Hands on
Ask The Labs
by Karlen Cole McLean, ABOC, NCLE, and Martine Bruneni

THE SPECIFICS

Q What would you recommend as the best material for a specific Rx?

A The answer to this question isn't always clear-cut. It depends on the patient's Rx and whether it's a single-vision, standard bifocal or trifocal, PAL, or even a specialty lens.

Sometimes it depends on lens design and material availability. The best answer is: It's based on the patient's needs.

ECPs can usually fill us in on how the patient will be using the lenses. Sometimes, the patient may have had a previous problem with a lens. Then we might recommend something else instead.

Once we know details on the patient's needs and problems, we can help make a lens recommendation.

-- Michele Smith, inside sales and customer service, Select Optical, Columbus, Ohio

FREE DEFINITION

Q What is the basic definition of freeform technology and a freeform produced lens?

A Freeform is one of many terms for the most advanced cut-to-polish technology for creating progressive lenses.

For example, Shamir's FreeForm Technology uses software to apply the prescription and progressive lens design to the concave side of the lens. The progressive design and prescription power are brought closer to the eye for superior visual satisfaction and accuracy. Lenses adapt to the patient rather than patients adjusting to the lens.

In generic terms, this technology enables a laboratory to use a semi-finished, single-vision lens to produce an advanced progressive lens. Benefits include surface smoothness; accurate prescription match to increase wearer comfort; reduced labor-intensive laboratory steps because the cut-to-polish technology totally eliminates the need for fining; eliminated need for large inventory of semi-finished progressive lenses; improved customer service due to faster production; and elimination of back orders.

-- Raanan Naftalovich, CEO, Shamir Insight, San Diego, Calif.

Manicured Eyewear

Q I've heard that using clear fingernail polish on the top and bottom of eyewear screws can help the screws stay in place. Is this a good thing to do?

A Applying clear nail polish can be effective for keeping screws from backing out of the frame. I would do this only if there is no available alternative, and never when using polycarbonate lenses. Poly has an adverse reaction when screw-locking compounds or nail polish comes into contact with the lens. When using these compounds on non-poly lens products, there is always the risk of damaging or not being able to remove the screw at all if the lens needs to be replaced at a later date.

A viable alternative to using these compounds is to use a screw with nylon impregnated into the screw, available from most optical industry parts suppliers.

-- Chris Parker, owner, Optiks Laboratory, Orlando, Fla.

If you have a question you'd like to have answered in Ask the Labs, send it to Karlen Cole McLean. Fax: 215-643-1705. E-mail: mcleank@boucher1.com.

An archive of past Ask the Labs columns can be found on the Eyecare Business Website at www.eyecarebusiness.com.