Ask the Lens Maven
ma`ven (noun)-Hebrew for someone who is an expert or a knowledgeable enthusiast in a particular field.
We are pleased to present "Ask the Lens Maven." From time to time The Lens Maven will answer questions related to lenses. Whether
you're a seasoned Eye Care Professional or new to the optical industry, The Lens Maven is here to help you; and we're paying him quite
a high consulting fee to do so. The Lens Maven is a very mysterious character. We don't know who he is or where he resides. However,
you can ask him a question by e-mailing him at lensmaven@tri-supreme.com. He will then anonymously answer your question in future
newsletters or right here online.
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| Lens Maven, I'm new to the industry. How do I check prism in a Progressive Addition Lens? -Sincerely, LW Well, LW, good luck in the optical industry. Oy, vey, that is a great question. In fact this is a question asked by Eye Care Professionals who have been in the industry for many years and just need a refresher course. The diagram below will help. There are specific areas where Progressive lenses must be checked. In a single vision or bifocal lens, you check both the Rx and prism at the optical center. However in a Progressive lens, there are 2 separate areas where you check each. The distance Rx is checked at the semi-circle as shown in the diagram. Below the semi-circle is the fitting cross. Below the fitting cross is the optical center. This is where you check for prism. Vertically, the optical center is generally located 4mm below the fitting cross but can vary based on the design of the lens. Horizontally, the optical center is located midway between the engraved circles. When checking for prism, you will not get a clear power reading because the optical center is usually located at the beginning of the progressive zone. However, you should easily be able to check for prism as this point. I'd like to point out that this is the only point to check prism. Don't attempt to check prism at the distance Rx semi circle or the fitting cross as you will not get the correct reading. LW, I hope this answers your question. 
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| Hi Lens Maven. I order quite a lot of Crizal Alizé, Crizal Alizé and SharpView™ from Tri-Supreme. I notice that the coating is bluish in color rather than the distinctive Crizal green. I've considered returning these lenses to the lab but wanted to talk to you first. What's the deal? -MO, licensed Optician feeling blue in Brooklyn.
MO, in Brooklyn, don't feel blue because I have the answer for you. First, let me say that I'm glad to see you're offering the best AR lens in the industry to your patients. In fact, The Lens Maven wears Varilux Physio with Crizal Alizé with Clear Guard although I don't show it here in my distinguished photo.
But alas, I digress. Anyway, one of the reasons Crizal Alizé is such a superior coating is that it's integrated and fused onto the lens. Another reason is that your patients want an AR lens that's easy to clean. These coatings deliver on this with a very smooth and slick hydrophobic coating. It's so smooth and slick that it needs a very special top coat called the "Pad Control Layer™" so that you can edge it without the lens slipping in your edger. The pad control layer is blue in color and this is why the lens has a bluish hue to it. It's a temporary situation. The Pad Control Layer allows the lens to be edged without the need for special adhesive pads. This Pad Control Layer ensures that standard blocking pads stick to the lens and retain a firm hold throughout edging and that other operations such as grooving, drilling and retouching can be carried out normally. Do not try to remove the pad control layer to inspect the surface of the lenses when you initially receive them. It's imperative that all glazing, drilling and retouching operations are carried out with the Pad Control Layer in place. Once the lens fabrication is complete and just prior to inserting the lenses into the frame, clean the lenses with soft tissue paper or a cotton cloth by cleaning both surfaces of the lens simultaneously. Microfibre cloths do not easily remove the Pad Control layer.
Remember, the Pad Control Layer alters the lens color by giving it a blue reflection. After cleaning with soft tissue paper or a cotton cloth when lens mounting has been completed, the lens will go back to the original AR color (see photo).
So as you can see, MO, there's no need to return the lenses to the lab. It's just the Pad Control Layer. I hope this answers your question and keep offering AR lenses to your patients.
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| Yo, Lens Maven or should I say Shalom! The most confusing lenses I have ever worked with are these computer lenses or as some in our industry calls them, Intermediate Progressives. I can't seem to get a grip on understanding them. I know I'm not the only one in the industry who has this problem because I speak to my colleagues and they admit to not understanding them either. What is the difference between Sola Access, Shamir Office, Zeiss Business and Essilor Interview? What's a power digression? Is it the same as the add power? I'm so confused! -Sincerely, an Optician in New Jersey pulling his hair out.
Optician in New Jersey, at least you have some hair to pull out. If you look at my picture, I don't have that problem. Seriously, these can be confusing lenses. However, if you understand them, you can create your own niche, have little competition and make a lot of money because as you have observed, your fellow Eye Care Professionals don't understand them either.
The 4 lenses you asked about all work on the same concept, they all have power digressions. What's a power digression you may ask? The power digression of an Intermediate Progressive is how much the power will decrease (or digress) from the total add power as you move up the lens (see the diagram below).
The power digression and the add power are 2 separate items, however, they do "interact."
If you look at the diagram above, it may seem to be a little confusing but bear with me for a moment. Let's consider the following example:
Distance Rx: +1.00 OU
Add: +2.00
Lens Type: Sola Access
Power digression: -1.25
First, what is the total add power of the lens? That's easy, +3.00 (as marked in diagram "total reading power."Now, since the power digression is -1.25, as you move up the lens, the power will decrease and stabilize 1.25 diopters less than the total add power. In this case, the stabilized power will be +1.75 (+3.00 - 1.25). Between the total add power at the bottom of the lens and where the power stabilizes toward the top of the lens there is a wide and usable intermediate with a gradual change in power. This can be used to view a computer or for other intermediate and occupational tasks.
The key to these lenses is to work with the total reading power first and then subtract the digression. This will determine what the final power will be toward the top of the lens and thus give you a better understanding of the optics of these lenses. By the way, New Jersey Optician, the lenses you asked about all have to be checked at the bottom of the lens marked "total reading power." It's impossible to try to verify any type of intermediate or stabilized power toward the top of the lens.
So New Jersey Optician, I hope this gives you the basic understanding of Intermediate Progressives. Each different Intermediate Progressive is fit slightly different than the other however, we'll leave those explanations for another day. In the meantime, if you have any questions, you can e-mail the Lens Maven at the above e-mail address. Now go out there and prescribe Intermediate Progressives and make some additional revenue!
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| Hi Lens Maven. I've been in the optical industry for a couple of years. I'd like to offer AR lenses to my patients. Can you give me some more background on AR and why I should suggest them to my patients? -LL, Long Island
I like your thinking, LL. You should be offering AR to all your patients. Here is a brief review of some of the basics of AR.
Every patient should be wearing AR lenses. AR lenses help your patients see better because they eliminate reflections and they allow more light to pass through the lens and into the eye. The more light that is allowed into the eye, the better your patient will see. AR lenses significantly increases light transmission. Let me give you a couple of examples. The average CR-39 plastic lens transmits approximately 92% light transmission. However, there is still an 8% loss of light. High Index lenses are more dense than CR-39 so a typical high index lens will transmit approximately 85% of the light(depending on the index) but with a loss of 15%! AR lenses transmit 99.8% light so your patients will see better during the day and at night.
AR lenses are also cosmetically more pleasing. Since there are no reflections off the lens, your patients will look better and the lenses look almost invisible.
Let's not forget that AR lenses are also profitable for your practice. With all the benefits that AR offers, prescribing it is a win-win situation for both you and your patients.
Today's technology make AR lenses much easier to clean and with almost no coating breakdown. In fact, at Tri-Supreme, less than 1/2 % is returned for coating breakdown.
LL, when offering AR to your patients, think of the 2-step approach. Crizal is the premium AR coating so start out when by offering that. We know that not every patient can afford a premium AR coating so if that's the case, offer Tri-Supreme's new value AR coating SharpView. You're now getting that patient to wear an AR lens and the next time the patient returns to your office, they may want to upgrade in a premium AR lens. In closing, think of it this way: a patient comes in and wants a progressive addition lens but can't afford a premium progressive. Do you let them walk out? Of course not! You'll fit them with some sort of value progressive. You get the sale and the patient is able to enjoy the benefits of a progressive. You should use the same strategy for AR. The patient can't afford a premium AR lens, fit them with a value AR lens. You should never let your patients leave your practice without AR lenses.
LL, thanks for the question. I'll be checking your AR usage over the next several months to see how much you've increased your AR with Tri-Supreme.
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Instructions for Configuring Norton Security with Remo
Steps 1 and 2 may vary depending upon which version of Norton Security is installed on computer.
1. Click on "Start" button, navigate to "All Programs"
2. Click on "Norton Internet Security" then click on "Norton Internet Security."
3. Norton Internet Security main window opens.
4. Click on "personal firewall," then click on the "Configure" button.
5. Now Click on "Programs" tab.
6. Check to see if the following Remo files on in the Programs list:
- updremo
- wbridge
- wremo
- wstock
- wtracer
If these programs are on the list, Norton Security is configured for Remo. If these programs aren't on the list or if only several are on the list, proceed to step 7.
7. Click on "Add."
8. Navigate to the "dviremo folder." This is typically on C:/.
9. Locate the above programs. Double click on the first program. Norton Security will ask about "Program Control" and will default to "Permit." Click OK. Do this for each of the programs.
10. Open Remo, click on the File menu and then transmit to make sure Remo is now working correctly. (make sure there are no jobs to be transmitted when doing this step).
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September 2006 - Internet Connection Issues
Our Rx Connection (Remo) program is really incredible. It's easy to use and you can place orders 24 hours a day. In addition, it takes up very little disk space, and I've never seen it conflict with another Windows program. To put it another way, there's really nothing that goes wrong with it. However, with the volume of support calls I take, by far the one I hear the most is "I can't transmit my orders." This leads me back to the statement I just made: "there's really nothing that goes wrong with it." So if there isn't a software issue with the program then "why can't I transmit my orders?" I have only seen 3 reasons listed below in order of "popularity."
1. An Internet Security Program is blocking Remo from accessing the Internet (Approximately 70% of our support calls is due to this issue). This is typically MacAfee or Norton Internet Security and it tends to happen when a Remo program update is automatically installed because the Security program doesn't recognize Remo anymore . The challenge here is that you may have to now manually reconfigure the program to allow Remo to access the Internet. While I'm not that familiar with MacAfee, I can supply you with the steps necessary on how to reconfigure Norton Internet Security. Just give me a call.
2.You've temporally lost your Internet connection (Approximately 20% of our support calls is due to this issue). When I mention this as a possibility, it's usually met with skepticism. But bear with me for a moment. To verify that you do indeed have an Internet connection, open up your browser and go to your home page. After your home page appears go one step further and click on some hyperlinks and verify that you can navigate to other websites. If you have lost your connection, wait a few minutes and try again. If you've lost your connection for an extended period of time, contact your ISP.
3. Your password has been changed (Approximately 1% of our support calls is due to this issue). This doesn't happen very often but I've seen this under certain circumstances which are too detailed to list here.
While we're always happy to assist you with any issues you have with Remo, I suggest you print out this page. If one day you can't transmit your Rx orders, try one of the above solutions to see if this solves the problem.
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October 2005 - Keyboard Strokes for Remo
How long should it take to input an Rx Connection (Remo) order? The answer is a minute or less. Those of you that have been using our software for a long time can probably attest to this. However, what if you have just starting using the software. How can you get the Rx order in as quickly as possible? The key is using the keyboard instead of the mouse.
The key is knowing the keyboard strokes; and there's only a couple you have to know. In addition, it's important to know what required fields have to be input. This part is easy. We have available a flyer of what required fields are needed. To request one, contact your Tri-Supreme Account Manager or myself. Below is the list of keystrokes. Some you probably know and some you don't. If you can keep your hands on the keyboard and away from the mouse, you should have no difficultly getting an Rx order input in a minute or less. Try it yourself, you'll see.
List of important keystrokes
TAB: To move forward from one field to another
SHIFT TAB: To move backward from one field to another
ENTER:To move to the next row of fields. (This can speed up the input process noticeably. Instead of pressing TAB several times to navigate through several fields, press ENTER and it will take you to the first field in the next row.)
SPACE BAR: When the lens icon is selected and outlined, press the SPACE BAR. The first cascading menu of lens types will open up.
ARROW KEYS:Use the down arrow and right arrow keys in combination to navigate through the cascading menus. You'll see it's easier and more convenient. Depending on the lens type, you'll navigate through 5 or 6 menus.
A couple of other things to keep in mind: if you're familiar with the pull down menus such as the "form" field, you can type in the value rather than pull down the menu.
Remember, there are also several fields you don't have to fill in twice. If the p.s.'s, heights, lens style and lens material are the same for both eyes, you don't have to input these values again in the left eye.
Secret tip: If the Rx is EXACTLY the same in both eyes, simple type an S in the sphere field of the left eye. When the job is saved, it will be the same as the right eye.
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November 2005 - Launch Rx Connection Software (Remo) when you start your computer
Some of you have asked if it's possible to start our Rx Connection software when you start your computer. After doing a little research, I'm happy to say that this can be done. In fact, it's a simple Windows function. Just follow the directions below and the software will automatically launch when you start your computer.
1. Open "Windows Explorer" or "My Computer"
2. Navigate to the "dviremo" folder. This folder is typically on your C drive.
3. Double click on the "dviremo" folder and now locate the Wremo file which is the application file.
4. Right click on this file and select "Shortcut." A shortcut will now appear in the same folder.
5. Select the shortcut you just created, right click on it and choose "Cut."
6. Now click the start button, choose "All Programs," "Startup" and double click on it to display the startup folder.
7. Right click in the startup folder and select "Paste." You will now see the shortcut to Wremo. Close this folder.
8. Next time you start your computer, the Rx Connection software will automatically open.
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February 2006 - Less Frequently Used Fields
Quite often, we receive phone calls inquiring about some of the less frequently used fields in our Rx Connection software (Remo). As a general rule these fields are not necessary on most jobs and are not needed for the job to be processed. Here's a quick rundown and description of some of these fields:
- Thck: When a special thickness is required.
- E/C: Works in conjunction with the "thck" field. When a special thickness is required, use this field to specify edge or center thickness.If at all possible, these fields should be used sparingly as we can determine the correct thickness.Please avoid putting any special thickness instructions in the "service descriptions" fields.
- Ocht: Used when a special optical height is needed. This is specified in mm.
- Mode: Works in conjunction with the "Ocht" field. Select the reference point for the optical center height.
- Ad2: Can be used for a 2nd add power such as a double seg or reverse slab amount
- Bsize: Used to specify blank size on uncut lenses
- Base: Used to specify a particular front base curve
- Csize: Used for lens circumference. Do not use this field at all.
- Tmpl Sz, Tmpl Stlye: Only to be used if our lab is supplying a particular frame. (stay tuned, we will be introducing our exclusive rimless frame collection shortly)
If at any time you need to see what a particular field is used for, simply place your cursor in that field and press F1. It will give you a description of that field.
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AIR Essilor Polycarbonate, Index 1.58
CL6 1.60 High Index Glass Photochromic, Index 1.60
G Glass, Index 1.523
H53 Trivex, Index 1.53
H54 Spectralite, Index 1.54
H55 Hi Index Plastic, Index 1.55
H56 Hi Index Plastic, Index 1.56
H57 Hi Index Plastic, Index 1.57
H58 Hi Index Plastic, Index 1.58
H60 Hi Index Plastic, Index 1.60
H66 Hi Index Plastic, Index 1.66
H67 Hi Index Plastic, Index 1.67
HL6 1.60 High Index Glass, Index 1.60
HLT Hi-Lite, Index 1.70
I56 InstaShades, Index 1.56
I60 InstaShades, Index 1.60
IN8 Glass, Index 1.80
IPY InstaShades Polycarbonate, Index 1.58
K56 Kodak Aspheric Hi Index Plastic, Index 1.56
P Plastic, Index 1.498
P67 Polarized, Index 1.67
PAP Polarized Polycarbonate Aspheric, Index 1.58
PL6 Polarized, Index 1.60
PLP Polarized Polycarbonate, Index 1.586
PLY Polycarbonate, Index 1.586
PPC LifeRx Photochromic, Index 1.58
PR6 Polarized Glass High Index, Index 1.60
PRD Polarized Glass, Index 1.523
PRH Polarized High Index, Index 1.56
PRM Polarized High Index for iRX Short, Index 1.56
PRY Polarized Plastic, Index 1.498
PTD Photogray Thin N Dark, Index 1.523
S56 SunSensors, Index 1.55
T53 Trivex Transitions, Index 1.53
T54 Spectralite/Transitions Velocity, Index 1.54
T55 Transitions High Index, Index 1.55
T56 Ormex/Transitions, Index 1.56
T60 High Index Transitions, Index 1.60
T67 High Index Transitions, Index 1.67
TPR Drivewear (color DRV), Index 1.49
TPY Transitions Polycarbonate, Index 1.58
TRN Transitions, Index 1.50
XRY X-Ray, Index 1.80
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April 2006 - Requesting Equi-Thin On One Lens
We have received several inquiries on how to match prism for thickness (equi-thin) on Progressives when only 1 eye is being fabricated. How do you correctly input this information into our software? With the use of some special codes, this can be easily done. We'll discuss the 2 conditions that some of you have inquired about: when no equi-thin prism is requested or when a specified amount of equi-thin prism is requested.
When No Equi-Thin Prism Is Requested
Locate the "Services" fields, in the lower left hand portion of the screen. Using the first "Services" field, click on the pull down menu and you'll see a list of codes. Locate and select "NOEQ, no equithin prism." When this code is selected, no prism will be ground into the lens.
When A Specified Amount Of Equi-Thin Prism Is Requested
Locate the "Services" fields, in the lower left hand portion of the screen. Using the first "Services" field, click on the pull down menu and you'll see a list of codes. Locate and select "OPTE, equithin prism." Next, in the corresponding "Service Description" field, input the amount of prism you would like. When this code is selected, we will grind the amount of prism you request.
Please don't hesitate to give me a call if you have any questions.
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September 2005 - Retrieving a Job From Archives
Once a job is achieved, it can be retrieved. This is helpful if a job has to be re-done or the patient wants a duplicate or 2nd pair of glasses. Below is a description of how to retrieve Rx orders from the archives.
1. Search for job. To search for a job in archives: From the main Rx screen, click on "Order Lookup." You are now in the Order Inquiry screen.
2. On the left part of the screen, click on "Rx Wizard Archive." In the corresponding "Search" field, pull down the criteria you would like to search under and in the "For" field type in the appropriate information. You can also search by a date or date range by checking on the date boxes in the "Order Lookup" screen. Here, you can search by several different criteria. The button above the date range defaults to "Entry Date." Click on this button and it will change to "Ship Date." Click on the button again and it will change to "Location Date."
3. Once job search is done, place mouse over line item and double click. This will bring job to order entry screen. Click "Edit Job."
4. A dialog box will appear asking if job is a re-do. IF YES, another dialog box will appear asking for reason for re-do. Type in a reason. Original invoice and date will also appear. Important: remember to make any changes to job, if necessary.IF NO, dialog box will appear asking to bring back job from archive. Click "Yes." Important: remember to make any changes to job, if necessary.
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January 2006 - Rx Wizard In-Process option vs Online Order Statuses (in the order inquiry screen)
Rx Wizard In-Process: When this option is selected, only Rx's that you entered and processed using the software on your local computer will show in Rx Wizard In-Process. Any orders that you called, faxed or sent in will not show using this option. You can select and double click on any of these jobs to bring them back into the Rx entry screen.
Online Order Statuses: All Rx's regardless of how they were placed will show using this option. This also includes Remo orders. These orders will be visible for 30 days. You cannot select and double click on any of these jobs to bring them back into the Rx entry screen.
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August 2005 - Shipping and Archive Options in Rx Connection Software
Rx connection jobs can be manually or automatically archived based on the "Job Ship Options" field in the options screen that can be accessed from the "Setup" menu. Below is a description of each shipping option, how it behaves in the software and how it affects archiving.
Shipping Options:
D: After "File, Transmit" is done, when job status from the lab reads "Shipped," job will automatically be achieved. However, job won't be moved into archives until the program is completely closed out. If using this option, we recommend that you keep Rx Connection software open during the course of the day so you can properly track "Shipped" jobs.
S: As soon as job is transmitted to lab, job goes into archive. This is not recommended as job can't be tracked.
R, M: After "File, Transmit" is done, when job status from the lab reads "Shipped," job must be manually set up to move into archives. To do this:
1. From the main Rx screen, click on "Order Lookup." You are now in the Order Inquiry screen.
2. On the left part of the screen, click on "Rx Wizard In process."
3. Using your mouse, select the order you want to archive. Now right click and you'll see a menu with several choices. Click on "Mark Received." The line will now change color. The order is now set up to be archived. (You can only archive one job at a time). Job won't be moved into archives until the program is completely closed out.
Additional Information:
1. Only orders placed using the software can be achieved. In other words, if a job is called or faxed in, while it can be tracked through the lab, it can't be archived.
2. Archived jobs take about 500 bytes on the hard drive so 10,000 Rx's will take about 5 megabytes.
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March 2006 - Using Operator Setup
Do you have more than one person in your office who uses our Rx Connection software? If that's the case, you may want to consider giving each user a unique operator identification. This is important when you need to know who entered a specific order. To activate and set up this option first go to the Setup menu and click on Options. At the bottom, click on the Operator Setup button. The Rx Wizard Operator Set Up dialog box will appear. In the initials/code field, type in the initials of the Operator. In the name field type in the Name of the Operator. Now click on Add to add the Operator to the Operator Set Up list. Repeat the above steps for each Operator that uses the software. When you're done, click OK to dismiss the Rx Wizard Operator Set Up dialog and OK again to dismiss the DVI remote Entry Options box. Now, if you look at the Operator field at the bottom of the screen and click on the arrow, you'll see a list of all the operators that you entered. You should urge each user of the software to use this field by clicking on the pull down menu and selecting their unique operator identification on each Rx order they input.
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April 19, 2007 - Using the Services Field
Many times we're asked "how can I request that you use stock lenses on an Rx job in Remo?" This can be done with the use of what we call a service code and it's very easy to use. There are actually 2 service codes you can use to request stock lenses. To select these special service codes for stock lenses, go to the bottom left hand corner of the Remo screen. You'll see the word "Services." Using the top one, pull down the dropdown menu and select "FIN use finished lenses." The other service code is "TLST use tlc finished lenses". Now when you use either one of these service codes and then save the job, we will use finished lenses for the job. The difference is when the service code "TLST is selected", lenses will be supplied by The Lens Connection and you will be billed through The Lens Connection.
You can also use this field to request that we edge polish a particular drilled rimless edge job. You may ask "don't you automatically do this anyway?" The answer is that it depends upon the lens material. If the lenses are Polycarbonate or Trivex, we will automatically edge polish the lenses and at no charge. If the lenses are high index we will edge polish them at no charge but you have to request it. If the lenses are CR-39 plastic, you must request edge polish and we will charge $5.50.To request edge polish, go to the "Services" field, pull down the drop down menu and select "POLH polish edges." You can also let us know if you don't want us to edge polish a particular job. To request no edge polish, go to the "Services" field, pull down the drop down menu and select "NOPO do not polish edges." You'll also find other requests you can make in the "Services" field. Take a few moments to get yourself more familiar with this seldom used field.
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