Essilor Varilux Start or Shamir Opulens Apex Pro: choosing a Gold-band starter progressive

Progressive lenses at Vision Express are organised by band (Silver, Gold, Platinum) and by tier (Starter, Enhanced, Premium). Gold sits in the middle band. Within Gold, the Starter tier has two lenses: Essilor Varilux Start and Shamir Opulens Apex Pro. This guide compares what we can say about them honestly, and helps you decide what to ask your optometrist.

How the menu is organised

Think of it as a grid. The band sets the broad level of the lens. The tier sets the design brand and customisation within that band. A Gold Starter lens is a step above a Silver Starter and below a Gold Enhanced. If you are new to progressives, understanding the grid helps you avoid paying for a level you do not need, or buying below what your day demands.

The two lenses at a glance

• Essilor Varilux Start: made in France, lead time 3 to 5 days.
• Shamir Opulens Apex Pro: made by Shamir in Israel, lead time 7 to 9 days.

Essilor lines generally carry a second pair at 50% off, and Shamir lines generally carry Buy 1 Get 1. Offers change, so confirm the current promotion in store.

What a progressive does

A progressive lens gives you distance vision at the top, intermediate vision (computer, dashboard) in the middle, and near vision (reading, phone) at the bottom, all in a single lens with no visible line. Moving between them means moving your eyes down through the lens. The width of each zone differs by design, and so does how quickly your eyes adjust.

Who should look at Essilor Varilux Start

Varilux Start fits someone who wants their pair soon. With a 3 to 5 day lead time, it is the faster of the two, which matters if you are replacing a broken pair or travelling soon. It also suits people who want an Essilor lens, since the Essilor line gives a clear path to move up through Varilux Physio Extensee and Varilux Liberty later, if your needs grow.

Who should look at Shamir Opulens Apex Pro

Opulens Apex Pro suits someone who is happy to wait 7 to 9 days and wants to start in the Shamir family. Shamir offers a clear step up to the Autograph range when you are ready, so choosing Apex Pro can be a first move in a path you can climb. Ask the team how the two families differ in how they are customised to your frame and prescription.

Questions that settle the choice

1. When do you need the pair? If it is within a week, Varilux Start has the edge on lead time.
2. What does your day look like? Long hours at a desk, driving, or mostly reading each place different demands on the lens.
3. Is this your first progressive? If so, ask whether a Silver lens such as Shamir Autograph InTouch UX or Essilor Varilux Comfort Max would serve you better for adaptation.
4. Do you want a room to move up later? Both lenses sit on a ladder.

What we do not claim

Both lenses are Starter tier. We do not say one has a wider field or smoother edges than the other, because we cannot verify that from a page and your eyes will differ from anyone else's. What we can say is that both carry a design built for progressive wear, both are fitted by our optical team, and both are covered by the same service promises. The rest is your Vision7 result and how you feel in a trial.

Adaptation, whichever you choose

Every progressive needs a few weeks of adjustment. Look through the lens by pointing your nose at what you want to see. Wear the new pair consistently. If the edges feel swimmy or reading feels forced after the first couple of weeks, return for a fitting check. Free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment is part of the service.

Book your Vision7 exam

Book a Vision7 eye test at your nearest Vision Express store. The seven-step exam measures your distance and near prescription together and records how you use your eyes day to day, which is the starting point for any progressive. Then ask for Essilor Varilux Start if you want your pair in 3 to 5 days, or Shamir Opulens Apex Pro if you are happy to wait 7 to 9 days and want to begin in the Shamir family. Every pair comes with a 1-year warranty, free lifetime ultrasonic cleaning, and free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment.