Chadwick Optical’s Frame Selection Tips

It is crucial to have the proper care when selecting a frame with a high plus lens. These are the three guidelines we recommend following when selecting your frame. 

  1. Frame PD is within 4 mm of PD. Minimizing decentration is important with high plus RX’s. Too much decentration causes unnecessary nasal thickness, and it serves no purpose.
  2. Frame B measurement is greater than 70% of the A measurement. On this type of RX, a very narrow frame accentuates the thickness at the top and bottom of the frame.
  3. Frame doesn’t have sharp corners. The corners create an area with drastic thickness changes on the finished glasses, making the lenses look thicker. An oval or round shape is preferable.

Is My patient monocular?

If your patient only has one good eye, you might want to consider putting the lens on center (disregard the PD). Often, the compromise in optics is minuscule compared to the aesthetic benefit.

Importance of Lens Curvature

We can make some beautiful high-plus lenses using the shapes outlined below. To do this, we change the lens curves through a process called freeform lenticularization. It is important to keep in mind that some patients are very sensitive to these changes in curvature. If you have a patient who you feel would be sensitive to these changes, we wouldn’t recommend straying from their current eyeglass lens design.

Chadwick's Standard Shapes

Shape #10: Standard

Fixed front and back curve, no lenticularization or asphericity.

Shape #11: Lenticular

A high base curve “bowl” on a flatter carrier lens. Can be done free-form or using standard semi-finished lenses.

Lenticularized Shapes

Shape #12:
HD Supermodular

Chadwick’s free-form version of aspheric supermodular cataract lenses

Shape #13: 
Backside Supermodular

Chadwick’s free-form backside aspheric lens. Best for lenses where the front side of the lens cannot be altered(polarized lenses, Transitions)

Shape #14:
2 Side Supermodular

Chadwick’s free-form aspheric curves cut into both sides of the lens. This is the thinnest lens design available

Shape #15:
Aspheric Wrap

Chadwick’s free-form aspheric lens optimized for wrap sunglass frames