As you begin your new career as an Eyewear Stylist, there are several terms that you need to know! Understanding the definition of these terms will help you better understand the content in these modules, so please take the time to fully review and learn these terms. :)
Add: Plus (near) power added to distance prescription for multifocals
Anti-Reflective: A coating that lets more light into a lens material therefore decreasing glare from the computer screen, fluorescent lighting and night driving. Is also helps with eyestrain.
Astigmatism: A condition where the eyes do not focus on a second meridian. Causes eye to be in the shape of a football/eclipse rather than a sphere.
Axis: The number that indicates the orientation of an astigmatism correction. It can be 1 to 180.
Base: The direction of prism prescribed- up, down, in, or out.
Base Curve: Indicates the curvature of the lens.
Bifocal: A Lens with a prescription for distance and near.
Bridge: the piece on a frame that joins the two eyepieces above the nose.
Corneal Reshaping Therapy: Corneal Reshaping Therapy (CRT) is a sophisticated procedure that utilizes specially designed oxygen permeable therapeutic contact lenses for the correction of nearsightedness. CRT contact lenses are worn while you sleep that gently and non-surgically reshape the cornea. The goal is to remove the lenses upon awakening to allow for clear uncorrected vision during the waking hours. Can only be fit by BJJ and KAM.
Cylinder: This is an indication of correction for astigmatism.
Drilled Rimless: Frame type that holds the lenses by screws or bushings only.
Eye Size: represents the horizontal width of the lenses
Face form: To contour the frame to the patient’s face which brings the Rx closer to the pt’s eyes.
Flexon: A frame material that has a memory that will hold adjustments well but will also remember to where it was when it goes out of adjustment. It is not always nickel free and can be hard to adjust initially.
Frame Heater: Mechanism used to heat frames in order to adjust them.
Gonioscopy: a procedure in which the doctor views the area where the fluid drains from the eye. The doctor places a special contact lens on the eye to view a structure called the angle. This structure is located at the outer edge of the iris. It cannot be viewed with any of the routine equipment used during a comprehensive eye exam.
Hyperopia: Far sighted.
Iris: The thin, colored, circular membrane of the eye.
Keratoconus: A degeneration of the cornea or the front surface of the eye where the contact lens sits. Instead of being a nice, smooth surface, the eye actually becomes irregular on the front side. Research hasn’t determined why it happens or who it generally happens to. It tends to be initially diagnosed in 15 to 25 year olds. The patient often needs a special contact lens type because the cornea becomes irregular and the patient needs a contact with unusual curves to get the lens to center correctly and for them to see clearly. This often continues to degenerate slowly over time and will eventually get to a pointy where they can only use the gas permeable contact. Because of the hard surface the gas permeable lens covers up the irregularity on the front of the eye. Many times these patients won’t even see well with glasses because they are looking through this irregular surface. This can progress to the point where the patient needs surgery for a corneal transplant. People with this condition are nearsighted with a lot of astigmatism that is increasing at a significant rate over time. This is not a common condition. It tends to run in families, but not strongly so.
Myopia: Nearsighted
Nose pads: Silicone or plastic tabs that are attached to the frame that sits on the nose.
Nose pad Arms: Metal pieces that the nose pads screw in to or pop in to.
Pantoscopic Tilt: To tilt the frame towards the face.
PD: Pupillary Distance; measurement of the distance between the pupils.
Presbyopia: In need of bifocals. A loss of ability to focus up close.
Prism: A type of lens that is used to correct eye turns or double vision (diplopia) to displace light in one direction.
Progressive: A trifocal without lines that has an invisible hourglass shape with some distortion to the side. Commonly called a no line bifocal.
Pupil: The small, black circular opening in the iris through which light enters the eye.
Ocular Photography (OPTOS): a Picture taken of the eye with computerized imaging. In this special procedure, the doctor will locate and determine by photograph the area of the eye identified during your examination.
OD: indicates the right eye.
OS: Indicates the left eye.
OU: Indicates both eyes.
Oversize: Frame eye size that is over 55.
Retina: The inner layer of the eye system containing the light sensitive cells and numerous nerve cells.
Retroscopic Tilt: To tilt the frame away from the face.
Routing Sheet: This is a form that lists all the types of appts and diagnosis and treatments by code. Every patient has a routing sheet made for every appt.
Segment Height: The height of a multifocal. Commonly referred to as a seg height.
Semi-Rimless: Frame that uses a nylon cord to hold lenses in.
Single Vision: A lens that has one prescription throughout the lens.
Sphere: Indicates the Rx for near or farsightedness. Minus is for nearsighted, and plus is for far sighted.
Stainless Steel: Frame material that is light, impact resistant, hypoallergenic and won’t corrode or turn green. Good for patients who have allergies to nickel.
Temple: The two pieces on a frame that curve behind the ear.
Threshold Visual Field: a test that measures the integrity of the visual pathways from the eyes to the occipital cortex, the part of the brain we use to see. It can also determine if any of the nerves in the back of the eye have been injured by too much pressure inside your eye. It is more accurate than a generalized side vision or peripheral vision test. This test is done by a technician, and then discussed with the doctor.
Titanium: A light, thin, flexible material that a frame can be made from. Is also hypoallergenic, corrosion resistant and holds adjustments well.
TORIC: Special curvatures that need to be incorporated something like a soft toric lens. These are needed sometimes because of a patient’s astigmatism, the way it is or the amount of astigmatism. This is determined by the doctor. Front toric means that the toric correction needs to be on the front surface only, bi-toric means that the correction needs to be on the front and the back.
Transitions: A plastic or polycarbonate lens that changes when exposed to UV.
Trifocal: A lens with an Rx for distance, intermediate, and near.
Visagraph: Accurately measures eye movement ability. This test allows us to evaluate a reader’s efficiency. For non-readers, the visagraph tests tracking ability (accuracy of left to right movements across a page). The patient is asked to wear goggles, which record eye movement as a paragraph at reading level is read. Patients who have difficulty reading will be given fixation (eye control) tasks. All patients will be asked to read numbers left to right. Then all eye movements are computer analyzed.
Vision and Learning: Concentrates on processing and gathering information through the visual system. Vision and Learning includes areas of: visual analysis, figure ground, visual closure, visual fine motor, and many more.
Zyl: Plastic material that frames are made out of. Sometimes heavier than metal.