Lens Analysis That Differentiates the Optical Experience

A complete-package lens analyzer, VX40 by Visionix is moving the industry forward, one practice at a time.

Fully automated and easy to use, the VX40 offers the highest caliber of wavefront lens analysis, yielding accurate results that make for an optimal patient experience. Compatible with all lens technologies and brands, the VX40 can detect and analyze bifocals, progressive and single vision lenses.

THE RIGHT DATA TO BOOST LIFESTYLE DISPENSING

Dr. Michelle Hoff
OD, FAAO, ABOM, FNAO

Dr. Michelle Hoff, OD, FAAO, ABOM, FNAO, cofounder of Sightline Ophthalmic Consulting and a professor at the UC Berkeley school of Optometry, works with ECPs as a consultant. She explains the distinction between a lensometer and a lens analyzer. “With a lensometer, you’re just looking through a keyhole because it only measures 6 to 8 mm of a lens surface, whereas the lens analyzer is like looking through a window, giving you a 44-by-65-mm window,” she says. “You can see a bigger picture of what is going on in terms of the lens design and performance characteristics.”

Dr. Hoff notes that especially for higher add powers (over 1.75), the VX40 gives you, the ECP, the ability to identify whether the lens in question has a hard lens design or a soft design. “You can even kind of tell the shape, whether it has an X, Y or T pattern to it,” she adds. “You can estimate or have a pretty good feel for the patient experience and match that design to the patient’s visual needs.”

From a practical standpoint, Dr. Hoff explains, “If a patient is predominantly driving with their progressive lens, then you want to give them the biggest, widest, sharpest distance vision possible. But if they need to multitask with it, then you want to make sure you give them something that emphasizes all three of those areas: distance, intermediate and near.”

Dr. Hoff says she finds the Delta Cylinder map to be the most useful to her. “Doctors want reliable information. That one gives me so much information about any lens and how it’s designed.” The colors indicate the areas of clear, omfortable vision.

A USER-FRIENDLY DEVICE TO EMPOWER YOUR STAFF

For private practices, Dr. Hoff admires the instrument’s versatility and ease of use for practitioners of all levels, noting, “It integrates well from the pre-test area to the exam room and finally in the optical center. The VX40 is user friendly for the beginner, advanced or master user,” she says. “You just put the glasses in and push the button, in less than a minute, you’ve got information.”

Dr. Hoff explains the ease of integration you will experience with the VX40 as well. “It integrates into the EHR flawlessly. The doctor can get the information to the auto phoropter, see the images of the patient’s current glasses, and ask them about their visual experience. Based on that, the doctor can say, ‘I’m going to prescribe lenses to meet all your visual needs and great visual experience.’”

“Every day, I learn more about the VX40’s features and how to maximize them,” says Dr. Hoff. “Many ECPs just want to know what the lens performance is within their lens portfolio, and I can look at it and say, ‘Here’s how you need to market this.’”

NOTABLE FEATURES

Automatic lens type
Automatic measurement
Freeform lens analysis
Single vision measurement
Progressive lens analysis
Comparison between progressive lenses
Internal printer
Monocular and binocular PD measurement

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

How would you justify the addition of an automated lens analyzer to your practice? Dr. Hoff explains, “A lensometer is inexpensive because it’s hard to use and offers limited data output. The VX40 lens analyzer is in a class by itself. A novice user can operate it successfully with virtually no training – which translates to fast adoption and flexible practice placement.”

“Additionally, use the side-by-side feature to sell a higher percentage of premium lenses because your opticians can show the patient tangible differences in lens quality using the topography maps,” Dr. Hoff continues. “The VX40 lens analyzer helps you educate your patients about the new lens designs, verify laboratory orders and troubleshoot prescription problems with confidence. I can’t afford to be without one.”