Shamir Golf uses the unique
power profile to give the golfer his or
her intermediate viewing zone right
where they need it—five to seven feet
away, where they have to see the ball
on the ground.
“This means that the golfer can
stay in their comfortable playing
stance and they will be able to see
clearly. The golf lens works with the
golfer and not against the golfer like
many progressive lenses,” said Bell
adding Shamir has worked to develop
its own special technology to help
wearers meet all the visual challenges
around them.
Shamir is one of the worldwide leading innovators in optical
technology. All design and testing
takes place at its lab, where there
is also a completely modern digital
freeform surfacing, coating and hitech edging facility.
“Shamir develops its own
technology and over the years has
licensed some of this technology
to
other
lens
manufacturers
internationally,” Bell said. “The
8
technologies are developed by
studying visual habits and needs,
by understanding the physiological
workings of the eye and visual
system and developing ways to
ensure that the wearer sees exactly
what was prescribed over all area
of the lens, without compromise.”
“As a company, Shamir believes
that education is critical. We will
spend whatever time is necessary
to ensure that the dispensers of
our products are completely familiar
with these products. When the
dispensers understand how the
lenses work, they can dispense
with confidence and this can
virtually eliminate issues with client
adaptation.”
He added, “Shamir is also
launching SPARK, a digital measuring
device. This is easy to use and very
accurate, using only one photograph
to measure PD, Height, Vertex,
Tilt and Wrap, as well as all frame
measurements. No additional trial
frame is needed and the high standard
of accuracy ensures that the lenses are
OPTICAL PRISM | DIGITAL SUPPLEMENT | DECEMBER 2013
ordered with exact measurements for
each customer.”
Looking Ahead
It seems as the industry looks ahead
to 2014, freeform will remain the
leading choice for the industry when
it comes to lens technology. Vogue
Optical is seeing almost an exclusive
request for freeform by clients.
In recent years their lab has
been upgraded to accommodate new
technology and software in the world
of high definition lenses. This latest
equipment and software is used to
manufacture premium progressive
lenses to create a wider field of vision
and advanced visual acuity across
the whole lens surface, both top and
bottom for easier adaptation.
“It’s something new and for a lot
of people this is all they are going to
be selling,” said Collin Hartling, Lab
Manager for Vogue Optical.
He added from the 1970s to the
1990s there was very little change in
lens design and technology.
“For the longest time everything
was the same, but things just went
crazy with freeform technology,”
he said.
The incorporation of digital
technology into eyewear such as the
highly coveted Google Glass seems to
be the next step on the lens horizon,
he said this is something that still
needs a lot of perfecting before it will
enter the mainstream.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see a
full (digital) integration in the next 10
years, though it might happen before
then,” he said. “The medical part
of lenses is going to be completely
changed over the next 20 years and
perhaps there may be a time when
people won’t have to wear them.” •