12/02/2022
When and How to Choose an
Alternate Progressive Lens Design
Just when we thought that we, as a profession, have maximized providing unique visual experiences for our patients, new innovations become available. In the past, we were limited
to what we could offer for visual solutions, especially in progressive lenses, regarding distance, intermediate, and near zones, and in fields of view. We have broken out of the mold. Meaning, that our lens design options are not limited to a front surface, predetermined design, which cannot be altered for the wearer’s wants and needs. For example, we can choose a design that maximizes the distance, intermediate, or near portions of the lenses.
Distance Vision Enhanced:
Professional drivers, and those who spend most of their time
outdoors will benefit from a lens design that maximizes the distance zone. Unless their
outdoor work includes building and construction, maximizing the intermediate zone would
benefit them as well.
Intermediate Vision Enhanced:
Those who need a wider intermediate area, particularly for
indoor use will enjoy a design that maximizes this zone. Examples: places like small offices,
working from home, even opticianry and optometry! When you think about our daily visual
tasks, much of it is in the intermediate range.
Near Vision Enhanced:
Avid readers, crafters, people who perform assembly work and
those who spend the majority of their day on near vision tasks will benefit from lenses that
emphasize the near zone. Many presbyopic patients wear progressive lenses only for near
vision tasks.
Additionally, we can offer design for all kinds of vocational and a vocational wants and needs…more than ever before!
Here are some options we can offer:
Driving:
Many people present with a chief complaint to their eye doctor of difficulty driving at night due to night myopia. The simplest explanation of night myopia is that uncorrected myopia (or deliberate under-correction of myopia produced by maximum-plus refractions, is less noticeable during the day, as there is more ambient light entering the eye. At night, especially while driving, there is less light entering the eye which causes the pupil to dilate. This uncovers undetected manifested myopia. Also, when the pupil dilates, spherical aberration occurs which stimulates accommodation. Adding minus power above the fitting cross helps a great deal. Endless Drive lenses add -0.25 D above the fitting cross, which helps to alleviate these symptoms.
Near to intermediate environment lenses:
This is not the same as maximizing the intermediate zone. A near
to intermediate environment lens is great for indoor office and computer use, gaming, cooking, playing cards, wood-working and more. We can even discover the patient’s working distances and customize the optics for the best focal length range. Please note: this design does not yield an adequate distance zone. It is not intended for driving or outdoor use.
Sports:
Outdoor sports enthusiasts, especially cyclists will enjoy this design. It provides a vast
intermediate to distance area, with just enough near when needed. Those who invest in these types of activities spend a lot of money on their bicycles and gear and adding eyewear that enhances their visual performance and safety is a no-brainer. Asking lifestyle questions may uncover a specific want or need. Lifestyle questionnaires are helpful, as are open-ended questions like: ‘How do you use your eyes, at work, and at play?
i-Rest:
There is no doubt that our society uses electronic devices more than ever, particularly smartphones and tablets. An i-Rest design provides a small amount of plus power at the near zone, which relaxes accommodation. This option is great for young,
pre-presbyopes and greatly reduces asthenopia, tired or
uncomfortable vision.
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