ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology Named Among TIME's 'Best Inventions of 2018'

First-of-its-kind contact lens corrects vision and adapts to changing light conditions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Nov. 16, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- TIME has selected ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology as one of the 'Best Inventions of 2018,' in its annual round-up spotlighting groundbreaking innovations worldwide. The development of ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions has created and defined an entirely new category of contact lenses that provides wearers with vision correction and reduces blaring light*^,i for all-day soothing vision.**

The contact lenses – built for a modern and active lifestyle – help reduce exposure to bright light indoors and outdoors, including filtering blue light¨ and blocking UV rays that can impact eye comfort and vision.^{+‡ ii,iii,iv,v,vi}

"Receiving this prestigious designation for ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions alongside other game-changing inventions that are improving the way we live in today's 'always on' world, is a major achievement for our company," said Ashley McEvoy, Executive Vice President and Worldwide Chairman, Medical Devices, Johnson & Johnson. "This ACUVUE innovation was born out of deep research into consumer lifestyle needs, and it took more than a decade to combine the revolutionary light-adaptive technology with these advanced contact lenses. The result are lenses that deliver a first-of-its-kind benefit, going beyond vision correction to be as nimble as consumers are in their everyday lives." 

The two-week reusable contact lens, which will be marketed by Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., continuously adapts from clear to dark and back, helping eyes adjust to changing light better than they would on their own. ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions begin to darken as soon as they're exposed to UV or HEV light, with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology enabling the lenses to become dark in 45 seconds – and fade back from dark to clear within 90 seconds when going from outdoors to indoors.^v At full activation, the lenses block up to 70 percent of visible light.^v The revolutionary contact lens experience is designed to offer the highest level of UV protection available in contact lenses and are the only contact lenses that provide 100% protection against UVB rays.^+‡v,vii

ACUVUE OASYS with Transitions was developed through a strategic partnership between Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. and Transitions Optical Limited– combining the strengths and expertise of each company.

The contact lenses received 510(k) clearance for the attenuation of bright light from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in April of this year, and was issued a medical device license by Health Canada in October of this year. They are expected to launch in the U.S., Canada and other select markets in the first half of 2019.

About Transitions Light Intelligent Technology
Transitions Light Intelligent Technology was introduced by Transitions Optical in 1990. Transitions Optical is the leading provider of photochromic (smart adaptive) eyeglass lenses worldwide, having been the first to successfully manufacture and commercialize plastic adaptive lenses. Transitions Optical offers a wide variety of eyeglass lens and shield products, setting new standards of advanced performance.

Johnson & Johnson Vision
At Johnson & Johnson Vision, we have a bold ambition: to change the trajectory of eye health around the world. Through our operating companies, we deliver innovation that enables eye care professionals to create better outcomes for patients throughout their lives, with products and technologies that address unmet needs including refractive error, cataracts and dry eye. In communities with greatest need, we work in collaboration to expand access to quality eye care, and we are committed to helping people see better, connect better and live better. Visit us at www.jjvision.com. Follow @JNJVision on Twitter and Johnson & Johnson Vision on LinkedIn.

Important information for contact lens wearers
ACUVUE Brand Contact Lenses are available by prescription only for vision correction. An eye care professional will determine whether contact lenses are right for you. Although rare, serious eye problems can develop while wearing contact lenses. To help avoid these problems, follow the wear and replacement schedule and the lens care instructions provided by your eye doctor. Do not wear contact lenses if you have an eye infection, or experience eye discomfort, excessive tearing, vision changes, redness or other eye problems. If one of these conditions occurs, remove the lens and contact your eye doctor immediately. For more information on proper wear, care and safety, talk to your eye care professional, call 1-800-843-2020, or download the Patient Instruction Guide.

Lenses are not a replacement for sunglasses.

+Helps protect against transmission of harmful UV radiation to the cornea and into the eye.

‡WARNING: UV-absorbing contact lenses are NOT substitutes for protective UV-absorbing eyewear such as UV-absorbing goggles or sunglasses because they do not completely cover the eye and surrounding area. You should continue to use UV-absorbing eyewear as directed. NOTE: Long-term exposure to UV radiation is one of the risk factors associated with cataracts. Exposure is based on a number of factors such as environmental conditions (altitude, geography, cloud cover) and personal factors (extent and nature of outdoor activities). UV-blocking contact lenses help provide protection against harmful UV radiation. However, clinical studies have not been done to demonstrate that wearing UV-blocking contact lenses reduces the risk of developing cataracts or other eye disorders. Consult your eye care practitioner for more information.

ACUVUE OASYS is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. Transitions is a registered trademark, the Transitions logo, Transitions Light Intelligent Technology and Transitions Light Intelligent Lenses are trademarks of Transitions Optical, Inc. used under license by Transitions Optical Limited.

Third-party trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

© 2018 Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.

* Defined as changing high intensity / bright light found both indoors and outdoors.
** Defined as comfortable vision under bright light conditions.
¨ Calculated per ISO-8980-3 for 380-460nm (Blue Light Hazard Function, B(λ))

ⁱJJV Data on File 2018: Blaring Light Market Research.
ⁱⁱAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology. What is Photokeratitis. Available at: www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/photokeratitis-snow-blindness. Accessed 22 Jan 2018.
ⁱⁱⁱAmerican Optometric Association. UV Protection.  Available at: www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/caring-for-your-vision/uv-protection. Accessed 22 Jan 2018.
^ivWalls HL, Walls KL, Benke G. Eye Disease Resulting From Increased Use of Fluorescent Lighting as a Climate Change Mitigation Strategy. American Journal of Public Health. 2011;101(12):2222-2225.
^vJJV Data on File 2018: Definition of ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions™ Light Intelligent Technology™
^viJJV Data on File 2018: Material Properties ACUVUE OASYS® Brand Contact Lenses with HYDRACLEAR® Plus and other reusable contact lenses
^viiJJV Data on File 2018: JJV Data on File 2018: ACUVUE® OASYS with Transitions™ Objective Clinical

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Vision