View Full Version : at http://www.2020mag.com/issues/2000/mar/lenschoices.htm
amanda
10-20-2005, 12:55 PM
At http://www.2020mag.com/issues/2000/mar/lenschoices.htm
One issue that dispensers should be aware of is some industry experts believe that, in order to remain competitive, a few lens manufacturers have reduced the minimum fitting heights of their existing progressive designs without changing the composition of the lenses. As a result, dispensers may be unwittingly fitting progressives with significant portions of the near and/or distance areas removed. Experts say dispensers should carefully review the specifications of the progressive designs they sell. Progressive markings usually indicate where each of the “segments” (distance, near, etc.) are located.
“You can see in some where they are cutting into the near circle to fit into smaller frames,” says Bright, referring to the markings on the lens. “You have to be leery of that because it will affect the patients’ vision.” Optician Carter Lowry, owner of New Opticians in Lexington, Va., knows of one lens manufacturer that reduced its minimum fitting height by 4mm over the past year, without changing the design of the lens.
This is not to point out a vast industry conspiracy but rather to caution dispensers against fitting progressives into smaller frames without verifying the minimum fitting heights of the lenses they use. Lowry, like many others, does so through trial and error (i.e., wearing the lenses himself).
rbaker
10-20-2005, 01:21 PM
“As a result, dispensers may be unwittingly fitting progressives with significant portions of the near and/or distance areas removed.”
Don’t worry, the patient will notice this and tell you about it. And, future lens design will feature shorter and wider intermediate corridors until, someday, we will have reinvented the FT-7X28 trifocal
amanda
10-20-2005, 01:59 PM
“As a result, dispensers may be unwittingly fitting progressives with significant portions of the near and/or distance areas removed.”
Don’t worry, the patient will notice this and tell you about it. And, future lens design will feature shorter and wider intermediate corridors until, someday, we will have reinvented the FT-7X28 trifocal
I am a patient who wants to avoid this situation.
If we are refering to the Varilux Comfort, then they might be refering to what is (in the UK at least) the Varilux Comfort Small - which is a shortened corridor version of the original lens. They are certainly different lenses to the original
rsandr
10-20-2005, 03:43 PM
If we are refering to the Varilux Comfort, then they might be refering to what is (in the UK at least) the Varilux Comfort Small - which is a shortened corridor version of the original lens. They are certainly different lenses to the original
Is it a different design?
I understood it was just shaped differently to achieve better finished edge thickness.
From what I understand the regular Comfort was originally given a manufacturers recommended minimum fitting height of 22mm, The Small has a recommended manufacturers fitting height of 18
I think there was a lot of bravado, and wishfull thinking, when people started fitting comforts at less than 22mm, personally I prefer 24
rsandr
10-20-2005, 04:20 PM
From what I understand the regular Comfort was originally given a manufacturers recommended minimum fitting height of 22mm, The Small has a recommended manufacturers fitting height of 18
I think there was a lot of bravado, and wishfull thinking, when people started fitting comforts at less than 22mm, personally I prefer 24
We have made Varilux Comfort even better for shallow frames using a new uncut shape and markings. Varilux Comfort lenses are now available in a version specially adapted for use in shallow frames. Varilux Comfort has been designed with a short progression to maximise postural comfort. Reading starts 12mm below the fitting line where 85% of the addition is reached.
Quite right you are, I thought it was just precal.
Regards,
Rick
Quite right you are, I thought it was just precal.
Regards,
Rick
does have a spookily similar spec to a panamic though!
jrctx
10-21-2005, 12:09 AM
Comfort, 22 vs. 18?
In the US, Comfort began at 22 then when other manufacturers came out with shorter corridor lenses, the Comfort magically changed to fit at 18. Well, the reps said the lens was different. If you have the old and new charts you can see that it is the same lens. The reps still say that there was a change but last summer at a lab owners meeting with Essilor, my business partner spent time with Essilor people from R&D. Well, they confirmed that it is the same lens, just a new height to fit it at.
The strange thing to me is that people still want to dispense this ancient lens. The technology is over 10 years old. Sure it is easy to fit but there are many newer designs that are just as easy to fit and are more technologically advanced.
The strange thing to me is that people still want to dispense this ancient lens. The technology is over 10 years old. Sure it is easy to fit but there are many newer designs that are just as easy to fit and are more technologically advanced.I think it was a very popular lens, and with the patients too... Dispenses are more of a "dont change the status quo" nowadays. Cant knock the lens - It has been a fine lens for a long time, and although other lenses are a lot better, a lot of lenses are far worse. Most dispensers benchmark other lenes aginst the comfort (in the UK), so I would say that Essilor were a bit savvy with an excelent product
amanda
10-30-2005, 10:39 PM
Comfort, 22 vs. 18?
In the US, Comfort began at 22 then when other manufacturers came out with shorter corridor lenses, the Comfort magically changed to fit at 18. Well, the reps said the lens was different. If you have the old and new charts you can see that it is the same lens. The reps still say that there was a change but last summer at a lab owners meeting with Essilor, my business partner spent time with Essilor people from R&D. Well, they confirmed that it is the same lens, just a new height to fit it at.
The strange thing to me is that people still want to dispense this ancient lens. The technology is over 10 years old. Sure it is easy to fit but there are many newer designs that are just as easy to fit and are more technologically advanced.
Well..what are those other newer design that is better or as good as comfort? I definitely cannot have lens that requitres 22mm fitting hetight even with rimless frame.
My Rx is
Sph Cyl Axis
+1.00 -0.75 150
-0.25 -0.50 040 (Add +150)
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