Tokai’s CCP/CCP400 lenses have been described as the underdog in absorptive lens design with colour variation that can be selected to suit a plethora of patient needs. The range is not widely known – but optometrists report their patients are pleasantly surprised with the level of visual comfort.
Optometrist Ms Sonia Shin, of Eyecatch Optical in Brisbane, has given Tokai’s CCP/CCP400 absorptive lenses her tick of approval – nothing says endorsement of a product more than getting a prescription yourself. As someone with mild cataracts, Shin says she feels instant relief and a greater degree of comfort.
“I definitely feel much more comfortable wearing the lenses,” Shin says.
After previously relying on sunglasses, a hat and blue-light control lenses to relieve the discomfort that came from glare, she finds the lenses a highly effective alternative or even complementary.
Similarly, her patients with retinal detachment, glaucoma and macular degeneration, among other eye diseases, all experience a similar level of relief.
“All my patients are very happy that I’ve recommended the lenses,” she says. “They’ve also never had any lenses like this before.”
Having established itself in Australia for five years, Tokai Optical Australia has seen a rapid increase in awareness as a high-quality lens manufacturer from Japan, with its range increasingly becoming a staple in many independent practices.
“Tokai lenses are synonymous with premium quality without necessarily carrying a premium price tag,” Tokai Optical Australia managing director Mr Justin Chiang says.
The CCP/CCP400 range utilises a selective light filter designed to enhance vision comfort and clarity, particularly for people with certain eye conditions affected by glare.
The CCP absorptive lenses can suppress 380 to 500 nm blue wavelength light – which is reported to potentially cause damage to the retina and cornea – and offer relief from glare. Meanwhile, products in the CCP400 series offer a wide colour variation to “provide a rich visual environment” and can be used to for all patient lifestyles, both indoors and outdoors.
Chiang says through years of research on the impact of light on vision – especially for those with cataracts, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, macular degeneration, and light sensitivity – Tokai has found solutions to the way various eye conditions respond to light.
“This research led to the development of the Tokai CCP/CCP400 range, which aims to eliminate or reduce specific light wavelengths for improved comfort and clearer vision for those in need.”
Although the range does not cure eye disorders, it’s designed to significantly improve vision quality and comfort by targeting the light that causes glare while allowing light necessary for clear vision to pass through.
“For instance, someone with glaucoma may experience glare or excessive brightness from computer screens, TVs, or even general lighting conditions, compared to someone with good vision,” Chiang says. “While a person with good vision might use lightly tinted sunglasses to reduce glare for everyday tasks, such lenses can reduce vision clarity for someone with an eye condition.”
In addition to degenerative eye diseases, patients with neurological disorders or light sensitivity find their visual comfort have improved with the lenses.
“The benefits extend beyond those with severe eye conditions. Anyone who experiences light sensitivity can find value in this range,” Chiang adds.
“These lenses can function as sunglasses, offering a light tint with the effectiveness of darker sunglasses. This provides the advantage of maintaining clear vision when transitioning from bright outdoor environments to indoor spaces or tunnels.”
Visual noise-cancellation
Optometrist Ms Sandy Phuan of Optical Connect in Queensland has special interests in paediatrics – but is expanding her scope-of-practice to capture neurological conditions as well. These patient profiles have been shown to benefit significantly from the lenses, including those with functional neurological disorder (FND) which is often associated with light sensitivity.
Those with visual snow syndrome – a disease characterised by a continuous visual disturbance that resembles the noise of a detuned analogue television – have also reported benefits when using certain tints.
“They’ve reported that there’s no noise in their vision,” Phuan says. “In this case, the lenses work in a similar way to noise-cancelling headphones.
“Usually, I go through an array of tests to check on the pattern glare and check for their sensitivity to light. We usually go through a number of different colours and see what their preference is and whether it will take off that pattern glare and discomfort with the line plates using the Wilkins Pattern Glare Test,” Phuan says.
Patients are given a trial consisting of a tint overlay to assess their visual comfort.
Relative to other specialty lens tints, Phuan says the CCP/CCP400 range offers a different intensity and more neutral colour options and with a photochromatic function. This protects patients’ eyes from UV rays, while providing full visibility in low light environments.
For driving at night, Phuan says there are a several tint options that allow patients to legally drive in this environment because they are not limited by lighting conditions associated with certain tints.
Phuan says by offering these lenses, she has captured different patient bases. For example, she has patients with seizures referred to her by neurophysiotherapists to check for ocular dysfunction as there are some tints that can improve these symptoms.
“Some of the tints can improve their ocular motility as well,” Phuan says.
Not a widely known option for light-filtering, Phuan says her patients are often relieved to have an alternative to dark polarised lenses.
“Some of my patients who used to wear dark polarised lenses and then made the switch to the CCP range felt that there was less glare even though the lenses aren’t as dense,” Phuan says.
Chiang adds: “The CCP/CCP400 lenses represent a range that many people are unaware of, yet it offers significant benefits to a broad range of patients.”
Similarly, Shin and Phuan came across the lens range at an O=MEGA conference, never having heard of it or of a similar alternative. They both saw the range as an opportunity to elevate their level of care. “It adds another layer to patient care and comfort,” Shin says.
To ensure patients and eyecare professionals alike are confident in the CCP range, Tokai provides comprehensive support.
Shin says Tokai’s service is unmatched and explains that if patients are unhappy with their prescription, the company is quick to offer its support, analyse the problem and provide a solution. She says this is particularly useful when there’s a learning curve for practice staff when adopting any new type of lens, such as the CCP range.
“It makes things easy for the new dispensers or new receptionist, for example. Tokai’s been very helpful in offering peace of mind to patients for trying something new,” Shin says.
Chiang adds: “While Tokai CCP/CCP400 lenses may not be widely known in the Australian market yet, the O=MEGA exhibition has generated increased awareness and interest. Educating eyecare practitioners about this range is crucial, as a significant portion of the population experiences light sensitivity that CCP/CCP400 lenses can address.”
Educating the public about this product and its potential to improve vision and quality of life is equally important, according to Chiang, as the lens series has a “proven track record of long-term effectiveness”.
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