Progressive Lens Dispensing

Progressive Lens Dispensing
MODULE 10
Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 314
Progressive Lens Candidates
• The best candidates include:

– Previous progressive lens wearers
– Emerging presbyopes with a relatively low Add power
– Individuals highly motivated to wear progressives
• Candidates that may require consideration include:
– Presbyopes with a relatively high Add power (>+2.25)
– Previous wide-segment bifocal wearers
– Individuals sensitive to vertigo or motion sickness
– Individuals with a significant oculomotor imbalance
– Individuals particularly sensitive to changes in vision
1
Fitting Progressive Lenses
• When fitting progressive lenses, use the following

procedure:
1. Select the frame
2. Pre-adjust the frame
3. Measure the fitting heights
4. Measure the distance PDs
5. Verify cut-out
6. Take free-form measurements (if necessary)
1. Select the Frame
• Select a well-fitting frame that maintains its adjustment

• Frames with adjustable nose pad (guard) arms will allow
for small fitting height corrections later
• Large aviator-like styles will expose the wearer to
regions of distortion that serve no visual purpose
• For most general purpose progressive lenses, a
minimum depth of 25 – 30 mm is recommended
• Remain cognizant of the minimum fitting height during
the frame selection process
2
Ideal Frame Geometry
• Ensure that the frame allows for the minimum fitting

height of the lens design (e.g., 18 mm)
• Ensure that the frame allows for a sufficient amount of
clearance above the fitting cross
• For most general purpose progressive lenses, a
minimum depth of 25 – 30 mm is recommended
Clearance
Fitting Depth
Height “B”
2. Pre-Adjust the Frame
• Ensure a minimal vertex distance

• Ensure at least 7° or more of pantoscopic tilt
• Ensure a sufficient amount of face-form wrap
• Adjust rimless frames with demo lenses in place
3
Vertex Distance and Lens Tilt
• Vertex distance is the distance from the back vertex of

the lens to the cornea
• Pantoscopic tilt is the inclination of the bottom of the lens
towards the face from a vertical plane
Vertex
Tilt
Effect of Vertex Distance
• Shorter vertex distances increase the field of view

through the viewing zones of the lens
Vertex
Difference
4
Effect of Pantoscopic Tilt
• Many modern progressive lenses are optically optimized

for a minimum amount of lens tilt
• Additionally, the line of sight must pass through an angle
of 20° or more to reach the near zone
• This results in an effective tilt—and an apparent vertical
narrowing—of the viewing zone aperture
Full Aperture Tilted Aperture

• Pantoscopic tilt brings the near zone closer to the eye

and increases the field of view through the near zone of
the lens
Panto
Tilt
5
• Inadequate pantoscopic tilt can reduce the effective size

of the near zone
10° Pantoscopic Tilt No Pantoscopic Tilt

Effect of Face-Form Wrap
• Face-form tilt or wrap is the inclination of the temporal

edge of each lens towards the face
• Face-form wrap ensures that the frame front follows the
natural frontal curvature of the skull
• Face-form wrap brings the peripheral distance zone
closer to the eye and increases the field of view through
the distance zone of the lens
• This also moves the more troublesome peripheral
regions of the progressive lens out of the wearer’s
immediate field of view
6
Effect of Face-Form Wrap
• Face-form wrap increases the field of view through the

distance zone of the lens
Wrap
3. Measure the Fitting Heights
• Ensure that you are at eye-level with the wearer

• Take monocular fitting height measurements
• Dot the demo lens, if available
• Measure directly to pupil center
7
Fitting Heights
• Ensure that the frame is not crooked beforehand

• Ensure that the wearer has assumed his or her natural
posture and is looking straight ahead
• If the wearer has worn progressives before, assess the
fit of the previous lenses
• Ensure that the measurements are correct after having
the wearer move and look around
• If available, use a stand-up mirror to have the wearer
verify placement (eliminates parallax)
• Do not “fudge” the fitting height measurement
• Consider slight modifications based upon wearer height
or habitual posture when indicated
• Ensure that the minimum fitting height is satisfied
Effect of Wearer Posture
• The wearer should maintain his or her natural or

“habitual” posture; any atypical head tilt will result in
significant fitting height measurement errors
No Head Tilt Head Tilt

8
Effect of Parallax Error
• Parallax error can significantly affect fitting height

measurements
1 inch of height difference = 1.7 mm of error
Dispenser 16” (40 cm) Wearer
Parallax error
Eye level difference Spectacle plane
Effect of “Fudging” Fitting Heights
• Dispensers may get into the habit of reducing fitting

heights by 1 to 2 mm to improve wearer adaptation
• Wearers are less like to notice immediately the effects of
poor reading vision compared to poor distance vision
• However, “fudging” the fitting heights in this manner will
compromise near vision utility and overall performance
Poor Near
Intended Balance Dropped Height

9
4. Measure the Distance PDs
• Measure the monocular interpupillary distances

• Use a corneal reflex pupilometer for accuracy
• If the wearer has an apparent strabismus (eye
deviation), occlude each eye
Interpupillary Measurements
• Most manufacturers recommend using the monocular

Distance PDs, though some dispensers instead add 2.5
mm to the Near PDs
– However, in high powers, using the Near PD can induce
prism in the distance portion
– Many modern progressives use variable insets (not a fixed
2.5 mm), which precludes the need for this compensation
• Incorrect interpupillary distance measurements restrict
the apparent fields of usable vision through the lenses
• This also makes it more difficult for the wearer to find the
viewing zones of each lens
Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister
10
Effect of Incorrect PD Measurements
• Incorrect interpupillary distance measurements restrict

the apparent (binocular) fields of view through the lenses
and make it more difficult to find the viewing zones
PD Error
5. Verify Cut-Out
• Use the correct cut-out chart for the lens design

• Place the dotted demo lens on the fitting point of the cut-
out chart, and ensure that the frame will cut-out at the
desired measurements
11
6. Take Free-Form Measurements
• For certain free-form lenses, additional frame fitting

measurements can be supplied to further improve optics:
– Vertex distance
– Pantoscopic tilt
– Face-form wrap
• Vertex distance can be measured using a distometer or
approximated using either a pupilometer or a PD ruler
• Pantoscopic tilt should be measured on the wearer from
a vertical plane parallel to the face and perpendicular to
the line of sight in primary (straight-ahead) gaze
• Face-form wrap can be measured directly from the angle
of horizontal lens tilt using a frame wrap protractor chart
Carl Zeiss Vision Measurement Tools
• Carl Zeiss Vision provides an inexpensive tool for

measuring pantoscopic tilt and vertex distance (reverse)
• Sophisticated digital centration devices that take
extremely accurate measurements are also available
Inexpensive Tool i.Terminal Screenshot

12
Frame Wrap Protractor
• Face-form wrap can be measured using a simple frame

wrap protractor chart
• Sophisticated digital centration devices can take more
accurate measurements
Dispensing Progressive Lenses
• To ensure maximum success with progressive lenses,

use the following dispensing procedure:
1. Verify the Distance prescription, Add power, horizontal
axis alignment, and prism of each lens
2. Re-mark the fitting crosses, if necessary, and verify the
vertical and horizontal centration of the lenses
3. Adjust the frames to ensure a comfortable fit with proper
positioning of the fitting crosses
4. Ensure that the fitting cross of each lens is aligned
properly with the pupil center of each eye
5. Instruct the wearer on the proper use of the lenses
13
Verifying Semi-Finished Add Power
• For traditional semi-finished progressive lenses front

vertex power measurements should be used for verifying
Add power
• With the front surface of the lens against the lens stop,
take the first reading in the distance checking circle and
the second reading in the near checking circle
First Reading Second Reading

Verifying Add Power
• Due to the nature of progressive lenses, a small amount

of “unwanted” cylinder power or a shift in cylinder axis
may occur in the near zone, which may affect power
readings in some cases
• This may be the result of how the lens are measured,
surfaced, or manufactured, though it is generally
inconsequential to vision
• Further, depending on the size and fitting height of the
edged lens, the full power Addition may be difficult to
measure with a focimeter—especially in smaller frames
• Consequently, using the semi-visible Add power
engraving is the easiest method to verify Add power
14
Verifying Prism
• To verify prism in a progressive lens, measure the prism

and prism imbalance at the prism reference point (PRP)
of each lens
P.R.P.
Add
ADD
Rx Prism Example – OD: 1.00 B.D.
• Right lens = 2.00 B.D. and Left lens = 1.00 B.D.
Prism = 1.00 B.D., OD
5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5
Right Left
15
Prism-Thinning
• Many progressive lenses are now surfaced using equal

amount of vertical prism
• Prism-thinning (or equi-thinning) reduces the overall
thickness and weight of progressive lenses
• “Yoked” prism produces neither a prismatic imbalance
nor vergence ocular movements
• Prism-thinning usually benefits Plus lenses more than
Minus lenses
• As a rule-of-thumb, 2/3rd or 60% of the Add power is
surfaced in the form of base down prism
• This prism should be treated as prescribed prism
Vertical Prism Imbalance Example
• Right lens = 1.75 B.D. and Left lens = 2.00 B.D.
Prism Imbalance = 0.25
5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5
Right Left
16
Prism-Thinning Comparison
• Prism-thinning is done to reduce the overall and

differential thickness of progressive lenses
Without  With B.D. 

7.0 mm C.T. 5.5 mm C.T.
Adding Base Down Prism to a Progressive Lens Blank

Cylinder at Measurement Points
• Unwanted cylinder in the distance and near checking

circles is often due to several factors:
– The relatively large aperture of typical focimeters picks up
the unwanted cylinder surrounding the viewing zones
– The highly aspheric nature of progressives may result in
some cylinder from the casting process
– Surfacing aberrations can produce unwanted cylinder,
particularly in the near zone (e.g., blocking waves)
– The distance of the checking circles from the optical center
increases the effects of prism and tilt
• This is why the ANSI Z80.1-2005 allows greater
tolerances on power errors for progressive lenses
17
Axis Shift with Small Cylinders
• Unwanted cylinder on the front surface or as the result of

prism (or tilt) can combine with the prescribed cylinder
power, creating a crossed cylinder effect
• With low Rx cylinder power, even small amounts of
unwanted cylinder can cause a significant shift in axis
• However, this effect is usually small, and inconsequential
to vision in most cases
• Example:
– Unwanted cylinder: +0.09 DC × 44
– Actual prescription: -1.00 DS -0.25 DC × 180
– Final net power: -0.95 DS -0.26 DC × 170
Lens Centration Errors
• Errors in interpupillary distance (lens centration) can

cause similar errors in the binocular zone sizes
• For a progressive lens, which has relatively limited
viewing zones, this can significantly reduce the usable
fields of clear vision
• For a near zone size of 20 mm, a 2 mm total error (the
ANSI tolerance) represents a 10% reduction in the
apparent binocular field of view
• This error impacts the intermediate zone even more
• Centration errors also make it difficult for the wearer to
find the clear viewing zones in each lens
18
Centration Errors
• Lens centration errors reduce the effective size of the

binocular viewing zones
1 mm of error = 1 mm binocular reduction
0 mm 2 mm
Overlap = 18 mm Overlap = 16 mm
Binocular Near Zone Binocular Near Zone
No Error 2 mm Error
Instructing the Wearer
• First time wearers will be accustomed to moving their

eyes, not their head
• Explain again how the progressive optics work, including
the limitations of the peripheral regions
• Describe the horizontal and vertical head movements
required for intermediate and near vision (e.g., “point
with the chin”)
• Demonstrate the three central viewing zones:
– Have the wearer practice with a reading card
– Have the wearer look at a mid-range object
– Have the wearer look across the room or the street
19
Prescribing Considerations
• Prescribe the exact Add power required by the wearer

for his or her customary reading distance
– Bumping the Add power will cause the wearer to read
through the progressive corridor
• Prescribe the exact ocular refraction, including the
cylinder power and axis required by the wearer
– Residual astigmatism will distort the viewing zones
• Consider the effects of prescribed prism
– Adjust the fitting cross positions if necessary
– Occlude each eye during PD measurements
• For certain free-form progressive lenses, compensated
prescriptions may be necessary
When Using Small Frames
• Use progressive lenses that work well in small frames,

instead of “bumping the Add”
– At least one study has shown that more patients prefer the
prescribed Add power for progressive addition lenses to
the over-plussed Add power
– Increasing the Add power effectively shifts near vision up
from the near zone and into the narrower corridor, as well
as increases the level of unwanted blur in the periphery of
the lenses
– A higher Add power also restricts the extended range of
clear vision (or depth of field) for the wearer
• For fitting heights below 19 or 18 mm, consider lenses
specifically designed for small frames
20
Effect of “Bumping” the Add Power
• Bumping the Add power effectively raises the near zone

into the narrower progressive corridor, and increases the
overall level of blur
• This restricts the field of usable vision through the lens
Wearer Finds
Acceptable Add
Power Here
Full Add Power
Located Here
Effect of Prescription Errors
• Residual cylinder errors from uncorrected or improperly

corrected ocular astigmatism will interact optically with
the surface astigmatism of a progressive lens
• This optical interaction may narrow, distort, or even
translate (move) the viewing zones of the progressive
lens as the wearer finds other regions of the lens that are
“clearer” than the central viewing zones
• Excess Plus power in the distance prescription can
exacerbate the blur produced by low levels of unwanted
Add power in the vicinity of the distance zone
• Insufficient Plus power can reduce the utility of the near
zone during near vision
21
Effect of Residual Cylinder Error
• Residual cylinder error from uncorrected astigmatism

can effectively narrow and translate the usable zones of
the lens for the wearer
Shift
Performance Uncorrected
of Desired Rx Cylinder × 45
Effect of Over-Plussing
• Excess Plus power can effectively raise the progressive

optics further into the distance zone, exacerbating the
blur produced in the vicinity of the distance zone
Higher
0.50
0.50
1.00
1.00 1.50
1.50 2.00
2.00
Normal With +0.25 D

Mean Add Power Of Excess Plus
22
Prescribed Prism
• When fitting progressive lenses on patients with

prescribed prism, remember:
– Progressives may be more difficult to adapt to
– For patients with strabismus (i.e., an obvious turning of
one eye), occlude each eye while taking the monocular PD
measurements
– Prism causes the eye to turn, which moves the line of sight
across the lens and may necessitate small compensations
in fitting cross location
• Significant oculomotor imbalance (e.g., strabismus) may
be a contraindication for progressive lens wear
Effect of Prescribed Prism
• Prism shifts the visual axis towards the apex of the prism
Shift fitting cross 0.3 mm for each 1 of prism
Visual Axis Visual Axis

Now Crosses Crosses
Lens Here Fitting Cross
Base In
Prism
Left Eye Right Eye

23
Position of Wear Optimization
• Many free-form progressive lenses are optimized for the

position of wear, which represents the position of the
fitted spectacle lens on the actual wearer
• Factors such as lens tilt, vertex distance, and oblique
viewing angles introduce effective changes to the optical
powers of the lens once they are actually worn
• Free-form lens suppliers may compensate for these
optical effects in order to ensure that the actual wearer
perceives the prescribed powers once the lenses are on
• A compensated prescription represents the vertex power
that should be used for verification in order to ensure
that the wearer experiences the prescribed power
Position of Wear Optimization
• Optimization for the position of wear refines the optics of

the basic lens design in order to compensate for the
optical effects introduced by the actual fitting geometry
How a Focimeter How the Wearer

Measures Optics Experiences Optics
24
Compensated Prescription Forms
• A typical compensated prescription form shows both the

original prescription values and the modified values that
must be utilized for power verification using a focimeter
Verifying Free-Form Add Power
• For free-form progressive lenses, which often come with

a compensated prescription, back vertex power
measurements are often used for verifying Add power
• The measured Add power should be compared to the
Add power of the compensated prescription from the lab
First Reading Second Reading

25
Progressive Lens Troubleshooting
• When the wearer presents with a complaint pertaining to

the vision through progressive lenses, the eyewear
should be carefully evaluated:
– Verify prescription fabrication and Add power
– Verify prism (both wanted and unwanted)
– Verify fitting heights to pupil center on the wearer
– Verify monocular interpupillary distances on the wearer
– Verify frame adjustment, including tilt, wrap, and vertex
• Ask probing questions of the wearer to ascertain the
exact nature of the problem or complaint
• Vague complaints should be clarified (e.g., “I can’t see”
may mean “my vision is not as clear at distance”)
Progressive Lens Troubleshooting
• When assessing the situation, consider these questions:

– Have the lenses been fitted correctly and has the frame
been properly adjusted to maximize performance?
– Has the wearer been properly trained in the use of
progressive lenses?
– Is the wearer a suitable candidate for progressive lenses?
– Does the wearer have realistic expectations regarding the
performance—and limitations—of progressive lenses?
• Also consider common causal factors:
– Significant increase in Add power
– Former wearer of lined bifocals accustomed to a wide near
– Significant change in design from previous progressives
26
Troubleshooting: Distance Vision
• Complaint: “Distance vision is blurred everywhere”

– Verify that the prescription was fabricated correctly
– Verify the spectacle refraction (e.g., full cylinder correction)
• Complaint: “Distance vision field is narrow”
– Verify that the correct Base curve was used
– Adjust the frame to increase face-form wrap
• Complaint: “Distance vision is blurred when head is erect
but clears when chin is lowered”
– Verify the prescription fabrication and spectacle refraction
– Verify that the fitting heights are not high
– Adjust the frame to lower lenses (e.g., widen pad arms)
Troubleshooting: Intermediate Vision
• Complaint: “Vision at arm’s length (24-36”) is not clear”

– Verify that the monocular PDs are correct
– Verify that the fitting heights are not low or high
– Verify that the Add power has not been over-Plussed
– Adjust the frame to achieve correct fitting heights
– Move computer monitor or viewing task to better position
• Complaint: “Field of vision at arm’s length is narrow”
– Verify that the monocular PDs are correct
– Verify that the fitting heights are not low or high
– Adjust the frame to reduce vertex distance
– Explain that increasing Add power will narrow intermediate
27
Troubleshooting: Near Vision
• Complaint: “Reading area is not wide enough”

– Verify that the fitting heights are not low
– Verify that the Add power has not been over-Plussed
– Adjust the frame to raise lenses (e.g., narrow pad arms)
– Adjust the frame to increase pantoscopic tilt
• Complaint: “Must tilt head back to read correctly”
– Verify that the prescribed Add power is not weak
– Verify that the fabricated Add power is not weak
– Verify that the fitting heights are not low
– Adjust the frame to raise lenses (e.g., narrow pad arms)
– Switch to a lens design with a shorter corridor if necessary
Troubleshooting: Binocular Vision
• Complaint: “Field of vision appears off-center when one

eye is closed or covered”
– Verify that the lenses have not been switched eye-for-eye
– Verify that the monocular PD measurements are all correct
– Verify that the fitting height measurements are all correct
– Verify that the lenses are aligned using semi-visible logos
– Verify the spectacle refraction, including cylinder axis
– Verify that there is no unwanted prismatic imbalance
– Evaluate the patient for any habitual head turn
– Adjust the frame to ensure a proper fit with good alignment
– Switch to a lens design with a variable inset if necessary
28
Troubleshooting: Peripheral Vision
• Complaint: “Objects such as doors or stairs appear to

‘bow,’ ‘rock,’ or ‘swim’ unnaturally in the periphery”
– Check for significant a change in Base curve
– Compare the Add power with previous prescription
– Adjust the frame to increase pantoscopic tilt
– Adjust the frame to increase face-form wrap
– Adjust the frame to reduce vertex distance
– Adjust the frame to lower lenses (e.g., widen pad arms)
– Explain progressive optics and adaptation period
– Switch to a “softer” progressive lens design if necessary
29

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Progressive Lens Dispensing

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 314

Progressive Lens Candidates

• The best candidates include:

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 315

• When fitting progressive lenses, use the following

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 316

1. Select the Frame

• Select a well-fitting frame that maintains its adjustment

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 317

• Ensure that the frame allows for the minimum fitting

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 318

2. Pre-Adjust the Frame

• Ensure a minimal vertex distance

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 319

• Vertex distance is the distance from the back vertex of

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 320

Effect of Vertex Distance

• Shorter vertex distances increase the field of view

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 321

• Many modern progressive lenses are optically optimized

Full Aperture Tilted Aperture

Effect of Pantoscopic Tilt

• Pantoscopic tilt brings the near zone closer to the eye

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 323

• Inadequate pantoscopic tilt can reduce the effective size

10° Pantoscopic Tilt No Pantoscopic Tilt

Effect of Face-Form Wrap

• Face-form tilt or wrap is the inclination of the temporal

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 325

• Face-form wrap increases the field of view through the

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 326

3. Measure the Fitting Heights

• Ensure that you are at eye-level with the wearer

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 327

• Ensure that the frame is not crooked beforehand

Effect of Wearer Posture

• The wearer should maintain his or her natural or

No Head Tilt Head Tilt

• Parallax error can significantly affect fitting height

Dispenser 16” (40 cm) Wearer

Eye level difference Spectacle plane

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 330

Effect of “Fudging” Fitting Heights

• Dispensers may get into the habit of reducing fitting

Intended Balance Dropped Height

• Measure the monocular interpupillary distances

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 332

• Most manufacturers recommend using the monocular

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister

• Incorrect interpupillary distance measurements restrict

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 334

• Use the correct cut-out chart for the lens design

Copyright © 2008 Darryl J Meister 335

• For certain free-form lenses, additional frame fitting

Carl Zeiss Vision Measurement Tools

• Carl Zeiss Vision provides an inexpensive tool for

Inexpensive Tool i.Terminal Screenshot

• Face-form wrap can be measured using a simple frame