Carl Zeiss Vision Signs Key Patent and Technology License Agreements for Customized Lenses
Carl Zeiss Vision has announced agreements with key distributors and the developer of a leading lab management system to facilitate the production of its free-form, customized lens portfolio in partner laboratories.

The company has licensed U.S. Patent 6,089,713, a key patent for manufacturing back-surface progressive lenses, to Expert Optics of Shoreville, Ill, Pech Optical of Sioux City, IA, Perfect Optics of Vista, CA and Three Rivers Optical of Pittsburgh, PA. This will allow these labs to use the proprietary Zeiss Precise-Form™ manufacturing process to make customized Carl Zeiss Vision lenses.

“Carl Zeiss Vision’s patented back-surface approach results in superior optical performance and production efficiencies,” said Fred Howard, Carl Zeiss Vision’s President – Americas. “We are proud to be working with some of the finest laboratories in the country to manufacture and distribute our portfolio of advanced customized progressives. The combination of advanced free-form products, a superior process and high quality labs will produce a performance breakthrough for eye care professionals and their patients.”

The company also announced the completion of a collaboration with Digital Vision, Inc. that covers the manufacture of customized lenses in laboratories using free-form equipment and Precise-Form production. This will allow participating DVI labs to seamlessly integrate Carl Zeiss Vision digital design files into their workflow.

“This is a major step in moving free-form customized lenses into the mainstream with regard to ordering, processing and dispensing,” said Claude Labeeuw, Carl Zeiss Vision’s Vice President – Business Development. “Integrating the Carl Zeiss Vision real-time customized lens design process with DVI greatly reduces the data-entry burden of the lab, eliminating errors and saving time. As a leader in the emerging field of customized, free-form-manufactured lenses, we are pleased to be working closely with DVI.”