The Use of Clip-On Glasses Frames for Optical Purposes in Combine Eyewear
For ametropic presbyopes: one, two, or one-and-a-half glasses for clear distance, intermediate, and near vision?
It is estimated that presbyopia, as a result of aging, has affected 1.8 billion people in today’s world, potentially ever since humanity existed. In addition to eyeglasses, which are the focus of our discussion here, there are many methods on the agenda for presbyopia treatment (see: Reference). The size of the target audience has led to intense competition among solution providers. Here, we first observed certain problems faced by those using a pair of monofocal glasses for distance-near vision, as well as those who opted for a single progressive pair instead of carrying two pairs of glasses. As 18-years progressive glasses user and having personally experimented over the last three and half years, we want to present a solution we’ve reached. Personally, as a 63-year-old retired ophthalmologist still working freelance, during my ophthalmology specialization training as a research assistant 32 years ago, I had the idea— inspired by the example of our grandmothers implementing a rough method—of adding a nice and suitable frame with (+) spherical lenses for near vision on top of distant glasses. However, this remained just an idea. What caught our attention three and half years ago was a system where magnetic clip-ons without arms attach sun, polarized, and similar filters to optical frames with arms (Image). So, what did we do?
Image: Clip-on glasses set examples
First, we attached a piece, called clip; with (+) 2.5 lenses for full near vision correction at reading distance to our single-focus (monofocal) full-distance correction magnetic framed glasses; the clip, lacking arms, easily adhered to the main frame due to its magnetic design on both sides. With these modules, near vision has become 360 degrees complete and perfect since most of lenses on the market are now aspheric. By attaching and detaching the clip, the distant-near effect could be changed instantly.
However, our mistake was not choosing a frame that allowed easy attachment and detachment of the clip. This issue led us to acquire frames that are easier to use and inspired us to design sturdier clips instead of delicate ones. It would be appropriate to suggest and encourage manufacturers to produce more specialized clip-on frames.
Our next curiosity was to determine whether the most critical problem we experienced with our progressive glasses had already been resolved under current market conditions. So, what was our problem?
Eighteen years ago, when we first started using progressive glasses, they sufficiently addressed distant and near vision needs, but the vision was not fully clear in intermediate distances, such as desktop computer screen, market labels, dining table etc. when looking straight ahead. As a solution, upon the advice of an optician friend, we acquired another type of progressive glasses, which are office glasses. With office glasses, we could see intermediate distances, like computer screens, while sacrificing distant vision. However, we did not reach a complete solution with a single pair of glasses and continued using two pairs of progressive glasses.
Having used two pairs of glasses for many years, three and half years ago, we witnessed a well-known lens manufacturer claiming that their progressive lenses provided distant, intermediate, and near vision with a single lens. We immediately acquired such a pair of lenses. While distant and near vision was satisfactory, the result was still negative for computer use. Specifically, using progressive glasses while working on the computer, required bending our neck slightly backward to look through the lower portion of the lens designed for intermediate vision for extended periods. This was neither ergonomic nor comfortable. Despite trying lenses from three different companies, we experienced the same outcome. Suggestions offered as solutions, such as looking from slightly below the lens, lowering the computer screen, or raising the chair, were not practical. Comfortable computer use was only achievable with office glasses, which compromised distant vision.
On the other hand, we were also testing the success we achieved with single-focus (monofocal) glasses in progressive glasses. We added progressive lenses with (-4D and -4,5D) for distance and (+2.5 for near correction—addition lenses) to a clip-on pair of glasses that could be easily attached and detached. Using an armless clip with different (+) spherical intermediate-distance lenses, we conducted trials. When a clip with low-powered lenses of (+0.75) or (+1)—suitable for most patients but recommended to be determined by an eye physician—was attached to the main frame, we observed that the texts on the computer screen at intermediate distances were perfectly clear when looking straight ahead. Both near reading and keyboard distances were also clear.
In conclusion, the result was a kind of office glasses. Since the clip of this frame was very easy to attach and detach, we could switch between distance and office glasses in a short amount of time. Clip-on frames were aesthetic, and in our research, we did not come across any optical applications with magnetic clip-on frames on the market. Due to the lack of supply and approach, there is no demand either.
There have been negative feedback reports from our doctors regarding custom-made lenses (https://www.todnet.org/html/todnet.asp?a=gozluk-camlari ). The method we tested provides solutions to some problems in this area and is expected to see demand. Particularly in underdeveloped countries or among patients with low economic means, who struggle to acquire two pairs of progressive glasses—one for office use—and even in developed countries, we believe our experience will attract interest from at least a portion of patients. This topic is still untouched and requires a wide-scale patient satisfaction study. To distinguish the practice we introduced, we named it “Combine Eyewear” and registered it along with a clip-on glasses design without any commercial concerns to prevent misuse. Colleagues and optician friends who wish to work in this field and contribute to the literature are welcome to contact us for collaboration.
Reference
Chang DH, Waring GO, Hom M, Barnett M. Presbyopia Treatments by Mechanism of Action: A New Classification System Based on a Review of the Literature. Clin Ophthalmol. 2021; 15: 3733–3745.