliminate the line that creates abrupt changes from near to far vision.

Similarly, the Varilux Comfort DRx is EssilorLuxottica's affordable backside-surfaced progressive lens option. This is an entry product that provides patients with easy and comfortable transitions between near, far and inbetween.

The Varilux Comfort DRx features proprietary Essilor Digital Surface Process Control, which offers patients exceptional precision and accuracy. The Varilux product also offers Customized Near Vision Technology. This addition is customized according to the patient’s prescription to keep the head and eyes in comfortable positions while reading.

Hoya Array 2

If your patient is looking for a high end lens, such as the Varilux Physio W3+, then the Hoya Array 2 is a great alternative option.

Other than being free of the baggage that comes with vision plans, the Hoya Array 2 offers patients a number of features to improve comfort and performance. This product includes customizable variable corridor length for ergonomic improvement. The Hoya Array 2 also applies freeform surfacing technology to the backside of any semi-finished lens in any material. It also incorporates Binocular Harmonization Technology. This addition takes into account the differences between the left and right prescription to balance design performance. Additionally, the Hoya Array 2 Wrap provides a compensated design for wrap frames.

The Varilux Physio W3+ is similar in many ways. SynchronEyes Technology, like Binocular Harmonization Technology, calculates both the left and right lenses as a pair in order to improve clarity. In addition, Wavefront Advanced Vision Enhancement 2 (W.A.V.E 2) Technology adapts wavefront control to the patient’s visual requirements. W.A.V.E. 2 offers patients sharper vision at all distances and in all lighting conditions—including night. Patients wearing the Varilux Physio W3+ also read more comfortably with Customized Near Vision Technology.

Hoya iD MyStyle 2 and Hoya iD Lifestyle 3

Next we’re taking a look at two options that are among Hoya’s best and comparable to the Varilux X Series. They’re the Hoya iD MyStyle 2 and the Hoya iD Lifestyle 3.

These two lenses from Hoya are among the vendor’s best progressive lenswear. Let’s start with the Hoya iD Lifestyle 3. This lens features some of the technology found with the Hoya Array 2, such as Binocular Harmonization Technology. It also reduces eye rotation between distance and near zones, and offers wider fields of view, through an integrated Dual Side (iD) design with standardized front vertical power distribution and customized back horizontal progression. Other features include fully integrated surfaces using Balanced View control to minimize aberration, optional position of wear measurements and designs for indoor, urban and outdoor.

The Hoya iD MyStyle 2 is another top tier option from Hoya. The bespoke lens offers patients limitless design variations. Like the Hoya iD Lifestyle 3, it also features Binocular Harmonization Technology and iD design technology for ideal binocular vision. Every pair also incorporates a patented binocular eye model and 3D visual acuity simulation. Hoya uses an interactive consultation program to collect patient information (including lifestyle requirements and wearing preferences) to create a uniquely personalized lens. The Hoya iD MyStyle 2 The lenses are available in four convenience options: Modern, Detail, Adventure and Stable.

These lenses are comparable to products in the Varilux X Series. These lenses feature technologies similar to those found in Hoya’s top tier lenses. W.A.V.E 2 Technology offers sharp distances across viewing zones while SynchronEyes Technology calculates borth the left and right lenses as a pair for higher clairty across both. The Varilux X Series also features Nanoptix Technology, which helps eliminate “off-balance” feeling, and Xtend Technology, which assists with reducing head movement within arm’s reach.

The Varilux X Fit is nearest to the Hoya iD MyStyle 2. It is also a bespoke option that includes, in addition to the aforementioned technologies, personalized patient measurements.

Why it’s important to offer independent eyewear such as Hoya

No one lens is right for every patient, everywhere. It's important to provide optiosn to ensure that your patients have opportunities to find the best lenswear for their needs. It’s within your power to establish your preferred standard of care and take back control of your practice.