Report 2009 - Are 1.8 index lenses coming?

Are plastic lenses with an index of 1.8 feasible? Yes – But do they also make sense? Such innovative discussions were part of “Mafo the Conference”. One day before the Mido, high-level representatives of the international eye-care industry met in the bright, modern congress center at the exhibition ground in Milan. Under the motto: “New Approaches in Ophthalmics” there were 14 interesting lectures by speakers from six different countries. An excellent atmosphere, lively discussions and a well rounded conference program ensured a positive reaction.
One might have expected a smaller number of participants than in previous years due to the general economic situation affecting many companies, but the reality at the conference told another story: The somewhat smaller room this time gradually filled up with experts and representatives from the eye-care industry in 15 countries; and these were joined by new last-minute registrations so that extra chairs had to be brought in. One soon had the impression of an overcrowded auditorium for a first-term college lecture. Many listeners took notes and at the end of each talk there were lively questions from the floor.
The conference was divided into four blocks which in turn were subdivided into three main topics. What was particularly interesting was that the different approaches and solutions of the various speakers could be compared directly with each other. The conference was again capably and sympathetically chaired by Prof. Dr. Peter Baumbach (Aalen University of Applied Sciences).

Plastic materials for spectacle lenses
In the opening session, three speakers from different countries discussed the first key topic: chemical factors influencing lens production. According to these talks, we can expect completely new and different materials for spectacle lenses in the future. Already the first lecture by Wim Bos (Acomon, Switzerland) was well received by the audience. It concerned spectacle lens materials especially well suited for rimless spectacle frames. Besides a short discusssion of the special requirements and lens characteristics, the lecturer gave a graphic description of suitable test methods for evaluating the stability and durability of the lens after edging. Polyurethanes have proved themselves to be dependable spectacle lens materials with respect to hardness, stability and optical characteristics.
In the second equally well received presentation, the emphasis was on high-refractive plastic materials used for optical spectacle lenses. Dr. Herbert Krug (Carl Zeiss Vision, Germany) posed the question – leaving aside the assumption that there is a limit to the increase in refractive index due to chemical, physical, optical and mechanical laws – what Abbe Number would still be acceptable for spectacle wearers.
Julien Buisson and Hiroyuki Morijiri (Mitsui Chemicals, Japan) continued the discussion in the next lecture with the question: “Is the sky the limit?” Contrary to what we had heard earlier, it was stated here that – thanks to new chemical compounds – plastic lenses with a refractive index of 1.8 were possible and that the previous assumption that one couldn’t go much beyond 1.74 had now been called into question.

Blocking systems in the lens industry
Also blocking systems in the lens labs are a field for innovation. Up to now it was standard practice to use a metal alloy for blocking the lens surface hitherto protected by a tape. Now there are systems which are free from the expensive, not entirely environmentally friendly and dirt-free metal alloys. Here, plastic PET blocks among others are used which are attached firmly to the lens surface by means of an UV-light hardening adhesive. There are many obvious advantages: the material is light, it can be easily recycled, it supports the lens over a larger area during the grinding operation and the lens can be further worked on with the block still attached, e.g. during coating of the inner surface or industrial edging. Randall S. Baldwin (Gerber Coburn, USA), Dr. Frank Breme, Marc Savoie (Satisloh, Switzer¬land) and Dr. Stephan Huttenhuis (Schneider Opticmachines, Germany) all proved to be expert speakers.

Quality control in China
After a good lunch, with the opportunity for lively discussions and making new contacts, the day continued with a variety of topics. The session was opened with a keynote speech by Prof. Dr. Liru Wang whom the Mafo team was particularly pleased to welcome to the conference. She gave a presentation on standardisation and quality assurance in China – an area which she is more than qualified to talk about due to her extensive professional experience. China, in the meantime, is now the largest producer in the eye-care industry. But rapid expansion – not only in this field – also places special demands on the need for standardization and quality control.
Her lecture was the most wide-ranging of the conference and many topics could only be touched on in the brief time available.
The contribution by Dietmar Noack (Cotec, Germany) was concerned particularly with the subject of ultrahydrophobic coatings and their significance for the future of the industry. Background: Hydrophobic coatings have a wetting angle up to 105 degrees and are now standard. With a wetting angle above this, the run-off effect is considerably greater and this offers many advantages to the spectacle wearer.
Thomas Fischer (Knecht Optik, Switzerland) discussed the future of the eye-care industry. After a review of what we have been through (“We really had it so good!”) and a look to the future (“It’s going to get worse!”) he came up with the provocative argument that the industry can still continue to supply its products just as well to the end users, in order to maintain its market position.

Bringing spectacles and wellness together
One of the highlights of the conference was the presentation by Ralf Cordes and Frank Spors (Fielmann Academy, Germany). Their graphic and well researched lecture dealt with the topic of spectacles as a wellness and healthcare product. Where spectacles are concerned, one first thinks of attributes such as protection, quality, fashion or comfort; while on the healthcare market they tend to play a rather subordinated role. However, in an aging society, sight is a crucial factor when it comes to keeping up with younger people. The demographic trend leads us to expect a substantial rise in jobs in the healthcare market. AMD and cataracts, for example, are conditions which are usually directly related to the age of the patient. The visual perception and the protection of the eyes from a medical point of view will become increasingly significant. Special lens tints, developed according to physiological considerations, will play an important role here. Also the field of activity of the optician can be expected to increase.

Data processing and software solutions
At the final session the speakers were mainly concerned with the subject of data processing. Georg Weiss (Look4Company, Germany) particularly stressed the importance of standardization when it comes to data exchange. As well as looking at the different requirements, he also gave examples of practical solutions. Peter Kraus (Peter Kraus IT-Services, Germany) then went into details concerning data exchange to do with industrial edging: A very complex process with very many potential sources of error which need to be eliminated. Robert Shanbaum (Ocuco, USA) and Stephen Cohen (CC Systems, USA) followed, giving papers respectively on data exchange and data processing in connection with FreeForm technology.
At the end of the conference, discussion of the lecture topics continued over a glass of cham¬pagne. All in all a very successful prelude to the fair which opened its doors the next day.