Solving the Challenges of Fixed Designs with Variable Lens Technology

​Have you thought about trying variable progressive lenses but worried they won’t work for your patients? Maybe your peers won’t stop talking about the ease of dispensing them, or how patient adaptation is practically effortless, with fewer redos.
 
So, is a variable progressive lens right for you? 

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The Challenges of Early Progressives

Progressive lenses have evolved significantly since their introduction in 1959, when the biggest challenge facing lens designers was how to provide the desired add power without lines and ledges. Another shortcoming was the inability to create separate right and left designs, resulting in a lens profile that was exactly alike. Most designs were difficult for patients to adapt to due to the narrower working zones. Other issues disrupted the overall binocular focus and peripheral astigmatism, resulting in many patients complaining of swim and blur, and further increased the high non-adapt rates.

Image source: UUniversity

Fitting these progressives properly was also a challenge. While opticians typically focused on corridor length, early progressive lens options were based on fitting heights. This caused confusion since corridor length does not equate to fitting height. Only standard long corridor or a compact, short corridor lenses were available. Unfortunately, short corridor designs often delivered poor peripheral acuity, inadequate intermediate utility, excessive image swim, and insufficient reading comfort.

Image source: UUniversity

The consequence of limited options, paired with the complexity of fixed-corridor designs frequently resulted in visual compromises:

• Limited corridor length selection, resulting in less versatility with smaller frames
• Increased peripheral blur at distance due to distribution of oblique astigmatism
• Compromised intermediate vision

Free-Form Technology Ushers in a New Era

​Thanks to the advent of free-form technology, today’s modern progressives feature asymmetrical designs, providing separate configurations for both right and left lenses. Variable lens technology has conquered many of the limitations of fixed-corridor lenses, offering patients more of what they expect and demand from their progressive lenses: good critical, dynamic and binocular vision in addition to ergonomic utility with regard to comfort and ease of use.

Unity Via II: A New Paradigm in Progressives

Launched in spring 2022, Unity® Via II Progressive Lenses represent an excellent example of how variable corridor designs offer significant benefits over fixed designs:

• Make fitting and ordering easy for the eye care professional
• Deliver increased versatility for use with a broad selection of frames of different sizes and shapes
• Allow easy patient adaptation, especially for emerging presbyopes
• Increase patient success and satisfaction with their progressive lenses

Even new opticians can easily and confidently fit patients with a Unity Via II progressive using just a few standard measurements; the technologies do the rest! These integrated technologies automate customization, so training is fast and easy. The result: enhanced staff effectiveness and practice efficiency.

Discover How Variable Designs Can Up Your Game

Want to learn more about the advantages of Unity Via II variable progressive designs?

• Learn how to grow your practice with Unity Via II
• Request a personalized consultation
• Register for “The Difference Between Fixed and Variable Designs: ABO-T”, a FREE, online course sponsored by UUniversity™. This course provides a brief history of early progressive designs and expands upon this foundation to present a detailed discussion on fixed and variable designs.

For patients, Unity Via II’s larger reading and intermediate fields enhance visual acuity and comfort, especially when working on multiple digital devices. Adaptation to the lenses is typically effortless, enabling patients to quickly see their best at all distances. This results in increases patient satisfaction and reduces redos, addressing two of the biggest pain points expressed by ECPs[1].

The Magnificent Seven

​So, what makes these progressive lenses so special? Unity Via II utilizes state-of-the-art lens processing equipment and advanced digital lens designs to deliver the most precisely crafted prescription possible. Seven innovative technologies (four original Unity Via and three new Unity Via II technologies), help create an ideal balance of all the components needed to create a successful progressive lens.

Taking advantage of Unity Via II lenses’ ease of use allows you to focus more on patient care, rather than stressing over corridor selection. Simply provide the fitting measurements and the sophisticated software handles the rest! The result . . . best visual performance and, subsequently, increased patient satisfaction.

The Choice is Yours

​The Unity Via II suite of progressive lenses features different levels of visual performance to meet the needs and preferences of your presbyopic patients. With all the available options, you can feel confident in offering your patients an everyday progressive enhanced for today’s demanding visual needs.  

[1] Progressive Pain Point Survey, January 2022.