Progressive Lenses

Progressive lenses – the lenses of choice
for many who are longsighted

Progressive lenses, which are very widely utilised in developed countries, were invented in London in 1905 but were plagued with optical distortions which made them unwearable. The first commercially available progressive lenses were developed by the French in the 1950s.

Since their inception in 1905, progressive lenses have undergone considerable research, resulting in advanced lens designs which increase the clear vision areas and reduce the significant distortions inherent in previous lenses.

The lenses of choice

With advances in computer design and sophisticated lens manufacturing techniques, we are now privileged to have a vast array of lenses to restore clear, comfortable and efficient vision especially designed for today’s complex work environments.

As a result, they now are the lenses of choice for a large number of patients who have presbyopia (reduced ability to focus on near objects).

However, as it is impossible to eliminate all areas of the distortion, it is important that the lens design match the patient’s visual requirements. For example, someone who prefers outdoors to close work activity would require a different design from an individual who spends considerable time with close work activities.

It is important that these factors be taken into account when prescribing and dispensing a spectacle correction.

Matching the lenses to the eye condition

It is the optometrist’s role to establish the eye condition and match the condition with the appropriate lens design to satisfy individual visual needs while relating these to lifestyle. The starting point is a comprehensive examination of both the refractive errors as well as any ocular health conditions which could impact on the vision.

Once the lens form has been determined, it is important that this be dispensed in specially designed spectacles.

We are committed to taking the time to ensure that all aspects of the vision examination and dispensing of spectacles meet the highest standard to provide patients with clearest possible vision and spectacles that meet their cosmetic needs.

alan burrow optometrist Progressive Lens Design Computer Operators _1

alan burrow optometrist Progressive Lens Design Near Tasks

alan burrow optometrist Progressive Lens Design Outdoor Workers _1

alan burrow optometrist Progressive Lens Design Overall Vision

Occupational Lenses

Occupational lenses are a form of progressive lenses which have been modified to cater for different types of occupations, particularly computer users.

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Traditionally, reading spectacles which have a very limited focal range require that printed material is kept at a specific distance, usually about 40 cm, particularly for those who have a more advanced loss of ability to adjust focus at near. With the advent of computer screens this presented a problem as desktop computer screens are usually at arms-length which is about 66 cm. While this is not a big change in physical distance, it has a great impact on the optical focus such that a lens design for 40 cm reading distance will cause the computer screen to be completely blurred.

Occupational lenses allow the user to see both at reading distance and computer distance and if required provide reasonably clear vision within the office space.

Interested in Progressive Lenses?

Please either phone us on (02) 6652 7411

Or click here to Book online

Progressive Lenses