Sequel PAL lenses reduce digital eye strain

Newton said a six-week clinical evaluation found reduced digital eye strain symptoms among wearers of its Sequel PAL progressive addition lenses. Optometry Times published the report on May 13, citing a prospective study commissioned by Newton and conducted at six U.S. clinical sites. The study enrolled 30 participants age 40 and older who were already progressive-lens wearers and used digital devices at least four hours a day, with 29 completing follow-up. (optometrytimes.com) (sequellens.com) The report adds a new data point to Newton’s effort to market Sequel as an everyday spectacle lens for screen-heavy use. The company says the product uses what it calls Convergence Boost technology, a prismatic correction built into the lower intermediate and near zones of the lens. Newton says that design is meant to address both accommodative and vergence demands during prolonged near work. ### What exactly changed after six weeks of wear? (optometrytimes.com) The primary endpoint was the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire, or CVS-Q, a validated 16-item measure of digital eye strain symptoms. Optometry Times reported the median CVS-Q score fell to 2 from 7 after six weeks, which the study described as a statistically significant improvement with a p-value below 0.05. The report said that represented a 71% improvement and moved the median participant from symptomatic to non-symptomatic status under the questionnaire’s threshold. (optometrytimes.com) Optometric Management reported the average baseline CVS-Q score was 6.83, while scores of 6 or higher are considered symptomatic. That outlet also said the six-week results were drawn from the 29 participants who completed follow-up. ### Who was in the clinical sample? Thirty participants were enrolled across six U.S. sites over a two-month enrollment period, according to the trade-press reports. The inclusion criteria required participants to be at least 40 years old, already adapted to progressive lenses, and spending at least four hours a day on digital devices. (optometrytimes.com) Optometric Management said the average participant age was 58.3 years. That design means the findings apply most directly to established progressive-lens wearers rather than first-time multifocal users. (optometricmanagement.com) The reports did not describe a randomized control group or compare Sequel PAL directly against another progressive lens in the same trial. ### What did wearers say about comfort and clarity? Optometry Times said 83% of participants reported being very comfortable performing everyday tasks while wearing Sequel PAL lenses. (optometrytimes.com) The same report said 76% were comfortable with the field of view provided by the lenses, while Net Promoter Score results for visual comfort exceeded 40 across measured domains and visual clarity exceeded 60. Optometric Management gave more detail on symptom reports, saying 76% of participants reported no end-of-day eye fatigue, 65% were very satisfied with wear, more than 65% reported no distortion or blurring, and 86% reported no swaying sensation. (optometrytimes.com) That report said the highest clarity scores were tied to viewing dashboards and watching television. ### How does Newton say the lens works? Newton said Sequel PAL applies a “gentle” proprietary prismatic correction through the lower intermediate and near zones of the lens. (optometrytimes.com) In the company’s description, cited by Optometry Times, the correction supports what Newton called a more natural vergence position during near and digital tasks. Optometric Management summarized the company’s rationale by saying conventional progressive lenses address accommodative demands but do not account for vergence demands during prolonged near and intermediate work. (optometricmanagement.com) Newton’s consumer-facing Sequel site similarly says Convergence Boost is designed to improve comfort and clarity during screen use. ### Where can readers find the study and the product details? Optometry Times published the clinical report on May 13, and Optometric Management published a separate write-up the same day. (optometrytimes.com) Newton’s Sequel website lists product claims, describes the company’s Convergence Boost technology, and directs users seeking the lenses to provider channels. (optometricmanagement.com)