Varifocal or progressive lenses have come a long way since the first commercially available lens was designed by Bernard Maitenaz in 1953 and introduced by the Société des Lunetiers (which later became part of Essilor) in 1959. These early lenses were crudely designed and proved difficult for patients to adapt to due to their symmetrical design (eyes in general work asymmetrically) causing large amounts of unwanted peripheral distortion. As lens design evolved, the choice of products increased and progressive lenses fell into two distinct categories: hard design & soft design.
Hard designs had large distance and near vision area's but very narrow intermediate fields and the peripheral distortion was clearly defined. Soft designs on the other hand had relatively wide intermediate zones but the distance and near vision area's were quite restricted as the unwanted distortion was allowed to spread across the lens to make the boundary less distinct. The next major step forward was the use of multi-designs dependant on the wearers prescription. This allowed manufacturers to more finely tune the lens to the wearer giving much greater visual comfort and ease of use.
Hard designs had large distance and near vision area's but very narrow intermediate fields and the peripheral distortion was clearly defined. Soft designs on the other hand had relatively wide intermediate zones but the distance and near vision area's were quite restricted as the unwanted distortion was allowed to spread across the lens to make the boundary less distinct. The next major step forward was the use of multi-designs dependant on the wearers prescription. This allowed manufacturers to more finely tune the lens to the wearer giving much greater visual comfort and ease of use.
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In the years since, there have been many changes and improvements both in the design and manufacturing of progressive lenses, most recently the introduction of digital or "freeform" production. Traditional lens making tools are only able to work on the back surface of a lens and so they are unable to create the complex curves needed for progressive lenses. This is why the progressive channel of designs has traditionally been on the front surface of the lens. Freeform surfacing makes it possible to surface the front, back or both sides of a lens. A computer numerically controlled (CNC) freeform generator creates the lens surface according to the desired parameters, the lens is then polished using a computer controlled “soft sponge” system to insure optical clarity is achieved while maintaining the surface curve integrity.
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It is important to remember that freeform surfacing is a technology, freeform surfacing cannot improve an optical design. In the end, a lens is only as good as the lens design on which it is based. Therefore freeform technology is only valuable when it is paired with excellent lens design.
This is why there are differences in cost; in short, the price of a progressive lens is based on the technology used both to design and produce it, and also when the lens was introduced. |
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Our dispensing opticians will be happy to discuss your individual requirements, looking at lifestyle, workplace, leisure and budget requirements before offering what we feel is the best solution to your visual needs. Feel free to call in and discuss your options at anytime; an appointment is not necessary, and we can discuss the lens choices that would best suit your personal requirements.
Adaptation to progressive lenses varies greatly from person to person. We will guide you through how to get the best out of your lenses during collection and final fitting however, as a new wearer, it may take a couple of weeks for you to fully adapt to your new lenses. If you find that after using them for a few weeks you are having difficulty adapting, our dispensing opticians will be happy to discuss the issues you are having and suggest an alternative such as a different design of progressive lens, bifocals or separate pairs of spectacles, depending on what we think is the correct course of action to resolve the problems.
NON-TOLERANCE WARRANTY - Most progressives are covered by a manufacturers non-tolerance warranty for 30 days whilst ALL Rodenstock branded lenses carry a 90 DAY product assurance. This means that during this period, if you are unable to adapt to progressive lenses, we will exchange the lenses and offer a refund if there is a difference in cost.
NON-TOLERANCE WARRANTY - Most progressives are covered by a manufacturers non-tolerance warranty for 30 days whilst ALL Rodenstock branded lenses carry a 90 DAY product assurance. This means that during this period, if you are unable to adapt to progressive lenses, we will exchange the lenses and offer a refund if there is a difference in cost.
IMPRESSION FREESIGN® 3
Each person has his own lifestyle and requirements - which also includes vision. With Impression FreeSign® 3, we offer you the unique possibility to match your progressive lenses to your personal lifestyle. Rodenstock manufactures these progressive lenses completely individually on the basis of your vision profile-only for you. Experience the absolute freedom of natural vision with Impression FreeSign® 3!
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Individual Progressive
With Impression®, Rodenstock offers the most complete range of individual lenses. For the first time, the progressive lens can be matched to the individual visual requirements of the patient. The lenses are optimised individually for the refraction data, physiognomy of the spectacles wearer, and the shape and fit of the frame. The fields of vision that can be used by the wearer are always optimal. Due to best matching of the progressive lens to the requirements of the individual, the compromises of a standard progressive lens are reduced considerably.
Optimised Progressive
The Unique Customisation developed by Rodenstock ensures that every Multigressiv MyView® progressive lens is one-of-a-kind, which takes into consideration the refraction data in the freeform surface optimisation across the entire lens. In addition, the inset progression can be adapted individually, so that you receive optimised medium and near ranges. Furthermore, you have the possibility to choose between three progression lengths, depending on the size of the frame. Rodenstock has been able to combine the benefits of online optimisation with a rear-surface progression.
Digital Progressive
Almost all of the progressive lenses we supply utilise the modern 3D freeform technology. They are ideal for patients who are looking for a modern lens design with attractive cost-effectiveness, even greater compatibility, and even more satisfaction.
Whilst older generations of moulded lenses are still widely available, our recommendation is towards the newer age of digital designs rather than continue to use inferior products simply because they are cheap.
Whilst older generations of moulded lenses are still widely available, our recommendation is towards the newer age of digital designs rather than continue to use inferior products simply because they are cheap.