ZEISS ClearView Single Vision lenses represent a milestone in optics and aesthetics of Standard Single Vision lenses

Standard single vision (SV), whether spherical (SPH) or aspherical (AS) is the most sold
ophthalmic lens type worldwide. Now ZEISS has identified a way to get many attributes of
complex single vision freeform lens designs into both stock FSV lenses and standard SV
surfaced lenses. The result is ZEISS ClearView Single Vision lenses. It offers high optical quality
in order to provide clear vision from the lens center to the periphery and is very thin and flat at the
same time.

A closer look at different single vision lens designs
To get a better understanding of this ZEISS innovation, it makes sense to take a closer look at
single vision lens designs. The choice of lens design impacts the aesthetics, comfort of the lens,
and optical performance. Spherical (SPH) single vision lenses, for example, are typically
optimized using only one free parameter (the radii of curvature of the lens surface). Aspheric
(AS) single vision lenses have a more complex shape. Typically, the lens front surface is
optimized with a low number of free parameters in one meridian. Double aspherical single vision
lenses are generally optimized using twice the number of free parameters. But in summary, all
these lens designs do not adequately address the peripheral optics of most prescriptions.
Freeform lens design – stepping beyond spherical, aspherical, or double aspherical
In the 1990s ZEISS pioneered freeform lens design technology in surfaced lenses – which are
made to order. And now it is also ZEISS that has introduced single vision freeform lens design to
improve the optics and aesthetics of the SV lens category. This is possible due to a specially
created freeform lens design for FSV and the new ClearForm manufacturing process that
incorporates this design into the finished lens. The lens design includes point-by-point
optimization with the use of around 700 free parameters across the lens. This ClearForm process
utilizes the latest computer numerically controlled (CNC) generators that use special diamond
cutting and polishing tools to surface the complex shaped molds for ZEISS ClearView FSV
lenses. The final lens delivers, on average, a three times larger zone of excellent clear vision, 1 to

 

provide the wearer with more clarity from the lens center to the periphery. It is therefore designed
to deliver a higher level of comfort and satisfaction for the eyeglasses wearer. In addition, the
complex lens shapes allow wearers to experience this vision clarity in a flatter and thinner lens
than conventional SV lens designs that rely on steeper base curves to provide just acceptable
optical performance. In numbers, this means: ZEISS SV ClearView lenses are on average 34
percent flatter across all prescriptions and up to 16 percent thinner compared to typical spherical
single vision lenses. 2 , 3

 

“ZEISS is transforming the single vision market by bringing many aspects of freeform lens design to the SV lens category,” explains Bryan Rossi, the President of Zeiss Vision Care Canada. “Freeform lens design combined with the ClearForm technology used in ZEISS ClearView SV enables complex lens shapes that were previously only possible in surfaced single vision lenses. ZEISS now offers premium quality optics in finished single vision lenses, combined with fast delivery and affordable pricing to ensure everyone can access the benefits of ZEISS optics,” adds Maryam Karbalaei, the Marketing Manager of Zeiss Vision Care Canada. 

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