Quality of View (QoV) for all

To maintain clear vision, visual acuity, and eye health throughout our lives,
we need to take proper care of our eyes and vision, taking our stage of life into account.
With our innovative eyeglass lens materials and technologies,
Mitsui Chemicals seeks to provide optimal quality of view (QoV*) for anyone who wears glasses.
In an age of increasingly diverse lifestyles and values, Mitsui Chemicals is committed to research and development,
based on a caretaker’s perspective, that constantly seeks to achieve innovations that address the social needs of our times.

*QoV (Quality of View) is a measure of quality and satisfaction in all areas related to eyes and eyesight in our lives.
The term encompasses vision optimization and comfort, ocular health, and measures to prevent optical diseases.

Threats to Our Eyes and Vision

With the rapid advance of information technologies, our eyes are increasingly exposed to a harsh environment.
In addition to the ultraviolet (UV) and high-energy visible (HEV) light and other visible wavelengths, prolonged use of PC and smartphones may be linked to eyestrain and associated health problems. They may even contribute to certain eye diseases.
A significant range of factors may be involved in eye-related problems, including incorrect vision, exposure to high-intensity light and light at specific wavelengths, systemic illnesses, psychological and mental disorders, and environmental factors.

Seeing, Not Just Looking

The term visual acuity can mean different things, depending on context. For example, static visual acuity refers to the ability to see objects when both the eyes and target are stationary. Dynamic visual acuity refers to the ability to fix the line of sight on, and identify moving objects. Visual acuity for depth is the ability to correctly perceive perspective or solidity, an item checked in a visual acuity test when you renew your driver’s license. Distal visual acuity refers to seeing targets at distances of 5 m or beyond; near visual acuity refers to targets at distances of approximately 30 cm or closer. Presbyopia involves loss of the ability to focus on close objects, regardless of ability to see faraway objects.
We need to make comprehensive assessments of visual acuity based on these perspectives to achieve the optimal QoV meeting the needs of each individual.

Eye Problems Can Be Prevented

Eyestrain:
Are Your Glasses Harming Your Vision?

Eyestrain in most cases is caused either by the use of eyeglasses that are not adequate for the user. Also, overuse of the eyes due to overwork may be a cause. In recent years, increase in the use of PCs and smartphones has been named as a leading cause of eyestrain.
We now recognize that the UV components of sunlight are absorbed not just by the skin, but also by the eyes, causing eyestrain. Even indoors, the intensity and scale of lighting may play a role in eyestrain.
Measures to prevent eyestrain include reexamining your lifestyle to reduce overuse of the eyes and avoid nutritional deficiencies. It’s also important to have your vision checked and to select lenses appropriate for the intended work distance and manner of use.

Presbyopia:
Losing the Ability to See Written Materials Close Up

Our eyes are endowed with the ability to focus on objects near and far. But this ability progressively deteriorates with age, starting in our 40s. Many people experience difficulty focusing on close things.
This is a part of the natural aging process. It can happen to anyone, and if left untreated, it can cause serious complications. However, continuing to work on nearby objects with such impaired vision will lead to eyestrain. It is possible to reduce the burden on the eyes by selecting eyeglass lenses appropriate for the degree of presbyopia.

Eye Problems May
Signal Other Diseases

Eye problems and eyestrain also require attention because they may indicate the following eye diseases. If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

The macula is a central part of the retina and plays an important role in vision. Cumulative damage to the macula over time may dim or impair visual acuity in the center of our visual field, or may make it difficult to distinguish color.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma results in partial blind spots (scotoma) in the visual field, or narrowing thereof, due to damage to the optical nerve caused by increased intraocular pressure.

Cataract

A cataract refers to the clouding of the crystalline lens, which results in scattering of light, blurred vision, double vision, or glare. The progress of this condition may lead to impaired vision that ultimately can’t be corrected by eyeglasses.

Advice for Maintaining Healthy Eyes for Each Stage in Life

Children

Progressing levels of nearsightedness during childhood can increase the risk of macular degeneration, glaucoma, and retinal detachment in the future. Maintaining correct posture and adequate distances while reading and writing and participating in outdoor activities on sunny days will help slow the progress of nearsightedness.

Young Adults

A significant percentage of young adult groups enjoy outdoor activities. Various wavelengths of sunlight can significantly impact eye health. Both UV and visible light can cause age-related macular degeneration in the long run. Young adults should wear eyeglasses that block a broad range of harmful radiation as part of everyday wear and should make caring about good optical health a habit.

Middle-Aged Persons

Presbyopia emerges and begins to advance in the 40s. Leaving your vision uncorrected will place undue strain on your eyes. You may want to have several pairs of eyeglasses for different tasks—for example, a pair for ordinary use, a pair for deskwork, and a pair for leisure. Or you may want to try progressive lenses tuned for both near and far vision. It’s important to find the optimal vision correction solution for your condition and to keep your eyes as strain-free as possible.

Seniors

For individuals in this age group, eye diseases such as cataract and age-related macular degeneration become a much more common part of life. To enjoy the best possible vision even as you age, we recommend eyeglasses that enhance contrast or reduce glare.

The State of the Art in High-Performance, Functional Eyeglasses

Blocking Just Harmful Light

In the short term, ultraviolet light inflames the cornea. In the long term, it can lead to cataracts.¹ Light in the visible range can also be harmful. Wavelengths associated with blue light, for example, are potentially harmful. Certain lens materials are made using wavelength control technologies that block specific wavelengths, such as the “UV+420cut™.”
Clear lenses can block wavelengths associated with high-energy visible (HEV) light, which can cause age-related macular degeneration over the long term.²

*1 Protection for the naked eye. 2015 UV protection report. The vision council.

*2 Wu, J.; Seregard, S.; Algvere, P.V. Photochemical damgage of the retina. Surv Ophthalmol 2006, 51, 461-481. / Jarrett, S.G.; Boulton, M.E. Consequences of oxidative stress in age-related macular degeneration. Mol Aspects Med 2012, 33, 399-417.

UV+420cut™ special site

An Automatic Photochromic Function
that Responds to Changes in UV Light Conditions

Photochromic lenses change from light to dark depending on UV conditions, darkening outdoors in strong sunlight yet becoming clear once again indoors, thereby cutting harmful UV light and maintaining comfortable vision.
Popular lenses of this type include lenses with photochromic coatings. The SunSensors™ brand, an in-mass type lenses with photochromic pigments blended into the lens material itself, is designed so that photochromic functions aren’t degraded by scratching. They also offer faster response to changing light conditions.

Suppressing Glare and Ensuring Viewing Comfort

NeoContrast™ lenses rely on wavelength control technologies that selectively block bright light at specific wavelengths, allowing clear and comfortable viewing of target objects in vivid colors. These lenses create comfortable visual environments even in the glare of the daytime sun and help block headlight glare during nighttime driving.

Eliminating Chromatic Aberrations in Peripheral Vision

As the optical power of a lens increases, the red or blue chromatic aberrations generated by the prism effect in the peripheral areas of the lens become more noticeable.
The differences in chromatic aberration can be significant, depending on the lens material. The Abbe number is a useful index of this optical behavior. The R.I. 1.60 MR-8™ lens, for example, has a high Abbe number and thus generates lower levels of chromatic aberration compared to acrylic or polycarbonate lenses.

The Vision Care Materials Division of Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

Overview

From low R.I. to high R.I. lenses, the Vision Care Materials Division of Mitsui Chemicals offers a wide range of plastic lens materials for eyeglasses. Based on these plastic lenses, we’re also exploring new possibilities for eyeglass lenses by developing innovative technologies that add new functions to eyewear.
We also develop and manufacture high-quality coating materials, including hard coatings and anti-fog coatings to provide innovative solutions for eyeglasses and diverse applications across various industries.

Our Business Vision

The Vision Care Materials Division of Mitsui Chemicals seeks not just to develop and provide lens materials for vision correction, but to propose comprehensive solutions to various needs. In addition to the chemical synthesis technologies needed to manufacture high quality eyeglass lenses, we work to explore the potential of lens materials to present solutions for broader societal needs—health and comfort—by taking advantage of our specific functional technologies, including optical wavelength control and photochromatic and polarization technologies.
By marketing and cultivating markets for new products that contribute to improvements in QoV, we hope to enhance customer value in the eyeglass lens market.