The definition of a digital or free-form lens can vary, depending on whom you ask. Unfortunately, there are some lens manufacturers that advertise their lenses as “digital” but fall very short of possessing the qualities of a true digital lens. It is for this reason that patients should understand the benefits and features of a true digital free-form lens.
There are several variables that make a digital free-form lens stand out from the crowd. The most obvious is the fact that the lens is fabricated using digital software and surfacing equipment versus traditional manual surfacing equipment. The result is a lens that has much tighter tolerances, offering clearer vision. Additionally, digital lenses tend to yield less distortion and wider areas of comfortable vision.
While the surfacing technique offers substantial benefits, the biggest gains come from the fact that a compensated prescription will automatically be calculated to ensure the very clearest vision possible. This is especially the case for patients with high prescriptions. To understand the relevance of a compensated Rx, it is important to understand that variations in the frame tilt, wrap and vertex distance (how far the lens is from the eye) all change the effective power of the lenses. The use of digital measuring devices such as the Visioffice, will quickly and accurately determine these measurements. Once the measurements are provided alongside the patient’s script, a compensated prescription is calculated to counteract the variances in tilt, wrap and vertex. The result is a fully personalized lens which offers the very clearest vision possible.
Even though most people associate digital lenses with progressive designs, digital designs are also available for single vision correction as well. While single vision digital lenses offer obvious advantages, dispensing a digital progressive will usually yield immediate and significant gains over most traditional designs. Progressive lenses like the Varilux Physio Enhanced Fit not only enhance clarity, they also eliminate as much peripheral distortion as possible. In addition, digital progressives afford the patient much more freedom when it comes to frame selection due to the fact that the area between the near and distance viewing areas can be customized.
For patients that desire the clearest and most comfortable vision available, ask your optician about digital lenses. Whether you require a multifocal or single vision correction, the gains that a digital lens can offer may be life-changing.
