New – ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses.

To verify that ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses fully meet consumer expectations, ZEISS conducted real-life wearer trials.

_{*Internal wearer trial with 60 CZV employees in Germany, 2013; external wearer trial with 70 eye care professionals and consumers in Spain, 2014}

The challenge
The pupil reacts to light intensity from its surroundings, specifically the light that directly strikes the eye. In daylight conditions, the pupil diameter is small, whereas it is large at night. In low light, so-called mesopic conditions, i.e. twilight, rainfall, dark days or night driving, the pupil diameter is in-between small and large. Space perception, as well as distance assessment, becomes more difficult for the driver.

After intensive research in the field of mesopic vision*, the rationale for the development of ZEISS Luminance Design™ Technology was identified and verified during wearer trials. In a nutshell: there is bright light (photopic vision), no light (scotopic vision) and in-between low light (mesopic vision). In mesopic conditions, the light intensity, and thus the pupil size changes: a challenge for visual performance.

_{*For more information please refer to the ZEISS DriveSafe White Paper}

The challenge
Glare describes the difficulty of seeing in bright light, such as direct sunlight or artificial light. Market research and scientific evidence both indicate that perceived glare in traffic is linked in particular to LED and Xenon HID light sources as used in modern car lighting technology. Intense glare can be a risk, as it reduces the visibility of objects and sensitivity of the eye to contrast. Glare also can be subjectively perceived as discomfort and irritation.

ZEISS vision science researchers carried out glare experiments. These formed the basis of internal studies* using different coating simulations. Scientific evidence shows that the blueish, high-energy part of the visible spectrum (in particular in the 440–470 nm range) using LED or Xenon H.I.D. (High Intensity Discharge) technology is linked to a glare effect perceived by drivers.

_{*For more information please refer to the ZEISS DriveSafe White Paper.}

The challenge
Driving demands a high level of concentration from drivers. Most of the time they need a broad view of the road in order to evaluate traffic conditions. The situation becomes challenging, especially for progressive lens wearers, when they need to switch their focus between the road, dashboard and mirrors. That is when dynamic vision becomes essential.

In an eye tracking study with FKFS* we identified the vision field needs of drivers:

• 97% of the recorded time they watch the road.
  
• 2% of the recorded time they use to look at the dashboard.
  
• 1% of the recorded time they switch focus between mirrors.

_{*FKFS Research Institute of Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart is an independent foundation associated with the University of Stuttgart. Founded in 1930, FKFS has become one of the largest and leading research institutes in the field of automotive engineering, serving major automobile manufacturers and suppliers. For more information please refer to the ZEISS DriveSafe White Paper.}

Polarised lenses may reduce the visibility of images produced by certain LCD/LED screens. Therefore please check visibility before usage with digital devices.

Please find detailed information in the ZEISS price list.