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An interview with Anil Kumar, executive at Transitions Optical Inc., is presented. When asked about the delay in development of a new type of adaptive lens called Vantage he replied that research and development work require significant time and manpower. He says that the biggest challenge in development of Vantage was darkening and molecular alignment. He states that Vantage lenses have polarization, no polarization and different stages of polarization. more...

The article discusses the use of gas layers to focus light and reveals that scientists at the University of Natal in South Africa have used this principle to build a gas-lens telescope. Changes in the density of a gas layer placed across an aperture can focus light. Scientists have now used this principle to build a gas-lens telescope. The resulting density pattern focuses an incoming light beam onto a lensless camera--much as the air above a hot road bends light to form a wavy mirage. The researchers, led by M.M. Michaelis, have used their novel telescope to image craters on the moon and sunspots during maximum solar activity. Though the current version of the instrument has limitations, including a small field of view, it offers several advantages over glass, they say: The ultralight lens can function well in the near-zero gravity of space, and it focuses wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to infrared. more...

Advises that special occupational lenses could benefit computer users who wear multifocal lenses. Problems in using bifocal lenses; Types of occupational lenses; Study on the preferred occupational lenses over regular multifocal glasses. more...

Provides information about polycarbonate lenses. Advantage of having eyeglasses made of polycarbonate lenses.

Provides information on Advexx Anti-Fog tempered glass lenses. Features of the lenses; Where the lenses are available.

The article focuses on the importance of Rx safety program for aged workers in the U.S. It states that the program aims to provide managed care vision to employees and under this program employees are provided lenses in order to meet specific needs and exact measurements. It further states that employers should allocate budget for the program and they should determine the safety and compliance factors before implementing the program. more...

The article offers information and advice for optical lab owners on common equipment, lens, and process issues. For Ultraviolet (UV) coating lenses, it cites the importance to know that water is a solvent and the type of water used can affect results. For Digital Surfacing and Antireflective (AR) coating, following manufacturer's recommendations when it comes to process consumables is suggested. The article offers ways to verify the standards of digital progressive design lens surfaces. more...

The article focuses on the design and manufacture of lenses that meet the criteria that are required to deliver high definition resolutions from sensor camcorders. It informs that because of the development of high image sensors, the camera makers have adopted the 2/3 inch solid state sensor for better resolution. It further informs that camera manufacturers have been able to develop high definition lenses with high pixels onto smaller camcorder sensors to reduce the cost of lenses. more...

The article presents advices given by industry experts to optical lab owners on equipment, processes, and software. It highlights the major topics discussed like how to improve the performance of current ultraviolet (UV) coating machine for better results and cost reduction, the need to place best and latest process for equipment, and the importance of capturing data of latest frame shapes and high curves to achieve first-time “lens-to-frame fit” to ensure a proper lens finishing process. more...

The article describes the case of a 49 year old white female presented with complaints of fuzzy vision she had since undergoing LASIK 10 years ago. The patient was diagnosed with post-LASIK-induced corneal irregularities. It cites available treatments to correct said vision problems such as custom free-form ophtalmic lenses, Brimonidine tartrate and a reverse geometry design contact lens. The patient was fitted with reverse geometry lenses which gave her the clearest vision she had in years. more...

The article presents lists of tips and trends for marketing sunglasses including, mentioning the necessity of sunglasses for protection from the sun's harmful ultra-violet rays, offering polarization technology demonstrations to customers in the store and maintaining the latest in trendy sunglass frame shapes including cat eye, square and rectangle. more...

The article provides a comparison of two types of designs of progressive lenses, namely variable corridor design and fixed corridor design, and provides the feature of fitting pearl lenses.

The article offers information on infrared (IR) cameras, also known as thermal cameras which make the invisible visible through infrared radiation. It relates that IR cameras normally consist of standard lens, detector, electronics, display, and software that work together to distinguish small differences in temperature. It also mentions that the lens of IR cameras works together with a thermal detector and display electronics to identify the amount of detail picked up by the camera. more...

The article provides information on optical designer and inventor Ira Lerner's career profile. It states Lerner's contribution to the clip-on segment of the industry of opthalmic frames with sun lenses attatched by magnets. It also states the innovative idea of developing eyewear without nosepads by Lerner and his team. more...

The article discusses the evolution of the new optimized lens design with flattened and aspheric lenses that look better in the frame. It states that the new lens design provides 360-degree optimization in lenses which use the new digital surfacing techniques for clearer vision. It adds that the new optimized design no longer needs to specify the base curve selection of the eyewear. more...

The article focuses the modifications of lens used in the reversible treatment for presbyopia. Accordingly, corneal implants for presbyopia has come into the scene years ago, whetting the appetites of surgeons for the possibility of its reversible treatment. Redesigned and was involved in a study in Mexico, the lens is reportedly made of a piece of propriety polymer that is 2 millimeter in diameter and intended to fit beneath a corneal flap during surgery. more...

The article reports on the new strategy of Carl Zeiss Vision for the development, production, and promotion of customed lenses for 2009. Carl Zeiss Vision has launched Zeiss Individual, a level of lens customization that accounts for the unique interaction among a patient's prescription, frame and face. The company's customized lens strategy includes, practice support for fitting and dispensing as well as training programs. more...

The article offers information on the polarized lenses, a new set of eyewear protection from the glare. Polarization manipulates the light, preventing particular set of rays from entering the lens, including annoying glare, discomforting glare, and blinding glare. It discusses some task-specific lenses used in sports for optical performance. more...

The article reports on the release of the 2008 edition of the book "Progressive Identifier" from the Optical Laboratories Association (OLA), the industry-standard guide to the identifying marks engraved on progressive addition lenses. The updated version is distributed in the United States and Canada and contains diagrams for 456 lenses which shows markings that identifies the lens supplier, name and material. Furthermore, OLA distributes more than 25,000 copies of its book every year. more...

The article discusses several issues that arise in designing machine vision systems for small objects due to hardware limitations, optical tradeoffs and space constraints. It includes the problem of fitting all the system components within the production or inspection areas in imaging small object, which can be solved by using a lens with a long working distance. Another problem is the depth of field, which includes the focal length of the lens, lens to object distance and f-number (f/#). more...

The article reports on the decision of Seiko to venture into the optical industry. The company is known in Great Britain for its high-technology in time pieces than in optical lenses. But according to the company, the emergence of computer technology at the forefront of lens manufacturing, places them ahead of the curve. John Conway, director of the company says that all their products are anti-reflection coated and 75 percent electronically worked. more...

Focuses on the considerations an ophthalmologist must consider before making a decision of in-house versus outsourcing lenses to an independent laboratory. Drawbacks of outsourcing; Importance of a complete business analysis before establishing an in-house production of eyeglasses; Significance of good customer services for an in-house laboratory. more...

Reports on the pursuit of lens designers and manufacturers in searching for the perfect progressive addition lens. Features of the Definity which was designed by the Spectacle Lens Group of Johnson & Johnson; Design of the traditional progressive lenses; Expectations for the lens designers in terms of delivering the ultimate progressive lens technology. more...

The article offers views of several eyewear experts including Alex Bennett, Bethany Dewolfe and Peston Fassel regarding marketing strategy for eyewear products. Topics discussed include preparing for office and patients in busy schedule, importance of occupational lenses and describing about the eyewear products properly to consumers. more...

In this article, the author discusses digital eye strain (DES) among people due to using smartphones, tablets and computers and offers solutions for digit eyed patients from advanced lens designs and coatings that prevent this diseases. more...

Focuses on the screen-printed reflector lens of the riding mowers of Frigidaire Home Products (FHP). Developer of the reflector lens; Cost savings presented by the lens; Information on a thermo-formed headlight reflector lens being developed by Murfin-South; Description of the Murfin order-entry system; Details on how design labels are made. more...

The article presents a study conducted by researcher Haider Butt and colleagues where they made light-weight lenses by depositing graphene on glass through chemical vapor deposition and then carving concentric circles with photolithography, published in a 2015 issue of the journal "ACS Photonics." more...

The article focuses on the response from retail optical service provider Optical Express (OE) on the allegations on its Mplus X lens, an intraocular lenses (IOL). Topics discussed include the allegations that the lenses are faulty, the move of len manufacturer Oculentis to challenge the allegation in legal way, and statement from OE that the lenses passed safety and effectiveness issues. more...

In this article, the author discusses the application of three-dimensional printing technology in producing eyeglass frames and lenses. He refers to a report by the periodical "The Economist" according to which a Dutch company, Luxexcel, has developed a way to print objects in a transparent material with a precise shape, enough to be used as a lens. He further comments on prospect of producing spectacle lenses and contact lenses with 3D printing. more...

The article presents information on the services provided by transition lens maker Transitions Optical and other companies to their customers. Topics discussed include products manufactured by the maker to help to visually demonstrate the activation stages to customers, photochromic lenses that reduce eye strain from outdoor light and training provided by Walman Optical to its customers on how they can use SpecTech application to answer the questions of their customers. more...

The article presents views of several executives including Ian Gregg from U.S optical laboratory industry on the lens equipment and processes. Topics discussed include maintenance of temperature by running spindle motors in cold weather to avoid errors during lens manufacturing, cooling of motors by an external chilling system and maintaining positive air pressure to protect bearings. more...

The article focuses on the development of a high-powered lens by doctors Steve Lee of the Australian National University Research School of Engineering and Tri Phan of Garvan Institute of Medical Research, which could be applied to smartphones to become a high-resolution microscope. more...

The article offers the author's insights on the pages of the journal "Optician." The author mentions that the first multifocal lens patent was filed by Owen Aves in London, England in 1907 which was not put into market because it was regarded as unpractical. The author references the letter by Avesa which was published in the November 7, 1913 issue of "Optician" which tackles the lenses that he manufactured. more...

The article offers information on the Vario Drive Thin Design Rx lens technology launched by Serengeti Eyewear Inc. which combines a polarized filter with photochromic technology offering visual acuity in a customized lens. more...

The article presents suggestions for understanding the assumptions made by lens designers when they create lens. For the assumption that testing is done with the lines of sight at 90 degree, use of inclinometer is suggested. For the assumption that line of sight are passing through optical center of test lens, use of pinholes in refractor cells and vertical prism is recommended. Proper way to check if chart it at right position in a short refracting room is mentioned. more...

The article discusses some options that can help reduce dry eye complaints. Silicone hydrogels (SiHys) may reduce dryness symptoms because they have a low water content, thus there is less water to evaporate. It provides the rationale for the use of thick lens designs to reduce dryness. Some of the unique materials that can help reduce dry eye complaints are Omafilcon A, Hioxifilcon and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) which is a water-soluble hydrophilic polymer. more...

The article evaluates the industrial fixed-mount identification (ID) reader created by Cognex Corp., which uses a liquid lens to read bar codes or other printed ID.

The article reports that researchers at the Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a method of using a Galil DMC-4020 motion controller to handle positioning work in a multilayer Laue lens-making machine. more...

The article focuses on spin coating as a factor that may help optical laboratories to increase profits and reduce processing costs. According to the author, laboratory operators should be vigilant of the coating materials they use to avoid unwanted possibilities for machine failure, unnecessary repair costs and interruption of operation. It is suggested that backside spin coating may be used to harden the lens. With a very slight additional cost for back coating, a great probability of lens breakage due to use of low quality coating may be prevented. more...

The author reflects on the old days when he discovered the basic understanding of optics and how to manually manufacture lenses. He feels fortunate that, even if the processes in manufacturing lenses can all be done by machines nowadays, he can still rely on this previously acquired knowledge of his and be able to troubleshoot problems that may arise, without waiting for machine technical support. According to him, automation is great but it is still necessary that someone knows how everything works. more...

The article offers information on the Fast Grind System for producing progressive lenses from Super Systems Inc.

The article discusses research led by engineer David R. Smith that resulted in development of a fibreglass metamaterial lens (FML) for use in telecommunications and radar systems. Properties of and advantages offered by the FML are discussed. Post-doctoral student Nathan Kundtz is cited regarding historical aspects of lens making. more...

The article offers tips on rimless eyeglass customization for eye care professionals. It states that lens shape changes should revolve around the original shape in the frame. It suggests going for tinted edges for a minimally rimless edge option. It notes that if doing edge in-house it is important to make customized lens demos for the patients. Moreover , it suggests investing in an in-office rimless design, edging system, or software management system. more...

The article reports on the glass venture of Evonik Industries AG and Cristal Materials firm in Taiwan. The joint venture will produce lenses for light-emitting diodes (LED) using SiVara sol-gel technology, in which fumed silica and organofunctional silanes are utilized to make high-purity glass lenses in different shapes. Meanwhile, Evonik anticipates a growth of 20% annually in the market for LED-based lighting. more...

This article describes the unusual advertisements used by small lens manufacturer Shamir Insight to distinguish itself from its competitors. Ads featuring the Rosa Parks bus incident or the hanging chads of the Florida presidential vote recount are intended to promote a specific product line. The ads were produced by Shamir Insight and its marketing vice president Matt Lytle. more...

The article offers news briefs related to eyeglasses industry. It reports on the exclusive program between Eastern States Eyewear and 1-800-CLIP-ONS making custom clip-on sun lenses for the latter's entire line. It announces the partnership of Barton Perreira and Baumvision for the European distribution of Barton's sunglass and ophthalmic collections. Europa International Inc. introduces its DB4K collection for children. more...

The article offers news brief related to eyewear in the U.S. It relates that Essilor of America Inc. has launched a new line of advanced polarized lens eyewear called Xperio. Furthermore, Briot USA has announced the implementation of price guarantee program for their customers who purchase new equipment. more...

The article reports on the move of SynergEyes Inc. to expand the parameters of its SynergEyes Multifocal and SynergEyes PS hybrid lenses in the U.S. It states that SynergEyes Multifocal is available in sphere powers from +5.00D to -8.00D in 0.25D steps as well as in -8.50D to -20.00D in 0.50D steps. SynergEyes PS is available in sphere power from +6.00D to -8.00D in 0.25D steps and from -8.50D to -12.00D in 0.50D steps. more...

The article reports on the partnership between PixelOptics Inc. and Transitions Optical Inc. to offer the latter's lenses in first company's composite lens designs in the U.S. in 2009. It mentions that it is the first company's strive to develop innovative products that will enhance customer's vision experience. Meanwhile, the latter says that with this partnership, eye care professionals (ECPs) can offer consumers the comfort and convenience of its lenses in the new lens design technology. more...