Progressive Lenses – What are the best?

Decoding Vision: A Guide to Varilux and Hoya Progressive Lenses

For anyone who needs corrective lenses, the world of eyewear can be a complex landscape of brands, technologies, and choices. This is especially true when it comes to progressive lenses, the modern marvels that provide seamless vision at all distances without the tell-tale lines of traditional bifocals. Two of the most respected names in the industry are Varilux and Hoya, both renowned for their innovation and quality. But how do you choose between them? At TheLastOptical.com, we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge, so we’ve created this guide to help you understand the key differences and find the perfect fit for your unique visual needs.

The Philosophy of Choice

Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to recognize that both Varilux (by Essilor) and Hoya have reached incredible levels of sophistication in their lens designs. There isn’t a single “best” lens for everyone; the ideal choice depends on your individual prescription, lifestyle, and how you use your eyes throughout the day. Our goal is to move beyond the constraints of vision plans and offer a curated selection of the best available technology.

To simplify the comparison, we’ll look at the offerings from both brands through a “Good, Better, Best” framework, comparing their entry-level, mid-tier, and premium products.

Entry-Level Excellence: Comfortable Vision for Everyday Life

For those new to progressive lenses or seeking a high-quality yet affordable option, both brands offer excellent entry points.

• Hoya Amplitude BKS: This lens is designed for overall comfort and features Free-Form Backside Surfacing Technology. This means the complex progressive optics are placed on the back surface of the lens, closer to your eye, which provides a wider, more distortion-free field of view.
• Varilux Comfort DRx: As its name suggests, this lens prioritizes comfort. It provides smooth transitions between near and far and utilizes Customized Near Vision Technology, which tailors the reading portion of the lens to your specific prescription for a more natural head and eye position while reading.

Mid-Tier Mastery: Advanced Technology for Enhanced Clarity

Moving up the ladder, both brands introduce technologies that account for the fact that you have two eyes working together.

• Hoya Array 2: This lens introduces Binocular Harmonization Technology, which considers the difference in prescription between your left and right eyes to balance the design and provide effortless focusing.
• Varilux Physio W3+: Similarly, the Physio lens features SynchronEyes Technology, which calculates both lenses as a single pair to enhance clarity from edge to edge. It also incorporates W.A.V.E 2 Technology to provide sharper vision in all lighting conditions, even at night.

Premium Personalization: The Pinnacle of Progressive Design

Feature	Hoya iD Series (MyStyle 2 / Lifestyle 3)	Varilux X Series
Core Technology	Binocular Harmonization, iD Design	SynchronEyes, W.A.V.E 2
Key Innovation	3D Visual Acuity Simulation & lifestyle-based designs (Indoor, Urban, Outdoor)	Xtend Technology for reduced head movement at arm’s length
Customization	Highly personalized based on an interactive consultation and wearing preferences	Bespoke options with personalized measurements (Varilux X Fit)
Benefit	Limitless design variations for a truly individual fit	Eliminates the “off-balance” feeling and provides seamless vision within arm’s reach

• Hoya iD Series: Hoya’s premium offerings, like the iD MyStyle 2, are incredibly personalized. They use an interactive consultation to gather data about your lifestyle and preferences, then use a patented binocular eye model to create a lens with limitless design variations. The iD Lifestyle 3 offers specific designs optimized for different environments, such as “Indoor,” “Urban,” or “Outdoor.”
• Varilux X Series: The flagship of the Varilux line, the X Series, introduces Xtend Technology, which is a game-changer for how you see within arm’s reach. It allows you to see multiple distances through a single point in the lens, significantly reducing the need to move your head to find the “sweet spot.” This is particularly beneficial for heavy users of digital devices. The series also features Nanoptix Technology, which helps to eliminate the swimming, “off-balance” sensation that some people experience with progressive lenses.

Making the Right Choice for You

Choosing between Varilux and Hoya is a decision best made in consultation with your trusted optician. By discussing your daily activities, visual demands, and any past experiences with eyewear, we can help guide you to the lens technology that will provide you with the clearest, most comfortable, and most natural vision possible.

At TheLastOptical.com, we are proud to offer a diverse portfolio of the world’s most advanced lenses. We invite you to schedule a consultation to explore these options and experience the difference that a truly personalized progressive lens can make in your life.