Optical Lens Suitability Assessment for Progressive Addition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of progressive addition lenses often face difficulties adapting to the lenses due to aberrations leading to blur, reduced field of view, and distortion, which can result in a learning phase where users may misuse the lenses or experience frustration, leading to discontinuation of use.
Innovation Solution
A method implemented by computer means to assess the suitability between an optical device, such as progressive addition lenses, and the user, involving a requesting step where the user uses the device in various visual situations, and a suitability index assessing step where the user evaluates their experience, providing a comprehensive assessment of comfort, fatigue, and difficulty in using the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If progressive addition lenses are designed with multiple optical zones for different vision distances, then the versatility and functional capability are improved, but optical aberrations and distortions increase leading to user discomfort and difficulty in adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple optical zones (distance, intermediate, and near vision zones) with different optical powers, allowing the lens to provide corrected vision for multiple distances simultaneously. This segmentation enables the lens to adapt to different visual requirements while maintaining optical functionality in each zone.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are designed with different optical properties - the upper portion for distance vision, middle portion for intermediate vision, and lower portion for near vision. Each zone has optimized optical characteristics tailored to its specific function, creating local quality variations that address different visual needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are provided with progressive addition lenses, then the functional capability for multiple vision distances is improved, but the difficulty of operation increases during the learning phase due to distortions and reduced field of view
Solution Approach 1:
A suitability assessment is conducted before lens dispensing to evaluate whether the user is likely to successfully adapt to progressive addition lenses. This preliminary action identifies users who may struggle with the learning curve, allowing for preventive measures or alternative lens choices before the difficulty of operation becomes a problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The suitability assessment provides feedback to both the user and optician about the expected adaptation challenges. This feedback mechanism helps set realistic expectations and informs decision-making about whether progressive addition lenses are appropriate for the specific user, thereby managing the difficulty of operation beforehand.
3Reliability
If a comprehensive suitability assessment method is implemented, then the reliability of user-lens matching is improved, but the complexity of the dispensing process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suitability assessment serves multiple functions: it evaluates user adaptability, predicts potential difficulties, guides lens selection decisions, and provides a framework for managing expectations. This multi-functionality allows a single assessment process to address various aspects of user-lens matching, improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The assessment methodology provides a structured approach that enables opticians to systematically evaluate users and make informed decisions. By establishing clear assessment criteria and procedures, the system empowers practitioners to reliably determine suitability without requiring overly complex external tools or processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a computer-implemented method for assessing suitability between an optical device and its user, the optical device including an optical lens placed in front of an eye of the user when the user uses the optical device, the optical lens having a plurality of optical zones having different optical functions, the method including at least the following steps: a requesting step, during which the user, equipped with the optical device, is requested to use the optical device in a plurality of different visual situations, each visual situation being associated with an optical zone of the optical lens and during which the user looks at a visual target located in the user's natural environment through the optical lens; and a suitability index assessing step, during which the user assesses a suitability index based on his use of the optical device in the plurality of different visual situations.