Eye Care Information

Hi. Thank you for all of the useful information you have collected here. I was at Lenscrafters recently and they suggested a progressive lens called AVP. I'm wondering if this is any good or if I would be better off going somewhere else. I didn't really understand their explanation of why this was a good option compared to other progressive lenses on the market.

Thanks in advance for any information you can provide.

I wasn't able to find any information on the current Lenscrafters website, but I did find the below information on the cached pages of their old site:

Advanced View Progressive (AVP) lenses use digital technology to offer a wider field of vision at all distances, allowing you to take in the big picture. And their more natural transition between near, mid and far mean you see everything clearer and easier. Experience the difference that AVP technology can make.

Based on the current Lenscrafter's website listing of lens types, it appears their top progressive lens right now is the "High Definition LC Signature HD", which they describe as having the specific features of "edge to edge clarity" and "digital design for sharper clearer vision".

From what I can gather, the AVP lens was similar (if not the exact same as) the Essilor Accolade, at least for the lenses that Lenscrafters kept in the stores (it seems the Shamir Autographs were used for some lenses that were made in their out of store labs). The Accolade lens came out in 2007, so it is older technology but it does appear to use "free form" technology. Free form technology is what is sometimes called digital lenses, as they can grind the lenses to very specific custom patterns, as opposed to older lenses which were much more limited in how they could grind the patterns. While a digital / free form lens has the capacity to be much more customized to someone's needs, it isn't always the case. From what I gather, the AVP lens doesn't get a whole lot of the newer customizations - it is basically a free form grinding process, but of an older lens surface.

The newer progressive lenses use a more advanced free form / digital technology that takes into account more factors. I was able to find one published study (which used customized Zeiss progressive free form lenses) that found significantly greater wearer satisfaction. The customizations of the newer free form lenses (compared to the what it seems the Lenscrafters AVP used) include measurements of the back vertex distance (distance between the back of the lens and the front of the eyeball), segment height (which relates to how high or low the lenses sit on your face), pantoscopic tilt (the amount the lens is angled forward), and wrap angle (the sides of the lenses sit farther back than the part near your nose). With the newer lenses taking those measurements into account, people found they had a wider range of vision without distortions, particularly in the reading / near zone.

So - the bottom line is that the AVP lenses may be better than the oldest forms of progressive lenses, but the newest lenses seem ot have higher satisfaction rates with people adjusting more easily and having a larger range of good vision. At this time, some people are suggesting that the new LC Signature HD progressive lens is actually the same as the AVP.

Hi, the AVP lenses are great. Instead of just having the lens directly in front of your eye, it goes quite a bit over to the right and left. You don't have to turn your head to be able to see through the spots on the glasses. I have tried uses both and cannot do it. I keep going back to the AVP. I have tried them at other places as well and they just haven't worked. In fact, I'm getting ready to go to LensCrafters this weekend to order another pair.

The AVP lenses are great. They have a higher and wider 'intermediate' zone. I use mine for working at the computer. By comparison, my traditional progressive lenses are very poor for computer work. I could only see clearly through a very narrow section of the lens. The AVP lens has helped me to avoid neck strain while working on the computer. Love them!

LensCrafters must be watching and managing this site!

Lenscrafters are great marketers. Sadly, not so great at giving good vision

deepeee,

I can assure you that Lenscrafters are not managing this site. I doubt they even watch it. If you ever read the Costco glasses thread, I think you'll be convinced that I'm not employed by Lenscrafters.

I bought my apv glasses from Lenscrafters about 3 years ago. Love them. The field of vision is so much better, larger and sharper than with regular progressive lenses. I am now in the market for new glasses and have been shopping around because they are so expensived. I found that Sams Club carries Zeiss and Nikon lenses. From my internet research it appears that both of these lenses are top of the line. Also my estimated cost at Sams Club is about half the cost of a couple of other stores. Just saying.

Lens Carfters AVP is not digitally surfaced !

It is traditionally surfaced in house in an hour, the use an Essilor Accolaid ! This is out dated tech for a really high price point !

High Definition LC Signature HD at Lens Crafters is a digital lens. Lens Crafters does need to send out the glasses if you choose The HD Progressive. It is well worth it, and comes back within 5 to 10 days. They are an excellent lens!