I have only a vague notion of this, so help me ask the question, and then answer it, too. :)

Zeiss says that their designs are intentionally thinner. I don't know how they do that. It has been discussed it has to do with freeform eliminating the need for the optical center (an old term/old concept) to be up near the pupil, and such that it can be placed lower in the frame (like, 1/2 B) in order to maximize thinness.

Question: why wouldn't every lens manufacturer do that? Is this a special feature for Zeiss designs, or just any freeform design? Are they just touting the improvement over molded?