SLAB-OFF EXPLAINED On occasion we have patients who come in with a prescription showing a significant power difference between the right and left eyes. Sometimes this variance is rather significant, around four diopters, or less significant, at around two diopters. This condition is called anisometropia, and is often congenital but can also be caused by…

The Issue of Adaptation “These aren’t working for me.” This isn’t what we want to hear from our patients. Before you fit progressives, please consider the following variables and realize that adaptation issues are a challenge that every Optician faces. If working with a multifocal patient, is this their first multifocal, or are they transitioning…

Tints, Filters and Sunglasses Tinted lenses are worn for the sake of appearance, comfort (discomfort glare), vision (disability glare) and protection against UV exposure. Sunglasses typically reduce transmission to 15%-25% and can be even darker for very bright conditions such as snow. At least 8% transmission is required to drive a car safely. Wearing sunglasses…

By definition an ophthalmic prism is wedge-shaped lens of glass or plastic that is thicker at one edge (the base) than at its opposite edge (the apex). Prisms usually are prescribed to correct faulty eye-muscle imbalances in which both eyes do not act as a team. In these cases, the refractive doctor prescribes the proper…

SHAMIR LENS DESIGNS Creation – 19mm fitting height Freeform Optics – design resolution up to six times more accurate than standard cast PAL’s Previous technologies created semi-finished PAL’s which used ceramic molds (mechanical molds) Freeform Optics – patented software which bypasses the ceramic molds and creates digital molds (Glass Molds) which provide higher resolution. Analogy…

Traditional vs Freeform Surfacing Traditional lens making tools can work only on the backside of the lens. They cannot create aspheric shapes or the complex curves required for PALs (progressive addition lens). This is why the progressive channel of designs has traditionally been pre-molded by the manufacture on the front surface of the lens. Freeform…

The following are facts about SHAMIR Shamir was established in 1970 as an engineering firm and is now the largest lens designer in the world. In 2004 Shamir had cooperatively designed 7 of the 12 top selling progressive lenes Shamir designed the first free form lens the Definity six years ago. Shamir has trademark rights…

Things to consider: New or old lens and lens material. CR-39 is the most versatile material to tint. Not much to worry about. Check old lens for defects and any coatings (ex. AR) applied. AR may need to be stripped first, this could damage the lens. Polycarbonate can be tinted if a tintable scratch resistant…

Today our lives are strongly influenced by the automobile. Traditional eye wear and sun wear does not serve this lifestyle very well. Transitions lenses do not get dark in the car because the windshield blocks the UV light which activates the photo chromic response. Polarized sun wear blocks dangerous glare, but does not change in…

Remote Order Entry (ROE) can be very useful when placing orders after hours, on weekends and holidays. We receive the orders every 15 minutes. The orders are in our system immediately after they are received. This saves time, especially when the lens style needs to be ordered. ROE is compatible with almost all tracer. ROE…