ZEISS Office lenses – The perfect solution for vision at work

BETTER VISION: There is no better solution  for vision at work than eyeglasses  featuring lenses specially optimized for the viewing distances that occur at work. Why can this level of individual adjustment to the eye only be achieved with eyeglass lenses?

Dr. Arne Ohlendorf: The increasing demands of today's workplaces mean that presbyopic people need access to very large fields of vision, for example to get a clear view of all the information on a monitor. For people with pure long distance or close range ametropia, which can be corrected with a single vision lens, this requirement is relatively easy to meet. But as soon as presbyopia sets in, at age around the 40, the best option is correction using progressive lenses because - unlike with correction using multifocal lenses or an eye operation - they are the only solution that offers presbyopic wearers significant vision in all directions. Due to their design, multifocal contact lenses particularly influence contrast perception and make it more difficult to see texts on a monitor, for example. In terms of operative correction for presbyopia, there are too many factors that cannot yet be influenced. For example, close-up vision can be improved but the effect is not permanent as presbyopia is a degenerative condition. ZEISS work eyeglass lenses are the perfect solution as soon as a glasses wearer needs close-up vision correction.

BETTER VISION: How did the new ZEISS Office lenses come to be developed, and what makes these lenses so special?

Dr. Arne Ohlendorf: ZEISS has outstanding skills in theoretical and applied vision research. With its powerful calculation methods and special production methods for eyeglass lenses, ZEISS can consistently bring improved or totally new solutions to the optics market.
However, the essential factor for all of ZEISS's innovative solutions is to ensure good vision and an optimum visual experience for the wearer. The new ZEISS Office lenses sees innovation coincide with market demand and ZEISS worked intensively with research experts and clinics to come up with targeted solutions.

Monique Welscher: Current studies have shown that 63% of eyeglass wearers are unsatisfied with their glasses at work (Source: Leibniz Institute for Work Research, Online study 2011, n=175). Everybody wants relaxed, clear vision in the close and medium range to prevent eye strain or neck pain. This was the key objective behind the development of the ZEISS work lenses. A new tailored design and individual adaptation to the wearer's personal viewing distance in the close and medium range enables comfortable vision, all day long. This was the result of a further study by the Leibniz Institute for Work Research at the TU Dortmund. The study confirmed that better vision on a PC and at close range is achieved with ZEISS Office lenses compared to progressive lenses not specially adapted to vision requirements in the workplace.

BETTER VISION: But doesn’t it take a long time to get used to new glasses for work?

Monique Welscher: Studies suggest that the opposite is true. First of all, as every eyeglass wearer knows, any new glasses take a certain amount of time to get used to. The brain has been used to particular visual impressions, sometimes for several years, and now has to adjust to a new, changed perception. When you wear progressive lenses for the first time, you also have to get used to the way that the effect changes within the progressive lens, which can cause problems at first when climbing stairs or rapidly moving your head. But a study has shown how quickly wearers get used to the new ZEISS workplace lenses. The majority of respondents (76%) got used to the ZEISS Office lenses within a day. And even those new to progressive lenses were experiencing perfect vision with their ZEISS Office lenses within a few days. A further study, carried out by the Leibniz Institute for Work Research at the TU Dortmund, confirmed the rapid maximum adaptation of 1 day to ZEISS Officelens for the majority of those tested.¹

BETTER VISION: ZEISS workplace lenses ensure a more natural and relaxed head and neck position. Does the likelihood of developing typical monitor-related eye complaints such as  tearing and burning eyes  drop when using ZEISS workplace eyeglass lenses? 

Dr. Arne Ohlendorf:  To date, there is very limited knowledge about how to correct these symptoms. The effect investigated in the studies is known as "Computer Vision Syndrome". We have found out that two factors have a major influence on whether this syndrome arises: Frequent work on a PC and gender. Women complain of problems much more frequently than men.

Monique Welscher:  Symptoms such as tired, weeping or burning eyes are much less pronounced when using ZEISS Office lenses Individual, as another study confirms (Leibniz Institute for Work Research at the TU Dortmund).

BETTER VISION: Are there any restrictions in terms of the choice of frame, do they have to be a certain width or depth?

Monique Welscher: With the latest generation of progressive lenses, you no longer have to miss out on wearing fashionable frames. The recommended minimum adjustment height is just 14 mm for ZEISS Office lenses and ZEISS progressives. However, it is normally more comfortable for the wearer if this figure is 18 mm or more. The ZEISS product range includes a wide choice that allows an eye care professional to adjust them to their patients' personal vision needs, taking into account their different usage habits (type of activity and leisure activities, for example). There is a huge choice of fashionable frames, and your eye care professional can help you make the right choice to create the right glasses for you.