Optical Prism March 2018 | Page 10

Vision & Voice HOW DOES THE ADVANCEMENT OF LENS TECHNOLOGY BENEFIT THE WORLD OF EYEWEAR? “Technology drives many sectors of the economy. Advancement in processes and products can help to motivate buyers to explore new concepts and features. Eyewear has benefited greatly from today's emerging technology in its ability to customize lenses to the specific needs of the vision care consumer. Consumers need tailored solutions to the extra demands placed upon our visual system. Technology is a pillar in an opticians’ building of those solutions.” Robert Dalton, Licensed Optician, Executive Director, Opticians Association of Canada. “New lens technologies stand to benefit eyeglass wearers. Most promising are the new ‘digital’ high- definition lenses. The fabrication of these lenses is optimized with computer-controlled surfacing equipment which is much more accurate than con- ventional surfacing methods. Another technology just being advanced is for so-called ‘wave-front’ high-definition lenses. This technology is similar to wave-front-guided LASIK surgery.” Samuel N. Markowitz, Member of the Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Professor of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto. 8 OPTICAL PRISM | March 2018 “The area of contact lenses in both soft and custom gas permeable lenses is developing rapidly, providing optometrists with more services to offer patients. For instance, materials are improving comfort, increas- ing parameters are improving accuracy, sclerals are helping with corneal ectasias and dryness, and more lenses are available to control myopia and reshape the cornea.” Dr. Shalu Pal, Member, Ontario Association of Optometrists. “Frame designs were previously limited by Rx ranges, depending on their curvature and size. That range has been broadened substantially with advancements in lens materials and freeform lens design. By choosing the proper material, considering the frame curvature and the positioning of the frame on the patients face, you can provide more frame options for the patient and still provide great fields of vision.” Jessica Lutz, The Vision Council.