The manufacture of a prescription lens, also known as an ophthalmic lens, is a specialised process that involves the creation of a curved surface that corrects vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism or presbyopia.
This is a highly specialised process that requires high-precision equipment and technology. In addition, strict quality standards must be followed to ensure that the lenses are safe and effective in correcting the patient's vision problems.
The first step is to receive a prescription from an eye care professional, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist. This prescription specifies the prescription needed to correct the patient’s vision problems. Ophthalmic lenses can be made of different materials, such as glass, organic plastic or polycarbonate. The choice of material depends on factors such as type of correction, weight, scratch resistance and comfort.
The next step is to mount a block on the front surface of the lens to hold it in place during the manufacturing process. The block is bonded to the lens with a temporary substance that will dissolve later. The lenses are placed in grinding machines that use abrasive discs to shape the lens surface according to the patient’s prescription. This step involves removing material from the lens to create the necessary curvature. The lenses then undergo a polishing process to smooth out any roughness and achieve the desired final shape. This ensures that the lens is clear and free of imperfections.
In the next stage, additional treatments may be applied to the lenses according to the patient’s needs. These treatments may include anti-reflective coatings, hardening, tinting, UV protection, etc.
Once the lenses are approved, they are mounted in the optical frame selected by the patient. This involves adjusting the lenses in the frame so that they are in the right position to ensure clear vision. Before the glasses are delivered to the customer, a final inspection is carried out to ensure that the lenses are properly mounted in the frame and that the patient can see correctly.
