MAFO - 03/2022

ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 18

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY We help you to stay in contact

3/2022 ▶ Technology Controlling oblique aberrations

HIGH VOLUME INLINE CLEANING AT SMALLEST FOOTPRINT

Demystifying the dip coating process Progressive design personalization

▶ Special topic: Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers European optics market U.S. optical industry market

▶ Market Surveys Generators Small footprint

Fastest cycle times

Highest throughput

LCU m dulo Highest throughput meets smallest footprint – LCU Modulo ONE takes industrial cleaning to the next level, offering the same cleaning power as larger solutions but in a compact fully-automated inline unit. Utilizing the proven SCHNEIDER technology, it cleans both sides of the lens.

LCU Modulo ONE’s new process logic facilitates intense and thorough cleaning despite its compact design. Labs can choose between a two or three cleaning station setup plus drying station. The brush cleaner effectively removes even prints and adhesive residues, preparing the lens for dip or spin coating.

LCU Modulo ONE comes with a loading and unloading robot on board. The fast transfer of the lenses results in shorter cycle times and superior throughput.

Its affordable price and low cost per lens ratio make the LCU Modulo ONE a sound investment for any lab.

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

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www.schneider-om.com

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DeBoxer Non Contact Production The New OptoTech DeBoxer OptoTech recently released the worldwide first fully automatic semi-finished blank unpacking system, the DeBoxer. It is now possible for the first time, to have fully automated, human free lens production, including the de-boxing process.

Fast: Up to 300 lenses per hour using a special process.

Clean: Automatic waste management and recycling.

Reliable: Never touched front curve ensures minimum risk of surface damage.

Cost effective: Process using the latest low air vacuum technology.

See the DeBoxer live at our MIDO booth T40 Hall 18

Smart Solutions for Professionals

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OptoTech Optikmaschinen GmbH Sandusweg 2-4 35435 Wettenberg / Germany Phone: +49 641-98203-0 Email: info.de@optotech.net Web: www.optotech.net

31.03.22 14:48

LETTER

Tempered optimism and great commitment

S Hanna Diewald Chief editor Tell us your opinion, ideas and suggestions: hanna.diewald@mafo-optics.com

pring is around the corner. The Vision

Particularly in such difficult times, it is good

Expo East has taken place in New

to keep sight of the silver lining. For example,

York after a long time. Soon Mido

that hard times can also lead to great cohe-

will open again in Milan, thus also

sion. In this case, for example, the general

attracting many international optometry

recognition that innocent people need to be

­enthusiasts to a live event in Europe again.

helped. Our industry has already demon-

Finally, for the first time since 2019, we are

strated in an impressive way that everyone

seeing the beginning of a return to normality

can make a contribution, and many have

– or at least that’s how it might appear ...

done so already.

... as this nascent optimism may soon be nipped

Many companies have pulled out all the

in the bud, when one takes into account what

stops and mobilized employees to help in

is going on in the world – war in Europe.

the crisis region, either through donations

As if the corona pandemic and the natural

or through direct help where it is needed.

disasters of recent years had not already claimed

On pages 12 and 13 you will find a small

enough victims.

selection of the various activities and a field report, although of course there are many

Over four million people have already fled

other activities and people involved through-

Ukraine. This is a catastrophe for the people

out the industry.

who have had to flee, for families, now separated and living in uncertainty, as well as for the

Besides all this, this issue of MAFO also

many people – especially men – who have

features the usual mix of exciting articles,

remained in their country despite imminent

reports and news about technological develop-

danger and of course the relatives on all sides,

ments that will hopefully give you a breather

who lost their loved ones.

from world events.

The economic consequences may initially

For example, the follow-up report on the Vision

seem of secondary importance, and yet in

Expo East in New York, or market data from

time they will affect us all. Inflation in Europe

2021 concerning Europe and the USA, together

is rising and raw materials are becoming

with various technical articles.

scarcer. While oil and gas are becoming significantly more expensive, raw materials

In this issue, you will hear from three experts

like nickel, palladium and chrome are already

how lens design can be further improved

increasingly difficult to source.

by taking accommodation into account.

Another expert explains why virtual reality

This will have a serious impact on our in-

glasses are a good tool for studying gaze

dustry too. In addition, many corporations

dynamics and how this can then contribute

have branches and staff in the affected regions

to improved design. And, finally, a chemist

on both sides of the border. Here, too, there

demystifies the dip coating process for hard

are many challenges and uncertainties still

coating. We hope you find this issue both

to be resolved.

MAFO 3-22

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interesting and stimulating! ◆

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14.03.22 15:22

MAY / JUNE 2022

Content Topics in this edition MAFO issue

May / June 2022 Page 20

Page 36

Page 14

At a glance

Technology

Spotlight

6

14

36

All about you

Using accommodation to control oblique aberrations

Myopia management with spectacle lenses

By José Alonso, Eva Chamorro and

An Interview with Mareike Noé

José Miguel Cleva

and Stephan Degle

News from the international ophthalmic industry

7 All about markets Data in graphics

8 All about products

20 Demystifying the dip coating process

Business

By François Breton

26

Innovations and products for your lab

24

10

The last frontier for progressive design personalization

All About MAFO

By Pau Artús

Suppliers Guide

56

The European optics market

By Roland Lorek

34

Special Topic

The U.S. optical industry market

MAFO | Talks – a new video format for experts

52

Special Topic

Spotlight

12

Closing Words

The war in Ukraine – voices from the ophthalmic optics industry

Jamal El-Hindi –

By Hanna Diewald

an open-minded marketing manager

28

57

Vision Expo East in New York

Outlook

By Hanna Diewald

40 How to kiss an organization out of its slumber

By Manfred Brandstätter

Surveys

46 Industrial edging

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

All about you News from the international ophthalmic industry Leadership transitions at SDC Technologies and Mitsui

Richard Chang. Source: SDC Technologies

Ocuco announces the company’s rebrand

Richard Chang has been appointed as

Ocuco announced the company’s rebrand to a more contemporary,

­President and CEO of SDC Technologies,

refined version of its original brand. Leo Mac Canna, Ocuco’s

Inc. He joined SDC Technologies in 2010,

CEO, explains “this year Ocuco will launch Acuitas 3 OmniChannel

having most recently served as Chief

Edition. It will provide the optical industry with an omnichannel

­Operating and Financial Officer for SDC

platform with both in-store and consumer-facing facilities. It will

Technologies, and General Manager of FSI

remove the need for independent solutions, with cumbersome

Coating Technologies, a wholly-owned

integrations from different solution providers.”

subsidiary of SDC.

Over the last 29 years, Ocuco has developed and strategically

Antonios (Tony) Grigoriou has been ap-

acquired comprehensive management systems for labs, independent

pointed Executive Officer, CEO and President of Mitsui Chemicals

practices, and chains. More recently Ocuco has extended its offering

Americas to support parent Mitsui Chemicals Inc. (MCI) towards its

with digital marketing and website services.

2030 Global Vision with particular emphasis to grow the Life &

From a design point of view, Ocuco has retained its name but

Healthcare Business Division in the Americas. Tony has been with

paired back its wordmark logo to a more streamlined version.

SDC since 2003 and served as President and CEO of SDC for more than a decade and will remain as a member of the Board of Directors

SightGlass Vision joint venture begins operation

of SDC Technologies.

James White has been appointed Chief Financial Officer for SDC Technologies Inc. Prior to joining SDC Technologies in 2007, James worked in both public and private accounting. He has more than 20 years of experience within the coatings industry.

Mido 2022: 630 exhibitors from 45 countries From April 30 to May 2, 630 exhibitors from 45 countries will be at Mido to showcase their collections and products for an audience of Italian and international buyers, opticians, designers and journalists.

“After two years of pandemic and in light of the complexities of the current extremely unsettling geopolitical situation – first and foremost from the

EssilorLuxottica and CooperCompanies are pleased to announce

human standpoint – industry firms have an urgent need to gather, in

the finalization of their joint venture agreement for SightGlass

order to share information and exchange ideas to glean the energy needed

Vision. This collaboration of two global vision care leaders accelerates

to cope with challenges in the coming months – stated Giovanni Vitaloni,

the commercialization of novel spectacle lens technologies to expand

President of Mido.

the myopia management category. SightGlass Vision’s Diffusion

The entire eyewear supply chain, from the large brands to the smaller

Optics Technology incorporates thousands of micro–dots into the

companies focused on innovation and experimentation, will be on display

lens that softly scatter light to reduce contrast on the retina, which

in the five Mido pavilions at Rho Fiera.

is intended to reduce myopia progression in children.

You have news for the ophthalmic industry? Submit your press releases to: rebekka.nurkanovic@mafo-optics.com or constanze.classen@mafo-optics.com

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

All about markets Graphical data

Euro area annual inflation is expected to be

7.5% in March 2022, up from 5.9%

in February according to a flash estimate from Eurostat.

630 exhibitors from 45 countries will be at Mido to showcase their ­collections and products for an ­audience of Italian and international buyers, opticians, designers and journalists.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the hourly labour costs rose by 1.9% in the euro area and by

Source: Mido

2.3% in the EU, compared with the same quarter of the previous year.

Source: Eurostat

FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 21 22

5,90%

5,10%

5%

4,90%

4,10%

3,40%

3%

2,20%

1,90%

2%

1,60%

1,30%

0,90%

EUROZONE INFLATION RATE

FEB 22

Source: https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/72328/umfrage/entwicklung-der-jaehrlichen-inflationsrate-in-der-eurozone/

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS Advertisement

All about products Innovations and working materials for your lab SCHNEIDER presents the only auto blocker today with automated block size exchange One auto blocker covering virtually all of a labs’ blocking requirements at highest speed and ­u nprecedented efficiency. CCU Modulo ONE comes with multiple block sizes – a minimum of three and up to six – readily available at all times. Time-consuming manual changes are a thing of the past. And the best part: The exchanges are carried out automatically and without increasing cycle time. Inefficient block size distribution and poor machine utilization are avoided. For any lab size, a wider range of blocking requirements can be met with a smaller number of machines.

The proprietary lens measuring unit guarantees perfectly oriented lenses. An intelligent fill control provides highly consistent and precise fillings.

The result: Non-stop uninterrupted blocking for highest throughput, at lowest cost per lens.

Visit www.schneider-om.com

Trust DBA. Trust TSA. Trust the originals. Trust Insomec.

Insomec Optical Technologies is proud to celebrate the 10 years of success of our patented process of deblocking and detaping carried on our DBA and TSA machines.

Incomparable characteristics and performance still make alloy the best option and our machines help labs all around the world reach their goals with our complete automated process. The help of our market leading partner, Schneider Optical Machines, makes it even easier to reach any part of the world. An affordable price and a low cost per lens ratio make both machines a great investment. More than 400 machines around the world guarantee our success. Transform your batch and manual process into a complete automated task while reducing the man labour cost and the downtime. Visit www.insomecgroup.com

Satisloh Celebrates 100 Years of the Art of Making Lenses Satisloh celebrated its 100-year anniversary. Founded in 1922 in Wetzlar, Germany by Wilhelm Loh, it is a global leader in ophthalmic and precision optics manufacturing machines. The organization has played a key role in bringing innovations and technologies to both markets during the past 100 years. In the aftermath of World War I, the company started producing machines for canning jars, and cast iron lapping tools for numerous local optical factories.

With its strong foundations and knowledge, the manufacturer has shaped the present landscape of optical manufacturing and is continuing to create the future of lens processing.

“Celebrating our 100th anniversary is an exciting milestone for the company and our employees.

It is also an opportunity to thank everyone who has been on this incredible journey with us – our customers, suppliers, business partners, and the extended Satisloh Group family. Your support helped us reach this milestone,” said Bruno Fischer CEO for Satisloh Group. The anniversary will be recognized throughout 2022 at tradeshows and events worldwide for both customers and employees. Satisloh’s 100th year will culminate with a celebratory global SLUGFest from the 4th to 6th of October 2022 in Wetzlar, Germany – right where its story began. Follow Satisloh on LinkedIn or visit www.satisloh.com/100-years to keep up with the latest news and to find out more about the 100-year anniversary.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS Advertisement

Coburn introduces the Integrity Alloy Recovery System Coburn introduces groundbreaking technology with the Integrity Alloy Recovery System, the first and only automated waterless alloy recovery system. The Integrity system avoids the hazards of traditional alloy reclaim systems while enhancing efficiency of the lens making process. Whereby traditional reclaim systems completely melt the alloy puck in a hot water tank to remove it from the block, the Integrity system uses induction heating technology to melt a thin layer of alloy where it engages the block, allowing the alloy puck to separate cleanly and completely intact. This method only eliminates the use and contamination of water, but also facilitates the storage and safe handling of alloy and blocks.

Integrity processes up to 240 blocks per hour making it the fastest alloy recovery system on the market.

Integrity completes Coburn’s Automated Post Polishing system which includes the Agility Autodeblocker, Integrity Alloy Recovery System, Duality De-Taper and Cleaner, and Velocity Coater. Lenses can be deblocked, de-taped, cleaned and coated within minutes while blocks and alloy are simultaneously separated and recovered. www.coburntechnologies.com

OWS 80 Twin-A from OptoTech The new OWS 80 Twin-A was especially developed for automatic cleaning and drying of blocked ophthalmic lenses on a very small footprint. It is equipped with 2 cleaning and drying stations, allowing a performance of more than 240 lenses/h. Polish residuals as well as calcium deposits will be removed from the lens and blocking piece to ensure perfect conditions for subsequent engraving and inspection processes. The very compact machine uses a sustainable green process with low air consumption and a closed cleaning water cycle including pumps and filters. The open system can easily be integrated in any existing ophthalmic production.

Visit www.optotech.de/en

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ALL ABOUT MAFO

MAFO | Talks – a new video format for experts is online Professional lectures for the ophthalmic industry A meeting place especially for the ophthalmic spectacle lens industry to exchange news, provide networking opportunities and learn more about new technologies – this has been the idea of MAFO - The Conference for more than 20 years now.

To make this format internationally accessible in today´s world, we have established the new video format MAFO | Talks. The idea: experts from the industry present technical talks online, accompanied by enlightening Q&A-sessions, chaired by Prof. Dr. Peter Baumbach.

As a special highlight, MAFO also published an exciting video panel discussion in which cutting-edge topics are discussed with industry experts. We present the highlights of MAFO | Talks:

MAFO | Talks panel discussion "Future Lab"

MAFO | Talks professional lectures

What does the future of ophthalmic optics look like? That is what MAFO wanted to know from five very different industry experts at the “Future Lab” discussion panel. Different specialists were taking

José Alonso

part from the fields of lens design, machinery, liquid crystal lenses, coating and optometry in general. In a two-hour panel discussion, the experts discussed three topics:

▶ Spectacle lenses – how individual is individual enough? ▶ Automation – chances and challenges ▶ The future of spectacle lens production – smart technologies, disruptive technologies

Topic: Using accommodation to control oblique aberrations – a step forward in lens personalization Mo Jalie

Five industry experts and Chairman Peter Baumbach discussing the overall topic: „Future Lab“

Watch the entire discussion or individual topics in the video, moderated by Prof. Dr. Peter Baumbach.

Please note: MAFO - The Conference, the unique industry meeting place in Europe, will of course also soon take place again as usual. Unfortunately, this was not possible in recent years due to the pandemic.

However, MAFO-The Conference 2023 is already in the starting blocks and will take place as usual one day before Mido 2023 in Milan, Italy.

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Topic: Measurement of Back Vertex Power Michael Kreis

Topic: The road to a sustainable and profitable lens production

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SPOTLIGHT

Voices from the ophthalmic optics industry The war in Ukraine and the impact on the sector The war in Ukraine is an immense tragedy for all people who live or have lived in Ukraine and are now on the run. The whole world, and Europe in particular, is watching anxiously for any further developments.

For this special we asked people from the industry how they are affected and what companies in the ophthalmic optics sector do to help – as not least eyeglasses are an important medical device. Status as of April 11th. By Hanna Diewald

Bruno Fischer, CEO at Satisloh We as a company will support by raising funds within the employees and double that collected amount. These donations will go towards services and supplies offered directly

Zeiss

on the ground by the humanitarian organizations UNHCR

We at Zeiss condemn the Russian government´s

(United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the

war against Ukraine. People are dying or fleeing, cities and

International Red Cross, both respected and trusted international

infrastructure are being destroyed. Innocent people are suffering.

institutions providing meaningful support to Ukraine since the

Our thoughts and sympathies are with all the people affected;

beginning of the conflict.

especially our colleagues, their families and friends, whose safety and support are our top priority.

At the end of February, Zeiss decided to stop all orders, deliveries and other services to Russia in accordance with the EU sanctions

Refugees

package until further notice. Exceptions are the deliveries that

Since the beginning of the war, more than four million people have fled

are explicitly still permitted in the EU sanctions package, e.g.

Ukraine. More than half of them have found shelter in neighboring

in the medical area. Profits from these explicitly permitted

Poland for the time being.

deliveries will be donated for humanitarian purposes in the affected regions.

Many employees show great commitment in helping personally and, for example, provide accommodation, donations and relief supplies. Together with hundreds of customers, Zeiss Vision Care Germany launched the “Augenoptik hilft direkt” campaign, which offers free spectacles for people who have had to flee the war in Ukraine. Similar offers exist in other countries such as Poland and Hungary.

We are monitoring the current situation throughout the region, and the international task force is continuously reviewing potential impacts on business or logistics processes and coordinating appropriate measures.

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SPOTLIGHT

Free eye care The ECOO (European Council of Optometry and Optics) announced

Shamir established mobile laboratory to help Ukrainian refugees

that: “Polish opticians and optometrists are providing free eye care to

The lens manufacturer Shamir is operating a mobile lab on a large truck

people fleeing Ukraine who forgot, lost, or simply need glasses, contact

in Warsaw to offer on-site eye tests to those fleeing the war and to produce

lenses, or eye care. More details including a map showing practices of-

new eyeglasses immediately afterwards, free of charge. The mobile lab

fering care: https://ptoo.pl

is equipped with the latest technological machinery to ensure the fastest possible production of the required spectacle lenses. Shamir´s delegation on the ground consists of a total of 16 employees from Israel (including former immigrants from Ukraine), Portugal, Poland and France who are volunteering their time to help the refugees. The team is led by Nir Shmuel, COO of Shamir Group, Ronen Tsur, Managing Director in Poland and Luis Feijo, Managing Director in Portugal.

François Breton, HPMAT I had created a JV in Russia (Kazan) with the Institute of Nanotechnologies of Tatarstan in December 2019.

The idea was a technology transfer from France to Russia with the opportunity to penetrate the CIS countries market from the inside. The main obstacle was coming from the fact that Russian companies have only little trust in other Russian entities, so they prefer buying from western countries than locally. Thus, it takes

EssilorLuxottica EssilorLuxottica is deeply concerned by the

time to demonstrate the quality of Russian made goods.

tragedy in Ukraine and stands in solidarity with all those af-

From March 2020 until March 2021, I could not come back to

fected. In this difficult time, the safety of our employees remains

Russia because of the COVID crisis. Since only VKS (Highly

our priority and we are offering our affected teams in the crisis

Qualified Specialists) were allowed to enter the country, it took

region every possible support, including continued payment

me seven months and 26 flight ticket changes to be allowed to

of wages and early payment of the 2021 annual bonus. In ad-

get the precious visa allowing me to come back! From that point

dition, we are doubling our employees' donations to Ukraine.

on, we made progress and started selling our lacquers to RX labs

We coordinate crisis management teams of our employees in

in Russia. We could see our sales growing in a nice way until the

Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey, among others,

war started!

to provide accommodation, logistical support, psychological

Unfortunately, most of our raw materials were coming from

care and administrative and financial assistance.

Germany or France and suddenly we were no longer able to

In Germany, we offer employment in the logistics sector to

produce, hence to supply. Since there was no embargo from

refugees from Ukraine at our sites in Braunschweig and Hanau,

China to Russia, local lens production was stopped and replaced

among others. Our employees also help the people in need on

with massive lens imports. It is not sure that our customers will

site on their own initiative and with great commitment, for

have the opportunity to resume their production once the western

example, with accommodation, visits to authorities and with

import bans will have been lifted …

food and clothing.

Ophthalmic lenses, although sometimes expensive, should not

In addition, EssilorLuxottica provides the refugees with free eye

be considered as luxury goods but more like medical devices.

tests, frames and contact lenses. We will monitor the situation

As such, raw materials necessary to manufacture them should

and adapt our measures accordingly.

be excluded from the western sanctions.

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TECHNOLOGY

Using accommodation to control oblique aberrations A step forward in lens personalization In recent years, the rise of personalized lenses using freeform technology has resulted in a significant improvement of the optical quality of the lenses prescribed worldwide. More and more eye-care professionals are offering these customized lenses based on individual user parameters such as morphological data and frame parameters. The complete use of the wearer’s accommodative ability is a step forward in lens customization. The use of the accommodation results in the ability to optimize the lens using a more realistic object space as well as the ability to modulate lens oblique aberrations in a more intelligent way. Along this article, it will be explained how accommodation can be included in the lens calculation to reduce the oblique aberrations in personalized lenses in a more efficient way. By José Alonso, Eva Chamorro, José Miguel Cleva

Limits of lens personalization

which in turn requires a model of the lens-eye system. The model parameters

Oblique errors are second-order aberrations that appear when the rays of

are the personalization parameters measured by the ECP. Using this model,

light from a fixated object refract through the lens at oblique angles. These

an iterative algorithm is used that adjusts the local curvatures of the free

aberrations cause a shift of the lens power, which in general can be astigmatic,

form surface to compensate for the local oblique aberrations.

resulting in spherical and cylindrical errors that cause blurred vision as

However, complete cancellation of both the spherical and the cylindrical

the wearer’s gaze moves away from the optical center of the lens (Fig. 1).

component of the oblique aberration is not mathematically possible [1].

The main goal of any technology aimed to improve the visual quality of

Although this approach delivers custom lenses performing significantly

the wearer of spectacles is to reduce the effect of oblique aberrations. For

better than standard spherotorical lenses, there is always a small power

that, we must compute these aberrations with the highest possible accuracy,

error that cannot be removed and produces a certain amount of blur

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TECHNOLOGY

• Light focused on the retina • Lens delivers the right prescription

• Light NOT focused on the retina • Lens delivers the right perceived cyl and sph errors

Fig. 1: Oblique aberrations. Central and peripheral viewing position.

[3,5]

.

in lens design.

IOT’s previous lens design technology compensates for oblique aberrations by looking for the freeform surface that minimizes the average

The power of accommodation

size of the retinal blur patch, which is equivalent to maximizing visual

Accommodation is the natural mechanism by which our eyes can focus

acuity across the whole field of view [3-4]. But is this the optimal way to

on different distances. When the fixation object gets closer, the crystalline

compensate for oblique aberrations? How can we go further in lens

lens inside the eye, driven by the ciliary muscle, increases the curvature

personalization? We will see that we can harness the natural ability of

of its surfaces and gets thicker, raising the total spherical power of the

the visual system to accommodate to push the limits of surface geometry

eye. Accommodation acts as a reflex and it adjusts until the retinal image

Fig. 2: Accommodation reserve according to age (A: minimum, B: mean and C: maximum). Adaptation of classical Duane’s curve.

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TECHNOLOGY

Fig. 3: Fixed object space. The object space typical of a single vision lens is fixed in one plane, usually infinity. For each point of the lens, oblique aberrations have been minimized for its corresponding point at infinity.

Variable object space. The object space typical of a progressive power lens. Each point of the lens is assumed to be used for a different working distance differently. The lens upper region is optimized for far vision, the lower region for near vision, and the points along the corridor have a target intermediate object distance.

Accommodative object space. It is the set of object points within the field of view and in the range of sharp focus through accommodation.

IOT Digital Ray-Path 2 uses a set of sampling points along the depth dimension of the accommodative object space to compute the lens that performs better in real-life use.

is in focus. The maximum accommodation the eye can exert is called

focus objects at different distances. We call the set of these points the

accommodation amplitude; it is maximum at birth and continuously

accommodative object space.

decreases over time. When this amplitude drops below 4 D (around 40

IOT Digital Ray-Path 2 (DRP2) will optimize the lens by including the

years of age), accommodation is not enough for comfortable sustained

computation of oblique aberrations for a set of points that fully sample

near vision (presbyopia); then we need to compensate with reading

the accommodative object space. This will mean a better compensation

glasses or multifocal lenses.

of oblique aberrations, not only across the complete field of view, but

This decline continues into the mid-fifties when accommodation

along the total depth of the accommodative object space.

amplitude reaches its minimum value. Even in that limiting situation, commodation that the patient can bring into play to make slight adjust-

Physiological compensation of oblique aberrations

ments of focus [6,7] (Fig. 2).

As stated before, sphere and cylinder oblique errors cannot be

optical and physiological properties of the eye grant an effective ac-

compensated by surface curvature at the same time, and the previous

Accommodative object space

IOT optimization technology, Digital Ray-Path (DRP), sought for

The oblique aberrations of spectacle lenses not only depend on the lens-eye

the maximization of visual acuity in the complete field of view.

model parameters, but also on the distance from the lens to the object.

However, depending on the prescription, the base curve, and the

Traditionally, single vision lenses are optimized considering a single object

object distance within the accommodative object space, the spherical

distance, for example, infinity for a lens mainly intended for far vision.

component of the oblique aberration can be partially or totally

However, the lens optimized for distance vision will not be optimal

compensated by the eye accommodation. That means the optimization

for near vision, and the other way around. Progressive lenses require

algorithm may put more stress on the reduction of the cylindrical

a more complex object space. Different regions of the lens are assumed

component of the oblique error.

to be used with different object distances.

According to this, for each gaze direction, DRP2 seeks the solution

The classical approach has been the use of a variable object space in

that minimizes the oblique aberrations considering that a small amount

which each gaze has a corresponding object distance. However, for each

of the spherical component can be compensated by the accommodation

gaze, even the presbyopic eye can increase or relax accommodation to

while the cylindrical component cannot. The algorithm considers the base curve, its asphericity (if any), the lens material, all the traditional

The oblique aberrations of spectacle lenses not only depend on the lens-eye model parameters, but also on the distance from the lens to the object.

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14_IOT_PAL_Accomodation.indd 16

personalization parameters, the multiple object distances for each gaze direction according to the depth of the accommodative object space, and the accommodation that can be safely used in each step.

The result: oblique aberrations are minimized in a more effective way, improving the wearers visual quality. Besides, IOT has implemented this complete physiological optimization with more efficient optical computation strategies and improved optimization algorithms that allow the use of the much richer lens-eye model without a significant increase of job computation time.

The distribution of the oblique power for a single vision lens with power

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For each gaze ­direction, ­Digital Ray-Path 2 seeks the solution that m ­ inimizes the oblique ­aberrations considering that a small amount of the ­ omponent spherical c can be ­compensated by the ­accommodation while the ­cylindrical component cannot.

[3.0, 1.0 x 45°], base curve 6 D and refractive index 1.5 is shown in figure 4. We use the vector representation of power [M, J0, J45] [8], where “M” is the spherical equivalent, and the “J” components describe the cylinder projections over axes at 0° and 45°.

With this representation, the three components of the power have the same units and form a 3D dioptric space in which each point represents a prescription and the geometric distance between points uniquely determines the closeness between the corresponding prescriptions.

The clouds of green points in figure 4 represent oblique powers. From left to right, the three plots correspond with a spherotoric lens, a DRP lens, and a DRP2 lens. Oblique gazes have been uniformly sampled in the complete field of view.

The surface formed by the pink semi-sphere and the purple cylindrical region below it determines the volume of dioptric space for which the user would not notice any blur (using up to 0.75 D of accommodation, if necessary). We see that the point cloud of the standard lens extends beyond 2 D of dioptric length from the target. Also, the oblique error is positive, and cannot be compensated by accommodation for distance vision. Only 11% of the oblique gazes lie inside the region of nondiscernible blur.

For the lens optimized with DRP, the point cloud is more compact and 43% of the oblique gazes lie within the region of non-discernible blur. DRP2 manages to shrink the cylinder error (both J0 and J45) to

Fig.4: Distribution of oblique aberrations of a single vision lens with prescription [3.0, 1.0 x 45°], for three different lens designs. On top: standard lens. Central: lens optimized with DRP technology. At the bottom: lens optimized with IOT Digital Ray-Path 2 technology.

virtually zero, while keeping a certain amount of spherical error that

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Fig. 5: Performance comparison between DRP (X axis) and DRP2 (Y axis) technologies. The percent area for which the blur from oblique aberrations is hardly ­noticeable (blur smaller than 0.25 D) is represented for both technologies. The plot to the left contains 1309 jobs with standard frames, while the plot to the right shows the results for 1095 jobs with high-wrap frames.

can be compensated by accommodation. Now, 99.5% of the oblique

mean sphere (blue for positive and red for negative lenses).

gazes lie inside the volume of non-discernible blur.

For each prescription, we compute the percent area in which blur is hardly noticeable, less than 0.25 D, for the two optimization technologies,

Decisive results

DRP (X axis) and DRP2 (Y axis). We see that, invariably, DRP2 outper-

Performance across prescriptions

forms DRP, in most cases by a large amount. DRP2 delivers up to a

The results presented in figure 4 are quite impressive, but, how does

three-fold increase of undisturbed area with standard frames, and up

DRP2 perform for other prescriptions and real-world personalization

to an eight-fold increase with sport frames.

parameters? The answer to this question is presented in figure 5.

Here, each point represents a prescription, and each pair of points a

Tested in real users

job. The plot to the left shows 1309 jobs with standard frames, while

Many real-world tests and some clinical studies corroborate the superiority

the plot to the right shows 1095 sport frame jobs with high wrap and

of DRP2 as personalization technology. One example of such a test is a

frame curvature. The dot color encodes the sign of the prescription

double-blind clinical trial conducted with progressive power lenses [9].

The comparison involved the same PPL design (same power profile and power distribution) optimized with DRP and DRP2 technologies (Fig. 6).

The users wore the lenses in a randomized order for seven days. After the testing period, the participants were asked to fill a questionnaire about visual quality (satisfaction) in a scale 1-5 for different visual tasks/ vision distances. Results showed that lenses optimized with the new calculation method provided higher visual performance. The main benefits of the lenses were related to the quality of vision and comfort, providing a better overall visual experience. ◆

Fig. 6: Satisfaction levels using a PPL design optimized with Digital Ray-Path (gray columns) and IOT Digital Ray-Path 2 (blue columns).

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The new video series ­MAFO | Talks presents a lecture and Q&A about Digital Ray-Path 2.

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TECHNOLOGY

José Alonso

Eva Chamorro

Alonso is Scientific Advisor at IOT and part-time Professor at the

Eva Chamorro is the Clinical Research Director at IOT. Chamorro holds

University Complutense of Madrid, faculty of Optics and Optometry.

a PhD in Visual Sciences, a degree in Optics and Optometry, a MSc

He got a MSc degree in Physics in 1988, and a PhD in Optics in 1992.

in Optics, Optometry and Vision, a MSc in Visual Rehabilitation and

His main research interests are vision and optical metrology.

she is an expert in new methods and advanced techniques of visual

In 2005, Dr. Alonso co-founded Indizen Optical Technologies

examination.

José Miguel Cleva In 2018 José Miguel Cleva took over the management of Operation and R&D of IOT as VP of Technical Operations. Cleva has a master degree in Mathematics (major in Computer Science), received at Complutense University of Madrid and he is specialized in Computer Sciences from the same University.

References: [1] E. Pascual, J.A. Gómez-Pedrero, J. Alonso. Improved Analytical Theory of Ophthalmic Lens Design. Applied Sciences 11, no. 12: 5696. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11125696 [2]. G. Smith. Relation between spherical refractive error and visual acuity. Optom Vis Sci Off Publ Am Acad Optom. 1991;68(8):591–8.

[3] J.A. Gómez-Pedrero, J. Alonso. Phenomenological model of visual acuity. J Biomed Opt. [4] Blendowske R. Unaided Visual Acuity and Blur: A Simple Model. Optom Vis Sci. 2015;92(6):1–5.

[5] J. Alonso J, Gómez-Pedrero JA, Quiroga JA. Modern Ophthalmic Optics. Modern Ophthalmic Optics. 2019.

[6] W.N Charman. The eye in focus: accommodation and presbyopia. Clin Exp Optom 2008; 91: 3: 207–225.

[7] D. Atchison, G. Smith. The optics of the human eye. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Edinburgh, 2002.

[8] L.N. Thibos, W.Wheeler, D. Horner. Power vectors: and application of Fourier analysis to the description of statistical analysis of refractive error. Optom. Vis. Sci. 1997:74(6):367-375 [9] González A, Álvarez M, Concepcion P, Dotor P, Cleva J, Alonso F. Accommodative object space and progressive lens desig

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TECHNOLOGY

Demystifying the dip coating process Hard coating of ophthalmic lenses For most of the ophthalmic laboratories, among the many steps for lens manufacturing, the most critical one is certainly the hard coating process. This is probably linked to the fact that it is a chemistry related process and not a purely mechanical one. Most laboratory managers have a good knowledge of optics, mechanics and IT, but little or no knowledge of chemistry. Besides, machine manufacturers share the same knowledge features as their customers. Most of them believe that there is a cleaning/rinsing operation before the dip coating of the lenses, but this is not really the case. Some others may know that it is not really the case, but since they also sell consumables, including lacquers, their interest is to maximise the consumption of the chemicals in their machines. By François Breton

A

ctually, there are two parts in a dip coating machine,

cleaning process because lenses are clean already when they are

the first part being the lens surface preparation, and the

placed in the machine.

second part being the dip coating itself. The truth is that

What we are explaining here is that the lens substrates are made out

90% of the problems observed when taking lenses out

of organic polymers with a given porosity. These polymers need to be

of the machine come from the first part.

‘activated’ in order to create a chemical bonding with the hard coating

Why is it so? Mostly because the key ingredient of this process is

lacquer. This activation requires a strong alkaline species (Fig. 3) in

the water and moreover the tap water! This process is not at all a

order to withdraw protons from the substrate.

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In order to maximize the effect of either sodium or potassium hydroxide, it is necessary to use a surfactant for a good wetting of the lens surface, since lens materials are more hydrophobic than hydrophilic. Ultrasonic waves help also a lot in that activation process, although for most of the machines, transducers are placed under the tanks which leads to waves going from bottom to top, therefore not hitting the lens surface directly.

This is the reason why activation times may be quite significant and increasing with the lens refractive index which substrates are much less chemically reactive than standard 1.5 material.

Once this activation is achieved to a significant level, comes the rinsing stage and this is where most of the commercial dip coating machines are doing it wrong …

What is then happening is that the remaining surfactant, carried forward by the lenses, is finally removed from the lacquer by the solvent. This leads to a lacquer contamination which will expire faster than it should.

A surfactant is like a soap We can compare what is happening to the lenses to what is happening

If it is lower, the ionic strength is insufficient and it could be needed

to our hands when washing them. In such a case, it is obvious that the

to increase the temperature and/or the rinsing time. If it is higher, the

soap goes away much faster with warm than with cold water and with

resins used to maintain the low conductivity of the DI water may get

hard than with soft water.

saturated too fast.

Yet, as can be seen on those machines, this tap water rinse tanks are

It should be considered that the maximum conductivity for the DI

neither heated nor ultrasonically powered. As a consequence, surfactants

water to ensure optimum results is 0.3µ S.cm-1. When the DI water

are carried forward into the DI water tank which, even fitted with heat

conductivity becomes higher, dots start to appear at the lens surface,

and ultrasonics, is not able to remove the surfactant.

as the alkaline pH value of the lens favors the formation of carbonates,

What is then happening is that the remaining surfactant, carried forward

given the fact that there is always a significant amount of CO2 around

by the lenses, is finally removed from the lacquer by the solvent. This leads

the machine caused by breathing of the operators.

to a lacquer contamination which will expire faster than it should. This is rather easy to understand, so it is pointing out the wrong design of

No water should be left at the surface

many commercial dip coating machines.

Once the lenses have been immersed into the DI water, it is important

In some cases, it can even be worse, as there is sometimes an extra

to check that there is no water left at their surface when coming out from

tank with an acidic soap, supposed to neutralize alkaline residues. This

the tank during a slow (less than 1m m/s) lift-out. This is a sign that the

makes sense if this process would simply be a cleaning/rinsing one.

lens activation and rinsing has been well performed. There might be still

But it is not!

some water on the lens holders and this is why a good IR drying is neces-

Rinsing with an acidic soap is nonsense because it is actually reducing

sary in order to introduce any water in the lacquer.

the activation level at the surface of the lenses. It is much better to

However, when using a water-based primer, it is obviously no longer

replace the acidic soap with straight tap water if such a tank is available.

necessary to dry the lenses prior to entering the tank. The IR power

Not only it will not decrease the surface activation, but it could also

for drying lenses and lens holders can be set to maximum power

improve the rinsing process because that tank is generally fitted with

as there is a need to remove all remaining water for avoiding any

heating and ultrasound.

lacquer contamination.

Of course, since it is a static tank, this water will need to be changed

Nevertheless, some lens substrates may have lower heat resistance and

from time to time, the frequency depending on the number of lenses

may distort from the combined effect of the temperature and the

that would go through it. In some cases, the city water may be too hard

pressure from the lens holders. In such a case, it is necessary to reduce

(presence of Ca 2+ and/or Mg2+ cations); in such a case, it is advisable

IR power while increasing the drying time.

to soften it (meaning replacing alkaline-earth cations with Na ) in

Drying times mostly depend on relative humidity and air flow within the

order to avoid limestone deposit at the surface of the lenses. Ideally,

machine, that is why it is impossible to set a general rule for that stage.

this should be monitored with a conductivity meter.

Anyway, it is necessary to allow the lens and its holder to cool down

+

prior to entering the lacquer tank. There should not be a temperature

Measurement of the ionic strength

difference of more than 10°C with the lacquer temperature in order to

The conductivity is a way to measure the ionic strength, that is the power

avoid formation of micro bubbles at the lens surface. These micro

of removing surfactants from the lenses. An ideal situation is when the

bubbles are actually made of fast evaporating solvents such as methanol

city water conductivity ranges between 300 and 400 µ S.cm-1.

or ethanol that are trapped within the already close to drying hard

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coating surface. This phenomenon being likely to happen again if the

process and the formation of a transparent film due to the small particle

IR drying station next to the lacquer tank delivers too much power

size in the sols (nm range). This is schematically shown in figure 2.

too early. That is the reason why it is desirable to have either a programmable IR pre-curing station or two contiguous IR tanks, the first one delivering half power before going to full power in the second one.

The dip coating process The most complex and critical stage in the dip coating process, is, of course, the dip coating itself! Nevertheless, it has been studied intensively by two Soviet scientists, Lev Landau and Veniamin Levich who described it back in 1942 with their famous equation allowing to calculate the coating thickness: Fig. 2: Gelation process during dip coating process, obtained by evaporation of the solvent and subsequent destabilization of the sol (after Brinker et al).

h = coating thickness, η = viscosity, γLV = liquid-vapour surface tension,

In general, sol particles are stabilized by surface charges, and the stabiliza-

ρ = density, g = gravity.

tion condition follows the Stern’s potential consideration. According to Stern’s theory the gelation process can be explained by the approaching

As it can be expected, the coating thickness is mainly defined by the

of the charged particle to distances below the repulsion potential. Then

withdrawal speed, by the solid content and the viscosity of the liquid.

the repulsion is changed to an attraction leading to a very fast gelation.

The withdrawal speed must be chosen such that the shear rates keep

This takes place at the gelation point as indicated in figure 2.

the system in the Newtonian regime, in such a case the Landau-Levich

The resulting gel then has to be densified by thermal treatment, and

equation becomes really accurate.

the densification temperature is depending on the composition. But

As shown by James and Strawbridge for an acid catalyzed silicate sol,

due to the fact that gel particles are extremely small, the system shows

thicknesses obtained experimentally fit very well to calculated values.

a large excess energy and, in most cases, a remarkably reduced densifica-

The interesting part of dip coating processes is that by choosing an

tion temperature compared to bulk-systems is observed.

appropriate viscosity the coating thickness can be varied with high

However, it has to be taken into consideration that alkaline diffusion

precision from 20 nm up to 50 µm while maintaining high optical

in conventional glasses like soda lime glasses starts at several hundred

quality. The schematics of a dip coating process are shown in figure 1.

degrees centigrade and, as shown by Bange, alkaline ions diffuse into the coated layer during densification. In most cases, this is of no disadvantage, since the adhesion of these layers becomes perfect, but influences on the refractive index have to be taken into consideration for the calculations for optical systems.

Of course, this thickness calculation mostly corresponds to the value measured at the center of the lens. Ideally, to get a homogeneous thickness on the lens, a speed gradient should be applied, but only a few machines allow it. Yet, this is the best way to overcome the famous tear problem on bi-focal lenses along the segment.

Some machine manufacturers who cannot offer the gradient speed feature either recommend extremely slow speed leading to insufficient coating thickness to guarantee the scratch resistance, or extremely

Fig. 1: Stages of the dip coating process: dipping of the substrate into the coating solution, wet layer formation by withdrawing the substrate and gelation of the layer by solvent evaporation.

high-speed leading to potential cracking of the coating layer during

When reactive systems are chosen for coatings, as it is the case in sol-gel

by the lacquer supplier followed with the maximum acceleration that

types of coating using alkoxides or pre-hydrolyzed systems – the so-

the robot can deliver as this is increasing the centrifugal effect to expel

called sols – the control of the atmosphere is indispensable. The at-

the tear out of the lens. Anyway, with the spreading of freeform lenses

mosphere controls the evaporation of the solvent and the subsequent

in the market, the bi-focal lenses are likely to become just a piece of

destabilization of the sols by solvent evaporation, leads to a gelation

ophthalmic history.

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the curing stage.

The best solution being to run those lenses at the nominal speed specified

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TECHNOLOGY

Back to what is creating the chemical bonding of the lacquer to

is generally the case), condensation occurs, reducing the pot life of

the lens. It is of course linked to the chemical composition of the

this family of lacquers that was originally developed for fast drying

lacquer which must contain a certain amount of epoxy groups to

and high throughput.

ensure the maximum adhesion to the lens substrate as can be seen

Conclusions

in figure 3.

It is clear that the outcome of a dip coating process is purely driven by physical and chemical parameters. When knowing this, there is no surprise with the result obtained from it. Machine manufacturers must understand that, from now on, actual and potential customers will no longer accept equipment which do not comply with the minimum requirements needed to ensure the maximum quality for their lens production. ◆

Fig. 3: Reactions occurring in the machine during the pre-curing of the hard coating.

It is clear that with this covalent bonding, an extremely strong adhesion level can be reached, making it difficult to remove the coating layer.

François Breton

Last but not least…

Breton graduated with an engineering degree in Chemistry followed

It is of prime importance to control temperature and Relative Humidity

by a PhD in Organic Chemistry and a PostDoc in Polymer materials.

(RH) within the machine. However, because of the lower flash point

He started his career in big US companies such as GE and Goodyear

of methanol and its high evaporation rate, methanol-based lacquers require a tank temperature around 10°C. Yet, when RH is set at 40%, condensation occurs when temperature difference with air gets higher than 6°C. This, in practice, requires that operators should work in a room where temperature is lower than 16°C, or that (what

before entering the Optical sector back in 1999 with SDC Coatings.

He successively worked with NGL and FISA before creating his own company named Chemoptics. This company later became HPMAT (High Performance MATerials) to reflect activities outside the Optical sector and a JV was created in Russia under the name of FBOptics but as can be expected, it is now ‘on hold’ until further notice!

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11.04.22 04.04.22 14:40 11:19

TECHNOLOGY

The last frontier for progressive design personalization Gaze dynamics diagnosis The desire to design the ideal progressive addition lens for each user has been a constant over the years.

The tools that have emerged along the years to offer customization demonstrate this. One new tool is a lens calculation technology that can take into account the gaze dynamics diagnosis of each person´s unique way of looking at the world. By Pau Artús

S

ince the first progressive addition lenses were industrially

Later began the customization race where the position of wear of the

produced in 1959, a variety of companies have offered similar

frame would also be taken into account. Three additional parameters

technical solutions. All the designs around that time were

were required for this purpose: back vertex distance, pantoscopic

of a similar type giving birth to what today is known as the

tilt, and wrap angle. This had a significant contribution to the user’s

hard design philosophy, i.e. more abrupt transitions between the areas

visual quality.

with and without unwanted lateral astigmatism.

In the on-going search for personalization, the relationship between

The first soft designs appeared in the 1980s, with a more gradual

head and eye movements were also studied. For this purpose, a

transition between those areas, but in exchange they suffered from

­coefficient relating these two parameters was established and users

some invasions of astigmatism into the usually clear areas. This led to

were classified according to whether they moved their head more or

trials and studies to try to understand people´s preference for one

less than their eyes.

philosophy or another. First recommendations were based on the

But in spite of the improvement in visual quality, progressive lenses

wearer´s experience with progressive lenses.

did not provide completely comfortable vision for all of the users.

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Then lens manufacturers began to show interest in understanding

Eye movements

the effect of the lifestyle of presbyopic patients and in assigning

Eye movements

designs based on their daily activities. By means of a questionnaire,

main functions: to locate the image of the objects in the visual field in

the practitioner collected qualitative information about the patient´s

the fovea and to keep the image in that position. Among the various

activities and lifestyle to offer a solution that was adapted to the

types of eye movements [2], tracking movements (Fig. 1) are the most

specific needs. However, although this method is still widely used

relevant in the study of gaze dynamics.

nowadays it relies on subjective information that depends on the

Tracking movements are oscillatory, rapid and have a clear fixation

patient’s perception and the circumstances they may be living at that

stimulus [6]. They are voluntary, i.e., they are produced in a coordi-

particular moment. For example, when asked “how often you play

nated manner by both eyes. Their function is to maintain the gaze

sports,” or even “how much time you spend using electronic devices,”

against involuntary eye drifting. They also regulate fixation

the same person can give different answers at different times of the

vergence movements .

week, or even answers that are strongly conditioned by his or her

These movements are brief and intermittent in babies, interrupted by

wishes rather than by reality.

saccadic movements that help restore fixation. Tracking movements

Furthermore, knowing the time spent on different types of activity does

are not smooth until

not give very relevant information about how lenses are used, since two

8-12 weeks. Horizontal

people may behave very differently when doing the same activity.

tracking appears before

In short, the various tools developed to customize progressive lenses

vertical (as is the case for

have no doubt improved presbyopic users’ vision but are still far

saccadic movements).

from achieving the ideal solution that perfectly adapts to each

The individual also re-

patient’s needs.

sponds sooner to fixa-

[5]

depend on the oculomotor system and have two

[7]

in

[8]

tions at constant speed

Gaze dynamics – definition

and later to fixations at

Gaze dynamics can be defined as the movement of your direction

variable speed.

Fig. 1: Tracking movements

of gaze with time. It involves the whole human oculomotor system (head, neck [1], eyes) while individuals follow objects with their gaze

Head movements

that draw their attention or that are relevant to the activity they are

These are necessary to observe the whole visual environment. Their

performing. This combination of head, neck and eyes movements

function within gaze dynamics is to compensate for eye movements

is unique to each person, as each individual has a different way of

to ensure correct fixation on the fovea.

combining them .

Head movements are defined by the head-neck [1] combination. From

For gaze dynamics to be considered as reliable, the user’s visual environ-

a mechanical point of view, this is defined as a set of masses supported

ment must be free of any visual impairment, meaning that no element

by a practically rigid system (the skeleton) connected by viscoelastic

in the system should prevent the individual from looking at objects

soft tissues.

naturally. So, we define the visual environment as the spatial area a

When the head is tilted, the oculomotor system causes a torsion of the

person can reach by naturally performing a combination of eye and

eyes intended to compensate for the loss of verticality that the retinal

head movements.

image would suffer under these conditions. The torsional Vestibulo-

[2]

Ocular Reflex (VOR) is responsible for this process (Fig. 2).

Gaze dynamics: when it forms and how it changes

So, when the head is

Development of perceptual [3] and oculomotor abilities of vision occurs

tilted to the right, there

as the necessary anatomical and physiological maturation of the visual

is a shift of the eyes to

structures is acquired. The visual system is immature at birth.

the left, while tilting to

The motor response is limited due to the immaturity of the fovea,

the left causes a shift of

reduced visual acuity, and low contrast sensitivity. All of this limits

the eyes to the right.

fine control of accommodation, tracking movements, and precision

In shor t, t he v isua l

of monocular and binocular alignment. A baby will be able to dem-

system is responsible for

onstrate a range of eye movements that, while less sophisticated than

compensating for the

those of adults, indicate normal visual development [4].

displacement generated

Similarly, as you become older, some muscles and joints become less

in the image due to a Fig. 2: Torsional VOR (Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex)

and less flexible and the tracking movements gradually increase eye

head movement. In this

movement ratio. In other word, gaze dynamics changes along the life

way, gaze dynamics is the mechanism that ensures that the image will

of a person.

be as static as possible on the retina all the time.

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TECHNOLOGY

Gaze dynamics and progressive lenses

This immersion allows the user to live the experience in first person,

When the concept of gaze dynamics was introduced above, we talked

as they can see as if they were really inside the virtual world, minimizing

about the required absence of impairments in the visual environment

the sensation of user-device interface and establishing a direct relation-

to make sure a person can perform eye and head movements without

ship between them.

limitations. However, things change when progressive lenses are used.

Virtual reality headsets are composed of cameras and sensors that

With the use of progressive lenses, gaze dynamics encounters limitations.

integrate the subject in the virtual environment and precisely record

Progressive lenses have clear areas for all visual distances but as a side effect,

user movements in it. They also ensure an optimal binocular visual

they have other areas, typically on the sides of the corridor, with aberrations

field, which gives an unrestricted space by simulating natural gaze

that the user perceives in the form of blurring. This is usually known as

movement. Speakers are usually present to enhance a fully immersive

unwanted astigmatism. This means that the visual environment will be

sensory experience.

limited, and therefore the user’s gaze dynamics will be altered.

In addition, given the three-dimensional nature of these systems, they can also allow gaze dynamics evaluation at many visual distances to

Gaze dynamics measurement tool: Virtual Reality headsets

register whether there are significant differences while the person looks at a stimulus that is at a near, intermediate or far distance.

There are many commercial devices that allow the measurement of gaze dynamics. Eyetrackers are among the most common ones. These

Diagnosis: frequency maps

devices can trace the user gaze direction while he or she is exposed to

Gaze dynamics diagnosis for ophthalmic applications can be nicely

different kinds of stimulus. Many studies use the measurement of gaze

represented using frequency maps (Fig. 4). These maps can be readily

dynamics to understand preferences and priorities of users when being

calculated by taking into account eye and head movement and they

presented a lot of information simultaneously or when looking at

allow you to identify what areas of the lens will be used in a higher or

different stimuli that keep their attention.

lower frequency.

However, gaze dynamics applied to ophthalmic also need to track the

Many parameters can be extracted from each of these maps. Overall

users head movement to truly understand the real use of each area of

size can be considered important since it is related to the total area

the lens. In other words, recording only the gaze direction might not

of the used lens. Vertical to horizontal size ratio can also be relevant

give you the full lens use information since the position of the head will

since it will show preference for longitudinal eye or head movements

ultimately determine through what area of the lens the gaze will go.

over transversal.

Recent technology advances in virtual reality headsets (Fig. 3) have

And, obviously, the actual location of the maximum frequency

brought this technology to a point that makes it specifically suitable

areas should also be taken into account since it will show user

to be used as a gaze dynamics measurement device.

preferences for certain parts of the lens. Finally, when different

A virtual reality headset with software specially designed can be used

maps registered at different distances are combined, the quality

to diagnose the gaze dynamics of a specific patient, i.e. by enabling

of the gaze dynamics study for that person can be greatly increased.

controlled measurement of eye and head movements in a controlled

All the information relevant for a fully personalized lens design

environment free of external factors.

can be revealed.

Fig. 3: Virtual Reality headset.

Fig. 4: Example of a frequency map. Red color shows high frequency of use of that area while blue color shows low frequency of use.

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TECHNOLOGY

Gaze dynamics provide truly personalized lenses

take the lens shopping experience to an unprecedented exciting level

We know that user satisfaction with progressive lenses is subjective,

where customers need to cope with the idea of paying the highest

i.e. it depends on each person’s perception. This means that, when

cost of the spectacle for a round transparent piece of material that

trying two progressive lenses of the same category (e.g. premium) but

the ECP prescribes.

different manufacturers, two users may feel more comfortable with

Instead, the customer perceives now he has become an active part shaping

one over the other.

where the lens selling step is no longer a disorienting moment of pain

the lens features through an immersive and unique experience. ◆

The reason behind this is that optical features that are significantly different among two designs can have different perception and ac-

Acknowledgements: Ivette Bruguera and Elisabeth Meliá

ceptance by different users, but this is also telling us that a preferred

References: [1] https://es.slideshare.net/Natt-N/movimientos-del-cuello-55378548 [2] Alberich, J. Ferre, A. Gómez, D. Percepción Visual. Universitat Oberta de Catalunya.

[3] Peter N.T. Wells, William R. Hendee. The Perception of Visual Information. Second Edition.

[4] Pacheco, M. Desarrollo Postnatal de la Función visual. Universistat Politècnica de Catalunya.

[5] Motilidad y Percepción Binocular: Tipos de Movimientos Oculares. Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya [6] Antony, F. Coordination of Eye and Head Movements during Reading. Article in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · July 2003 [7] Federico, A. Federighi, P. Rosini, F. Rufa, A. Veneri, G. Evaluating gaze control on a multi-target sequency task: The distribution of fixations is evidence of exploration optimization. Computers in Biology and Medicine.

[8] Pons, A. Fundamentos de visión Binocular. Universidad de Alicante.

[9] Azadi, R. De Vries, J.P. Harwood, M.R. The saccadic size-latency phenomenon explored: Proximal target size is a determining factor in the saccade latency. Vision Research.

ideal solution may exist for each person. That is why one of the major challenges in the ophthalmic sector has been to understand and characterize users to try to identify which parameters could reveal their preferences. And accordingly, the major challenge in the lens designing field is to be able to provide a wide enough range of optical features in progressive lens designs that can fulfill user preferences.

But what happens nowadays is that the progressive lens market offers a finite set of solutions. This means that a user has a limited list of lens design options available at a given selling point, often strongly biased by the previously established business relationship between the optical shop and its supplier.

Therefore, an unprecedented lens calculation technology needs to be created that can smoothly vary optical features continuously and gradually, without jumps, to accommodate any registered gaze dynamics.

Other industries, such as aeronautics, had a dream many years ago of continuously changing the geometry of physical objects applying what they call the morphing technique. Aeronautic engineers dreamed of modeling aircraft wing flaps in such a way that geometry changes could happen like those in a bird’s wings to optimize performance at any given moment.

The optical industry needs to incorporate a similarly disruptive technology into designs to create infinite solutions for infinite individuals that enable the generation of the optimal solution for each of them, incorporating his or her frequency map as one of the main inputs. The result could finally be a truly tailor-made progressive lens for a particular user, which can take into account the gaze dynamics diagnosis of someone's unique way of looking at the world around them.

In summary The combination of gaze dynamics measurements using Virtual Reality headsets with the appropriate design flexibility can become the last

Pau Artús The Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) at Horizons Optical studied Chemistry at Universitat de Barcelona and got his M.Sc. in Molecular Magnetism at

frontier for the progressive design personalization. Thanks to it, a

Indiana University. His ophthalmic career started in the R&D department

presbyopic patient will be offered a progressive solution that perfectly

of Indo in 2002 where Artús has developed most of his professional career

matches his or her visual requirements.

A careful study and interpretation of the gaze dynamics can allow an accurate and reliable diagnosis for each patient to create a solution for them that will be the preferred one. And probably more important, the gaze dynamics measurement using a virtual reality device can

MAFO 3-22

24_design_gaze dynamics.indd 27

as a Material Chemist and Coatings Developer until he became the R&D manager in 2008. In parallel, he got his Ph.D. in Mechanical Properties of Plastic Materials for Ophthalmic Lenses (UPC in 2009) and a masters degree in Innovation Management (UPF in 2011). In 2017 the company Horizons Optical was created as a spin-off of Indo where Artús initially was the Operations Director and later became the CIO.

27

11.04.22 14:42

SPOTLIGHT

Vision Expo East in New York 360 exhibiting companies have taken part Vision Expo East 2022 concluded on Sunday, April 3. The four-day event, which took place March 31– April 3 at the Javits Center, marked Vision Expo’s first show in New York City since 2019 and brought enthusiastic members of the vision care industry from the United States and around the globe together under one roof. By Hanna Diewald

V

ision Expo East featured more than 360 exhibiting

Satisloh unveiled their new and inventive film lamination technology.

companies and the education program offered more

With 1/3 the investment of a conventional coating lab, a film lamination

than 230 hours of education. On the main stage there

can coat lenses ten times faster and in a fraction of the space with

were various discussion rounds on current topics,

top quality. Customers were highly interested in the new technology

ranging from fashion trend forecasts to the metaverse and cryptocur-

that was demonstrated live at the show, reported the company.

rency. Various prominent guests could be seen live on stage, for example the fashion innovator and author Dapper Dan.

The Schneider team was busy offering customers a first look at many new

Fran Pennella, Vice President, Vision Expo, at RX, co-organizer of

technologies and products for release this year, eleven in total, shaping

Vision Expo, expressed his enthusiasm: “It was incredible to bring the

the power lab of the next decade. “The first VEE back in New York in three

vision care community together again in New York City for the first

years turned out to be a good show for Schneider,” said Kurt Atchison,

time since 2019. The Show Floor was buzzing with activity and the

President Schneider US. “Although show overall attendance was down a

energy, especially on day one, was palpable as motivated attendees and

bit from previous years, it is finally approaching normal again. Customers

exhibitors reconnected with their peers, conducted business and engaged

seemed anxious to experience an important industry event for the first

with the education offerings [...].” he said.

time in a few years for many of them. […] Larger automation projects were in focus from customers looking to build modern, integrated production

Highlight in lens processing

systems, especially after the difficulties they’ve faced with COVID and

Also, the companies in the lens processing area seemed satisfied for the most

now supply chain and offshoring challenges. It was great to showcase what

part. Coburn Technologies showcased the fully automated post-polishing

the future holds from Schneiders’s new innovations.”

system, which includes the new Integrity Alloy Recovery System, Coburn’s latest technology in lens processing. “Integrity generated

Back in New York City after three years, MEI showed to the audience

much interest as it is the first and only automated waterless alloy recovery

all the new machines and solutions developed over the last months.

system in the industry”, announced the company. Its induction heating

The Italian company presented Easy Buddy, an innovative robotic lens

technology makes Integrity a cleaner and more efficient solution,

loading system developed for the EasyFit Trend compact lens edger.

leaving detached alloy pucks completely intact for safe reuse.

With Easy Buddy, the lab operator no longer has to spend all day feeding

The team from Coburn Technologies at VEE. Source: Coburn Technologies

Satisloh´s new film lamintaion technology was unveiled at the show Source: Satisloh

28

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MAFO 3-22

11.04.22 12:15

SPOTLIGHT

Schneider´s booth at VEE. Source: Schneider

MEI´s booth at VEE. Source: MEI

the machine but can prepare several trays and let the robot directly load the lenses, then take them once edged. An ideal solution for small labs that do not have space for an industrial lens feeding system but want to take advantage of an automation process. Besides that, MEI presented for the industrial customers BispheraTBA Phoenix, the new lens edger, for any kind of small and big lab, offering excellent throughput, great flexibility, and best quality control capability.

IOT presented the new portfolio of lens designs based on new groundbreaking technologies and methodologies of lens calculation: Camber, IOT Digital Ray-Path 2, Steady and Steady Plus methodologies. These technologies completely renew the company´s portfolio and have shown

IOT´s team at the booth at VEE. Source: IOT

that they are up-to-date with the latest industry trends. “Combining a trade show and launching new technologies is a great way to attract and show all the effort, R&D and innovation behind the company”, said IOT. In summary, Vision Expo East was a good show, which was especially convincing because of the atmosphere, as Robert L. Kohn, President North America at Automation & Robotics, concludes for MAFO:

As the commencement bell rang to begin VEE 2022, the excited attendees began flooding into the exhibit hall like beautiful waves crashing on Hawaii’s North Shore. At least that is how it felt after three years of waiting for the return of this show!”

Automation & Robotics booth in New York. Source: A&R

invest in capital equipment as we progress through the year. I personally met with attendees from Canada, Mexico, Latin America, the Caribbean, across the US, and a few from Asia and Europe. Much of the world was represented, and everyone was very enthusiastic to reconnect at the show! There was not much talk about new product release at the show; rather, it appeared that most exhibitors took a cautious approach by bringing fewer staff, and fewer pieces of equipment to display. By the end of the show, the feeling was that we are moving in a good direction

Kohn said: „The general attendance was perhaps slightly below normal,

and getting back to normal!”

but the business negotiations were plentiful, and productive. The mood

The next Vision Expo East in New York will take place from March

of the attendees was very positive, with many laboratories prepared to

MAFO 3-22

28_VEE.indd 29

16 – 19, 2023, in the Jacob Javits Convention Center again. ◆

29

11.04.22 12:15

Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers BUSINESS

European optics market shows solid recovery in 2021 after corona dip Data provided by GfK

I

n 2021, the group of European core markets France, Germany,

restrictions have not disappeared yet, the European opticians and their

Italy and Spain recovered well after severe turnover losses in

customers seem to have accommodated well to the “new normal”.

the past two years. And although the virus and the connected

lenses to sharply decline by almost 65%, the second lockdown phase

2020 caused by the pandemic that sales has determined our lives While the first36 lockdowns in 2020 caused the sales volume of spectacle Graph 1: Spectacle Lenses (volume, EU4) over past months

Lockdown

Phase 2 Lockdown January / February / Phase 2 March / April 2021

Lockdown Lockdown Phase 1 Phase 1 March / April 2020 Fig. 1: Spectacle lenses sales (volume, EU4) over past 36 months for monofocal, progressive and proximity spectacle lenses.

Panelmarkets are Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Retail sales units from January/February 2019 - November/December 2021. Source: GfK

30

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11.04.22 12:21

Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers

Graph 2: Spectacle Lenses sales (volume, EU4) by correction type and material

3: Plastic Spec.

Lenses sales (volume, EU4) by Fig.Graph 2: Spectacle lenses sales (volume, EU4) by correction type and material.

Panel markets are Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Retail sales units. Source: GfK

BUSINESS

type and refraction index

Fig. 3: Plastic spectacle lenses sales (volume, EU4) by type and refraction index.

Panel markets are Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Retail sales units. Source: GfK

in 2021 only caused sales declines by less than 10% compared to pre-

(refraction indices of 1.6 and plus, figure 3). These types of lenses gained

pandemic levels (Fig. 1). Between the lockdown phases postponed

market share over 2020 and 2021, while the shares of lenses with refrac-

purchases that could not be done during the lockdowns took place.

tion indices of 1.59 and below declined.

Looking at absolute sales volumes for spectacle lenses, the European

Although the opticians’ core business with spectacle lenses seems to

market has reached its pre-pandemic level again in 2021 (Fig. 2). Im-

be back on track, the more social products in the optics portfolio still

portant for the market recovery were increased sales of plastic progres-

struggle with the pandemic effects.

sive and proximity lenses, which were in higher demand than normal

The sales volume of sun glasses could grow by 14% in 2021 compared

due to many people working from home. The mineral lenses continued

to 2020 but still is about 20% behind its pre-pandemic level of 2019

former sales declines and remain a small market niche.

(figure 4, retail only). Similarly, the contact lenses sales still lack

In terms of materials and refraction indices, European customers and

about 6% before reaching former sales levels again (figure 5, value,

opticians moved their focus further towards thin, high quality lenses

retail only).

MAFO 3-22

30_GfK_Marktdaten.indd 31

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11.04.22 12:21

Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers

Graph 4: Sun Glasses sales (volume, EU4) by Gender Type

BUSINESS

5: Contact Lenses EU4) by Replacement Fig.Graph 4: Sun glasses sales (volume, EU4) bysales gender (value, type.

Panel markets are Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Retail sales units. Source: GfK

Frequency

Fig. 5: Contact lenses sales (value, EU4) by replacement frequency.

Panel markets are Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Retail sales units. Source: GfK

However, when looking at the sun glasses and contact lenses segments from a total market perspective, it can be assumed that online sales (that were not taken into account here) could compensate for a good part of the corona losses in the retail channel.

Summarizing, the market recovery in EU4 during 2021 shows the resilience of the optics segment even in times of crises. With a little bit of luck and less unforeseen changes in life and market conditions compared to the past two years, 2022 can become a good year for the European optics business. ◆

32

30_GfK_Marktdaten.indd 32

Roland Lorek As Senior Marketing Consultant, Roland Lorek is responsible for the Point-of-Sales-Panel Optics of GfK Germany. He joined the German Optics team in 2015 and consults customers and retail partners within the optics industry. He lives in Bamberg, Germany, with his wife and two daughters.

MAFO 3-22

11.04.22 12:21

!AZ.indd 2

22.03.22 10:46

Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers BUSINESS

The U.S. optical industry market Market data for North America Globally, the North American market is the most important market for eyewear. MAFO has taken a closer look at the data from 2021 and summarized the most important key figures for the eyewear sector.

T

he global eyewear market is expected to grow annually

representing a 24.3% increase over the 12-month period ending December

within the next years and, according to Statista, the

2020 and a 5% increase over the 12-month period ending December 2019.

market is forecasted to be worth around 154 billion U.S.

Lenses account for the largest financial share at 15,903.3 million of

dollars in 2022. The largest market worldwide for eyewear

current dollars (not adjusted for inflation), followed by frames in 2021.

is North America. However, market researchers predict the Asia-

The total Rx lenses market in units was 95.6 million of pairs.

Pacific-region and China in particular as the fastest growing markets

It is worth mentioning that the market for refractive surgery has increased

in the next years.

significantly. While it was worth 1,869.2 million of current dollars year-end December 2018, it was already 2,199.7 millions of current dollars year-end

The U.S. market 2021

December 2021 – a significant increase.

According to the VisionWatch market research report, released by

In the area of spectacle lenses, single-vision lenses still account for the

The Vision Council, 45.83 billion U.S. Dollar worth of eyewear was

most significant share with 55%. Followed by progressive lenses (PAL)

purchased during the 12-month period ending December 2021,

with 32%. Overall, 46% of the lenses were AR-coated.

Contact Lenses 12 %

Eye Exams 14 %

Plano Sunglasses 9%

Refractive Surgery 5% OTC Readers 2% Frames 24 %

The market for refractive ­surgery has increased significantly.

Lenses 35 %

Market share of ophthalmic products in the U.S. The total market was $45,825.4 in millions of current dollars (not adjusted for inflation). Source: Vision Watch Report, The Vision Council

46% of the lenses were AR-coated.

Multifocal 13 %

PAL 32 %

Single Vision 55 %

Market share of units by lens attributes: single vision, PAL, multifocal. Source: Vision Watch Report, The Vision Council

34

34_MarktdatenWeltweit.indd 34

Q S F S

w p

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6

!AZ.ind

Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers BUSINESS

100 %

It was found that ­independent practices still ­generate the l­argest market share for ophthalmic lenses (51.7%)

75 % 62 %

50 %

46 %

25 % 18 % 11 %

10 %

7%

Lens Only Purchase (No frame)

MVC (Managed Vision Care)

Photochromic

Polarized / Rx Sun

AR

Freeform / Digital PAL

0%

Market share of units by lens attributes: freeform, AR-coating, polarization and more.

PAL, multifocal. Source: Vision Watch Report, The Vision Council

In the overall market for ophthalmic lenses, it was found that independent

Mass Merchants / Wholesale Club such as WalMart, Target, or Costco

practices (with three or fewer locations) still generate the largest market

contribute 9.9% of lens sales and Department Stores (eg. Sears, JC

share for ophthalmic lenses (51.7%). Optical chains such as LensCrafters,

Penney, or Macys) for only 0.3%. Online/Internet retailing (eg. Warby

Pearle, EyeMasters, or regional chains account for 26.7% of the share.

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Parker, Zenni, Coastal) now accounts for 7.3% of the market. ◆

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19.10.21 15:06 12:05 11.04.22

SPOTLIGHT

Myopia management with spectacle lenses Marketing tool or effective care? An interview with two experts The market for spectacle lenses for myopia management continues to grow further. Products from a wide range of manufacturers are now available in many countries throughout the world. The topic is both hugely important but at the same time controversial, since it remains unclear how objective eye doctors and ECP´s are when giving their patients and customers advice, and to what extent a meaningful myopia management is practiced at all, that justifies the name. One reason being that, according to current research, the typical myopia development in children in Asia differs significantly from that in Europe, the USA or other countries.

MAFO spoke to two German experts in the field: a representative from the industry and an academic and practice-oriented expert, who himself is involved in myopia management. An interview with Mareike Noé (Marketing Manager at Visall) and Prof. Dr. Stephan Degle ­­(­­Ernst-Abbe University, Jena). By Hanna Diewald

How does the situation in Germany differ from that in Asia,

by contrast, the proportions are much higher. As a rule, myopia progression

for example?

here starts much later, at the age of ten or twelve or even later, i.e. in young

Degle: There is quite a well-known discrepancy according to region

adults and students. This is very different from the situation in Asia,

as far as myopia and myopia progression are concerned. In our region

where most of the studies have been carried out. Many people don´t realize

(editor`s note: in Germany), only a very small proportion of children

this. And right now, we have a lot of products that are actually focused

aged four, six or eight experience strong myopia progression. In Asia,

on this market (directed to Ms. Noé: with a few exceptions).

36

36_Int Myopia Control SL.indd 36

MAFO 3-22

11.04.22 12:23

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Degle: It has been known for some

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years that the risk of pathological myopia is not due to the dioptric value.

The issue is eye length growth and it has been

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even about the length itself, but about the progression of the eye length growth. In essence it is a matter of preventing the eye from growing rapidly in a short period of time, in a way that would result in a vision change.

Currently, a variety of lenses for myopia management are available on the market, based on different concepts. Can we assume that all of them are equally effective in slowing down myopia progression?

Degle: Each of these concepts has advantages and disadvantages in specific cases. This means that it needs to be decided on a case by case basis, which lens, which product or which treatment plan is most suitable for whom. This is an important prerequisite which, with few exceptions, currently does not exist in the market.

Ms. Noé, what do you do from a manufacturer’s point of view to inform

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Noé: We offer training about our products and try to be as objective as possible. We also want to make it clear to optometrists that this is not

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mouth and everything will be fine. The progression of myopia has a cause which is to

a small extent genetic and to a large extent behavioral. My favorite example is the diabetic who injects himself with insulin while continuing to eat a slice of black forest cake every day. Things are not going to get better!

In a similar way, you shouldn´t just assume that if a child gets a pair of glasses, contact lenses or the right medication – everything will

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then be fine. We think it is very important that the optometrist makes it clear to the child or his/her parents (depending on their age) that their behavior will also have to change in one way or another. That children need to be exposed to more daylight, that the time they spend

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on media – whether digital or paper– needs to be limited at least to an as healthy level as possible. That here the distance and the lighting are important. Because it´s not just a question of selling a product, it´s about paying attention to the needs of the individual child when you take on his or her myopia management.

MAFO 3-22

36_Int Myopia !AZ.indd 13 Control SL.indd 37

11.04.22 29.03.22 12:23 18:03

SPOTLIGHT

What should successful myopia management really look like?

to medication and has finally reached spectacle lenses. Marketing has

Degle: Basically, it`s about identifying a progression and then considering:

little interest in going back to first principles.

Why is this happening? What type of myopia is it – i.e. whether it is a case

However, there are indeed some knowledgeable optometrists out there,

of length or refractive myopia. In the Asian region, there is a lot of length

so I don’t want to denigrate everyone. However, there are many who

myopia, but this doesn’t seem to be the case in our region, thus leading to

just think, “This is a product that helps against myopia” – but that’s

very different concepts and approaches to myopia management.

exactly what it isn‘t!

Where someone has length myopia at a certain age, it makes good sense to inhibit growth. If this is not the case, then one has to find out what is

Noé: That is a very important point: Whether a product is better or worse

at the bottom of this non-length myopia. Whether it´s transient myopia,

cannot be expressed in general terms, it depends on the specific case.

for example, which increases during the day due to a lot of close work,

Of course, we can´t give completely independent advice, but we do try

or if it is a case of near esophoria. This means that you have to distinguish

to make clear to optometrists in our training courses that it´s not about

up front what the underlying cause is and then how to manage it.

our product being the best on the market and suitable for everyone,

For me, atropine, eye exercises and vision training should all be considered

rather there are many options to be considered too. One really has to

together with the various lens concepts I am aware of on the market.

consider individually, together with the child and the parents, depending

But there is no one size fits all, it always depends on the individual case.

on the age, whether in the end contact lenses, medication or spectacle

Often a combination, for example, of spectacle lenses, contact lenses,

lenses would be the best solution.

eye training and atropine may be the best solution.

What needs to change in future to improve the quality of Noé: It is very important that not only the ECP, but also the eye doctor

myopia management?

– if he is acting in an advisory capacity – look into the various options

Noé: Contrary to other countries, there is no compulsory training for our

and network together. In other words, the optometrist should maintain

industry in Germany. One does exist for doctors, but that doesn`t always

a close working relationship with the local eye doctors, and if necessary

help much, so I find it difficult to come up with a quick solution about

also the clinics, in order to optimize the exchange of information between

how to improve the overall level of knowledge in the industry. Some people

them. Where appropriate, pediatricians may also be involved. It is not

sign up for the training, because they are interested, while others don’t.

uncommon for children in Germany never to have seen an eye doctor at all if no abnormalities have come to light in the past.

Degle: That more and more people take a critical and intensive interest in this topic, instead of simply accepting marketing statements at face

In your opinion, is there any risk at present that, due to current

value. For example, take the statement by the Brien Holden Vision

marketing campaigns, too many children are being fitted with

Institute that half of humanity will be nearsighted in 2050. It has been

spectacle lenses who do not really need them? Or is it more

known for some years now that this forecast is somewhat questionable.

a problem of incorrect fitting? Or both?

Nevertheless, reference is made to this study again and again. Anyone

Degle: Both. Incorrect fitting may occur if the initial examination is not

who has looked critically at this topic knows that the findings cannot

carried out professionally. There is a certain risk of incorrect fitting associated

be applied to the Caucasian region, and may even be an underestimation

with these lenses, which in turn may have a boomerang effect. For example,

as far as the Asian region is concerned.

in the case of convergence insufficiency, these lenses are by their nature

I don´t want to criticize the study as such, but those quoting it have often

always contra-indicative. That means you have to ask yourself in advance:

not got to grips with the topic in detail. In my opinion, this is the same

What is the lens good for anyway? This also applies to contact lenses.

mistake which has been made with myopia management. I cannot fit

There are also very good concepts and approaches which have proved

everyone with one particular lens, simply because there is a large marketing

their worth for years, but many optometrists in Germany are not able

campaign underway – that’s not how it works!

to apply them or do not use them, simply because they do not have the

Something like myopia management inevitably requires additional,

knowledge and expertise; however, of course there are exceptions.

basic and continuing education and training for it to work! That’s why there is the need for a further professional qualification. However, here

Does an optometrist even have the chance to really find out

I am referring to a certified qualification, not just to a 90-minute webinar,

which of the concepts is most suitable?

after which people think they know everything when in actual fact they

Degle: Yes, he does have access to the necessary information. Manufactur-

still lack the basics. It´s about a neutral, objective training course.

ers make this freely available. He would then need to develop a treatment

If you´re going to do it at all, you really have to continue the management

plan within the scope of the optometric service and a detailed anamnesis.

over a longer time scale, with regular check-ups and assessments, leading

But one can only assume that this doesn’t happen very often at the

to changes in the treatment plan.

present, because myopia management is unfortunately very product- and manufacturer-driven. This all started with contact lenses, then progressed

38

36_Int Myopia Control SL.indd 38

Thank you very much for the interview. ◆

MAFO 3-22

11.04.22 12:23

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!AZ.indd 9

22.03.22 10:37

BUSINESS

How to kiss an organization out of its slumber The rediscovery of self-efficacy in the world of work “[...] many princes wanted to, but failed at the thorny hedge, before the one brave, determined prince came along who found the right time to kiss Sleeping Beauty awake and thus also managed to wake up the entire kingdom again [...]” By Manfred Brandstätter

B

efore we now break down the metaphor of the Sleeping

Why is this and why do leaders react this way in these situations? Let´s

Beauty fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm as a comparison

look back a hundred years and consider the founding periods of our

with corporate organizations or the professional world,

current work, organizational and leadership models. Perhaps we will

I will try to describe the world of work as we currently

find a suitable answer there.

experience it with some of its rules and beliefs.

In 1911, Frederick Winslow Taylor published his work Scientific

▶ The management of employees within the framework of the corporate

Management. In it, Taylor put forward the thesis that management,

organization is the sole responsibility of the manager.

▶ The behavior of employees is decisive for the creation of value and the success of the organization.

▶ If success fails to materialize, many companies are quick to attribute

work and companies could be optimized with a purely scientific approach, thereby solving social problems and achieving “prosperity for all”. The essential components are considered to be:

▶ The separation of work planning and execution in terms of location

this to a lack of or undesirable behavior on the part of employees.

and time, i.e. the separation of thinking or decision-making from

▶ An answer is quickly found: “Maybe we can still develop the employees

actual action and work (the basis of the widespread hierarchical

towards this,” say many managers or: “We simply need other em-

organizational system) and the creation of the system of the “function

ployees, or at least employees who show a different behavior.”

master” (department or division manager)

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BUSINESS

Fig. 1: Left: Taylor's separation of thought and action and establishment of "functional masters" in companies. Middle: Fragmentation of work into small and simple steps and consolidation of uniform activities into functional areas or departments. Right: Taylor's temporal separation of planning and implementation in companies. Picture: Sandra Brandstätter

▶ Fragmentation of work into small and simple steps and time studies

Compared to the heyday of industrialization, the requirements for

for process improvement and determination of target times in order

value creation today are significantly more complex and dynamic in

to increase the efficiency of work or targets for the daily workload

many respects. Processes and rules in companies can no longer reflect

▶ Local consolidation of activities with the same objective or processes

the demands of the market on their own. So we now need more employees

(creation of functional areas and departments) to increase efficiency

who, in addition to managers, can and want to take on responsibility,

▶ Differential wage system (incentive system and variant of the

who can and want to make decisions, who have ideas that they can

piecework wage system, which remunerates a surplus performance

also implement immediately. But these other, soft factors are difficult

disproportionately)

to capture through certificates. And what´s more, these new requirements for employees no longer easily conform to the hierarchical

Taylor´s theses relate mainly to mass production structures that

management model that often prevails.

were still more oriented toward craftsmanship in the transition from manufactory to factory work. Taylor´s ideas, known as ­S cientific Management, are to be distinguished from their further developments and criticisms, which are summarized by the term Taylorism. And yet these ideas still significantly shape the design of the current working world, the organization and management of companies.

If we now focus on the behavior or behavioral change of employees in companies, what are the options for intervention according to the case described above? In traditional business administration, the factors knowledge and skills are used to make desired employee behavior more likely. Simplified this means that:

▶ The person with the best credentials and certificates for specific professional competencies usually gets the job

▶ Soundly controlled processes and rules are put in place in the organization

Suitability and empowerment This approach is absolutely legitimate in a value creation process that

Let´s ask psychology about this: How do I get employees to behave in

mainly consists of recurring, knowledge-based activities and for which

the way that seems necessary? Suitability and empowerment is the maxim

sufficient knowledge is available in the organization. At least it was for

here. We need the right people in the right jobs, and we have to develop

the time of industrialization, when the key to success was efficiency

and train them so that they can meet the complex requirements. So, first

and Taylorism had its heyday.

of all, it´s about what we call person-environment fit. Put simply, the

It no longer seems to work well today. It is reaching its limits. The

introverted, shy type will never walk the big stages of this world. To find

people with the best qualifications don´t seem to be doing their jobs

the right fit, I analyze the environment and the person and compare the

as they should. And factors other than professional qualifications seem

two. If a candidate is found who is a good fit, a possible gap in the skill

to have become more important.

profile can be closed through education and training.

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BUSINESS

The underlying assumption is that the behavior of employees depends

and show what they can do. But they can only show this if the context

to a large extent on the person and their knowledge, their skills

allows them to do so. Either way, they will work according to the rules

and, above all, their personality and their overarching competencies.

of the given system. And if this system makes seemingly nonsensical

If I have the person with the right skill profile, I will also get the

behavior likely, this behavior will also show.

desired behavior.

I don´t mean to say that it`s not important to bring good people into

Unfortunately, this is a very one-sided, causal view. In psychology, one

the organization. On the contrary, recruitment is an important

even speaks of “causal models of professional performance,” which

discipline for high-performance teams where value is created, for

quickly reach their limits. A person´s behavior is not only dependent

which there is not yet any knowledge in the organization. I just want

on his or her personality and skills. The much greater influence on

to point out that it is too short-sighted to focus only on this. In doing

people´s behavior is the context.

so, one forgets that context plays a very weighty role as a decisive

This means, therefore, that the situation with its rules of the game, the

factor. In other words, even the best people will not bring success in

structure and the culture of the employees have a far greater influence

the wrong system.

on people´s behavior than their own personality. While the structure

Organizations that massively expand their recruiting and HR develop-

is the operational and organizational setup of the company, the culture

ment without having worked on the structures first are “throwing

of an organization reflects its communication and decision-making

money out the window”.

patterns with their open and hidden beliefs.

Those who demand responsible decisions from employees should ­institutionalize responsibility and abolish everything that stands in

Thus, behavior (B) is not equal to personality (P),

the way of taking responsibility.

but behavior is the sum of personality and context (C).

"Sleeping Beauty" and self-efficacy

B=P+C

So what does the “Sleeping Beauty fairy tale” have to do with self-efficacy in the world of work? I will answer that right away. Before I do, I will

Anyone who doubts this statement should look at people within their

briefly explain the concept of self-efficacy in business organizations.

different contexts. We behave differently when we go to the opera

Self-efficacy in business organizations is best described in terms of its

compared to when we go to a soccer stadium. We behave differently

impact and outcome. It is characterized by the following:

at a coffee party with our family than at an after-work drink with our

▶ That as many members as possible think about the future of the

colleagues. We behave differently when we play Monopoly than when

company and consequently actively participate in the development

we play chess – even with the same players. The context, with its open

of the company or take responsibility for it (self-organization and

and hidden rules, determines people´s behavior.

responsibility).

▶ Employees and managers perceive reality as such and try to develop

What does this mean for organizations?

new coping strategies instead of relying on old ones (systems thinking

Complex and dynamic value creation requires more than knowledge

and integration)

and skills; it requires employees to take responsibility and come up with ideas at the point of action. It requires employees to get involved

▶ Employees and managers align their work design with the needs of customers (decentralized decision-making and control)

▶ Employees and managers believe in the intrinsic potential of people and organizations to perform and develop (concept of human beings/ work motivation Y and modern leadership) Self-efficacy in organizations thus takes place in an interplay between trial and error and learning, between improving what has been tried and tested and creating something new, and is constantly being reshaped.

Self-organization and responsibility People basically have the ability to organize themselves and take responsibility if they are allowed to. It is necessary to create framework conditions that allow these abilities to come to life. Modern organizations must place the needs of the customer even more at the center of their considerations. Decisions must be made where contextual and expert knowledge is available. We are therefore not only talking about the responsibility of employees for implementation, but also for the results.

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Anuncio !AZ.ind

Anuncio Insomec revista 03º.indd 1 !AZ.indd 7 40_Org Dornrö schenschlaf_Brandstaetter.indd 43

14/3/22 16:43 16.03.22 11.04.22 15:52 14:44

BUSINESS

this protected space, the new way of working does not take place as a business game, but in the midst of value creation. There is immediate feedback from customers and users.

The principle of a shelter project is to achieve a defined goal with a self-nominated courageous project team in a protected framework, within a defined period of time (1-3 months) with alternative approaches or ways of working. In other words, to show how it works on a small scale (shelter) and how it will work on a large scale.

At the end of a shelter project, there is reflection, derivation of learning points, and a decision on whether and how the lessons learned might be useful to the rest of the organization and where these new insights and organizational and work practices will be immediately extended throughout the organization.

Practice has shown that change in organizations launched in a shelter project tends to meet with more acceptance and produces better adapted solutions than conventional organizational change in classic change So if decisions are made by those people who are directly confronted

management formats.

with the problems and usually also have the most extensive contextual

Analogous to the courageous prince in the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale,

and specialist knowledge for the situation in question, this creates

a few final words about the courageous leader in modern organiza-

speed and mostly also customer satisfaction. Market and customer

tions: the courageous and accepted leader in a self-effective organiza-

orientation coupled with high performance are the objectives for

tion does not depend on his or her charisma, but is the person who

self-efficacy in the corporate organization.

succeeds in concretely moving the group or team forward in dealing

Awakening self-efficacy People in the modern world of work are predominantly seeking meaning

with problems. ◆

References are available in the app or on request from the editorial office.

in what they do, the opportunity to do this in a largely self-determined and self-organized manner, to constantly improve in what they do and how they do it, and additionally a special sense of belonging to the company.

Fundamentally, all agile formats, frameworks, and methods assume an intrinsically motivated individual who is willing to perform and who has recognized the need to bring his or her knowledge and the skills of all stakeholders into the company so that it can meet the modern world as well as advance the potential for further development in any organization. The awakening of Sleeping Beauty by the courageous prince works in exactly the same way as the awakening of self-efficacy in the working world by courageous managers. For both projects, the right time and the right path must be chosen.

A shelter project can be an innovative way to do this, a possible way to “wake up” self-efficacy as if from slumber, and in the process trick the organizational immune system a little. The right time is when courageous employees or leaders realize that the time for change has come.

Manfred Brandstätter Manfred Brandstätter is an organization designer and business trainer as well as a founding member and lecturer of a business management university course. For more than twenty years he has

A shelter project takes place in the middle of corporate practice. It is

been working as a person responsible for organizational projects

about important requirements in the context of the company´s own

in national and international companies. In addition, he was managing

value creation. In the shelter, the team members feel that something important is at stake. Everyone feels the responsibility on their shoulders.

It is not a game, but serious. The participants are also not protected from the dynamic demands of customers or other service buyers, but only from the work culture that otherwise prevails in the company. In

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director of start-up companies in Germany and Austria. For many years he has also been passing on his experience in workshops and trainings. He lives in Bonn, Germany, and is the author of various publications with a focus on "self-efficacy in organizations". He has overall responsibility for developing Scribble, the method collection for agile process management.

MAFO 3-22

11.04.22 14:44

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Application

Small labs (less than 100 l/ shift) Medium sized labs (100 - 3,000 l/ shift)

x

Mass production labs (more than 3,000 l/shift)

/

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x

Prismatic lenses Lens materials Lens diameter ∅ø (mm)

Technical data

x

x

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x

x

x

x

x

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50 - 100

90 -30

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Curve range convex (dpt) [Milling/Turning]

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30

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75

Speed of motor spindle (RPM)

3,000

3,000

Axis

4

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Axis cooling needed

/

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Port/Interface configuration M = Multiple | OA = Open architecture

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3,500

4,000 4

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550 / 1,210

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1,100 x 1,100 x 1,200 / 43 x 43 x 47

762 x 711 x 788 / 30 x 28 x 31

1,194 x 787 x 1,295 / 47 x 31 x 51

1,245 x 914 x 1,473 / 49 x 36 x 58

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o

Turning (single or twin tool holder)

pivoting with twin tool holder

milling

Automatic lens loading/unloading

/

Chamfering

x

x

x

x

/

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/

Dimensions (w x d x h) / [mm / inches] (machine without conveyor) Milling

Pre-shape

590 / 1,300

turning - single cutter

Auto calibration Barcode scanner

x

o

o

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Data protection/encryption design and macros

x

/

/

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Process data information

x

x

x

x

Tabletop generator ideal for small to mid-sized labs. Upgraded user interface on Windows 7 platform, with USB loading and backups

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Combines features from a CTL65 and Cobalt generator including drive A-axis and linear Y-axis from the Cobalt NX with single X-axis cutting.

Upgradable to a freeform capable Cobalt NX.

Further information

external Robust plug and play generator Easy touch screen Quiet, efficient unit Process freeform (NURBS), spheric and atoric surfaces

Legend: Yes = x, No = /, Optional = o

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46_Survey Generators.indd 46

1,2

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Calibration only needed on diamond change

Laser engraving

L

CR39, Polycarbonate, Trivex, High Index

NA /- 20 with no tool change

Weight (kg / lbs)

Process

CTL65 Compact Lens Generator

Curve range concave (dpt) [Milling/Turning]

Productivity (lenses/hour) [MR8, 1.6, Ø 70, sph. -3,0, cyl. 2.0, Add. 2.5, private label]

Features

x

SGX Pro Surface Lens Generator

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Cobalt NX Lens Generator

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Labor-2Evo

x

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x

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x

x

x

x

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x

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x

x

x

x

x

x

x

/

/

x

x

x

x

x

/

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90 - 30 / - 30

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20

30

20

4

4

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3

4

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/

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M / OA

M / OA

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622 / 1,372

642 / 1,415

800 / 1,760

2,000 / 4,400

620 / 1,370

1,400 / 3,090

1,245 x 914 x 1,473 / 49 x 36 x 58

1,422 x 914 x 1,651 / 56 x 36 x 65

965 x 1,300 x 1,500 / 38 x 51 x 59

1,700 x 1,700 x 1,550 / 67 x 67 x 61

1,190 x 1,660 x 1,585 / 47 x 65 x 62

1,560 x 1,550 x 1,890 / 61 x 61 x 74

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turning - two cutters

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x

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x

x

x

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/

/

o

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x

x

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x

x

x

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Precision toric ­generator, for mould production

4,000

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Generators

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x

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x

x

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<2°

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Speed of motor spindle (RPM)

depends on production mix 30,000

Axis

4

Axis cooling needed

x

Port/Interface configuration M = Multiple | OA = Open architecture Weight (kg/lbs) Dimensions (w x d x h) / [mm/ inches] (machine without conveyor)

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x

<2°

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32,000

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1,250 x 1,500 x 1,620 / 49 x 59 x 64

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twin

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Automatic lens loading/unloading

x

x

Chamfering

x

x

x

x

Pre-shape

x

x

x

x

Barcode scanner

x

x

x

x

Data protection/encryption design and macros

/

/

/

/

Features

Auto calibration

Process data information

x

Laser engraving

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Cribbing spindle (option) for producing lenses with complex shapes or for diameters smaller than 50 mm

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x

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-

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twin

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x

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-

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x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

-

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

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x

x

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Generators

Small labs (less than 100 l/shift)

DSC Prolab

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HSC sprint X

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Medium sized labs (100 3,000 l/shift) Mass production labs (more than 3,000 l/shift) Freeform

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x

x

x

x

Prismatic lenses

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x

x

x

x

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Lens diameter ∅ø (mm)

up to 85 mm

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up to 85 mm

up to 85 mm

Curve range concave (dpt) [Milling/Turning]

-18

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Curve range convex (dpt) [Milling/Turning]

+18

+30

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12,000

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Productivity (lenses/hour) [MR8, 1.6, Ø 70, sph. -3,0, cyl.

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4

4

4

4

Axis cooling needed

/

/

/

/

/

Port/Interface configuration M = Multiple | OA = Open architecture Dimensions (w x d x h) / [mm/inches] (machine without conveyor)

various 1,500 / 3,600

705 / 1,554

750 / 1,653

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900 x 1,120 x 1,030 / 35 x 44 x 41

900 x 1,120 x 1,030 / 35 x 44 x 41

1,310 x 930 x 1,200 / 52 x 37 x 48

1,360 x 930 x 1,200 / 52 x 37 x 48

/

/

x

x

x

twin

twin

Milling Process

9,000

Axis

Weight (kg / lbs)

Features

H

Turning (single or twin tool holder)

twin

Automatic lens loading/ unloading

/

/

/

/

/

Chamfering

x

x

x

x

x

Pre-shape

/

/

x

x

x

Auto calibration

x

/

/

x

x

Barcode scanner

x

x

x

x

x

Data protection/encryption design and macros

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Process data information

x

x

x

x

x

Laser engraving

x

x

x

/

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Further information

The all-in-one surfacing center combines generator, polisher, laser marker and measuring unit in one compact system.

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The HSC sprint X offers The HSC nano XP ofThe HSC sprint offers a higher preformance fers a higher perfor- all the benefits of digital compared to the HSC mance, offering full in a small, economical sprint and is a small milling capabilities for and powerful genand economical genfast PC machining and erator. Ideal for smaller erator. Ideal for smaller a high-speed laser. and mid-sized labs. and mid-sized labs.

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1,600 x 2,020 x 1,715 / 63 x 80 x 68

3,200 x 2,167 x 2,350 / 126 x 86 x 93

1,685 x 2,150 x 1,993 /67 x 85 x79

x

x

x

x

twin

twin

twin

twin

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

/

x

x

x

x, or optionally RFID

x

design x

x

x

x

/

/

x

/

The HSC smart XP is perfectly suited for mid-sized and large labs, supporting manual and automated production environments.

HSC Modulo XTS is the The all-in-one surfacfastest generator in the ing center features all market. Its extremely the technology to surpowerful XS-motor face 80 lenses/hour, produces the best lens in just 7 m². Blank in, in the shortest time. surfaced lens out.

HSC modulo ONE virtually combines the power of two generators. It produces best lenses at lowest cost per lens.

MAFO 3-22

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31.03.22 12:42 14:50 11.04.22

Suppliers Guide The Suppliers Guide is MAFO’s version of Yellow Pages.

In it you can find an overview of suppliers from the fields of: ▶ cleaning ▶ coating

and hard coating equipment

▶ lenses

equipment

▶ machinery – automation, control & packaging

▶ crystals

▶ machinery

▶ laser

▶ software

▶ lens

engraving & printing

surfacing machinery

▶ surfacing ▶ vacuum

– lens edging & industrial edging

and finishing consumables

coating materials

If you are interested in an entry in the Suppliers Guide, please contact Mrs. Classen: constanze.classen@mafo-optics.com

Cleaning and hard coating equipment

Coating equipment

Contact : optics@fisa.com

Bühler Alzenau GmbH

Business Area Leybold Optics

www.fisa.com

Siemensstrasse 88, D-63755 Alzenau T + 49 (0) 6023 500-0, F + 49 (0) 6023 500-150 leyboldoptics@buhlergroup.com www.buhlergroup.com

Hard coating ad:

Pub FISA - Optical World 88x40.indd 1

14/12/2021 16:49

World leaders in Lens Hard Coating Machines and process solutions Full range available for any production volume Expert advice on your application

contact us: (+44) 1462 49 16 16 sales@optimal-technologies.com

optimal-technologies.com

Crystals

Cleaning ad:

HARD COATING CLEANING

HARD COAT LEADER

TINTING CONSUMABLES EXPERTISE

271 rue Laszlo Biro Archparc FR-74160 Archamps Phone : +33 (0) 450 820 720 Email : office1@scl-intl.com scl-intl.com

World leaders in Ultrasonic Cleaning Machines prior to lens coating Full range available for any lens volume

UV Curable Hard Coat Adhesion On All Lenses Tintable Non-Solvent Based AR Coating Compatible Sales, Distributors Wanted Shipping Worldwide www.hcoating.com sales@hcoating.com

Expert advice on your application

Contact us for our full range: +44 (0) 1462 491 616 sales@optimal-technologies.com

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www.optimal-technologies.com

MAFO 3-22

11.04.22 12:35

Suppliers Guide Crystals

SUPPLIERS GUIDE

Lens surfacing machinery

QUALITY & SAVINGS FROM STOCK

www.filtech.com 617-227-1133 • 800-743-1743 paula@filtech.com

• Sensor Heads and Feedthroughs • INFICON Deposition Monitors and Controllers • Quality Crystals® • Vacuum Pump Fluids • Vacuum Measurement Gauges • Electron Beam Gun Parts • Ion Source Parts

Laser engraving & printing

Professional Lens

Engraving Concepts

RX AND MASS PRODUCTION

for Spectacles, Molds and Contact Lenses

Unique 3 in 1 - Functional Engraving - Job Number - Branding Mühlauer Straße 5 DE-09232 Hartmannsdorf

Satisloh AG Neuhofstrasse 12 CH - 6340 Baar / Switzerland Phone: +41 (0) 41766 16 16 Email: info@satisloh.com satisloh.com

+49 (0) 3722. 591 99 10 info@lensmarktec.com

www.lensmarktec.com

OPTICAL MANUFACTURING SOLUTIONS

Premium-Quality Laser Engraving of Spectacle & Contact Lenses Industry approved since 2004

SCHNEIDER GmbH & Co. KG Biegenstrasse 8–12 · 35112 Fronhausen · Germany Phone: +49 (64 26) 96 96-0 · Fax: +49 (64 26) 96 96-100 www.schneider-om.com · info@schneider-om.com

.com

ing www.ophthalmic-mark

Lenses

X-Cube Lens Digi-speed Printer

Enjoy, • unlimited designs • digi-speed process

C h o o s e y o u r f ra m e c o l o u r

www.tecofrance.com

!AZ.indd 8

White

Blue

Cyan

Green

Red

Purple

19.10.21 12:11

info@tecofrance.com

Lens surfacing machinery PUB_TECO-Juillet 2016.indd 1

25/07/16 17:59

Ophthalmic Equipment & Services for All Phases of Lens Production US ++-888-888-+8-UK +88 (8) + 68--68888 !AZ.indd 9 ASIA/INDIA +6--6 -8-8--CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC@CCCCCCTCTTCCTCTTCC.TCC ....CCCCCCTCTTCCTCTTCC.TCC

MAFO 3-22

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Suppliers Guide

SUPPLIERS GUIDE

Machinery - Automation, Control & Packaging

Surfacing and finishing consumables

GENERATING POLISHING EDGING 20 avenue Reille - 75014 PARIS - FRANCE THl. : +33 (0)1 45 89 84 44 - Fax : +33 (0)1 45 89 66 54 contact@agp-abrasifs.com - www.agp-abrasifs.com

Machinery - lens edging & industrial edging

Surfacing and finishing consumables YOUR ULTRA PRECISION Diamond Tools Manufacturer

> Excellent service and quick turnaround > Compliant with any generator

kydiamond.ca sales @ kydiamond.ca

Software

Vacuum coating materials

The Lab Management System Company LensWare International GmbH Robert-Bosch-Str. 32 63225 Langen - Germany !AZ.indd Phone : +49 61033/ 372 87 87 Email : info@lensware.de Web : www.lensware.de

www.cotec-gmbh.com

DURALON Hydrophobic Premium Coatings 05.10.17 17:18

Media

E L P M

incl. presence in the MAFO online ­Suppliers Guide

!AZ.indd 1

SA

1 module (88 x 40 mm) per year with company09.12.2010 logo 4c21:55:29 = € 990 p.a.

Uhr

Contact: constanze.classen@mafo-optics.com

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11.04.22 12:35

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CLOSING WORDS

Jamal El-Hindi – an open-minded marketing manager Jamal El-Hindi is Sales & Marketing Manager for North America at Filtertech, an international producer of liquid filtration equipment for industrial applications. The company has been in business for over 52 years now and Jamal is the third generation to work in the family business. The proud family man loves visiting new places, other cultures, traveling and being creative – both, in his free time and on the job.

Which celebrity – past or present – would you most like to meet

working in the entertainment industry had I taken that job.

personally, and why?

If not that, then I’d probably be part of a research and development team

Howard Hughes and Quentin Tarantino. I don’t know if Howard Hughes

for equipment or technology. I enjoy engineering and finding solutions to

is considered a celebrity, but he is someone in history I do admire. I don’t

design problems.

know a whole lot about Tarantino, but I admire his work and I think he’d be a fascinating person to have a beer with.

What is the best thing about your job?

I’ve always enjoyed designing and creating solutions for customers, but

If you had to do without one of your senses – vision or hearing

now as the sales and marketing manager, I enjoy creating solutions and

– which would it be?

developing systems to make the company more efficient. Having the

After COVID-19 it took months to get my taste back, and eight months

flexibility to try new approaches and work with teams to reduce bottlenecks

later I still can’t smell like I used to. I gained a new appreciation for my

and establish workflows is probably the best thing about my job.

senses, and worry that I may never smell the same again. To lose any sense is a terrible loss, but if I had to choose, I’d keep my vision over my hearing.

When was the last time you were fed up with your job?

Vision is just too important to me and I hope I never have to lose it.

Some of the most frustrating parts of my job are due to working in a family company, and that family is mine. It is very difficult to mix family and

What is your favorite place in the world?

business, and there are always complications. Usually these complications

I don’t think my favorite place in the world would be where I’d live. I love

run deep in the company history, making them difficult to change. The

traveling and seeing the world. One of my favorite places to visit is India.

days I am most fed up are usually due to those complications.

The food, the people and the culture are incredible to witness and the experience is incredibly humbling. I love places with strong, vibrant and positive

What was the most significant innovation of the last fifty years?

cultures, but when it comes to settling down and living somewhere, nothing

Obviously, technology is changing at an ever-rapid rate and innovations

beats home in the U.S. There are so many different climates, cultures,

such as the touch screen, DNA processing, laser technology, robotics and

people, and places to see within the U.S.

automation, and so many more have been incredibly significant, however, I think the most significant is the internet. Most innovations today rely on

What was the last event that deeply moved you?

or utilize the fast-paced network of communication from the internet. It

When I had my first child, Atlas El-Hindi, in May of last year. That is hands

has allowed our world to expand its availability of resources, expand global

down the last event that had the greatest impact on my life.

markets, share data and experience, and allow access from any part of the world to any other part of the world, making our world more accessible

If you didn´t do your current job, what else would you do?

than it has ever been before.

In my last four years of grade school, I was taken under the wing of an audio engineer who taught me how to use professional equipment and design audio

What would you do differently in your next life?

rigs for bands, concerts, and theater productions. In the summer before

In the next life I would read more. I’d love to say that I would do more, see

attending my first year of college, I was offered to take a job to go on tour

more, and not stand in the back corner during my 5th grade school dance.

with Willie Nelson and his stage crew. This would have prevented me from

Those, however, are part of my journey, and I don’t know if I’d give them

attending my first year of college. I was heavily persuaded against taking

up at this point. Being a stronger reader though, that is something I wish

this offer, and ended up at college instead. To this day I wonder if I’d still be

I had prioritized. In the next life I would read more. ◆

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MAFO 3-22

11.04.22 12:27

OUTLOOK

Did you know how scallops see?

Scallops have a highly developed optical system in each of their up to incredible 200 eyes! Light is bundled by a mosaic-like mirror and reflected onto two retinas. Scientists compare this setup with a modern reflecting telescope, as used in astronomy. The eyes of the scallop have a diameter of about one millimeter and consist of a cornea, lens, two retinas and a mirror layer.

In the human eye, it is the lens that focuses the light and ensures a sharp image on the retina. In the scallop, on the other hand, the refraction of light through the lens is very low, and here a concave mirror provides the focus.

The concave mirror consists of numerous square g­ uanine crystals with an edge length of 1.23 micrometers.

Experts are still surprised by the complexity, because it was long a­ ssumed that mussels have a very simple organ of sight.

Special topics in MAFO 2022

MAFO 01

MAFO 03

MAFO 05

Future Lab

Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers

Sustainable Processes

Technology & Innovation

Data Handling & Security

Go Digital!

MAFO 02

MAFO 04

MAFO 06

Preview MAFO 04/2022 Data Handling & Security is the special topic of the next MAFO issue and you will find related background articles and news, relevant for our industry, in MAFO 04.

In addition, this issue covers the challenging question “What do we mean by a ´perfect lens´ and can we produce it?” Furthermore, you will find an interesting article about blue light, protective coatings and how useful they are.

MAFO will also report about this year´s Mido, the first show in Milan since 2019, and of course you will find technical articles and news about many other current topics.

MAFO 3-22

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11.04.22 14:45

Missed an issue?

No problem, view the latest issues online: app.mafo-optics.com ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 18

ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 18

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY

3/2022 ▶ Technology Controlling oblique aberrations

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY

We help you to stay in contact

We help you to stay in contact

We help you to stay in contact

HIGH VOLUME INLINE CLEANING AT SMALLEST FOOTPRINT

2/2022 ▶ Special topic: Technology & Innovation

HONORING THE PAST, CREATING THE FUTURE.

Progressive design personalization

▶ Special topic: Future Lab

6/2021 ▶ Special topic: Future Trends

Go smart – dot by dot

Addition with one swipe

Green, automated and fast

Tinting – From gut feeling to process control

MAFO – The Conference 2022

An artificial intelligence-based method to optimize PAL designs

▶ Special topic: Ophthalmic Optics in Numbers

OPHTHALMIC LABS & INDUSTRY We help you to stay in contact

BLOCKING PERFORMANCE AT A NEW LEVEL

1/2022

Freeform spectacle lenses made by liquid polymers

Demystifying the dip coating process

100 years Satisloh ▶ Spotlight

Refraction from home

1922 - 2022

▶ Market Surveys

U.S. optical industry market

PREMIUM QUALITY LENS MARKING

Push for sustainability will change the industry

▶ Spotlight

Inkjet printing of easyto-clean coatings

European optics market

ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 17

ISSN 1614-1598 66527 Volume 18

Silmo 2021

▶ Business

Vision Expo West 2021

More than just primping the bride

Industrial edging

▶ Market Surveys ▶ Market Surveys

▶ Market Surveys

Lens Printing

3+

Cleaning machinery

Generators Small footprint

Fastest cycle times

Laser Engraving Highest flexibility

Highest throughput

LENS-ENGRAVER-EC

SEMI-VISIBLE MARKINGS USING EXCIMER LASER

One auto blocker covering virtually all of a labs’ blocking requirements at highest speed. With CCU Modulo ONE, SCHNEIDER introduces the only auto blocker today with automated block size exchange and achieves unprecedented efficiency in blocking.

Highest throughput meets smallest footprint – LCU Modulo ONE takes industrial cleaning to the next level, offering the same cleaning power as larger solutions but in a compact fully-automated inline unit. Utilizing the proven SCHNEIDER technology, it cleans both sides of the lens.

Time-consuming manual changes are a thing of the past. CCU Modulo ONE has multiple block sizes – a minimum of three and up to six – readily available. And the best part: The exchanges are carried out automatically and without increasing cycle time.

2022 marks our 100th anniversary. While this achievement demonstrates our commitment to and understanding of the lens manufacturing market, our focus continues to be the future success of our customers. We strive to achieve this by delivering innovative optical manufacturing solutions to improve the quality of life around the world. We owe our longevity to our customers, suppliers and employees we’ve worked with over the years.

LCU Modulo ONE’s new process logic facilitates intense and thorough cleaning despite its compact design. Labs can choose between a two or three cleaning station setup plus drying station. The brush cleaner effectively removes even prints and adhesive residues, preparing the lens for dip or spin coating.

LCU Modulo ONE comes with a loading and unloading robot on board. The fast transfer of the lenses results in shorter cycle times and superior throughput.

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

www.schneider-om.com

The proprietary lens measuring unit guarantees perfectly oriented lenses.

An intelligent fill control provides highly consistent and precise fillings – no under or over fillings. The alloy and block pieces can be refilled during operation.

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04.03.22 13:03

For more details: sales@satisloh.com

Non-stop uninterrupted blocking for highest throughput, at lowest cost per lens.

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

satisloh.com

Engrave premium quality markings (functional & branding) on all lens materials with Satisloh’s Lens-Engraver-EC – in less than 3 seconds per design. Featuring unique marking flexibility, its fully automatic process control and stability ensures repeatable and outstanding engraving results 24/7. The advanced excimer laser (193 nm wavelength) causes no thermal stress, micro-cracks, or coating delamination.

With the added flexibility, CCU Modulo ONE solves a well-known problem: Inefficient block size distribution and poor machine utilization. For any lab size, a wider range of blocking requirements can be met with a smaller number of machines.

It’s time to celebrate this incredible milestone. Visit us during Vision Expo East (New York), Laser World of Photonics (Munich) and MIDO (Milan) to cheer for the next 100 years!

Its affordable price and low cost per lens ratio make the LCU Modulo ONE a sound investment for any lab.

RZ_AZ_LCU_modulo_ONE_MAFO_03-2022_160x225_4c_engl_D.indd 1

Highest throughput

CCU m dulo

LCU m dulo

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

Little to no downtime

01_Titel.indd 1

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151 45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr 66527 Germany

www.schneider-om.com

RZ_AZ_CCU_modulo_ONE_2_MAFO_11-2021_160x225_4c_engl_D_JK.indd 1

satisloh.com

06.12.2021 12:42:18 17.12.21 16:34

Or get the official MAFO-App at your preferred App Store:

MASTHEAD PUBLISHERS ADDRESS

Eyepress Fachmedien GmbH Saarner Str. 151, D-45479 Muelheim a. d. Ruhr Tel.: +49-208-306683-00 Fax: +49-208-306683-99 Website: www.mafo-optics.com E-mail: info@mafo-optics.com CEO Petros Sioutis E-mail: p.sioutis@eyepress.de PUBLISHER Silke Sage, Petros Sioutis, Efstathios Efthimiadis FOUNDED 2003 by Jörg Spangemacher

BANK DETAILS

Bank account: Sparkasse Aachen Bank No.: 390 500 00, Acc. No.: 1073 3925 06 IBAN: DE21 3905 0000 1073 3925 06 SWIFT: AACSDE33XXX CHIEF-EDITOR Hanna Diewald E-mail: hanna.diewald@mafo-optics.com EDITORS Rebekka Nurkanovic E-mail: rebekka.nurkanovic@mafo-optics.com Britta Laupichler E-mail: britta@mafo-optics.com TRANSLATIONS John Saniter, Bopfingen EDITORIAL BOARD Jörg Spangemacher, Peter Baumbach, Mo Jalie

58

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PRODUCTION & LAYOUT Efstathios Efthimiadis, Pascal Bruns E-mail: production@eyepress.de DISTRIBUTION PressUp GmbH, Postbox 70 13 11, D-22013 Hamburg Tel.: +49-40-386666-308, Fax: +49-40-386666-299 MEDIA CONSULTANT Constanze Classen Tel.: +49-208-306683-20 E-mail: constanze.classen@mafo-optics.com ADVERTISING AGENT GREAT CHINA Beijing FOCUS Optics Culture Communication Co. Ltd. Room 319, Building 2, Nr. 1, Northbank 1292, Nr. 15 Jianguo Eastroad, Beijing 100024 (Chaoyang), P.R. China Mrs. Jian Wang Tel.: +86-10-8537-6529 Email: jennywang_focus@126.com Skype: jennywang611 焦点视光（北京）文化传播有限公司 北京市朝阳区建国东路15号院甲一号北岸1292 二号楼319室 邮编：100024 电话：+86-10-8537-6529 jennywang_focus@126.com 电邮：jennywang_focus@126.com ADVERTISEMENT RATES Price list no. 19, valid from January 01, 2022 Publication schedule 6 issues 2022: January, March, May, July, September, November

SUBSCRIPTION COSTS PER YEAR European Union € 140,00 (plus VAT for German companies) Overseas Seamail € 160,00 Overseas Airmail € 195,00 United States Seamail € 170,00 United States Airmail € 225,00 Single issue € 20,00 (plus mailing costs) The Publisher requires three months written notice on cancellation. Subscribers please note that proof of notice may be required.

PHOTO CREDITS P.10: benchart, P.12-13: Visual Generation, MicroOne, P.20: artographer34, P.24: Tran, P.30: Paulista, P.36: olly, P.40: Colin Maynard, P.41: Colin Maynard, P.42: Brooke Cagle, P.44: olly /stock.adobe.com, /pixabay.com, /unsplash.com PRODUCTION & PRINT Kollin Medien GmbH, Neudrossenfeld, Germany The publisher takes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Please note also that photographs submitted for use in MAFO cannot be returned. The publisher’s written permission is required for any reproduction, translation or recording of material published in MAFO, including extracts of such material. Permission will normally be given, subject to the usual acknowledgement. Copies made of published items must be limited in number and for personal use only.

MAFO 3-22

11.04.22 14:47

VOL. 4

mido.com

!AZ.indd 5

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A PARADIGM SHIFT in Coating

Coated lenses in 15 minutes in only 5m² Truly revolutionary! Satisloh® Film Lamination technology coats lenses 10 times faster than conventional coaters and at a fraction of the investment. So simple to operate, staff are coating lenses after just a short training!

The innovative Film-Pod at the center of the process uses our proprietary Satisloh® Tech-Film, a sophisticated, all-in-one, multi-layer film that combines multiple coatings with a bonding adhesive. The result: thinner, lighter and more impact resistant lenses with better aesthetics.

With unbelievably fast coating you can keep the entire value chain in-house!

Scan to learn more

!AZ.indd 8

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