Trivia question

**fjpod** · 02-12-2006, 06:53 PM

What is a panafocal and what is it used for in contact lenses?

**chip anderson** · 02-12-2006, 07:33 PM

In glasses many many years ago, B&L had a panafocal which was lined, made from 3 pieces of glass fused together, had no jump. Danker labs and probably a few others have made some bifocal contact lens designs called a panafocal, or panofocal. I suspect the contacts were mostly trading on the name recognition of the B&L lens, which was an excellent but expensive spectacle lens.

**fjpod** · 02-12-2006, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

In glasses many many years ago, B&L had a panafocal which was lined, made from 3 pieces of glass fused together, had no jump. Danker labs and probably a few others have made some bifocal contact lens designs called a panafocal, or panofocal. I suspect the contacts were mostly trading on the name recognition of the B&L lens, which was an excellent but expensive spectacle lens.

Not exactly what I was looking for. Chip. Mebbe I'll wait a day or so before posting the answer (as I know it, anyway).

**harry a saake** · 02-12-2006, 08:35 PM

and if i rememeber right chip, the panafocal was replaced by the NOMO lens, Dr. Tabb inventor

**chip anderson** · 02-12-2006, 08:37 PM

I suspect that you can get a picture of one on the Danker website, It was an encapuslated fused bifocal wit a small window something in the shape of the cleared area a windshield wiper makes on a car windscreen only upside down.

I am sure it was claimed to give a wider near area.

**chip anderson** · 02-12-2006, 08:38 PM

Harry: Granville Tabb?

**chip anderson** · 02-12-2006, 08:47 PM

OK: In the chance that memory was failing me, and I don't think it has but some outfit called Global contact lens is marketing a contact lens under the name panfocal described as:Spherical BackToric FrontToric Panafocal Aspheric Lenticular Crescent-Seg Bif Fused Bif Tangent Bif Annular Bifocal..
However I have in the past ordered and replaced "Panafocal" contact lenses from other companies and the product did not meet this definition.
Art Optical aslos list a Panofocal for fitting against the rule astimatis.
Optometric Mangagement under the heading:25 tips for better fittings
Mentions a panofocal.
Hydrogel contact lens also mentions a panofocal.
Like I said, it's a catchy name to put on contact lens designs in order to capitalize on the earlier B&L opthalmic bifocal.

**Darryl Meister** · 02-12-2006, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Chip

I suspect that you can get a picture of one on the Danker website, It was an encapuslated fused bifocal wit a small window something in the shape of the cleared area a windshield wiper makes on a car windscreen only upside down

I think you're referring to the Panoptik.

**fjpod** · 02-13-2006, 12:10 AM

I think Daryl is right about the Panoptik. (Actually, if he said it, it must be true).

The panafocal, as I learned it in optometry school, and as I have used it numerous times, is an aspheric front surface, on a rigid lens, that is used to "minimize" residual against the rule astigmatism.

It has nothing to do with bifocals, as far as I know.

**Darryl Meister** · 02-13-2006, 03:01 AM

Originally Posted by fjpod

I think Daryl is right about the Panoptik.

It's the closest thing to "panafocal" that was ever made as a fused bifocal. The corners of the Panoptik segment were rounded and the segment top had a very slight arc to it, though it was wasn't strictly a "curve" top (like the Fulvue bifocal).