Major Advances Made In Eyeglasses Technology

Optometrists shared their knowledge of a revolutionary alternative to progressive eyeglass lenses.

Aging eyes often have a difficult time seeing clearly, which was usually fixed with progressive lenses. Progressive lenses contain several prescriptions for seeing near, middle and far distances, 10TV's Andrea Cambern reported.

"So many patients are frustrated when they see the distortion sometimes with the optics in lenses that are currently available," Lima Optometrist Dr. Ann Rea Miller said.

Optometrists from across central Ohio gathered to learn about how glasses with microprocessors built into the frames work.

"These work by tilting your head down to read, they automatically come on," said Richard Abel of Pixel Optics. "When you tilt your head up to look at the world around you, they automatically turn off."

The lower halves of the lenses were made from liquid crystals. The crystals change focus when the person wearing them moves his or her head.

"It is liquid crystal built in the lower half of the lens that activate the additional reading power," said Able.

The glasses need to be charged, just like a cell phone, but the charge lasts several days.

Able said the lens settings can be changed manually with a one-second tap to the temple.

"I think this is the next advancement in technology in lens wear," said Miller. "I'm excited to bring that back to our patients."

The glasses would cost $1,200 to $1,500 and would be available in central Ohio at around the first of the year.

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