Health & Wellbeing

AdlensFocuss eyeglasses switch focus with the twist of a dial

AdlensFocuss eyeglasses switch focus with the twist of a dial
The AdlensFocuss glasses can instantly switch between three levels of magnification
The AdlensFocuss glasses can instantly switch between three levels of magnification
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The AdlensFocuss glasses on display at CE Week in New York
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The AdlensFocuss glasses on display at CE Week in New York
The dial on the inside of the temple arm used to switch betweenmagnification rates
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The dial on the inside of the temple arm used to switch betweenmagnification rates
The AdlensFocuss glasses can instantly switch between three levels of magnification
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The AdlensFocuss glasses can instantly switch between three levels of magnification
The AdlensFocuss glasses are available in four different frame styles, each of which comes in a choice of six finishes and colors
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The AdlensFocuss glasses are available in four different frame styles, each of which comes in a choice of six finishes and colors
View gallery - 4 images

A few years ago, UK-based Adlens developed self-adjustable glasses designed to let those in the developing world dial in their ideal magnification level – no optometrist required. Now the company is bringing the technology to thedeveloped world as an alternative to bifocals. Instead of looking through a differentarea of the lenses (and tilting your head forward and back) to switch from near to far objects,the magnification of the AdlensFocuss glasses is adjusted by a small dial on thearm.

Like the similarly charitably-focused Eyejusters, the AdlensFocussglasses incorporate two lenses for each eye. In this case, the wearer's prescription lens islocated in the front, while a deformable lens is placed behind it, with a layerof clear silicone oil sandwiched in between.

Manipulating a small dial on theinside of the temple arm squeezes the lenses together or pushes them apart,altering the magnification rate. This allows the glasses to instantly switchbetween three different settings – distance, mid and reading – that are presetwith the user's prescription.

The dial on the inside of the temple arm used to switch betweenmagnification rates
The dial on the inside of the temple arm used to switch betweenmagnification rates

Adlens calls this technology Variable PowerOptics (VPO) and says it provides four times the viewing area of the bestno-line bifocals, which require the wearer to move their head around to findthe focal sweet spot. Putting it simply, the company says its AdlensFocussglasses provide an experience similar to wearing single vision lenses, but witha much greater focal range.

The company launched its AdlensFocuss eyewear inthe US at the start of June and was showing its wares at CE Week in New Yorkthis week. The glasses are available in four different frame styles, each ofwhich comes in a choice of six finishes and colors, with prices starting ataround US$1,000.

Source: Adlens

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7 comments
7 comments
xs400
Isn't there something called the Superfocus already on the market? http://www.zdnet.com/article/superfocus-the-ultimate-eyeglasses/
habakak
$1000 is pricey (and only STARTING at that). But I used to wear bi-focals and it was a royal pain. This could be a much more convenient solution.
William H Lanteigne
To save approximately $975 (yes, online bifocals cost me as little as $25, and no, they aren't cheaply made), I'll tilt my head from time to time.
esar
Make them auto focus, and I'll have a pair
StephenBest
Superfocus seemed like a good idea, too, but now they have shut down. Small wonder -- the lenses leaked, and if they lasted a year, the buyer was lucky. I will wait to see what happens with Adlens before considering them.
GaryWainright
What I want to see now is some type of lightweight autofocus circuitry based on where the user is looking.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
Wish I would have seen this when I had lineless bifocals. Got cataract surgery for refractive correction in '93 and never looked back!