Abstract: A progressive ophthalmic lens designed for use in eyeglass frames having a vertical ("B") dimension <36 mm is presented. The lens features a short (nominally 13-14.5 mm) progressive corridor and a novel treatment of the progressive optics that compensates for the distortion effects, i.e., astigmatism, that would otherwise result from the compression of the optics into a smaller than usual area. That includes (1) permitting a small amount of the astigmatic aberration to extend into the peripheral zones of the distance portion above the distance fitting center, with 0.50 D isocurves of surface astigmatism forming an included angle of about 110.degree., (2) defining a circle of 30 mm diameter centered 2 mm vertically below the distance fitting center in which the maximum value of unwanted astigmatism does not exceed the add value of the lens plus 0.25 D, (3) distributing astigmatism so that the isocurves from D.sub.1 to D.sub.

Abstract: A progressive ophthalmic lens is presented which is a linear composite of a hard lens design and a soft lens design resulting in a composite lens which combines features of the visual utility of a hard lens design with the visual comfort of a soft lens design.

Abstract: Plus and minus power ophthalmic spectacle lenses for the correction of distance vision incorporating a convex aspherical front surface are provided. The front surface of the invention is described mathematically as an inside-out conicoid. the inside-out conicoidal surface, when used in conjunction with a concave spherical or toroidal back surface, provides a lens having improved off-axis optical performance and reduced thickness and flatness characteristics relative to prior art lenses of the same back vertex power and refractive index.

Abstract: Lenses are presented in occupational, dynamic activity and general purpose configurations, len lenses all being of compatible polar or bipolar progressive power design to form a series of progressive power lenses.

Abstract: A device for detecting hidden marks on progressive aspheric ophthalmic lens is disclosed. The device includes a housing, a light source within the housing, a magnifying lens mounted above the housing and a target element mounted within the housing between the light source and the magnifying lens. A progressive aspheric ophthalmic lens is supported by the housing at a position between the target element and the magnifying lens. A light beam is directed from the light source through the target element, the ophthalmic lens and the magnifying lens. The ophthalmic lens is then visually inspected through the magnifying lens against a background provided by the target element to detect the hidden marks.

Abstract: A thin sheet of flexible material shaped like an inverted "T", is applied to the aspheric distance portion of a progressive-addition ophthalmic lens, to provide stable three-point contact for blocking the lens prior to second-side surfacing in the prescription laboratory.

Abstract: In the embodiments of the bipolar progressive power ophthalmic lens described in the specification, the constant power distance portion and reading portion regions of the progressive power surface are reduced to mathemtical points and the surface astigmatism aberration is reduced to a minimum level by spreading it over a maximally large area of the lens. The points are the poles of a bipolar system of isopower contours and the entire progressive surface is swept out by the curve of intersection formed between a sphere of variable radius and a corresponding circular cylinder of variable diameter with the dimensions of relative positions of intersecting sphere and cylinder chosen so as to produce a gently curving surface to provide a smooth optical effect.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens for the correction of presbyopia having a progressive power surface generated by the line of intersection of an ordered sequence of intersecting spheres and cylinder surfaces, the cylinder surfaces being so chosen as to produce a uniform distribution of aberration and optical power for gently curving smooth optical effect.