Lab edging lenses from paper pattern

**Happylady** · 01-23-2006, 07:49 PM

I have a VSP patient that wants to use her same frame. It is discontinued and I can't get a pattern for it. With VSP we always send the frame or a pattern.

The lab says to trace the lens on a piece of paper and they can use that to make a pattern.

Does anyone do this? Is it accurate?

Yes, I know she should have a spare pair but she just isn't interested.

**Specs** · 01-23-2006, 08:02 PM

If its going into a zyl frame and they make it the right size or a bit big you're ok, as long as you don't have to stretch the frame too much. If you are going into a metal frame, the odds of a perfect fit are quite low. If the lenses come in a bit large, and your good on a hand stone you can perhaps be ok. If you are faxing the drawing, you're odds really drop. Then there is the risk of the lenses coming back too small, and the misery of being back at square one, but now you have lenses. I'm still looking for that lens stretcher they told me about when I was a rookie. Probably only worth the risk if the lab will re-do for free if the lenses can't be used.

**HarryChiling** · 01-23-2006, 08:06 PM

I used to know an optician that would heat the lens up and flatten it against a table. This would make the lens slightly bigger, but be warned it would also warp the lens slightly. I DONT AGREE WITH DOING IT, but it is possible to stretch a lens.

**Judy Canty** · 01-23-2006, 08:51 PM

Bum a pattern blank from another shop or a lab and make your own.

**Ed_Optician** · 01-23-2006, 09:35 PM

Talk about a Crap Shoot. When sending patterns to the lab always request return my pattern or demo lens. Attach pattern to patients file and keep it there. If you have your own edger in office...for non VSP jobs of course cut a sample right lens out of a tint sample lens or a Plano SV lens and send that to the lab your sample lens will be correct in size and shape

Ed

**Happylady** · 01-23-2006, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Ed_Optician

Talk about a Crap Shoot. When sending patterns to the lab always request return my pattern or demo lens. Attach pattern to patients file and keep it there. If you have your own edger in office...for non VSP jobs of course cut a sample right lens out of a tint sample lens or a Plano SV lens and send that to the lab your sample lens will be correct in size and shape

Ed

That is a good idea. I can take a plano lens blank and run a right lens with my in house edger. With that they should be able to cut the lenses to the right size, correct?

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 01-23-2006, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Happylady

That is a good idea. I can take a plano lens blank and run a right lens with my in house edger. With that they should be able to cut the lenses to the right size, correct?

Correct!!!

Funny you brought this up today, I had someone send me a paper pattern today. You can be accurate if you use a circumference gauge.

**Jacqui** · 01-23-2006, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Happylady

That is a good idea. I can take a plano lens blank and run a right lens with my in house edger. With that they should be able to cut the lenses to the right size, correct?

Be sure to mark a 180 line on it or you may have your lenses off axis.

**Leo Hadley Jr** · 01-23-2006, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Jacqui

Be sure to mark a 180 line on it or you may have your lenses off axis.

Great Point!!!:bbg:

**Happylady** · 01-24-2006, 08:24 AM

It is for a full metal frame. I will mark the 180, I had actually thought of that. Should I run the lens with a bevel or flat?

These boards are great. I was racking my brain to think of a way to make her lenses without keeping her frame and I post my problem here. Within half an hour I got the solution. I just can't believe I didn't think of it myself. :idea:

**Rheaopt** · 01-24-2006, 09:45 AM

A C size wouldn't hurt either. We have and still do lenses from paper patterns where I work. I don't like to do them, but if it's all you have it'll do.

**Happylady** · 01-24-2006, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Rheaopt

A C size wouldn't hurt either. We have and still do lenses from paper patterns where I work. I don't like to do them, but if it's all you have it'll do.

What is a C size?

**HarryChiling** · 01-24-2006, 06:59 PM

A C size is a measurement of the circumference of the lens. You CAn get a gauge at just about any of the optical supply companys.

**Happylady** · 01-24-2006, 10:32 PM

Should I put a bevel on the lens or do it flat edged?

**feornot** · 01-24-2006, 11:23 PM

Be careful of those C-sizes. I've never seen six C-sizers come up with the same measurement. Just how tight can you pull those things? It's a pretty rough gauge.

**Rheaopt** · 01-24-2006, 11:36 PM

I'd cut it the same way you need it.

**Rheaopt** · 01-24-2006, 11:39 PM

I don't have a tape c-sizer. The one I have has a clamp that holds the lens and a round gauge that rest against the lens then you use the handle on the clamp to turn the lens which moves the gauge to find the size. I always take to or three readings to make sure something didn't mess it up.

**William Stacy O.D.** · 01-25-2006, 12:36 AM

Originally Posted by Happylady

I have a VSP patient that wants to use her same frame. It is discontinued and I can't get a pattern for it. With VSP we always send the frame or a pattern.

The lab says to trace the lens on a piece of paper and they can use that to make a pattern.

Does anyone do this? Is it accurate?

Yes, I know she should have a spare pair but she just isn't interested.

No tracing. Send the frame in. Tell the patient the lab MUST have the frame. Always works for me, and I lose no sleep over it.

**LENNY** · 01-25-2006, 09:23 AM

I second that!

Why do you make this YOUR problem?

You can do this job in your LAB its VSP CANT do it!!!

**Lewy** · 01-25-2006, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by William Stacy O.D.

No tracing. Send the frame in. Tell the patient the lab MUST have the frame. Always works for me, and I lose no sleep over it.

Ditto!
If the client cannot make do without her specs then she really should have a spare pair, if they are unwilling to send the frame away, then I would walk away also- I would rather lose a sale than end up with a bag load of problems, which I feel could happen here. Also how much are you making on this job? How much do you stand to lose if (they will) things go wrong?

Lewy

**Chris Ryser** · 01-25-2006, 09:57 AM

Get some pattern blanks................have the customer wait a few minutes............make the pattern..............or make it from the paper.

This should a mini issue for a trained and expirienced optician and not a major problem.

**Happylady** · 01-25-2006, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by William Stacy O.D.

No tracing. Send the frame in. Tell the patient the lab MUST have the frame. Always works for me, and I lose no sleep over it.

I agree she should get a new frame. She even has insurance that will cover most of it. I plan to suggest it again when she comes in. However, she has been a patient for many years and was very upset when I told her I needed the frame or a pattern. She just couldn't understand why when we made lenses for it before.

I even said to her "please don't be upset with me, I am just trying to help you" as I could tell she was not pleased. Part of the problem is she lives 45 minutes away now and so it is quite a drive. Also her husband wanted the same frame he has now and it has also been discontinued so he has to come in too.