Objective

Basic Manual Lensometry

Perform manual lensometry neutralization on spectacles, measuring the SPHERE, CYLINDER and AXIS with an accuracy within the tolerances of ANSI Z87-1 Standards.

Overview
Purpose of the Lensometer Components of the Lensometer Procedures for Lens Neutralization using a Manual Lensometer

Purpose of the Lensometer

Determine power of spectacle lenses Locate optical center of lens Measure prismatic effect Verify prescriptions ordered from lab

Components of the Lensometer

#1 - Eyepiece #2 - On/Off Switch #3 - Spectacle Lens Table #4 - Lens Table Elevation Lever #5 - Lens holder #6 - Power Wheel #7 - Axis Wheel #8 + Lens to Aid in Reading Axis Wheel #9 - Power On Indicator Light

Components of the Lensometer (cont.)

POWER WHEEL (#6): BLACK numbers indicate plus (+) power RED numbers indicate minus (-) power

Procedures for Lens Neutralization using a Manual Lensometer

Preparation:
Adjust lensometer by tilting it up or down, until its comfortable to look through the eyepiece Focus the eyepiece: With the instrument off, turn the eyepiece counterclockwise (CCW) until it stops Place a piece of white paper in front of the Lens Holder Look into the eyepiece & slowly turn the eyepiece clockwise (CW) until the mires (black circles) become clear and then STOP! Dont keep turning.

Procedures for Lens Neutralization using a Manual Lensometer (cont.) Check the calibration of Lensometer:
Turn lensometer on; look thru eyepiece Turn the power wheel to focus the sphere and cylinder lines clearly Look at the Power Wheel: it should read zero (0) diopters (if it does not, your lensometer needs serviced!)

Procedures for Lens Neutralization using a Manual Lensometer (cont.)

Neutralizing SPHERICAL Lenses: Start with the Power Wheel @ +9.00D Insert spectacles with the RIGHT lens in the lens holder, temples pointing AWAY from you.

Procedures for Lens Neutralization using a Manual Lensometer (cont.)

Adjust Spectacle Lens Table until the lens is approximately centered:
Be sure both lenses are touching the lens table!

Look into the eyepiece and rotate the Power Wheel until the sphere & cylinder lines come into focus (You can re-center the lens at this time, if necessary)

Procedures for Lens Neutralization using a Manual Lensometer (cont.)

- Once the SPH and CYL lines come into sharp focus you can record the power indicated on Power Wheel - Since this is a spherical lens (SPH and CYL lines focused at the same power), you would record SPH after the power number to indicate there was no cylinder or axis.

Procedures for Manual Lens Neutralization

Neutralizing Spherocylinders
Always start with the power wheel in a high plus position: +9.00 works well Insert and center lens in lensometer lens holder Turn the power wheel until narrow sphere lines come into focus If the thicker cylinder lines come into focus first, turn the axis wheel until the sphere lines come into focus

Procedures for Manual Lens Neutralization

Neutralizing Spherocylinders (contd)
Fine focus the sphere lines and make sure they are continuous Record power indicated on power wheel as the sphere power

Procedures for Manual Lens Neutralization

Neutralizing Spherocylinders (contd)
Turn the power wheel until the cylinder lines come into focus; do NOT turn the axis wheel Fine focus the cylinder lines

Procedures for Manual Lens Neutralization

Neutralizing Spherocylinders (contd)
Remembercylinder power is the distance traveled between the sphere reading and the cylinder reading on the power wheel ------------------------------------------------------------ Finally, record the axis that is indicated on the axis wheel

Procedures for Manual Lens Neutralization

Neutralizing Multifocal Segments
Measure & record the Rx in the top portion of the lens as just described in the first part of this lesson. Now, set the Power Wheel back to the SPHERE power reading you obtained Raise the spectacles using the lens table until the bifocal segment is in the lens stop Rotate the power wheel to re-focus the SPHERE lines

Procedures for Manual Lens Neutralization

Neutralizing Multifocal Segments (contd)
The distance you traveled from your starting SPH reading to this this new SPH reading is the ADD PWR of the bifocal segment EXAMPLE:
Rx in top (distance) portion of lens showed SPHERE power to be -1.00. The SPHERE lines in bifocal segment of the lens came into focus at +1.00. Distance traveled was two diopters in the positive direction so your ADD POWER for these specs is

+2.00

Procedures for Manual Lens Neutralization

Neutralizing Multifocal Segments (contd) TWO METHODS for measuring multifocal ADD POWER Practical Method vs. Exact Method
In the Practical Method, you measure the distance Rx, then simply raises the lens table up until the bifocal segment is in the lens stop. We just used the Practical Method in our description of how to neutralize the ADD POWER of a multifocal. This method is accurate when the distance Rx shows a SPHERE power of +4.00D or less.

Procedures for Manual Lens Neutralization

Neutralizing Multifocal Segments (contd)
Exact Method of Multifocal Power Measurement
Used when the distance prescriptions shows a SPHERE power stronger than +4.00D Exact Method is done by turning the glasses around to measure the ADD PWR Put another way, the glasses are put in the lensometer so that the temples now point toward you, rather than away from you.

Summary
Purpose of the Lensometer Components of the Lensometer Procedures for Lens Neutralization using a Manual Lensometer

Thank You
MP Michael Patrick Coleman, BS, COT, USAF MSgt Donald Murphy, CPOT, USAF MSgt Brent Sonnier, CPOT, USAF