More Studies Needed for Slowing Myopia in Children

"Research by an optometrist at the University of Houston (UH) supports the continued investigation of optical treatments that attempt to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children," according to Science Daily. "Conducted by UH College of Optometry assistant professor David Berntsen and his colleagues from The Ohio State University, the study compared the effects of wearing and then not wearing progressive addition lenses, better known as no-line bifocals, in children who are nearsighted. With funding by a National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute training grant and support from Essilor of America Inc. and the American Optometric Foundation Ezell Fellowship program, the study examined 85 children from 6-11 years old over the course of two years. The results were published in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science." Read more.

Midwest Lens Introduces New Progressive

"Introducing the new PERFECTA digital backside freeform progressive available exclusively from Midwest Lens," so goes the item from the company's blog. "This progressive features a back-side aspheric design with a spherical front surface to provide excellent overall optical correction. With digitally precise processing, patients will experience clear, wide vision in all visual fields with exceptionally high adaptation. By processing the add power and correction on the back side of the lens, patients will enjoy an improved design over traditional progressives. Each lens is customized to the exact specifications of the Rx, matched closely to the frame measurements. This process provides the best in vision correction." Read more.

The Evolution of Progressive Lenses

MedGadgets provides a re-fresher about progressive lenses: "In the past, producing these lenses was no easy feat. The traditional process required a semi-finished lens with a standard front. The prescription would be ground onto the back surface with a generator. Calculating the geometry to impart on the lens involves complicated mathematics." Eventually it offers an excellent description of today's digital, free-form progressive lenses. Read more.

Seiko Extends Its Free-Form Product

Eyesurf reports that "Seiko Optical Products of America...extends its free-form product offering with new SEIKO Surmount Ws (Wide & Short), 100% internal free-form progressive lenses...New SEIKO Surmount Ws is a hard design progressive lens offering a 42% wider reading area with clear distance vision to the periphery." Read more.