In the last article, we covered lens materials and coating options, and their effect on lens optical performance. We briefly covered blue light attenuating lenses and coatings with a promise to share more in this June article. To that end, this article will cover the limits and benefits of the two types of blue light lenses in the market (indoor and outdoor). More and more consumers search blue light on the internet as they experience increased concern about the effects of digital screen time on eyes. They come to you for guidance and present you with the opportunity to help them understand the different types of blue attenuating lenses and coatings and their function.

It’s important that opticians know the best material for the job especially for groove and drill mount frames or high lens powers. We have a lot of material choices, and we must determine which combination of lens properties will produce the best lens performance for each job. For example, what are the most impact resistant and strongest lens materials? Strongest, in terms of tensile strength, means the ability of a lens to withstand a pulling force. Lenses with high tensile strength are good for drill mounts.

This article is the third in a series of articles from Tina Lahti, VP of sales and marketing for IOT, and a longtime optician and industry educator. Tina shares informative tidbits from her course “What Your Lab Wishes You Knew.”

This article reviews the effects of lens decentration on lens thickness. To examine the contribution of decentration relative to lens edge thickness, we started with a control job. How much does decentration matter? A lot.

IOT Intelligence is the technology and innovation that powers the Camber lens excellence, from the unique variable curve front surface of the Camber blank to the strict lab enablement process. Let’s review the many technologies that result in the unique Camber lens. Camber Variable Base Curve: The Camber variable base curve blank improves the front surface profile that delivers each viewing zone a base curve matched to its function. The width of undistorted near vision is a major improvement over single vision front freeform progressive designs.

“The proof of the pudding is in the tasting” is an adage meaning that to determine success, put it to the test. While a lens design is impressive in theory, it must be put to the test with actual wearers with real-life use to be validated. Wearers judge lens performance based on personal comfort, not just acuity. Today’s screen-focused consumer has new vision needs and higher demands for comfort in their new work from home (WFH) environment. While other digital and web-based technologies rapidly adapt to our new reality, increasing our WFH comfort and productivity, so has lens technology.

Frame information plays an important role in cut out. I know we’ve all heard this phrase, but do we really know what it means? Cut out is exactly what it sounds like. Imagine you’ve rolled out some cookie dough, and you must determine how many cookies you can cut from that flat sheet of dough. Well, it depends on the size and shape of the cookie cutter. Using a smaller shape cookie cutter will result in more cookies.

Let’s start with a simple truth: Laboratories make better lenses if you can tell them everything you know about the patient’s frame and how it fits on their face. When I say everything, I mean everything. We understand the importance of providing box measurements to the lab, but these frame dimensions don’t tell the lab the shape of the frame eye wire. Let’s say that the frame is an aviator shape, but you don’t let the lab know this, so what could go wrong? The shape of the frame/lens affects both optics and cosmetics. We know the fitting height for progressive lenses should be measured from center pupil to the deepest part of the frame, but do we know why?

In IOT Free-Form Insight Parts 1 through 18, we learned about IOT’s research, wearer trials and many breakthrough free-form lens technologies. But did you know about the R&D, consulting, technological and marketing services that the IOT team of scientists, technicians and marketers provide to their industry partners, helping them bring innovative and technically excellent products to market? As pre-eminent experts in free-form ophthalmic lens design, design integration, calibration and free-form troubleshooting, they work closely with industry partners from the largest optical brands to the smallest independent laboratories.

IOT is a leading resource for all things freeform, and in this spirit, this article is on progressive lens (PAL) fitting, dispensing and troubleshooting. In this article, we will review the correct frame to face fit when worn. We will also review some troubleshooting tips.

The sensation is an uncomfortable, unnatural feeling of unsteadiness for anyone who has experienced the “swim effect” when wearing and trying to adapt to progressive lenses. The wearer experiences a non-stable perception of surroundings. The swim effect causes discomfort and reduces overall lens satisfaction, making adaptation more difficult. Despite advancements in progressive lenses, some patients still experience this effect.