training tips

Tapping Wraps

by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC

Attacking potential problems and applying fundamentals when recommending and fitting wrap eyewear helps prevent dissatisfied patients and redos.

Here, lab experts share crucial wrap tips.

FRAME TIPS

Wrap frames that are poor quality or not Rx suitable can be a processing problem. Select a good frame—plastic or metal frames with a groove deep enough to securely hold lenses.

• QUESTIONS. "Ask the right questions of your patients," says Jerry Mansuy, president of Vision Craft, Inc., in Walled Lake, Mich. "Don't be afraid to say no, a certain frame won't work with their Rx."
• DIALOGUE. A straightforward selection-steering statement might be: "This isn't a good frame choice because it won't match up well with your prescription lenses. You won't be happy with the result. Here's another selection."
• BEVEL. Be aware of frames for plano wear only and those not specified for Rx use. An appropriate bevel is the key—it must be deep enough to hold a wrap lens through average wear and tear. "There are certain bevel configurations we can accomplish on our equipment," Mansuy says. "Configuring the wrap bevel along with a frame selection with a deep enough groove is the key to successful wrap eyewear."
• LAB. Turn to your lab partners for answers to questions on whether certain frames will work with wrap lenses from a quality or capability standpoint.

Pre-sale lab work may save time and headaches, says John Granby, president of Deschutes Optical in Bend, Ore., and Boise, Idaho. "We encourage our accounts to send the frames they're contemplating buying or considering for a patient to us prior to purchase or selling to the patient. We'll evaluate the frames for Rx soundness and overall quality and give our accounts feedback so they can make informed decisions on which frames are appropriate or not."

• ADJUSTMENTS. Adjusting wrap frames properly when dispensing can make the difference in endproduct wearing comfort and visual comfort.

Pre-adjust the frame prior to taking measurements, and there should only be slight tweaking adjustments if even that at dispensing.

"Take caution when adjusting a plastic wrap frame," advises Jerry Thornhill, technical services manager at Shamir Insight. "Adjust the temples, and don't heat the frame and give it more wrap or lenses that fit perfectly when they leave the lab will pop out and be a problem."

LENS BITS

• BALANCE. Coordinate frame size with Rx type. Large wraps usually work for light Rxs. If it's a strong Rx, over -5.00 or +2.00, appearance and performance may be problems.

Know the specifics of the lenses you work with and understand wrap recalculation programs

• PROBLEMS. "Direct surfaced lenses with the front curve steeper and the back curve flatter may cause problems in a wrap frame," says Bob Pech, president of Pech Optical, based in Sioux City, Iowa.

He adds: "A larger wrap frame with direct surfaced lenses that have a flatter back curve may cause lash crash."

• PROGRAMS. "Recalculation programs are set to product," says Michael Osborn, technical professional liaison with Silhouette Optical Laboratories. "If the lenses are digitally surfaced, you can't select a base curve; the base curve is selected by the lab's software program. Thus, digitally surfaced lenses may not fit in the base curve of the selected wrap frame. Know what to order, and if you don't know, ask!"
• HIGH INDEX. Higher indices make for thinner, lighter lenses. By working together, the lab and dispenser can make the job successful and the wearer satisfied.

Paying attention to wrap challenges and focusing on wraps is the best line of wrap failure defense. EB