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AHOV 2212
Introduction: Lens-frame Alignment INTRODUCTION
Ophthalmic Optics & Dispensing 2
• Material requirements
◉ Look for: • Plastics
Spectacle Frame – Air-gaps around the edges of the lenses • Plastic materials require heat, the
type of plastic determining the
– Chips at the lens edge
Alignment – Uniformity of bevel
temperature at which they should
be manipulated.

& – Stress in the fitted job

• Metals
• Specific tools
• “hot spots” at the rim, particularly at the
Adjustment eyewire position – Frame manipulation also
requires the correct tools

Dr. Shah, PhD

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Nylon Jaw Pliers Angling pliers Pad Adjusting Pliers

•Padding helps avoid marking frame •Structure of pliers end allows gripping •Plier ends specifically designed to
during adjustment of hinge joint grasp nose pads BACK OF
PAD
•Can be used for: •Used to:
•Some pliers have a pad that will have – Adjustment of pantoscopic tilt – adjust splay (angle to edge
groove in centre to grasp a metal (temple open) of nose) and NOSE PAD
temple.
– Temple folding angle (temple – frontal (angle of pad to
closed) vertical meridian) of nose
•Can be used to: pads
– Supporting hinge while bending
– support the bridge during temple to adjust pantoscopic
coplanar frame adjustment on angle
rimless frames whilst adjusting
nose pads
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Finger Piece Pliers Square/Round Pliers Standard Frame Alignment

•The tapered (round) jaw of these
The jaws of finger piece pliers do pliers can fit into the narrow gap • Standard alignment
not close together but remain
between the front and the joint
parallel and apart when ‘closed’.
of the frame.
They have small depressions in the
jaws to fit screw heads. •Can be used in conjunction with
double-padded pliers to adjust:
Can be used to: place along endpiece hinge screw – Coplanar lenses, X-ing
▪Adjust pantoscopic tilt – Pantoscopic tilt
▪Parallel jaws do not fully close reducing risk of crushing – Folding angle
frame – Round side aids in bending
▪With hinge closed, grip either side of hinge screws or metal with a rolling action, e.g.
endpiece, rotating until appropriate angle is achieved nose pad arms
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Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d

1. Checking the contour of the frame front 2. Checking that the lenses are in the same plane
• It is the process of manipulating a frame into a
shape determined by the manufacturer.
• It should be done before fitting the frame to pt
& is normally carried out by the frame
Ideal
manufacturer, in the first instance, & the lens
laboratory, after fitting lenses to the frame. Twisted

• If the frame is in perfect alignment, then any
fitting errors that are apparent when the frame is
placed on the patient are due to the patient’s
features and likely asymmetry.
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• The frame should also be checked from above to ensure that
• The frame should be checked to ensure that it is symmetrical when viewed
both lenses are in the same plane (allowing for facial wrap) &
from the front.
• It should then be viewed from above to ensure that it has correct facial wrap. that one lens is not in a plane anterior to the other or twisted
• A ruler can be held across the back of the frame, touching at the temple (often referred to as X-ing).
joints.
• The front should then exhibit the same gap at both sides of the bridge.
• The figure shows a case of X-ing.
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Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d

3. Checking the angle of the 4. Checking that the temples are in the same plane 5. Checking the angle of the temple bends
temples (let-back) (pantoscopic tilt)

• Let-back is the angle

betw. the opened
temples & the frame
950
front measured from
inside the temples.

• This angle should be • The temple ends should be compared to ensure that they are
about 95°. That is, the • The frame with the temples opened should be viewed • symmetrical.
temples should open from the side to ensure that the temples are in the same • Standard alignment involves aligning the frame to an ideal
slightly wider than plane. shape, rather than to suit a particular person.
parallel. • Frame adjustment, which will be considered later, will address the
• That is, that they have the same pantoscopic tilt. issue of pt asymmetry.
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Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d Standard Frame Alignment...cont’d

6. Checking conformity on a flat surface (4-point touch) 7. Checking the folding angle
8. Checking the tightness of the
temples.
9. Checking the overall appearance.

• The frame should be placed upside down on a flat surface.
• If the frame is correctly aligned the frame should rest on the surface
without rocking.
• This step simply indicates that one of the first five steps have not
been carried out correctly.
• It will not indicate which step or steps are at fault.
• Therefore, if the frame rocks, the first 5 steps should be applied again in
their correct order.
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• The temples when folded should fold level & close to horizontal.
• If they are angled down when closed, they should be adjusted while in the
closed position and step 4 re-applied to make sure that the pantoscopic
tilt has not been affected.
• If the folding angle is too shallow the temple ends can rub on the lenses.
On the other hand, if the folding angle is too deep the spectacles will not
fit in their case.
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8. Checking that the joints are not too tight or too loose:
The temples should be relatively easy to open & close but should not
close with gravity or a light shake.
9. Checking the overall quality of the frame:
Finally, the overall appearance of the frame should be checked. This
will include looking for scratches or marks on the frame.
These final two steps represent an overall quality control check.
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Conclusion
Adjusting Spectacle Frames
• Importance of standard alignment
– Accurate standard alignment ensures faster & more accurate
adjustment to the features of the pt.
– While it is normally carried out by the laboratory before when
the spec are made, it should be checked by the practitioner
before delivering the spec to the pt. Frame
• Limitations of repairs
– While frames can be repaired, using the methods described in
Adjustment
this lecture, the repaired frame is not as strong as it was
originally. • The frames must sit comfortably on the face & should have
– This is particularly true of the plastic bridge repair and solders to the appropriate pantoscopic tilt & facial wrap etc.
metal frame bridges, since the bridge of the frame is generally
under the greatest stress. Frame repairs are best considered as • Therefore, be taken to ensure an accurate adjustment.
a temporary measure. 19
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• Frontal angle
Adjusting Spectacle Frames • The fitting triangle (triangle of force) – This is the angle of the bridge of the frame when viewed
– A well-fitting spectacle frame should apply pressure at only from directly in front of the patient.
3 points, the bridge & the side of the head at the top of – Patients with very wide and flat bridges require much
– The fitting triangle each ear. greater than normal frontal angle.
– Bridge fitting – If pressure is applied to the side of the head in front of the • Splay
Pressure
ears the frame will be forced forward. This will also create
– Frontal angle pressure against the ears which will resist the forward – This is the angle formed by the bridge of the frame when
motion of the frame. viewed from above.
– Splay – Again, patients with very wide and flat bridges require
much greater than normal splay.
The fitting • Bridge fitting • Most plastic frames do not meet these criteria and so pad
triangle
– Since the bridge supports most of the weight of the arm frames are the only viable choice.
spectacles it is important that the frame apply even
pressure on the surface of the nose. – Pad arm frames also allow more flexibility in adjusting the
height of the frame, an important factor in fitting
– With metal frames that have adjustable pads the splay and progressive lenses.
frontal angle should adjusted to ensure even pressure.
Plastic frames and metal frames with ‘comfort bridges’
need to be selected carefully so that they fit correctly.
Frontal 22 23 24
Splay
angle
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Adjusting Frames - the Steps • Frame adjustment must be carried out in Horizontal Alignment
the correct sequence, working from the
• Frame adjustments - the steps front of the frame to the back.
– Step 1: Horizontal alignment
– Step 2: Pantoscopic tilt • Step 1: Horizontal alignment.
– Step 3: Temple width – The alignment of the frame front horizontally
(using the eyes and facial features such as the
eyebrows as points of reference) and
– the facial wrap must be carried out before any
attempt is made to adjust the temples.
– Any changes made at the front will affect the
pantoscopic tilt and the length to bend so the Ensure that the frame is level on the face and that the vertical position of
front must be adjusted first. the frame is appropriate for the position of the eye.

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Facial Wrap Step 2: Pantoscopic tilt. Pantoscopic Tilt

• Ensure frame follows the line of the face
– Shape of the frame front, when viewed from above, should follow
the shape of the face and the lenses should be equidistant from
each eye.
– A frame that is too flat will reduce the field of view and introduce
more peripheral aberrations
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– Pantoscopic tilt needs to be adjusted to suit
the lens type and the patient’s facial features.
– It may be necessary, for example, to reduce
the pantoscopic tilt to prevent the frame
from resting on the patient’s cheeks.
– Priority, though, should be given to the
needs of the lens.
– If the patient’s facial features do not permit
adequate pantoscopic tilt for the lens type
with the chosen frame then a new frame
should be selected.
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• It is the angle at the vertical plane between the optical

axis of a lens and the visual axis in the primary position
• Step 3: Temple width: Adjusting Frames - the Steps
(horizontal) with the lenses tilted forward. –The temple width should be adjusted to
• Most spectacle lenses require a pantoscopic tilt of ensure that the temples do not come in • Frame adjustments - the steps
about 8° - 10°. – Step 4: Side bow
• Progressive lenses require a slightly greater
contact with the side of the head in front – Step 5: Length to bend
pantoscopic tilt (10° - 14°). of the ears. – Step 6: Anatomical bend
• to ensure a wide reading and intermediate field.
–Square-round pliers are most effective for
• Pantoscopic tilt is adjusted by bending the hinge with this adjustment with the round jaw fitting
angling pliers with the temples open. neatly in the right angle of the front and
• Bending the hinge with the temples closed will only affect the
folding angle. temple.
• It should also be done prior to adjusting the length to bend

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•Step 4: Side bow.

– Once the temples are opened out to ensure that they do
not exert pressure on the patient’s head in front of the ear,
they must be bowed slightly to create pressure at the base
of the fitting triangle.
– This involves applying even pressure along the temple’s
length with the fingers.
Temple Width & Side Bow • The temple width should be adjusted so that there is no
pressure forward of the root of the ear.
• The temples should be bowed so that they are parallel
with, but exerting no pressure against, the temples.
• The only points where the frame should apply pressure to
Pressure the head are indicated by the fitting triangle, that is, the
bridge of the nose and the sides of the head behind the
ear.

• Any pressure against the patient’s temples will result in

the frame being forced forward off the face, creating
pressure against the side of the head and behind the
ears.
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Step 5: Length to bend. Step 6: Anatomical Bend

•The last two steps involve adjusting the bend at the end Length to Bend
–Once the position and angle of the bend is determined
of the temples. Adjusting the temple length to the fit against the side of the head must be adjusted.
•The correct type of bend is a definite bend such as the bend
shape the manufacturer created. –The frame should follow as closely as possible the shape
•It should not be rounded, nor should there be multiple of the mastoid bone.
bends. According to Brooks and Borish, “A well-fitting –If the head is bumpy and the temple end remains
bend is a sharp bend.” • Correct length to bend is important for straight it will exert pressure on the points where the
Too
•The bend should start about 2 mm behind the root of comfort & security of the frame on the face. temple ends are tangential to the bumps.
short
the ear to allow for some movement, particularly of • If the bend is too short the frame will ride
facial muscles. up causing discomfort for the wearer &
increasing the pantoscopic tilt artificially.
•It should also follow the shape of the root of the ear for • The angle down short start about 2 mm
at least the first half of the angle down. past the root of the ear & should be a
definite bend & not too rounded.
• A rounded bend will also cause temple to
ride up on the ear. Correct
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length

Anatomical Bend Common Complaints Conclusion

• Minimise pressure behind the ears

• Sore behind one ear • Patients are concerned about spectacle comfort.
• Sore on one side of nose • Patients are as likely, arguably more likely, to
• Frame slipping but tight complain of physical discomfort than visual
discomfort.
• Frame loose
• Careful adjustment of the frame is therefore
important for patient satisfaction.
• That is, the bend of the temple end against the side of the head. • Most modern spectacle lenses also demand accurate
• The temple end should follow as closely as possible the shape of the &careful fitting of the spectacle frame for greatest
mastoid bone to apply even pressure against the side of the head. effect.
• The ears should not ‘anchor’ frame.
• The frame should be held in place by the pressure applied to the side of the
head. 40 41 42