Results 1 to 15 of 15

Thread: Cutting Down A Lens For A New Frame

  1. #1
    Bad address email on file
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Indiana
    Occupation
    Optical Laboratory Technician
    Posts
    9

    Cutting Down A Lens For A New Frame

    Hello everyone. I am sure someone can help me with this. A patient comes in and decides they want a new frame. They want too cut down their old lens too fit this new frame. Usually smaller then their old. How do you determine if the lens will cut down for this frame. Usually they have a bifocal or progressive lens. Is there a formula that I can use for this? And then how do you go about blocking it to cut it down. This Optiboard is a great place!!! I always come here when i need a question answered. I don't feel so stupid. Like I do at work sometimes. Thanks too everyone.

  2. #2
    Master OptiBoarder Cindy Hamlin's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2000
    Location
    Chester, VA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    2,598
    RT,
    My general rule of thumb was to take it down by hand, therefore; it couldn't be that much bigger. I would never but down progressives or bifocals. Mainly due to the increased risk of it going wrong and the cost.
    ~Cindy

    "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." -Catherine Aird-

  3. #3
    Banned
    Join Date
    Jul 2002
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    609
    Quote Originally Posted by rtperry
    How do you determine if the lens will cut down for this frame. Usually they have a bifocal or progressive lens.
    If you find a frame with a smaller eyesize/shape and a larger bridge size then you should manage to get correct centration.
    I tent to steer clear with progressives though. Once you've cut them if they have problems theres no recovery.
    If they want a cut edge and fit with single vision lenses and its a close call i generally just give them a new pair and say nothing.

    Rick

  4. #4
    There is no reason a BF or progressive should come out wrong as long as you pick a new frame where you can do your old fashoned decentration for each lens and it cuts out. You may have a seg ht change, and you will have to take that into account as well.


    All patients should be told that the procedure is at their own risk, and should feel that they have nothing to lose beforehand. If they do not want to risk it then it shouldn't be done.

  5. #5
    Bad address email on file
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Location
    Cedar Rapids, Iowa
    Posts
    238
    You can trace around the sample lens from the new frame, then plot the position for the new PD on the drawing. Lay the old lens over the drawing with the OC at the PD marks, and determine if the seg height will cut at an acceptable height. If all looks good, then go for it. It will be fine.

    shutterbug

  6. #6
    Pomposity! Spexvet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Location
    On my soapbox
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    3,760

    for PALs

    Redraw the markings on the old lens. Dot your placement on the demo lenses in the new frame. Hold the center of the cross of the old lens over the dot on the demos. You should be able to tell if the old lens does not overlap the demo.

  7. #7
    Bad address email on file
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Oregon
    Occupation
    Optical Laboratory Technician
    Posts
    4

    cut out old lenses

    If the old lenses are a bifocal or a progressive I dot the lenses up, bifocal I just make sure there is no prescribed prism, then I take the measurements for the new frame block up the lenses, then take the geometric center of the old lenses put over the center of the block, that will let you know if it will cut out or not...single vision i just dot up on the lensometer and block up, get the geometric center of old lens and put over the center of the block....bam, if it has gaps it will not cut out, no gaps then it will cut out....We dont normally re-cut progressive lenses becuase the seg hts and decentration seem to screw up on the change over....

  8. #8
    Rising Star
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Beer-Sheva, Israel
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    59

    It seems that the main point is missed

    As someone who has checked many many lenses before and after dispensing, I think the the following comment carries some weight: Most dispensers cut PALs in such a way that the prescribed position of reading power touches the lower edge of the cut lens. Often, the reading power is OUT of the frame !!! Now, when you are going to cut an already-dispensed lens, you should first verify that the previous dispensed has not already cut you off this option.

  9. #9
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240
    Quote Originally Posted by Raanan Bavli

    .............Often, the reading power is OUT of the frame !!! Now, when you are going to cut an already-dispensed lens, you should first verify that the previous dispensed has not already cut you off this option.
    Finally somebody is making good sense.

    Many opticians sell a smaller frame when the need to re-cut lenses arises. And as you said there might be barely any reading segment left on the previous older frame.

    Thanks god for all those small frames that people want where the progressive part takes all the bottom of the frame and people have 2mm of full addition left.

  10. #10
    Bad address email on file
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    florida
    Posts
    26

    cutting down lenses

    Hi! You fail to mention what kind of lenses you want to cut down. If you are able to keep the OC in front of the pupil (so as not to induce unwanted prism) and adhere to ansi standards for edge thickness and so forth you might be able to accomodate the patient. I just wouldn't try this with progressive, multifocals or apsheric lens designs as you'll be cutting away the optics that were originally decentered and calculated for a larger eyewire size. You might get away with it in single vision lenses but be sure all the optics don't disappear into the edger. (as with the example of lenses of ashperic design) Personally, i'd give the guy a discount and strongly recommend new lenses!! Grace Angel

  11. #11
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Here we go again ................................

    Quote Originally Posted by grace angel

    Personally, i'd give the guy a discount and strongly recommend new lenses!! Grace Angel
    Why sell new, new, new????

    Is it not, that opticians are specialised artisans? Work with their fingers, should have learned the trade by doing a job with their own hands? Should be able to do a repair job.

    At least us the old guy's never shied away from at least trying. In today's economy not everybody has the cash to go for new. In my book it say's that you help out somebody and save him a fair amount of money, which he probably does not have, you gain another customer including his family and friends.:finger:

  12. #12
    Bad address email on file
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    florida
    Posts
    26
    Hi Chris! I wondered if you'd cut down the guys lenses to save him money if they were of aspheric design??? I don't think you'd be doing the guy much visual justice in doing that. I'd visualize that lens as though horse looking through blinders. Peripheral vision would be less than adequate and your best prayers would put the OC placement in its proper place. (remember OC ht is lowered 1mm for every 2 degrees of panto) Thanks for your input. Grace Angel

  13. #13
    Bad address email on file k12311997's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    PA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    1,921
    I gota say you guys are brave. How about the patient you tell the risks involved, even get them to sign a waiver, and when it doesn't cut out or otherwise adhere to ansi he's standing in your shop yelling at you in front of other patients. I'd rather the patient be upset at me for saying no than potentially ruining his glasses. maybee I'm just too much of a wimp

  14. #14
    Manuf. Lens Surface Treatments
    Join Date
    Aug 2002
    Location
    in Naples FL for the Winter months
    Occupation
    Other Optical Manufacturer or Vendor
    Posts
    23,240

    Know your limits....................

    Quote Originally Posted by grace angel

    Hi Chris! I wondered if you'd cut down the guys lenses to save him money if they were of aspheric design???
    Dear Grace Angel, I considered myself always as pretty good. I am able to measure, up and down, and also sideway's.

    If after all the checking I would see it could not be done, I would say that it is not possible to do it. This is a precision job, remember optics is a precision profesession? If it would be possible I would do it,very simple. Good job done - happy customer. You have to know your limits.

  15. #15
    Bad address email on file
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Columbus, Ohio
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    759
    There's nothing wrong with selling the patient a new pair of glasses. It's our job and as much as some people on this board have a problem with that, it is that....our job. Yes, we are here to try to help the patient as much as we can and do what is the best for them, but it is our job and we do it also to make money. That's kind of why we have jobs. Ok ok, we love it too, but most of us probably wouldn't do it for free. So, if you can edge the lenses, great, it not...then by all means offer to make him/her a new pair of glasses. They will obviously need them and you make some money too.



    Oh, and my edger will calculate whether the old lenses will go into the new frame or not. Just fyi. Good luck to you.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Transitions and AR
    By Jim Schafer in forum Smart Lens Technology by Transitions Optical
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 07-03-2006, 05:16 AM
  2. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-27-2004, 12:16 AM
  3. Presbyopia
    By Eyeseeit in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 08-05-2003, 04:25 PM
  4. Gerber Coburn Offers Newest Concept in Lens Analysis
    By Newsroom in forum Optical Industry News
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-08-2003, 01:12 PM
  5. SOLA International Launches Teflon® EasyCare Lens Coating
    By Newsroom in forum Optical Industry News
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 10-01-2002, 11:51 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •