New Generation with Alpha Fit
‘Children deserve frames that are designed to fit their developing facial features. Clear vision is vital when they are learning in terms of both educational and social development.’ Look at the new STEPPER EYEWEAR children’s frames and you can see they embody a new approach to frame design and construction. From every angle it is clear STEPPER Kids frames are as innovative as they are attractive. But, only once the extent of the science behind this ‘New Generation’ of frames is explained does their potential for helping the vision of our young become clear.
The Purpose of a Frame Corrective eyewear can be prescribed to a child for many reasons. Whatever these reasons, the primary purpose of a frame is to hold prescribed lenses in a stable position before the eyes as required by the eyecare professional. Ensuring the best outcome for children’s eyesight is foremost in effective paediatric eyecare.
Dr Alicia Thompson
Lenses Working Together in Lensesand andFrame Frame Working Harmony Together in Harmony The best outcomes prevail when the frame and The bestwork outcomes prevail thethe frame and lenses lenses in harmony towhen deliver optimum work in harmony eyecare solution.to deliver the optimum eyecare solution. After Afterchoosing choosingthe thecorrective correctivelenses, lenses,the theframe framefit and stability of the frame holds the lenses the most fit and stability of thethat frame that holds theare lenses important factors to consider. theconsider. frame slides down a are the most important factorsIf to If childʼs noseslides due to poora design, the resultant correction the frame down child’s nose due to poor can be incorrect or totally ineffective at such a crucial design, the resultant correction can be incorrect or time in the visual development. totally ineffective at such a crucial time in the visual development.
Childrenʼs Created from Science Children’sEyewear Eyewear Created from
Science
STEPPER Kids frames are designed and manufactured STEPPER framesresearch are designed and using newKids empirical into childrenʼs developing manufactured facial features. using new empirical research into childrenʼs developing facial features.
Building on its professional approach to frame design, BuildingEYEWEAR on its professional approach to frame STEPPER has worked closely with one of the design, STEPPER EYEWEAR has worked with worldʼs leading authorities on paediatricclosely eyecare: Dr Alicia one of the worldʼs leading authorities on paediatric Thompson PhD BSc (Hons) FBDO R (Hons) SLD SMC(Tech), eyecare: Dr Alicia Thompson PhD advance BSc (Hons) to create frames that significantly and improve FBDOR (Hons) SLD SMC(Tech), to create frames childrenʼs eyecare. that significantly advance and improve children’s eyecare.
from Science ・Enhanced by Innovation
n o i t a r Gene
Dr Alicia Thompson Dr Alicia Thompson
New Fit Alpha
Dr Thompson Thompson was was awarded awarded a a doctorate doctorate from from Aston Aston University University (one (one of of the Dr the UKʼs leading optometric universities) for research her research UK’s leading optometric universities) for her intointo paediatric facial paediatric facialapplied anthropometry applied to design. spectacle frame design. anthropometry to spectacle frame
with
Hans Stepper Stepper and and the the STEPPER STEPPER EYEWEAR EYEWEAR design design and and production production team team have Hans have been working closely with Dr Thompson to make her work a in been working closely with Dr Thompson to make her work a reality reality in childrenʼs frames. children’s frames. Using 3D 3D stereo stereo photogrammetry, photogrammetry, to to take take measurements measurements from from 1,334 1,334 3D Using 3D images of childrenʼs faces aged from birth to 16 across differing images of children’s faces aged from birth to 16 across differing ethnicities, ethnicities, Dr Thompsonʼs pioneering study has provided a most Dr Thompson’s pioneering study has provided a most valuable resource for valuable resource for frame designers. frame designers. ʻFollowingmy myresearch, research,I have I have been keen knowledge ‘Following been keen to to useuse mymy knowledge withwith frame frame companies who share in the importance of frames that companies who share my beliefmy in belief the importance of dispensing dispensing framesSTEPPER that areEYEWEAR fit for purpose. STEPPER EYEWEAR has are fit for purpose. has proved to be a valuable partner with proved to be a valuable partner with their commitment to ʻPerfect their commitment to ‘Perfect Fit’. Fitʼ.ʼ The resulting frames mark a significant step-change in children’s frame The resulting frames mark a significant step-change in childrenʼs frame of design. Dr Thompson’s work in understanding the facial anthropometry design. Dr Thompsonʼs work in understanding the facial anthropometry children has given STEPPER EYEWEAR accurate measurement requirements to of children hastogiven EYEWEAR measurement create frames meetSTEPPER the unique needs accurate of children. requirements to create frames to meet the unique needs of children.
Evidence Based Frame Design
Evidence Evidence Based Based Frame Frame Design Design
Incorporating evidence-based studies into the new generation of STEPPER Kids eyewear assists eyecare professionals to enhancestudies patient safety, optimise treatment outcomes, deliver personalised Incorporating Incorporating evidence-based evidence-based studies into the intonew thegeneration new generation of STEPPER of STEPPER Kids eyewear Kids eyewear assists assists care, establish professional credibility, and fulfillsafety, their ethical responsibilities. eyecare eyecare professionals professionals to enhance to enhance patient patient safety, optimise optimise treatment treatment outcomes, outcomes, deliver deliver personalised personalised care, care, establish establish professional professional credibility, credibility, and fulfill and fulfill their ethical their ethical responsibilities. responsibilities. It allows them to provide the highest standard of care for children's eye health and visual development. It allows It allows them them to provide to provide the highest the highest standard standard of care offor care children's for children's eye health eye health and visual and visual development. development. World Fit STEPPER EYEWEAR’s World Fit has led to the creation of three fits based on broad ethnic fitting World World Fit Fit characteristics. European Fit, Asian Fit and African Fit are now established fitting types within the brand’s extensive adult frame offering. STEPPER STEPPER EYEWEARʼs EYEWEARʼs WorldWorld Fit has Fitled has toled thetocreation the creation of three of three fits based fits based on broad on broad ethnicethnic fittingfitting characteristics. characteristics. European European Fit, Asian Fit, Asian Fit and FitAfrican and African Fit areFit now areestablished now established fittingfitting types types withinwithin the the By incorporating Dr Thompson’s work into children’s eyewear, the unique fitting characteristics have brandʼs brandʼs extensive extensive adult adult frameframe offering. offering. been integrated within STEPPER EYEWEAR’s fitting profile and are identified as ‘Alpha Fit’. By incorporating By incorporating Dr Thompsonʼs Dr Thompsonʼs work work into childrenʼs into childrenʼs eyewear, eyewear, the unique the unique fittingfitting characteristics characteristics have have been been integrated integrated withinwithin STEPPER STEPPER EYEWEARʼs EYEWEARʼs fittingfitting profileprofile and are and identified are identified as ʻAlpha as ʻAlpha Fitʼ. Fitʼ.
Alpha AlphaFitFit Fit Alpha Aftercompleting completing her her extensive extensive and acclaimed research, DrDr Thompson has shared herher findings After completing Dr Thompson has shared her findings After extensive and andacclaimed acclaimedresearch, research, Thompson has shared findings with with STEPPER EYEWEAR and worked with the brand to develop frames with outstanding fitting with STEPPER EYEWEAR and worked with the brand to develop frames with outstanding STEPPER EYEWEAR and worked with the brand to develop frames with outstanding fittingfitting characteristics characteristics for children. children. characteristics for for children. Using these these measurements measurements STEPPER EYEWEAR worked on new new designs. Starting with the thewith facialthe facial Using STEPPER EYEWEAR worked on Starting with facial Using these measurements STEPPER EYEWEAR worked on designs. new designs. Starting dimensionsas asthe the base, base, the the new new frame frame shapes shapes emerged. Once the fundamental designs were dimensions as the dimensions frame shapes emerged. emerged.Once Oncethe thefundamental fundamentaldesigns designswere were agreed, agreed, aesthetic aesthetic appeal could be applied. applied. agreed, appeal be aesthetic appeal could be could applied.
Age AgeRelated RelatedPaediatric PaediatricFacial FacialAnthropometric AnthropometricDesign Design Age Related Paediatric Facial Anthropometric Design AlphaFit Fit has has four four fit fit variants. Due to child facial development with age, critical changes in the the Alpha Fit development with age, critical changes in Alpha fit variants. variants.Due Dueto tochild childfacial facial development with age, critical changes in the face face shape shape require different frame measurements. For example, example, crest height, splay, angle, head face require different measurements. For height, splay, angle, head shape require different frameframe measurements. For example, crestcrest height, splay, angle, head width and width and and pupillary distance requires accommodating. accommodating. width pupillary distance requires pupillary distance requires accommodating. Thesefit fitvariants variantshave havebeen beenidentified identifiedas: as: These fit variants have been identified as: These -0 to 4 -4 to 6 -6 to 8 -8 to 10
to 4 4 ・0 to ・0 to 6 6 ・4 to ・4 to 8 8 ・6 to ・6 to 10 10 ・8 to ・8
How this translates into STEPPER Kids frame design is illustrated in the table below: Age
Crest Height
0-4
Splay
Pupillary Distance
0
4-6
2
6-8
3
8 - 10
5
Proportions, Dimensions, Contours, And Curves Fine Tuning Further customisation of frame parts, to match the frame more precisely to the wearer, are possible due to the enhanced features such as the TX5 endoskeleton nose pad and external/integral side adjustment. These final adjustments are made with the child by the eyecare professional. Innovative customisable frame parts: • • •
Interchangeable TX5 endoskeleton nose pad with silicone outer ‘skin’ Adaptable side length system Integral side adjustment within TX5 exterior
Materials Matter Transferring scientific data into three dimensional, practical frames requires a best for purpose material to deliver the correctly shaped frame parts that retain their shape over time. Exceptional frame making abilities to translate the demanding specification are required to produce frames that also look good and feel comfortable. STEPPER EYEWEAR’s TX5 high-tech injection moulded material allows for complex frame elements to be created. Designed using CAD and produced in 3D, each element leaves the mould in the final shape. The result is a frame that is the right shape and that keeps its shape – all day, every day. This reliability and stability of shape ensures that the frame maintains the correct fit, positioning the prescribed lenses before the eyes of the wearer as determined by the eyecare professional.
TX5 – Advanced Injection Moulded Plastic Creating an attractive frame whilst maintaining the fundamental purpose of holding lenses correctly before the eyes, requires use of a material with a multitude of properties. • •
Hypoallergenic materials are friendly to sensitive young skin. Shape-stable material maintain precise fitting with day-long, day-in day-out reliability.
•
All external frame elements are metal-free and out of harm’s way.
•
Every curve and corner have been rounded to keep kids safe and sound.
•
Nose pads are covered in silicone over a TX5 endoskeleton, making them so comfortable to wear.
•
25% lighter than conventional plastic material reducing pressure at touch points on the face.
•
High stability, improved impact strength and better scratch resistance (then conventional plastics) for durability.
Working With Modern Lenses Myopia management lenses are designed to provide specific optical zones that help control myopia progression. To achieve optimal optical performance, the lenses need to be properly aligned with the child's eyes. A well-fitted frame ensures that the lenses are positioned correctly, maximizing their effectiveness in slowing down myopia progression. By ensuring a good fitting frame for myopia management lenses, the child can experience optimal optical performance, clear vision, comfort, and safety. It also promotes better compliance with wearing the lenses, increasing the likelihood of successful myopia control outcomes.
Putting Children’s Eyecare First Sharing data and findings and discussing practical solutions has allowed academic knowledge with modern design and production knowhow to combine. This has been a unique frame development process, with the common goal of achieving the best possible vision correction outcomes for children.
SK- 72002
Colours
Size
Age
Size
Age
35-17-105 F550
F660
0-4
F880
SK- 73006
Colours F520
F360
37-17-110 F830
4-6
SK- 74000
Colours F740
F380
Size
Age
Size
Age
41-17-115
6-8
F960
SK- 75000
Colours F260
F370
44-18-120 F960
8-10