Aging eyes get help with near vision

Just about everyone over the age of 50 knows how it feels to hold a book or label at arm's length and squint in hopes of making out the words. It's a reaction to an age-related decrease in the eyes' focusing ability called presbyopia, and no one ages without noticing its effects.

Investors, reach for your checkbooks, because a solution is in the works. A revolutionary optical technology is now in development at the College of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona. So far, researchers have developed an odd-looking device that can change focus from near to far with the flip of a switch. Liquid crystals embedded in the lenses align using electric or magnetic fields. Flipping the switch causes the crystals to realign. That changes the way light is bent by the lenses and the way the eye focuses.

More stylish future generations of the device will have sensors that automatically adjust the focus as the viewer's gaze changes. Once commercialized, expect a lucrative vision revolution. While eye surgeons may develop laser surgery techniques that will eliminate the need for bifocals and trifocals as lens-wearing consumers age, sufficient numbers of patients will need or prefer a non-surgical alternative. Electronic adjustable-focus glasses will fly off opticians' shelves.

Then the world will beat a path to the door of Roanoke, Va.-based PixelOptics--and the many other ophthalmic companies that are sure to exploit the new technology.

For more information
PixelOptics
www.pixeloptics.com

Ronald D. Blum, O.D.
President and C.E.O.
PixelOptics, Inc.
2840 Hershberger Road, Suite B
Roanoke, VA 24017
540-777-6093 Direct
540-777-6555 fax