digital lens zeiss

8/8/2019 Digital Lens Zeiss

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Straight Talk About

Digital LensesBringing you a greater understanding of the opticalindustrys most talked about new technology.

Brought to you by these industry innovators:

Includes a free-form

lens availability chart


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Shamir Creation. Flat And Exact.

Shamir Creation was developed with patented Freeform Optics to provide resolution up to six times more

accurate than standard cast PALs.

Shamir Creation features an extended base curve selection (up to 20 percent more than a leading

competitor) providing flatter, cosmetically superior lenses (up to 40 percent flatter).

This extensive base curve selection not only produces flatter lenses, but also results in an optimally divided

prescription range that guarantees the best optical performance for each prescription.

Simulated Lower pixel resolution Simulated Higher pixel resolution

Shamir Creation and Freeform Optics are trademarks of Shamir Insight, Inc.

For more information please contact your Shamir

Account Executive at 877-514-8330 or your

ReCreat ing Perfect Vision Partner Lab.

Comparatively, one can make an

analogy of Freeform Optics to the

quality of a digital camera. The

higher the pixel count, the higherthe degree of resolution it

facilitates and the more precise

the level of visual fine-tuning it

permits.

Simulation of 40% flatter lens.

CRE-ADS-0606

Shamir Creation is available in a wide range of materials from your Shamir Recreating Perfect Vision partnering lab.


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D

Digital lens processing, alsoreferred to as direct-to-surfaceprocessing and, most prevalently, free-

form, has been the talk of the optical

industry since it first emerged in the

U.S. market just a few short years ago.

It has resulted in numerous lens

advancements, and stands to be one ofthe most dynamic technological inno-

vations in the manufacture of eyewear.

For the first time, the wearer can actu-

ally receive a corrective lens designed

expressly to accommodate his or her

prescription, without the compromises

previously necessitated by a conven-

tional lens inventory built around an

acceptable, though limited, number of

base curves.

Most of the major lens manufacturers

have at least one product on

the market that employs direct-to-sur-

face processing, and many more such

products are certain to follow. In

fact, it is anticipated that direct-to-

surface lenses will garner at least an

8% market share by the end of this

decade.

However, the rapid introduction ofthese products, many with differing

technical and marketing claims, has

created confusion among independent

ECPs, labs, and optical retailers.

We hope to clear up some of that con-

fusion with this editorial presentation

and leave you with a clearer idea of

the features and benefits of this excit-

ing, new technology. In these pages,

we describe the free-form process and

how it works, explain how lens

designers have addressed this new sys-

tem of manufacture, and what it willmean for both lens casters and labs as

the technology proliferates.

We also discuss the significance of

free-form to the practitioner and the

patient, how this may change the dis-

pensing process, and how to adjust the

culture of your practice or retail envi-

ronment to address it.

This project would not have been pos-sible without the support of its spon-

sorsShamir Insight, Seiko Optical

Products, Essilor and Carl Zeiss

Visionindustry innovators all.

We hope you find Straight Talk about

Digital Lenses to be useful and illu-

minating. Thanks for reading

Jim Grootegoed,

Ed De GennaroProject Editors

Why Discuss Digital Lenses?

Ed De Gennaro

Jim Grootegoed


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FFreeform. Digitally Computed PAL.Individual PAL. Direct to surfacetechnology. Digital Surfacing. Direct-

to-surface PAL. Vision First Design.

High Definition (HD) Technology.

Personalized Progressive Lenses.

These are but a few terms all being used

to describe the same, new category of digi-

tal lenses generically called free-form.

Just what are free-form lenses?Confused? Well, you should be. The evo-

lution of the Individually Measured,

Computed and Manufactured Progressive

Addition Lens Using Computer

Programs To Run Three-Axis Generators

and Polishers to Provide the Wearer With

an Optimized Lens Correction For A

Visual Defect is new and evolving. The

acronym, IMCMPALUCPTRTAGPPW

WOLCFAVD to describe the process

might be a tad long and possibly difficultto remember, let alone explain to a

patient. Therefore, the lens designers are

coiningand trademarking or register-

ingterms and phrases like those above

to describe and differentiate the free-

form process.

But, in reality, what is IMCM-

PALUCPTRTAGPPWWOLCFAVD

(free-form)?

Basically, it consists of three separate buttotally dependent parts: A progressive

lens design; a software program; and very

specific processing equipment.

Design

Free-form lens design may be catego-

rized into three basic types:

1. Optimized. Free-form design can

be used to overcome optical aberrations

and mechanical limitations of traditional

surfacing.

2. Framitized. The PAL designs are

modified to specific fitting, frame or

adjustment characteristics.

3. Personalized. The PAL designs are

created specifically to the prescription

and individual viewing habits of the user.

Each free-form design will include

item one, above, and may, or may not,include item two and/or three.

Without going into painful detail, any

ophthalmic lens with refractive power

placed in front of the eye will cause

aberrations away from the optical center

of the lens. Optical researchers have

identified six aberrations (Spherical

Aberration, Coma, Oblique

Astigmatism, Chromatic Aberration,

Curvature of Field, and Distortion), three

of which they consider capable of modi-fication to improve visual optics.

Progressive addition lenses compound

the problem inasmuch as they use asym-

metric curves to correct for distance,

intermediate and near vision creating

physical distortions on the lens surface

History

The design and manufacture of prescrip

tion ophthalmic lenses has really been

one of compromise between good optic

cosmetic considerations, machinery lim

itations and inventory concerns. When

base curve is chosen for a particularpower in order to minimize aberrations

the resulting lens is referred to as a co

rected curve lens. The first attempt to

design a lens to minimize peripheral

aberrations was the Punktal series of sin

gle vision lenses from Carl Zeiss

Optical, released in 1911, which

changed the front base curve for every

change in power. Because hundreds of

base curves were necessary (not a pract

cal option for a lab), American Opticalfollowed in 1921 with their Tillyer cor

rected curve series of lenses that were

flatter than best form designs for cos

PAGE 4

I. Technology and Design

Seikos Internal Progessives

Seiko is the patent holder of the worlds

first internal progressive. Seikos internal

progressives 3-dimensionally fuse a

patients entire Rx (sphere, cylinder, axis,

prism, and add power) onto the back

surface of the lens. This process results in

billions of customized, optically precise

prescriptions and significantly expanded

PAL visual zones (distance, intermediate

and near).


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metic reasons and standardized on six

base curves for inventory concerns.

Bausch & Lomb followed shortly with

their Orthogon lenses.

Further, when surfacing compoundlenses using hard fixed power tools (laps)

with a standard index of 1.53, and lens

materials other than glass, the computed

powers will differ from the lap powers.

As the power increases, the variance in

calculated powers to lap powers increas-

es.

For example, the computed cylinder

power may be -6.0626D. However, the

laps are either -6.0000D or -6.1250D.

When this occurs, choices have to bemade to select one tool over the other. In

either case, the resultant measured power

would be 0.07D off.

When it came to multifocal lenses,

additional compromises had to be made

relative to intermediate and near vision

placements. Insets were averaged.Segment lengths for PALs were also a

matter of the manufacturers design rang-

ing initially from about 22mm to 24mm

in length and now modified to be as

short as 13mm.

Progressive lenses caused additional

distortions because the powers for

distance, intermediate and near were

pushed all over the front surface of

the lens.

To summarize, the lenses we havebeen providing to our patients:

are uncorrected for optical aberra-

tions;

use lap powers in compound lenses

particularly for higher index materials,

that may be off 0.07D;

have a fixed intermediate length nonecessarily that of the patients desire;

use an arbitrary reading inset poss

bly adjusted for add power but not for

PD.

We, as an industry, have been provid-

ing compromised optics to our patients!

Free-form lenses may be designed to

correct, as much as is optically possible

these compromises resulting in signifi-

cantly improved vision. The software ca

calculate the perfect curve(s) andcylinder cross-curve(s) to 1/100th of a

diopter (0.01D), the optimal corridor

WEBINARS!

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Straight Talk about Digital Lenses

By Jim Grootegoed and Ed De Gennaro?

Its Available 24/7 at www.visioncareproducts.com/digital

Learn more about how free-form lenses are made, the benefits to practitioner

and patient and how you can take full advantage of this new technology.

Dont be left in the dark about free-form!

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6/16

PAGE 6

length based upon the fitting height and

frame B measurements, and the near

vision inset based upon add power and

PD. The free-form machinery available

today can produce those curves.

What about the software?

The key to the new free-form PAL

lenses is the software that calculates the

curves for the individual designs and

drives the machinery to manufacture the

lenses. The process starts with a theoreti-

cal design model, not unlike conventional

PALs, using the front surface, the back

surface or a combination of the surfaces.

The optimal curves are calculated forevery possible prescribed power at thou-

sands of points on the lens surface result-

ing in a point file describing, in mathe-

matical terms, the surface of the lens.

Inasmuch as various lens materials all

have different indexes of refraction, the

optimal curves must be calculated for

every material, too. This information is

ultimately used to drive the production

generator and polisher used to manufac-

ture the lens.We have currently (September 2006)

identified fifteen separate free-form

designs (see Availability Chart, page 7),

most from traditional lens manufacturers.

Some designs will place both the pro-

gressive design and the power parameters

on the backside. Other designs use both

the front and back surface for powers and

progressive designs. Some require a dis-

tance measurement as well to approxi-

mate the distance from the back surfaceof the lens to the front surface of the

corneamost do not. Others require the

analysis and measurement of how the

patient uses and moves his eyes under

reading conditions as part of the lens cal-

culations. Whatever the requirements, the

resultant lens can be significantly more

accurate than any lens currently available

on the market and provide the user with a

new level of clarity.

What about the machinery neces-

sary for free-form lenses?The calculations necessary for optimal

lens designs date back to the 1800s but

were limited by practical concerns, such

as stocking inventory, and real barriers,

including the processing machinery. The

traditional surfacing machinery used to

generate a curve was designed to be

reliable, robust and reasonably accurate

as the final curves were fined in using

hard tools (laps). The resultant curves

were always that of the tool.Precision tool making in other indus-

tries spawned the development of

Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC)

lathes using mathematical computations

(a data file) and three or more axes

(movements) to machine precision parts.

The computer and semi-conductor indus-

tries are huge users of this technology,

requiring extreme precision down to the

nanometer level and extreme reliability

to run 24/7. (One inch = 24,400,000nanometers). This technology became the

basis for free-form machines used to

manufacture free-form lenses.

In reality, CNC machinery can manu-

facture just about any shape imaginable;

but it can only do this when its software

properly drives the machines to construct

a precision lensa spherical, cylindrical,

aspheric and individually designed free-

form PAL.

The key to todays free-form processis the ability to deliver a near finished

quality surface off the cutting generator.

This is typically done by using two tools:

a roughing tool to crib the lens and to

generate the surface curves to a reason-

able quality, then a single-point diamond

tool to skim the surface of the lens leav-

ing a finish that can be polished using a

CNC polisher and a soft, rotating tool

also driven by three (or more) axis tech-

nology and the operating software. Pow

tolerances of less than one-one hundred

(1/100) of a diopter are possible. The suface smoothness necessary off the gener

ator for polishing is

1 micron1/25,400th of an inch!

State of the Union

Most lens manufacturers are already pro

viding their patented designs through

their own in-house manufacturing loca-

tions with millions of satisfied patients

already wearing free-form lenses world-

wide. The software engineers have alsoworked closely with the CNC machine

manufacturers to ensure process transfe

ence and viability. Some free-form

designers prefer optimizing their design

to a specific equipment platform while

others have validated their process with

number of equipment providers.

Many of the designs are currently

available to eye care professionals

through their local laboratories, which

will order the uncut lens from the lensmanufacturer and provide the finishing

services. Many of the holders of the free

form software are currently offering the

calculation and machine software to

manufacturing laboratories worldwide.

The interest among the laboratories is

extremely high, limited only by the cost

of the investment (a minimum of

$400,000 to well over $1 million). Most

of the experts are predicting that free-

form PAL lenses will constitute between8% and 20% of the market within five

years, certainly adequate to justify the

investment.


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(*) SunSensors Polycarb 1.60 1.67Manufacturer Brand 1.50 Transit ions Polar ized Trivex 1.56 Polycarb Transitions 1.60 Transit ions 1.67 Transit ions 1 .70 1

Carl Zeiss Vision AO Easy HD @ @

SOLAOne HD @ @

Gradal Individual @ @

Gradal Shorti @

Essilor DEFINITY x x x x

DEFINITY Short x x x x

Varilux Ipseo @ @ @ @ @ @

Variux Physio 360 @ @ (1) @ @ @ @ (

Hoya HoyaluxiD @ @

Indo EyeMADE x(1.523) X X

Seiko/Pentax Exceed Internal @ @

Succeed Internal x (2) (2) (2) x x

Pentax Perfas @

Shamir Autograph x x x x x x x x x

Signet Armorlite KODAK Unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Notes:x Indicates availability @ Indicates only available with factory AR Coating (1) Expected release 11/06 (2) First quarter 2007(*) This column is intended as a guide. In the interests of brevity, not all manufacturers trademarked or registered names are noted for every material.Also, some manufacturers MAY use other than Transitions as their photochromic agent. Please contact the manufacturers directly for specific names and lens properties.

Minimum CombinedFitting Free-form Lens Power Range Power

Manufacturer Brand Height Design Material (**) Sphere Cylinder Limitation Add Comments

Carl Zeiss Vision AO Easy HD 18mm Back 1.67 & +8.00 to -12.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.50D

SOLAOne HD 18mm Back 1.67 Trans +8.00 to -12.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.50D

Gradal Individual 18mm Back; 1.60 +10.00 to -10.00D -6.00D +0.75 to +3.50D Standard fitting information acceptable but

Front in 1.67 +6.50 to -17.00D -6.00D +0.75 to +3.00D additional specifications as vertex distance,

High frame wrap and panto angle using their Eye-

Gradal Shorti 15mm Powers 1.60 +6.00 to -6.00D -6.00D +0.75 to +3.00D Terminal will result in a more exact lens calc

Essilor DEFINITY 18mm PAL front 1.50 +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D Features a 4th ground level viewing zone

DEFINITY Short 15mm Add split Trans +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D named Ground View Advantage.

Power back Poly +4.00 to -5.00D -2.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

1.60 +8.00 to -12.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

Varilux Ipseo 14, 16, 18mm Back See above +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D Requires use of the Varilux VisionPrint System

Variux Physio 360 17mm PAL front See above +9.00 to -12.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +4.00D

Power back

Hoya HoyaluxiD 14, 16, 18mm PAL and 1.67, 1.70 +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

power splitIndo EyeMADE 16mm Back 1.523 +6.00 to -6.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D Requires information from testing head/eye

1.60 +7.00 to -12.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D movements with their Visual Map.

1.67 +6.00 to -13.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

Seiko/Pentax Exceed Internal 14, 16, 18mm Back See above +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D -10.00 +0.50 to +3.50D

Succeed Internal 17, 19mm Back 1.50 +4.00 to -5.00D -4.00D -7.00 +0.50 to +3.50D

Poly +5.00 to -7.00D -4.00D -8.00 +0.50 to +3.50D

1.67 +6.50 to -10.50D -4.00D -10.50 +0.50 to +3.50D

Pentax Perfas 12, 14, 16mm Back 1.67 +6.00 to -10.00D -5.00D -10.00 +0.50 to +3.50D

Shamir Autograph 16, 19mm Back 1.50 +4.00 to -8.50D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

16, 19mm Back Trans +4.00 to -8.50D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

16, 19mm Back Polarized +4.00 to -7.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

19mm Back Poly +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

19mm Back Poly Trans +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

16, 19mm Back 1.60 +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

16, 19mm Back 1.60 Trans +6.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D19mm Back 1.67 +6.00 to -12.50D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

19mm Back 1.67 Trans +6.00 to -12.50D -4.00D +0.75 to +3.50D

Signet Armorlite KODAK Unique 13mm Back 1.50 +6.50 to -9.50D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D Frame B dimension required.

Trans +4.75 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

Polarized +4.75 to -8.75D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

Trivex +4.75 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

SunSens 1.56 +5.25 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

Poly +4.25 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

Poly Trans +4.25 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

1.60 +8.00 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

1.60 Trans +6.25 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

1.67 +7.75 to -10.00D -4.00D +1.00 to +3.00D

(**) This column is intended as a guide. In the interests of brevity, not all manufacturers trademarked or registered names are noted for every material.Also, some manufacturers MAY use other than Transitions as their photochromic agent. Please contact the manufacturers directly for specific names and lens properties.

Currently Available Direct-To-Surface Lens Designs in the U.S. (Information supplied by lens manufacturers.)


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PAGE 8

F

PAGE 8

Free-form progressive lenses have agood number of advantages. Givingpatients the right messages in the right

way will enhance their understanding of

the value these lenses provide while, at

the same time, enhancing your profes-

sional abilities and your bottom line.

How do I explain the differences

between these lenses and standard

progressives in simple terms?As with any new technology, there is a

learning curve for both the eyecare practi-

tioner and the patient. Trying to convey

confusing descriptions of how point files

and free-form processing equipment cre-

ate these lenses will only serve to confuse

the patient. Instead, a simple, logical

explanation is the best approach. Your

goal should be to give them enough infor-

mation to make them feel comfortable

that they have received good value fortheir money.

There is wide variation in the features

and benefits this category of lenses pro-

vides, but as a group, free-form lenses

maximize the design of the lens a patient

buys. In other words, the free-form

process brings out the potential in a lens

design which can help it deliver clearer,

sharper vision with wider fields of view.

A number of them also offer an individu-

alized prescription, which means thepatient gets a highly accurate prescription.

The best explanation of free-form

lenses is that they represent the latest

frontier in lens technology. With all the

emphasis on advanced technology these

days from things like iPods to cell

phones, just about everyone wants to

know they are purchasing the latest and

greatest when they buy something.

Progressive lenses are surely part of that

trend. Most patients will be completely

satisfied with this explanation.

Before you can tackle the job of

explaining free-form lenses to your

patients, you need to understand the fea-

tures and benefits of the process and the

specific features and benefits of the lens

product youre recommending. While

your explanation to the patient should besimple, it must be accurate. Your lab or

lens manufacturers representative can

help you with this information.

Will the patient appreciate the dis-

tinctions between these new lenses

and conventional ones?

In a word, yes. Well-designed, well-

measured, and well-fitted free-form lens-

es can provide enhanced results over

conventionally designed and producedprogressive lenses. Will the results be

dramatic for a -0.50 -0.75 x 180 wearer?

Perhaps not, but many eyecare profes-

sionals report that patients who have

tried on free-form lenses for the first

time have a startled reaction because

their vision is so good. This is because

the free-form process aids its progressiv

lens design to deliver crisper, sharper,

bolder vision. For wearers, this means

they receive advanced technology lense

that enhance vision over conventionally

designed and processed progressives.First-time progressive lens wearers will

appreciate this a great deal because it

means they will spend little time adapt-

ing to the lens.

Another reason free-form lenses pro-

vide this reaction is because they are pro

duced using individualized curves deter

mined by the patients prescription.

Some free-form lenses like the Carl

Zeiss Vision Gradal Individual,

Varilux Ipseo, and Seiko SucceedInternal Free-Form and Exceed

Internal Free-Form are customized fo

II. The Patient

Shamir Autograph

Part of the Shamir Freeform Family,

Shamir Autograph exhibits the future

of progressive lens design. Developed

with Shamirs proprietary Personalized

Freeform technology, Autograph

provides a tailor-made lens, exclusive

to the patients Rx. This customized

lens assures the patient the highest

level of optical accuracy (up to 1/100)

and delivers a 20% wider field of

vision with Shamirs patented back-

surface design.


9/16

No two fingerprints or snowflakes are ever

identical, and neither are your patients. Thats why

Zeiss developed breakthrough technology that

creates a premium progressive lens for each

individual patient. Gradal Individual allows you to

incorporate new measurements for trulyindividualized lenses. Plus, two channel lengths,

with fitting heights starting at 15mm, enable you to

deliver perfect vision in both traditional and smaller

style frames. The result: individualized comfort and

patient satisfaction. For more information on

Gradal Individual and Gradal Short i, call

1-800-338-2984 or visit www.vision.zeiss.com.

No Two Are Ever Alike

Gradal Individual and Gradal Short


10/16

PAGE 10

D

the wearer. Based on the dimensions of

the frame, these lenses adjust the lens

design to customize and optimize it. For

example, Individual has a fitting length

that varies from 14mm to 20mm. Ipseouses three fitting heights in 2mm incre-

ments14mm, 16mm, and 18mm.

Seikos Exceed has 14mm, 16mm, or

18mm minimum heights while its

Succeed uses 17mm or 19mm. This

design flexibility basically avoids the

question of whether the lens is a long or

short corridor lens. The design compen-

sates the corridor and the optics of the

lens simultaneously. Customizing the

corridor length gives the patient exactlywhat he or she needs without going too

long or too short.

Experienced PAL patients may find

that they no longer need to move their

heads around to find the different visual

fields; they are exactly where they

should be. This means they can just drop

their eyes instead of moving their head

searching for the right spot to view an

object.

Should I wear these lenses myself

in order to comment on them?

Yesfor two reasons. The best way to

learn just how any lens performs is to

wear it yourself and experience what it

can do. Think of it as a one person, one

pair wearer trial with you as the subject.

Make notes of the characteristics you

find most appealing so youll be able to

explain them to patients later. No onewill do a better job of explaining the

benefits of a pair of free-form lenses

than a satisfied eyecare professional

wearer.

The other reason is that your patients

expect you to be the eyewear expert in

your office. If youre a presbyope, many

of them will ask you what progressive

lenses you wear. Being able to say to

them that you wear the newest and most

advanced style of lenses is invaluable.You can even take yours off and say,

See, these are my free-form XYZ lens-

es. Use them as a demo as you explain

the advanced features of the lenses.

How can I justify the cost differen-

tial to the patient?

For most patients, cost is not the issue

when buying eyewear; the issue is receiv-

ing value for the money they spend. This

is especially true of lenses when patientsview them as the medically necessary

portion of their eyewear. They might cut

back a bit on their frame, but the lenses

are the main reason they obtain eyewear.

The more features and benefits a

product provides; the more value it deliv

ers. The more value it delivers, the more

the patient will want to buy it. The key i

justifying the cost of free-form lenses is

to detail the features and benefits of theto the patient. With each one mentioned

and explained, the value of the lenses

becomes greater and makes the lenses

more appealing.

Do lens add-ons help the lenses

perform better?

Good quality lens add-ons can enhance

free-form lenses just like they do any

other lenses. Of course, the most obviou

one is an oleophobic/hydrophobic anti-reflective treatment. In fact, some free-

form lenses like Varilux Physio

360, Signet Armorlites KODAK

Unique, and Seikos Exceed Internal

Free-Form (and other free-form lenses)

are only available with anti-reflective

treatment. Since you are already giving

your patient advanced technology

designed and processed free-form lense

why would you want to have them

annoyed by distracting, troublesome andsight-reducing surface reflections? This

is especially true of free-form lenses

made with high-index lens materials.

Do I need to refract the patient

differently for free-form lenses?

No, there is no difference in the refracting

process for these lenses. Standard refract-

ing equipment and other ophthalmic

instrumentation should be used. Of

course, you will want to ask questions

about the patients lifestyle, viewing

needs and viewing distances, special con-

cerns like not wanting to drop their eyes

too far into the lens when doing near

work, and other questions you would nor-

mally ask before performing a refraction.

The more accurate and personalized the

prescription is for the patient, the higher

level of satisfaction he will have with his

free-form lenses.

What information do I need to pro-

vide to the surfacing laboratory?

Some free-form lenses require no more

III. Prescribing and Dispensing


11/16

P

than the usual measures you currently provide for traditional

progressive lensesthe patients monocular PD and monocular

segment height along with the frame data and other eyewear

related information (e.g. material, tint, etc.). Some lenses like the

Carl Zeiss Vision Gradal Individual allow you to supply addi-tional measurements for more precise customization, including

vertex distance, pantoscopic tilt and face form (also known as

wrap these days) tilt. Varilux Ipseo and Indos

EyeMADE offer additional instrumentation to measure how

the patient uses his or her eyes. This information is then incor-

porated with the prescription into the design. Essilors DEFINI-

TY asks ECPs to pick one of eight standard frame shapes and

to include this information on the patients prescription.

While all surfacing laboratories will want to know the

frames A, B, ED and DBL measurements to determine if the

lens will cut out in the frame, some will use these data to cus-tomize the design for the wearer. The Varilux Ipseo and the

Signet Armorlite KODAK Unique are good examples of this.

Based on the fitting height you supply, the lens corridor length

will be adjusted so that it is optimized for the patient.

Remember that one of the biggest contributors to progres-

sive lens failures is inaccurate measurements, especially seg-

ment heights and monocular PDs. As with any progressive

addition lens, use a corneal reflex pupilometer to obtain

monocular PDs. When using a ruler to take segment heights, be

sure to pre-adjust the frame as if you were dispensing the eye-

wear. This is particularly important for those lenses that requirepantoscopic tilt, face form tilt (wrap) and vertex distance meas-

urements. Sit in front of the patient so that you are on the same

eye level. This avoids parallax and inaccuracies.

Once you begin to take the fitting height measurements, do

not move your head, just your ruler hand from eye to eye. If

you move your head, you will have broken your alignment to

the patient, creating the potential for inconsistent measure-

ments. Take fitting height readings at least twice to ensure they

are the same. This also helps to avoid errors.

Do I need any special equipment to measure thepatient for free-form lenses?

In most cases, you do not need any additional instrumentation or

equipment other than the usual complement of measuring

devices, such a corneal reflex pupilometer and a PD ruler.

For Varilux Ipseo, a special eye tracking device called the

VisionPrint System is used to measure the patients unique

head and eye movements. These data are used to personalize

the lens for the patients unique viewing habits during manufac-

a. I have dispensed free-form progressives and feel they are

superior to conventional PALs.

b. I have dispensed free-form

progressives and feel they are no

better than conventional PALs.

c. I have not dispensed

free-form progressives

but I plan to do so soon.d. I have not dispensed

free-form progressives

and do not plan to do so.

e. I do not prescribe or

dispense lenses.

A

32%

E

34%C

34%

Total respondents: 56

ECP Perceptions ofFree-Form Lenses

1. Which statement best describes you?

2. What do you perceive to be the major

benefit of free form lenses?

a. More accurate Rx for the

patient.

b. Greater profit margin for

dispensers

c. A solution for high powered ordifficult prescriptions.

d. Dont know.


A

87%

C 9%

D 4%

3. When you hear the term free form

processing, what do you think it means?

a. A new way to make

progressive lenses.b. A new way to make

all lenses.

c. Computer lens designing.

d. Taking slabs of plastic and

cutting lenses out of them.

e. All of the above.


E68%

A

14%

B 9%C 9%

These results were generated via audience surveyduring the webinar presentation of Straight Talk

About Digital Lenses, 9/28/06.


12/16

PAGE 12PAGE 12

ture. If you use this lens, you will want

this instrument, which is available

through Essilor.

Some free-form lenses require pantoscopic

tilt and vertex distance measurements. Youmay also be asked for a face form tilt meas-

urement. A distometer can be used to

measure vertex distance, and some ECPs

use a PD ruler for this measurement. There

are instruments designed to measure panto-

scopic tilt on the market. Face form tilt

can be estimated using a chart-like device.

Manufacturers are coming onto the

market with electronic measuring devices

that take patient fitting measurements

automatically. For example, the Carl ZeissVisions Eye Terminal measures monocu-

lar fitting heights, monocular PDs, panto-

scopic tilt, face form tilt, and vertex dis-

tance, all with electronic accuracy.

Will recommending free-form lenses

add to my chair time?

No, prescribing free-form lenses will not

add any time to your normal examination

routine if you are already performing a

patient interview before you refract. Forsome lenses, a couple of additional min-

utes may be added to the dispensing rou-

tine for one or more additional measure-

ments needed.

Are free-form lenses suitable for all

patients?

Yes, free-form lenses are effective for

nearly every presbyopic patient, not just

because of their advanced free-form pro-cessing, but because, in most cases, man-

ufacturers are developing advanced

designs to use with free-form processing

techniques. This means that patients

receive the latest in lens design and tech-

nology along with the most accurate

method for processing these lenses.

One major advantage of free-form

lenses is their ability to be customized

for the patients individual frame and Rx.

This kind of optics benefits just abouteveryone. It is especially suitable for

those with strong prescriptions, those

who have had poor results with prior pro-

gressive lens designs and those with high

cylinder in the prescription. Anyone who

wants the best optical performance avail-

able in todays progressive lenses is a

suitable candidate for customized free-

form lenses. Those who want the latest

advancements in lens technology are also

suitable candidates for free-form lenses.

Ive heard that free-form lenses may

be too complicated for staff to dis-

pense. Is this true?

Free-form lenses are no more difficult t

recommend, demonstrate, measure, and

order than any other progressive additio

lens. As with any progressive lens, good

dispensing procedures are called for.Keep the vertex distance as close to the

eyes as possible while avoiding the eye

lashes from touching the back surface o

the lenses. Be sure to include adequate

pantoscopic tilt and use face form tilt to

position the lenses properly in front of

the eyes.

Some free-form lens designs require

additional measurements, but these can

be learned, practiced, and perfected in

less than 30 minutes. Even staff membewho are not certified or licensed dispen

ing personnel will not have difficulty

working with these lenses once they hav

learned the fundamentals. This knowl-

edge and training can be obtained in

printed form from lens manufacturers,

professional journals, and continuing

education articles. Hands-on training ca

be provided by optical laboratories, lens

companies, and co-workers. In short,

free-form lenses are just as easy to workwith as traditional progressive lenses.

IV. Ordering, Fees, and Other Questions

DD

o I obtain free-form lenses the

way I do other lens products?

Yes, simply call an authorized surfacing

lab or, in some cases, the lens supplier

for the lens brand you wish to obtain,

and they will handle your order.

Remember that some lenses require

additional measurements over the stan-

dard monocular PD and segment height

used by conventional progressive lenses.

Not sending these in at the time of

ordering will only delay processing.

Some lenses are also only available

with certain treatments included. For

instance, Varilux Physio 360 an

Varilux Physio are sold with Criza

Aliz with Clear Guard, Essilors top

of-the-line anti-reflective treatment

you cant get the lens any other way.

The Pentax Perfas Internal Free-Form

is sold uncut with AR treatment already


13/16

P

on it. SOLAOne HD and AO Easy

HD from Carl Zeiss Vision both come

only with Teflon Clear Coat while

their Gradal Individual and Gradal

Short i are produced with the ZeissCarat Advantage AR coating. Be sure

to know your products availability

before you recommend it to a patient to

avoid disappointment and dissatisfac-

tion. A few quick mouse clicks on a

manufacturers or labs Web site or a fast

phone call will usually get you the

answers you need in minutes.

Should the lab finish the lenses or

can I do this?This is a decision youll have to make.

Nearly all of the lenses are available

uncut (so you can cut, edge, and finish

them). While a good number of optical

offices have finishing capabilities, most

laboratories will be pleased to fabricate

your complete order including surfacing

the lenses, cutting and edging, drilling,

mounting, tinting, and hard coating

them. Some of these lenses can only be

ordered with AR treatments. For thosethat are available without it, your lab

will arrange to have that done for you.

Of course, some laboratories strictly pro-

duce uncut lenses for you to edge.

If youre comfortable edging and fin-

ishing your own lenses, be sure to ask

your lab about this option when you

order the lenses.

Be aware that some lenses are only

available directly from the manufacturer

itself (not through authorized labs). For

example, the Pentax Perfas Internal Free-Form is produced by Seiko/Pentax and

sold uncut (you have to do the finishing

lab work on it).

Should I set my fees for these lenses

the same way I do now for other

lenses?

How much you charge for your products

and services is a very individual choice.

There is no magic formula to follow that

works for every office and every patient.If you have a fee formula for lenses that

you have successfully followed, by all

means, continue to use it with free-form

lenses.

Some eyecare professionals have the

impression that free-form lenses are

much more expensive than traditional

progressives at the wholesale level and

therefore cannot be priced like other lens

products because they will be too expen-

sive for many patients. In most cases,you will find that free-form lenses cost

modestly more than traditional progres-

sives, and considering the added features

and benefits, easily justify their addition-

al cost.

One way to position free-form lenses

to patients is to create a good-better-

best lens menu. In other words, create

tier system of lens prices for your pro-

gressives. The progressive that costs the

least is your good progressive. Think

of it as your basic value line progressivThis is probably an older progressive

design that still provides good results.

The better progressive is your middle

of-the-road priced progressive and has

additional features over the basic design

Your best progressive is your free-

form progressive lens. This one offers

the latest in technology and the most

features and benefits. Since patients bu

other products this way, they will under

stand the good-better- best pricing aslong as you can explain the differences

With free-form lenses, this is easy to do

Be sure to offer your best lens to

every patient. Let them decide if this is

what they want. If not, you still have

other choices that will meet their

needsbut not with all the features and

benefits of your best lens.

Can I verify free-form lenses with

my manual or automated focimeteThis is a common question and one wit

a simple answer: Sure you can. No spe-

cial instrumentation is needed, and you

can read the powers of these lenses as

you would a conventional PAL.

Confusion sometimes arises with

free-form lens power reading because

Varilux Physio 360Varilux Physio 360 offers the ultimate in

progressive precision. W.A.V.E.

Technology: Wavefront Advanced Vision

Enhancement enhances both the front and

back of the lens through 360 Digital

Surfacing, which minimizes distortions

and preserves and enhances the

effectiveness of the front design. Essilor

has developed 360 Digital Surfacing,

which combines a patented calculation

engine to optimize the design for every pre-

scription, as well as a patented digital sur-

facing manufacturing process to produce

the back side surface of the lens.


14/16

PAGE 14PAGE 14

some designs compensate the prescrip-

tion ordered for the patient due to the

individualized measurements provided

by the eyecare professional. Parameters

such as vertex distance, pantoscopic andface form tilt have an effect on the pre-

scription the patient experiences in his or

her frame in its worn position.

Especially in higher powers, the Rx

delivered to the eye will appear different

than the one written by the eye doctor.

When this occurs, the laboratory that

surfaced the lenses will provide the eye-

care professional two prescriptions: the

ordered prescription and one known as

the compensated prescription.For example, with Pentax Internal

Free-Form lenses, you will find two sets

of values printed on the lens packaging.

One set is the prescribed values for

sphere, cylinder, axis, and add power.

The second set contains the lensometer

verification values after optimization by

Pentaxs Retina Forward Design (this

is the compensated Rx). These values

provide the best image quality at the

retina when the lenses are in the posi-tion of wear.

Which one do you verify? The com-

pensated oneit is the one that was

compensated to reflect the effects of

design and fitting parameters. Use any

manual or automated focimeter you wish

to read the lens powers.

How do I determine which free-form lenses to recommend for a

patient?

Choosing a free-form lens is no more

challenging than choosing any other pro-

gressive lens. The secret is to do a little

research.

The first thing to do is understand the

needs of your patients. In other words,

determine the needs your patients have,

then go out and find a lens that satisfies

those needs. For example, you may havepatients that have a need for improved

ground level viewing because you have a

lot of golfers in your practice. In this

case, consider using the Essilor DEFINI-

TYprogressive because of its Ground

View Advantage.

Discuss the features, benefits, and

performance characteristics of various

lenses with lens manufacturers repre-

sentatives or representatives from labs

that supply these lenses. Next, read theprinted information provided. It usually

has good technical and clinical data,

wearer trail results, prescribing and dis-

pensing tips, and more.

Once you feel you understand all the

lenses, decide which one best matches

your patientsneeds. This may be the

easiest part of your analysis because

some of these lenses adjust their design

based on patient and frame parameters

so they accommodate a far wider range

of patients than traditional progressives

You also need to decide how this len

fits into your current selection of pro-

gressive lenses. In many cases, this will

become your best progressive lens

offering if you use the good-better-best system of lens choices for patient

In other cases, you may wish to use it

for selected patients like those with

higher or more unusual prescriptions,

strong cylinder, or previous progressive

lens dropouts.

Once you have decided to try the

lens, conduct your own wearer trial.

Select 1012 patients that fit your selec

tion criteria and use them as subjects.

Dispense the lenses and follow-up withthem in two weeks by calling and askin

them questions about their wearing

experiences. There is no better way to

determine if a lens has merit than weare

trial results. If it works, its a winner; if

doesnt, move on to something else.

Zeiss Gradal Individual

Carl Zeiss Visions Gradal Individual

and Gradal Short i progressive lenses

were among the first in the U.S. market

produced through direct-to-surface pro-

cessing. To make these lenses, Zeiss

takes the particular factors that affect

the manufacturing parameters and tai-

lors them for each patient, thus offering

a custom design for each individual.

Different free-form lenses offer different features

and benefits. Essilors DEFINITY design incorpo-rates Ground View Advantage, which improvesground level viewing for patients who need it,

such as golfers.


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digital lens zeiss

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