Sponsored by IOT
By Deborah Kotob, ABOM
Two things are a challenge for optical practices, new optician training and reducing dreaded non-adapts and remakes, which are common in first-time progressive lens wearers and prior non-adapts. Progressive lens designs that help mitigate the non-adapt risk are highly prized by new and seasoned opticians, as it allows them to dispense with greater confidence, even under challenging fitting conditions.
Due to a high turnover rate and the almost incessant influx of new staff to train, inaccurate fitting can be high and result in a high rate of non-adapts for the practice. Inaccurate fitting in progressive lenses significantly impacts visual quality. Thankfully, a new PAL design has emerged, IOT Endless Steady EasyFit, which as the name implies, is an easy to fit PAL, cleverly engineered to ensure high vision quality and smooth adaptation thanks to an extra-soft design and extended near zone.
While IOT Endless Steady EasyFit reduces remakes due to non-adapt and fitting errors, IOT is also active in optician training. An acknowledged leader in advanced optical technologies, IOT is committed to supporting professional opticianry by helping the dispenser to master the ever-changing landscape of ophthalmic lens selection, measurement and dispensing. They offer a myriad of free training to help new opticians gain solid footing in theoretical optics and practical hands-on training. Their contributions to staff training range from their 48 “IOT Free-Form Insights” articles in 20/20 Pro to Pro to classroom presentations and workshops, and in-office training and lunch and learns. IOT recognizes the challenges of staff training and non-adapts for the practice, which is why IOT Endless Steady EasyFit is designed to improve accuracy for the budding optician as they hone their measuring skills.
Thanks to IOT’s Steady Methodology and Digital Ray-Path 2 groundbreaking technologies, IOT Endless Steady EasyFit PAL design provide: precise and comfortable focusing for all working distances, virtual elimination of peripheral blur, increased comfort due to the ultra-soft power distribution, effortless easy access to reading thanks to the extended visual near zone, reduced swim effect due to higher image stability and superior visual quality when using digital devices. Another benefit is the expansion of frame choices; the patient doesn’t have to be steered away from frames that historically they were told were not ideal for their prescription.
Because of the extra soft design, the IOT Endless Steady EasyFit design makes adaptation easier and faster. In a double-blind wearer trial, 75 percent of patients were able to completely adapt to the lens in only a few hours! This is especially beneficial to new PAL wearers and previous non-adapts. IOT Endless Steady EasyFit includes a long corridor and emphasizes the mid-range visual zone. This minimizes the adverse effects of decentration and allows the near power to be strategically distributed resulting in an extended viewing area at near and while viewing smart devices. As a back surface free-form digital design, there are no restrictions regarding lens blanks; IOT Endless Steady EasyFit is available in materials and coatings. This innovative design solution has more “forgiveness” than other PAL designs. Endless Steady EasyFit Progressive provides outstanding visual quality at all distances even when the vertical fitting error is up to 2 mm. By practically eliminating costly remakes, IOT Endless Steady EasyFit will be a big hit with labs as fewer remakes improves efficiency. The optical practice will love seeing their adaptation rate rise and remakes drop, especially practices challenged with inexperienced staff and high turnover.
Learning the proper fit and measure protocols is essential for the optician if patients are to reap the benefits of the advanced personalized optics of today’s free-form digital lens designs. However, we all understand that not all patients will opt for the pricier personalized designs and having a forgiving PAL design such as IOT Endless Steady EasyFit in the optician’s toolbox allows them to recommend progressive lenses with greater confidence to the first-time progressive lens wearer or prior non-adapts, giving PALs a second try. With IOT Endless Steady EasyFit, visual quality and lens performance are preserved, even under the most challenging fitting conditions.
