WRITER April Petrusma

In an era of cheap online spectacles and contact lenses (CLs), optical dispensers must articulate why premium single vision lenses justify their price premium. The answer lies in measurably superior outcomes: reduced optical aberrations, enhanced digital comfort, improved aesthetics through aspheric design and thinner materials, greater visual clarity, and of course, durability.

For practices, premium single vision products offer higher margins, fewer returns, and a point of differentiation in a commoditised market. Success requires moving beyond basic measurements to a consultative approach that matches advanced lens technology to individual patient needs.

April Petrusma explores how innovations in measurements, materials, and coatings are reshaping single vision correction – and how practitioners can leverage these advances.

Single vision optical lenses have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the 13th century, when early spectacles were invented to aid reading by correcting presbyopia using simple convex lenses. By the 1600s, concave lenses had been developed to correct myopia, marking the true emergence of single vision correction for a broader range of refractive errors.

The Industrial Revolution brought about mass production, which made glasses more affordable and widely available. The 20th century introduced lighter plastic materials, anti-reflective coatings, and more precise prescription standards. Today, single vision lenses remain the most common form of vision correction, now enhanced by digital manufacturing, premium materials, and advanced lens coatings.

In 2025, eye care professionals across the country are seeing the benefits of these premium products in practice. As Jacobus Boshoff of Ultimate Eyecare explained, the latest single vision lenses represent a significant advancement in addressing complex prescriptions. “We use HOYA Nulux iDentity V+ for difficult and high prescriptions in our practice. It is a digitally corrected, aspheric lens that compensates for ‘as-worn’ frame measurements. We find that SVN and SVD (single vision near and single vision distance) prescriptions that have complicated spherical, cylindrical, or prismatic powers, have good patient outcomes, compared to older aspheric lens designs. The wide field of view has been mentioned by happy customers, and people who previously had spherical lenses find them better in just about every way.”

However, it’s important to note that positive outcomes like these aren’t guaranteed simply by dispensing a premium product. With the introduction of advanced, precision lenses, the entire dispensing process has evolved, and a basic pupillary distance (PD) measurement is no longer enough.

Today, optical dispensers play a critical role in ensuring visual success – carefully matching the lens design to the patient’s specific visual requirements, selecting the most suitable materials and coatings, and taking highly accurate measurements that account for frame fit, facial and eye anatomy, and wearing habits. This attention to detail is what transforms premium lenses from a product into a personalised visual solution.

MEASUREMENTS

It is essential for eye care professionals to not only understand the features and benefits of the lenses they recommend, but also to have an in-depth knowledge of the specific fitting and ordering requirements each product demands. Some single vision lenses, like the B.I.G. Exact Sensitive from Rodenstock, offer groundbreaking levels of precision, and achieving their full potential relies on capturing a detailed set of measurements to deliver a truly individualised design.

As Gladys Mak of Rodenstock explained, “B.I.G. lenses are the first to incorporate both biometric eye measurements and an individual’s personal visual sensitivity level.”

She said a DNEye Scanner is used to collect personalised data and measurements to ensure maximum visual clarity is achieved for the wearer.

“The DNEye Scanner captures over 7,000 data points from each eye, including corneal curvature, corneal thickness, anterior chamber depth, pupil size, and axial length – to create an exact biometric eye model.”

AESTHETICS

Premium single vision lenses are now as much about aesthetics as they are about clarity, and the continued advancement of lens indexes plays a crucial role in their design. While traditional materials, like CR-39 (1.498 index), have long been reliable general-purpose options, they fall short for patients with high ametropia. In such cases, thinner, higher-index materials are needed to combat thickness and reduce optical aberrations caused by higher lens powers.

Tokai Optical, for example, has pushed the boundaries of lens material innovation. According to its website, in pursuit of the thinnest and lightest lens possible, the Japanese lens manufacturer has successfully combined a 1.76 index lens material with an in-house aspheric design concept, driving this class of lenses to new and undiscovered heights.

Justin Chiang from Tokai Optical said the result is particularly advantageous for patients with complicated or higher prescriptions.

“High index solutions combined with a premium lens design, such as Tokai’s HR-W– a next-generation double-sided aspheric lens that is made-to-order and optimised to the power, curve, thickness, and size of the lens after an order is received – truly create a superior wearer experience,” he said.

Mr Chiang also highlighted the critical role of the dispenser – not only in recommending the right product, but in ensuring precise measurements are taken to unlock the full potential of premium lens designs.

“Tokai HR and HR-W incorporate technology used in progressive lenses to enhance the field of view and, as such, factors like frame wrap, pantoscopic tilt, and vertex distance are all incorporated into the final lens calculations.

“Taking individual measurements can further optimise the benefits of the lens design to improve visual performance,” Mr Chiang said.

COATINGS

The marriage of digital precision and high-index materials is not complete without a sophisticated lens coating. Premium lens coatings are designed to enhance the overall visual performance of a lens and should be carefully selected to complement the lens design and meet the wearer’s needs.

And as eye care professionals, it is crucial to recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to lens coatings. This is why many manufacturers offer a range of options tailored to different visual demands and preferences.

CR Labs, for instance, has developed a comprehensive suite of premium coatings under its Satin+ range. Designed to evolve with the diverse visual and aesthetic needs of patients, the Satin+ suite includes specialised coatings such as Satin+ Night for enhanced low-light performance, Satin+ Blue for digital comfort, and Satin+ Vogue designed to elevate personal style.

Similarly, ZEISS offers a range of premium DuraVision AR coatings, with various options designed for situations that demand more than just a traditional anti-reflective coating.

CONTACT LENSES

Single vision lens wearers often make ideal contact lens candidates, so when you are presented with a glasses-wearing patient, you are also presented with an opportunity to introduce them to the benefits of modern contact lens technology.

Contact lenses have come a long way since their rigid beginnings in the late 19th century. Once limited to hard gas-permeable lenses that offered sharp vision but little comfort, the market now offers a wide array of advanced options.

Soft silicone hydrogel lenses, introduced in the 1990s, revolutionised contact lens wear with their enhanced oxygen permeability and improved moisture retention – dramatically reducing dryness and discomfort.

According to Alcon, its Total family of contact lenses are the first and only lenses with nearly 100% water at the surface, so nothing touches the eye but a gentle cushion of moisture. Available in both monthly and daily options, optometrist Jerry Mathias noted, “when fitting patients with these lenses, they always comment positively on the handling and feel, and once on the eye, they often say it’s more comfortable and feels like there’s nothing there”.

But comfort is just one piece of the puzzle. Recent innovations in contact lenses now go beyond basic vision correction, offering functional enhancements that support long-term eye health. Johnson and Johnson’s Acuvue family of contact lenses, for instance, incorporates UV protection across its entire product range, claiming to block at least 97% of UVB and 82% of UVA rays. The company has also developed lenses with Transitions Light Intelligent Technology, which are designed to reduce light sensitivity by adapting to changing lighting conditions. Acuvue Oasys with Transitions lenses help reduce exposure to bright indoor and outdoor light, offering a more comfortable visual experience throughout the day.

Looking ahead, the future of contact lenses is even more exciting. Smart contact lenses are already on the horizon, with cutting-edge prototypes currently in clinical trials. These next-generation lenses are being developed with built-in sensors, wireless connectivity, and micro-displays to deliver real-time data directly to the wearer. Innovations include glucose-monitoring lenses for diabetes management, intraocular pressure lenses to detect early signs of glaucoma, and augmented reality lenses capable of overlaying digital information onto the real world.

As contact lens technology continues to advance, patients can look forward to premium solutions that not only improve vision but also promote eye health, enhance daily comfort, and even integrate with digital life.

SUMMARY

As the landscape of vision correction continues to evolve, the focus on personalised, high-performance solutions has never been more important. From advanced measurements and design innovations to sophisticated coatings and contact lens technology, today’s options allow for tailored vision correction that truly meets the needs of each individual.

April Petrusma is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Optical Dispensers Australia. A qualified optical dispenser, she has a degree in visual communication design and a high level of expertise in optics, business management, and tertiary education. Ms Petrusma is a senior trainer and assessor at the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing, teaching across various states of Australia and New Zealand.