Premium multifocal lenses can be highly individualised to meet the unique needs and lifestyle of every patient. They’ve come a long way since being patented back in 1953… but how – and why – should you explain the sophisticated technology of these lenses to your patients?
The pace of change in technology is accelerating and certainly this also applies to optometry. The first modern multifocal design was patented in 1953 by Bernard Maitenaz and introduced by Société des Lunetiers, which in 1959 became part of Essilor. These early multifocal designs were symmetrical but the issue was that our eyes work asymmetrically.
Improvement in technology allowed for much better mathematical modelling, which resulted in improved multifocal design. This was coupled with free form manufacturing to facilitate more complex multifocal lenses. By adding the measurements of monocular PDs, fitting height, vertex distance, wrap and pantoscopic tilt, the lens design was able to be optimised.
…multifocal lenses are able to maximise near and intermediate vision with less distortion, they offer easier adapt-ability and are more comfortable to wear
Further improvements mean that lenses can now be customised to the individual by analysing the 3D position of the eye’s rotation centre; natural head posture; and wearing and lifestyle preferences, as well as auto-refraction, wavefront analysis and topography.
From the consumers’ point of view these new multifocal lenses are able to maximise near and intermediate vision with less distortion, they offer easier adaptability and are more comfortable to wear because the technology takes into account head, eye movement and posture. Additionally there is improved clarity, colour and contrast when compared with experiences gained from earlier lenses. Adding all this together, you’d have to agree that from a patient care point of view, current multifocal lenses offer a better outcome.
Convincing Mrs. Jones
The common issue, of course, is that Mrs. Jones is used to paying for a lens based on a design and technology that may not be the latest available. Alternatively she faces budget constraints, or previous experiences are impacting her decision-making process.
Part of our role in optometry is to help patients make choices that lead to better outcomes. This requires important conversations that are relevant to the person concerned. By gathering history, questioning and observing, you can establish their individual need and then identify the most appropriate premium multifocal. All existing multifocal wearers should be questioned extensively on the use and effectiveness
of their present eyewear. The table below presents a brief non-exhaustive list of needs.
Promote the Technology
The next step is to introduce and discuss the new technology behind premium multifocals, how it relates to the customer’s individual needs and the difference it will make to their vision and comfort. The key here is the ability to be able to convey the improvements that the new technology will make to their lifestyle. Consumers do understand technology changes – they upgrade their phones, software and gadgets at regular intervals – so it is our role to help them establish the value in upgrading their vision. This, of course, needs to be followed through in the dispensary, which is another topic in itself!
‘Breakthrough’ Camber Freeform Technologyfor Independent Labs |
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Younger Optics has introduced ‘breakthrough’ Camber freeform technology that “will enable independent labs and optometrists to gain a competitive advantage”. According to Younger, Camber blanks redefine digital freeform lens designs by combining the advantages of both traditional (front surface) and digital progressive designs and also avoiding the disadvantages. The philosophy of Camber is simple, for every power there is an ideal base curve. Multifocal lenses have various powers from the distance through to near. In traditional moulded front surface designs, the varying base curve was built in, but this is not so with back surface freeform designs. To overcome this, Camber introduces a patented variable base curve on the front surface. Younger claims this provides significant advantages for all viewing zones. Wearers can enjoy noticeable advantages, such as:
All labs that produce multifocal lenses using Camber technology must be certified and have the product quality validated. Multifocals using Camber blanks are optimised across the lens surface using Digital Ray Path technology to maximise the benefit of the variable base curve. Individual parameters are also used in design computations to customise the final product to the individual wearer. A ‘double blind’ wearer trial conducted by IOT and the University of Madrid compared results of finished multifocal lenses.1 One was processed using a Single Vision (SV) blank and the other produced with Camber. The material, Rx, frame and multifocal designs were identical. The only difference was the Camber blank vs. SV blank.
For further information regarding Camber technology, visit www.camberlens.com Contact: Younger (AUS) 08 8241 9800 Reference |
Take the Lead
As a profession we need to display leadership. Just because Mrs. Jones has been wearing the same design of multifocal without issue, why should she not be upgraded for an improved visual outcome?
Jim Papas is an optometrist and expert in retail, business strategy and brand development. He has won multiple awards for customer service and commercial innovation, including the 2015 Australian Retail Innovator of the Year award.
Rodenstock Freesign
It has long been known that near blur is a problem when simply adding to spherical power for near.
Rodenstock’s Impression Freesign 3 gives practitioners the option to incorporate a separate near refraction into the Impression lens design. The Impression range compensates at near for both cyl axis, due to eye rotation, and cyl power due to the geometry of the lens. This improves clarity of near vision as well as increasing width of intermediate and near portions on the lens.
Additionally, the Impression Freesign 3’s base lens design can now be individualised according to need and activity by moving the distance and near design points vertically to locate aberration in less significant areas.
Impression Freesign 3 lets patients choose one of three designs to match their activities while the Impression design program allows practitioners to work with their patients to produce the perfect lens for lifestyle.
Contact: Rodenstock (AUS) 02 9748 0988
Zeiss Precision
The new Precision Progressive range from Zeiss uses Digital Inside technology to ensure comfortable reading of both digital and traditional media.
The Precision range is based on the principles of Precision Technology guaranteeing clear and balanced optics with thin and light lenses. Other new technologies include FrameFit and Adaptation Control Technology that allow a wider choice of frames without adaptation issues. FaceFit and IndividualFit Technology allow customisation of the progressive lens to your patient’s unique requirements, ensuring lenses are perfectly matched to their anatomy and lifestyles, and providing natural, comfortable vision in all situations.
The ACT App is an easy-to-use application, designed to help attract, upsell and retain customers when dispensing Zeiss progressive lenses. Incorporating calculators for both Adaptation Control Technology and IndividualFit Technology, this app facilitates the selection of the correct lenses to meet a patient’s needs, and provides FrameFit data to ensure the patient adapts easily and quickly to their new lenses.
Contact: Zeiss Account Manager.
Nikon Presio Power
Presio Power features a dual power progressive design with wider intermediate vision for fast adaptation and a clear aberration filter for sharper, natural vision.
Presio Power has a broader field of view at the centre area near the pupil, which allows the eyes to adapt more easily. The two power aberration filter removes residual blurriness and distortion that are concentrated in the lower part of a lens to produce the greatest possible visual clarity and sharpness for patients. This process results in the lens curve mimicking the eye rotation curve at the wearing position, in doing so, providing wearers with natural vision.
Presio Power is available in three progression lengths – Presio Power 14; Presio Power 13; and Presio Power 12; and in clear and transition.
Contact: Essilor Account Manager
Hoyalux iD MyStyle V+
Hoyalux iD MyStyle V+ is a fully personalised progressive lens design from Hoya that considers the right and left prescription as individual components when calculating the required binocular lens design. The unique Binocular Harmonization Technology ensures the correction is appropriate at every point of the lens, according to the exact requirements of each eye. It offers each wearer crystal clear vision in a split second, putting everything in instant focus.
Hoyalux iD MyStyle V+ offers unlimited design variations to match each wearer’s personal visual needs. The new TrueView-i measuring device and the Hoya iDentifier software records the patient’s lifestyle, wearing parameters, prescription and wearing history. These variables are calculated to provide an optimal design and lens profile tailored to the individual needs of the wearer.
Contact: Hoya Account Manager
OSA Unique
OSA Unique uses three advanced technologies to guarantee performance in non-standard wearing conditions:
1. Harmonix Technology allows further personalisation of the lens based on patients’ natural focal points and where their eyes converge. Wearers enjoy a wider and more comfortable visual space.
2. Most progressive lens designs account for average wearing conditions. OSA Unique Position of Wear Technology takes extra parameters into account (frame wrap, BVD, and pantoscopic tilt) to offer the most personalised lens design possible.
3. OSA Unique with Frame Optimisation Technology adapts the lens to the chosen frame to maximise visual fields. Wearers enjoy optimised visual zones and maximised visual performance in their choice of frame.
OSA Unique is easy to dispense using the OSA Unique Ruler or the Vscope.
Contact: Essilor Account Manager
Varilux S Series Range
According to Essilor, Varilux S lenses are the first progressive lenses to offer both wide angle vision and equilibrium in motion. Holding 13 patents, Essilor achieves this advance through two new innovations:
1. SynchronEyes takes into account the exact physiological differences between both eyes, optimising binocular fields of vision to deliver wider fields of clear vision.
2. Nanoptix redefines the fundamental
lens structure virtually eliminating the swim effect to deliver more balance when
a wearer moves.
Additionally, 4D Technology takes into account the dominant eye in lens calculation to ensure instant reaction for Varilux S 3D and Varilux S 4D wearers (Varilux S 4D is developed exclusively for Varilux partner eyecare professionals).
Varilux S Series is easy to dispense with options to use standard measurements, or to customise lenses by using Vsope or Visioffice.
Contact: Essilor Account Manage
