Optician Craft: Playing with Custom Lens Shapes

This week we bring you something a little different. A very brief, behind-the-scenes look at a little creative, hands-on lens work for an upcoming video shoot. No razzle-dazzle production here, just a look over my shoulder as I design, edge and drill two pair of lenses for an upcoming test. See what you can do to a lens with some basic hand tools, imagination and patience.
Learn More: opticianworks....
Opticians often do hands-on finishing bench work to add special features to an eyeglass lens. Here’s a behind the scenes look at designing, edging and drilling two pair of lenses. Nothing fancy, just something fun for an upcoming test. Optician training should include practical lens finishing instruction. See what you can do to a lens with some basic hand tools, imagination and patience. A good optician should never be afraid to try something new.
Learn More: opticianworks....
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This video lesson is sponsored by Laramy-K Optical
Laramy-K Optical is a digital uncut and coating lab unlike any other. The only exclusively uncut lab in the country; we provide our customers with independent, high-end alternatives to corporate brands. Through craftsmanship, technology, and independent, innovative vendors like Younger, IOT, A&R, and Quantum Innovations we offer our customers the Integrity portfolio of freeform lenses and coatings. Made in the USA, the Integrity brand is not a generic house-brand, but is the absolute best available, designed to give the wearer that “wow!” experience.
In addition to the digital line, we still offer conventional surfacing, including glass. Maintaining traditional equipment gives our customers vastly more flexibility in their dispensing, particularly when it comes to more difficult prescriptions.
Learn More: www.laramyk.com

[@chadjohnson3736]

Thanks for all the videos and all the information on the optician Works website going to take my ABO on the 8th of this month. Wish me luck thanks a lot John. Any tips on ABO requirements would be greatly appreciated

[@LaramyKOptical]

Chad, Sorry somehow I missed your comment here. If you REALLY worked through the OpticianWorks program you will pass the ABO. As I say it is about concepts. Think about the concept that they are trying to see if you understand and you will pass. Process of elimination and understanding the concepts will get you to the right answer every time. Oh, and Good Luck! John

[@bpark10001]

How did you get the edger to cut the concavities on the lenses? normally, edgers will not do concavities, as the wheel is large. When drilling lenses, they tend to shatter, or if not, cracks radiate from the holes in time.

[@LaramyKOptical]

Brian, In this case it is WYSIWYG. What you see is what you get. A good edger is capable of cutting some pretty unique shapes. Yes, you are correct that much beyond what I tossed at it might not work, unless, it is a milling edger instead of a wheel based edger. Milling edgers can cut almost any shape. You say, "When drilling lenses, they tend to shatter, or if not, cracks radiate from the holes in time." But, didn't I just show you that isn't true? Try it! In fact, get in touch through the website and I'll send you a few practice lenses. John

[@bpark10001]

No, you didn't (show you can drill lenses without cracking). Note my comment "in time". When you play "Saturday's Carpenter" and drill holes like that (without cooling and by hand with a portable drill), you heat-stress the plastic, which becomes in tension as it then cools. Put that lens you drilled under a polariscope. Most likely you will see dazzling colors around the hole, which WILL CRACK sooner or later. By the way, the 1.56 index plastic has more tendency to do this. I had 1.56 lenses "explode" when lathing them to fit into a phoropter I was building.

[@LaramyKOptical]

Brian, Here is what was posted with the video on social media sites. I guess I should have posted it here too. Don't Be Afraid! You don't start off sewing the Queen's ballgown- you start by sewing a pillow case. You don't start off tuning Ferraris - you start off rebuilding the engine in a '69 VW. You don't start off hand crafting artistic one-of-a-kind lenses - you start by getting a feel for the materials. So grab some poly or Trivex lenses and get to work! Just like that "Saturday's Carpenter" you have to start somewhere. Woodworkers start with a hammer and chisel to get a feel for how different wood grains behave. Thank you, John

[@falaplazmy]

1/4" drill? Big "no-no", use metric! ;-)

[@LaramyKOptical]

That is also my 6.35mm bit. I use either term depending on my mood. ;-)