Virtual reality and artificial intelligence are everywhere we look these days and are changing how we interact with the world. The optical industry is not immune to the advantages and challenges VR and AI have introduced. We can use these technologies to design each digital lens using VR headsets or running prescriptions through AI algorithms. … Continued
The choice to stay in older lens technology may not be a choice for much longer. Many older lens options are quickly becoming impractical to make and are increasingly being discontinued. Glass was once that only material used for prescription lenses and is even the namesake for the device: glasses. Since the introduction of plastic … Continued
Benjamin Franklin was undoubtedly an incredible inventor, but we’ve had a few new ideas in the past 240 years. When we examine the limitations and optical challenges of flat-top bifocals, it’s hard to understand why they still make up such a relatively large portion of our lens sales. Abrupt prismatic jumps, limited focal range, and … Continued
Whether we are upgrading our phone, or our mid-nineties Cherokee just bit the dust, we know that buying a new replacement will have inherent technology upgrades. You can’t get a rotary phone from the Verizon store, nor can you ask for something with a cassette player from the Jeep dealership. Technology marches on and we … Continued
No matter how advanced lenses become, there will always be a need to evaluate visual concerns. When troubleshooting, we want to be aware of lens compensations and the position-of-wear values provided in the order to inform these changes. We must use the new tools at our disposal to address complaints and find solutions. Often the … Continued
When selling advanced lens technology, it helps to communicate this effectively with your patient. We can add value to the lens by taking extra care and time for special measurements and asking about their lifestyles and how they use their eyes. Making sure you’re getting recognition for personalization and giving the 5-star service that your … Continued
With lens compensations and 1/100th diopter precision, we must learn to trust the math. We can’t know the proprietary algorithms that go into each lens calculation, we can only know the rules for verifying the result. Labs supply the lens compensation along with the original prescribed Rx. The compensation is often referred to as the … Continued
The best way for an optician to build confidence in fitting advanced lens design is through education and training. Know how each lens is indented to be fit and the parameters and customizations available. Use those customizations to their full extent by taking additional measurements, asking your patient about lifestyle needs, and determining how to … Continued
We can correct refractive error with extreme precision and advanced technology, but the ultimate fact of the matter is that it’s not our eyes that see; instead, it is our brain that interprets our vision. Anything new or unexpected in our visual field requires our brain to adapt, even if those changes are improvements. Changes … Continued
In the optical industry, we have the distinct disadvantage of selling invisible technology. We must explain and promote advancements in lens algorithms, personalization, and precision without the tangible, obvious evolution of products like cell phones, TVs, or vehicles. We ask for a bigger investment in eyewear for a custom-made product that we then have to … Continued
Although our aim is to get presbyopic patients in progressive lenses, there will always be an occasion and demand for a bifocal. Digitally manufactured bifocal designs are a new take on Benjamin Franklin’s enduring flat-top. Some digital bifocals are more of a hybrid progressive/bifocal that’s designed with an extreme short corridor with very steep contours … Continued
Before we reach the age where our eyes can no longer achieve near focus, known as presbyopia, we all can internally change focus to see up-close through the accommodative process. Our eyes are in their relaxed state when gazing beyond 20 feet, but the automatic reflex to add plus power to see up closer takes … Continued
Wrapped eyewear causes a considerable amount of visual impairment when filled with prescription lenses. The very nature of these frames requires extreme, non-ideal base curves and excessive lens tilt in opposing directions. A specialty wrap compensated lens design tackles these challenges, making sport eyewear possible for a wider range of patients. These lenses are calculated … Continued
Digital single vision utilized atoric design, meaning there are complex curves on the back lens surface to produce better edge-to-edge clarity and reduce many common lens aberrations. Much like conventional aspheric designs, single-vision digital lenses reduce the optical effects of minification or magnification of high powers and the corrected curvature of the lens produces flatter … Continued
The benefits of freeform lens design are not limited to progressive lens wearers. Many offices have transitioned to only offering freeform progressive technology but have yet to embrace the benefits of single-vision digital, anti-fatigue, or digital bifocal lens styles.
The more finite increments of corridor lengths available in freeform design means that each progressive can allow optimal real estate distribution to focal lengths in all shapes and segment heights. Variable corridors assigned by the lens design algorithm greatly improves the utility of the progressive in any chosen frame depth. The option to choose a … Continued
Most digital lens designs will be customized for optimal fit and prescription distribution in your frame based off the measured segment height. Conventional designs have a fixed length between distance and near correction and are at most offered in a long or short corridor option. Not only do most digital designs have multiple lengths in … Continued
Some lens designs offer customizations that can enhance the width of specific focal ranges based on lifestyle preferences or prescription needs. Progressives can offer alternative designs that provide more generous distance, near, or intermediate focal zones. These choices can be inspired by a conversation with the patient about what improvements can be made from their … Continued
Proprietary devices made by lens companies to analyze eye movement and gaze direction have been around for over a decade now, but these devices are getting much more sophisticated all the time. Earlier mechanisms were often in the form of a freestanding device or even tablet app that would determine how you move your head … Continued
The further personalization of digital lens design can consider many factors of preference and use. Progressive contours can either be steep or soft based on the patient’s tendency to move their head or eyes more when changing gaze direction. Other strategies involve questionnaires or activity assessments that can point to customized design options. The optician’s … Continued