Drivewear(R) Technology Helps Combat Growing Percentage of Traffic Accidents Caused by Driving Distractions

Intelligent Prescription Lens Helps Reduce Sun Glare By Reacting to Varying Light and Road Conditions

TORRANCE, Ca., April 9, 2008 -- According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 80 percent of accidents happen within three seconds of some form of distraction, such as cell phones, adjusting the radio, dashboard dining, changing the heating or air conditioning, smoking, personal grooming, inattentiveness, and drowsiness.

There's another distraction that affects every driver -- sun glare, and a way to guard against it -- Drivewear(R) (http://www.drivewearlens.com/).

Drivewear Activated by Transitions(R) lenses change to meet varying light conditions -- from overcast to daylight to bright light -- both behind the windshield of a car and in direct sunlight. And it features the technology of NuPolar(R) to eliminate glare through polarization.

"People don't realize the driving task is immensely complex," said David Rips, president and CEO, Younger Optics. "Drivers are bombarded with road conditions, weather, traffic and noise -- all potential factors reducing driver safety."

According to Rips, Younger Optics developed Drivewear specifically to help people assimilate the visual details necessary for driving safely. Drivewear also provides good traffic signal recognition, highlighting reds and greens. "Because Drivewear is a prescription lens that changes color and darkness behind the windshield, safety conscious consumers should use them as their second pair, for the driving task."

According to Dr. Tim Sinek, O.D., of Manson, Iowa, Drivewear kept him safe in a blizzard, "(Drivewear) probably gave us another three car lengths in contrast, enough to see the yellow line and be able to make our way through it."

Drivewear combines the best of two technologies: Transitions(TM) photochromic technology, which is activated by light, and NuPolar(R), which eliminates glare through polarization.

Drivewear lenses will change color to best fit the light conditions; high contrast yellow-green in overcast conditions, copper for bright conditions behind the windshield of a car, and dark reddish-brown in bright outdoor light. Equally important to eye health, Drivewear blocks 100 percent of UV A and UV B.

Since we are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun every day, whether it is sunny or cloudy, and despite the season, UV protection is key to protecting eyes. Unprotected exposure over time can and often does damage the eye, such as, cataracts and damage to the retina. Both conditions can seriously impair vision.

According to the Vision Council of America (VCA), the sun is one of the most overlooked dangers while driving, particularly during the height of morning and evening commutes. Thousands of people are injured each year, some fatally, as a result of glare.

Drivewear is the only lens developed to specifically address the driving task. Polarized at all times and designed to shift between a lighter and darker color as visual conditions change, it is the ultimate in driving eyewear and is available at eye care professionals throughout the United States, as both prescription and non-prescription sun lenses. For more information, visit http://www.drivewearlens.com/.

Drivewear(R), a revolutionary technology developed by Younger Optics, was introduced in 2007. The lens, which elevates the driving experience by intelligently balancing the amount of light and information to reach the eye, is available from your eye care provider in both prescription and non-prescription applications. Capable of sensing and reacting to varying light conditions both outside and behind the windshield of the car, Drivewear lenses provide glare protection through polarization and enhanced vision through photochromics, which responds to visible and UV light.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080317/NEM109