INTRODUCTION TO

PRACTICAL AND
MECHANICAL OPTICS

Noeh O. Fernandez Jr., OD, MATS

 Definitions

• Lens - a portion of a transparent medium

bounded by two refracting surfaces
• Ophthalmic Lenses - includes prism without
focal power and any optical appliance worn
before the eyes
• Subdivided into SPECTACLE LENSES
AND CONTACT LENSES
 Definitions cont...

• Spectacle lenses -lenses that are held in

frame or mount
• Contact lenses - lenses that are fitted to the
eye itself
 Functions and Effects

• To correct and relieve refractive errors and

anomalies to binocular vision
• To improve sub-normal visual acuity to
provide magnification when desired
• To protect the eyes from harmful radiations
or from injury by agencies such as wind,
dust, flying particles, etc.
 Undesirable effects

• Restrict the field of view

• modify the size and shape of the retinal
images
• disturb the oculo-motor balance
 Main Classifications

• Materials: Glass, plastic or others

• Focal properties: spherical or astigmatic
• Purpose: single vision, bifocal or multifocal
• Form: Flat or curved
• Color: Transparent or tinted
• Field of view: Full-aperture or lenticular
• Edge form: Flat edge, bevel edge, etc..
 Historical Review

• Three main factors have contributed to the

evolution of modern ophthalmic lenses in
all their bewildering variety and complexity
 Historical Review cont...
• First is an increased understanding of the optical
system of the eye, together with its anatomy and
physiology
• This knowledge provides the basis for the science
and art of refraction
• The introduction of astigmatic lenses, the use of
prisms and the scientific prescribing of tinted
lenses are among the developments which have
sprung directly from progress in refraction and
physiological optics
 Historical review cont...

• Second, progress in technology and

manufacture in several fields has led to the
development of many new types of lenses
such as PAL, Multicoated lenses and many
various plastics and so on..
 Historical review cont...

• Third, the study of lens theory from the

standpoint of geometrical optics has
profoundly influence the design of spectacle
lenses and has led to the almost complete
complete disappearance of the earlier form
FIRST MATERIALS FOR
LENSES: GLASS
 Glass

• Non-crystalline amorphous solid that is

often transparent
• Oldest types of glass: silicate glasses based
on silica, the primary constituent of sand.
• First glasses were natural occurring glass
(OBSIDIAN) which were used for the
production of sharp cutting tools
 Assignment

• Enumerate and Describe the Stages of

Manufacturing of Ophthalmic Glass