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Thread: Looking for Tricks for Seeing Progressive Markings

  1. #1
    Bad address email on file billtbyhand's Avatar
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    Thumbs down Looking for Tricks for Seeing Progressive Markings

    Hi Ya'll,

    I've been working in the optical profession in a local lab for about a year now, and I'm curious about what tricks you long-timers have found for seeing the laser etchings on the front of progressive lenses.

    Here I was taught to hold the lens out at arms length towards the ceiling florescent lights and work till the markings pop out. I have also noticed that I can see the markings holding the lens down in front of me and catching a reflection off the ceiling lights, but this one is pretty hit or miss.

    The real fun ones are the ones with AR coating. I know that folks walking by the lab and looking in have had to wonder why I was standing there looking like a fat version of the statue of liberty for 20 minutes trying to see that dang circle :bbg:

    Somewhere my brain is telling me ... there must be a better way! Hopefully some of you have some better ideas.

    I'm all ears... ;)

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    Master OptiBoarder Jedi's Avatar
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    Fortunately we have an Essilor progressive lens identifier. It has a backlight with two filters, one is black with a ring around it (for glass) and the other is green with black dots (for plastic). I've also found if you hold the glasses vertically and look through the lens at a dark surface in a well lit area the markings will pop out. That also works well for looking at crazed lenses.
    "It's not impossible. I used to bull's-eye womp rats in my T-16 back home."


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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter varmint's Avatar
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    A lot of times if you let steam pass over the surface the markings will appear.

  4. #4
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    Try using and incandesent light and a 7x magnifier while viewing the front of the lenses at very close range, the marks, if present can be found.

  5. #5
    Master OptiBoarder JennyP's Avatar
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    On older lenses, often the marks at nasal will appear even if the temple or outer marks don't show up. Concentrate on those first. I think most people don't clean or wipe the lenses as strongly near the nose pad arms, or bridge, and if you can find one mark, you can generally judge where the others are (or lay the lenses on a lens layout chart and dot a line on a "90" where you expect the others to be) and look closer along that line at the expected seg height to find the outer ones. Using both marks will allow you to determine the probable lens brand/style, material and fitting height.
    I have more trouble with dark tinted lenses. And if I hold my head back to look up at the lens in front of a light more than a moment or two, I get dizzy! :hammer:

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by varmint
    A lot of times if you let steam pass over the surface the markings will appear.
    Glass were always difficult, so used to breath on them, and rush to mark the lens before the engraving vanished again. Works better on a cold day.
    Optical technicians in Britain.

    http://www.optiglaze.co.uk/forum/

  7. #7
    OptiBoard Professional Mike Fretto's Avatar
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    I'm not sure if I have a better eye than most I have worked with but it seems to me I have an advantage in being a high myope when I look over the top off my -4.00 lenses or take them off I can see every little mark in the lenses sometimes I see things I wish I didnt :finger: So I guess my advice would be find someone you work with thats very nearsighted they will probably see them. :cheers:
    Mike

  8. #8
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    The progressive lens identifier is a nonbrainer. It has a crosshatched pattern in the background (like a grid) and a bright green light. It's a total nonbrainer and works 90% of the time.

  9. #9
    Bad address email on file billtbyhand's Avatar
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    I haven't seen a progressive lens identifier. Who makes them? and how much do they cost

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    You can get a progressive identifier from any Optical Labratory Association member (if you have an account with the lab).

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    Master OptiBoarder karen's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chip anderson
    You can get a progressive identifier from any Optical Labratory Association member (if you have an account with the lab).
    I think he means the light, not the book. Essilor used to have them on their "Edge" program-you could earn one by selling their product. Call your Varilux rep and see if they still do that.
    Let the refining and improving of your own life keep you so busy that you have little time to criticize others. -H. Jackson Brown Jr.

    If the only tool you have is a hammer you will approach every problem as though it were a nail

  12. #12
    One of the worst people here
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    What about for Glass lenses???

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    Master OptiBoarder spartus's Avatar
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    I had a doozy of a lens today. I think it's a Sola VIP (I could see it but not see it, if you know what I mean), but I'm not positive. I tried every trick I knew--the green PAL identifier, holding it up to various high-contrast lights. In desperation, I even tried the RGP reticle, but I couldn't get anything with enough contrast in the background. Everyone in the office, including the OD, had a crack at it--nothin'.

    It's frustrating. Usually, AR or no, whatever design, I can spot it with almost no trouble. Aren't Sola PALs typically pretty tricky to spot? I seem to remember that mentioned a while back, and I don't see enough Sola lenses to be able to figure out if that's the case or not.

  14. #14
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    how do you dot up a Crizal, teflon, scotchguard whatever lens?

    I had a customer who complained about her vision and she was wearing Crizal or similar type lenses. I usually use a fine tip permanent marker, but it was almost neglible. I had been told they are almost impossible to mark. I wanted to see how the seg and PD was placed in front of her eyes.
    What do you do when you need to dot the lenses?
    Jessica

  15. #15
    Master OptiBoarder Snitgirl's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jessica
    I had a customer who complained about her vision and she was wearing Crizal or similar type lenses. I usually use a fine tip permanent marker, but it was almost neglible. I had been told they are almost impossible to mark. I wanted to see how the seg and PD was placed in front of her eyes.
    What do you do when you need to dot the lenses?
    Jessica
    I use a red china marker - you can purchase these at an office supply store..

  16. #16
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    find engravings easily

    Hey, check out Super Systems Optical, they have an unit for finding the engravings. You can find it on their website: https://secure.superoptical.com/cgi-...ng/Oth_Lab.cgi

  17. #17
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    In your hunt to find the markings, just don't forget that sometimes in smaller frames, either one or the other marking might have needed to be edged off to fit the lens into the frame. I know I'm wording that horribly, but you know what I mean.

    William
    William Walker

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    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  18. #18
    Once you get your feet wet...
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    dotting up lenses

    We have had success using a sharpie marker and while you slowly dot the lens you blow on it. This dries the ink just as it touches the lens.

  19. #19
    Pomposity! Spexvet's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by spartus
    I had a doozy of a lens today. I think it's a Sola VIP (I could see it but not see it, if you know what I mean), but I'm not positive. I tried every trick I knew--the green PAL identifier, holding it up to various high-contrast lights. In desperation, I even tried the RGP reticle, but I couldn't get anything with enough contrast in the background. Everyone in the office, including the OD, had a crack at it--nothin'.

    It's frustrating. Usually, AR or no, whatever design, I can spot it with almost no trouble. Aren't Sola PALs typically pretty tricky to spot? I seem to remember that mentioned a while back, and I don't see enough Sola lenses to be able to figure out if that's the case or not.
    Probably a Sola XL in poly - the hardest to find!
    ...Just ask me...

  20. #20
    Pomposity! Spexvet's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jessica
    I had a customer who complained about her vision and she was wearing Crizal or similar type lenses. I usually use a fine tip permanent marker, but it was almost neglible. I had been told they are almost impossible to mark. I wanted to see how the seg and PD was placed in front of her eyes.
    What do you do when you need to dot the lenses?
    Jessica
    My Varilux rep gave me a "Staedler permanent special Lumocolor" marker. It works great on Alize & Super Hi-Vision.
    ...Just ask me...

  21. #21
    Pomposity! Spexvet's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by opticalman
    Hey, check out Super Systems Optical, they have an unit for finding the engravings. You can find it on their website: https://secure.superoptical.com/cgi-...ng/Oth_Lab.cgi
    I don't see it there.
    ...Just ask me...

  22. #22
    Master OptiBoarder spartus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Spexvet
    Probably a Sola XL in poly - the hardest to find!
    Yeah, I just about saw a Sola marking, but I couldn't be sure since it faded as soon as I noticed it. I always sucked at those "Magic Eye" things, too...

    For slippery ARs, I mark with ink, which leaves enough of a spot to mark it with a Correction Fluid Pen. Works great for blocking, too. I have some of those Lumocolor markers also--I'll try that sometime. :)

  23. #23
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    My experience, after 36 years is the the best device to find the laser mark on PAL's is the Essilor progressive lens identifier, and in order to find the marks in an easy way is to colocate the lense not in between the loupe and the green light insted in top of the loupe and you will see inmediatly with out any effort the markings...Tryit and let me know....

    Moises

  24. #24
    The Hi-End PALs Specialist Bobie's Avatar
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    Pal Id

    Hi, billtbyhand
    Here is the picture of PAL ID

    picture from : http://www.pal-id.com/images/B&W%20P...ced%20size.jpg
    " Life is too short to limit your vision"


    ISOPTIK : The Hi-End Eyeglasses Centre
    494 ERAWAN BANGKOK 4th floor
    Ratchaprasong , Bangkok , Thailand 10330
    isoptik@gmail.com
    www.isoptik.com
    Hotline & SMS : +66 81 538-4200
    Fax. : +66 2 251-3770

    :cheers:

  25. #25
    Rising Star specs2see's Avatar
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    no brainer

    if you think it is such a no brainer, work in a lab for 22years. not all progressive markings show up equal.
    different brands are manufactured differently. if you are using only a couple of major brands in your practice you may have no trouble finding the markings.
    i can show you some where you have use a pd ruler and measure from the optical center. so the "no brainer" suddenly takes a fair amount of brains..:finger:

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