The SHAW lens is as good as or better than conventional lenses for every case. For some patients we make a significant improvement in wear ability. Some patients, however, are already wearing lenses that meet their needs, and they may not notice a difference with the SHAW lens.

The SHAW lens design software models the effect of our technology on each case, and the doctor and patient can see the predicted difference and make a judgement based on that.

Using ray tracing computer modeling simulation, base curvature and thickness are optimized for both central and eccentric viewing. Unlike paraxial approximations, this method embraces the non-linearity of the effect of base curve as well as vertex changes due to resultant position of wear changes. Computer optimization permits an iterative solution that selects the optimum curvature, thickness and index for a given combination of refractive and motor fusion facility.

SHAW lens technology designs a system that respects the measured limits of motor fusion facility in cardinal positions of eccentric gaze. These positions include the reading zone of a progressive lens, rear and side view mirrors while driving, upward gaze to view a traffic signal, downward gaze to judge stair position and depth.

If you choose to accept the default values of +/- 2 vertical facility and 3 base in you won’t get the full technology of SHAW lens tailored to that particular patient. In cases of refractive amblyopia where it is difficult to obtain reliable vergences the optometrist is encouraged to use the iseikonic design method at 0% to encourage sensory fusion and enhanced binocularity.

The SHAW lens is designed to reduce the prismatic effect through the management of base curve and thickness. That’s inherent in the patent-pending method that makes a lens a SHAW lens.

That’s a very good question and the answer really depends upon the patient. With some patients as little of 0.50D in the vertical meridian is enough to cause discomfort totally ameliorated by SHAW lens. If the patient has very poor motor fusion facility, even a small degree of anisometropia is enough to cause difficulty in eccentric gaze and asthenopia. The SHAW lens design application will clearly demonstrate whether SHAW lens technology will assist the patient. Of course, the corollary is also true, a patient may exhibit 3 dioptres of anisometropia but have very high fusional facility. The SHAW lens application will demonstrate that the patient doesn’t require SHAW lens technology but there may be some benefit if he/she is experiencing symptoms.

Yes, when a lens is rotated about a vertical axis such as occurs with the face form angle base in prism is generated in lateral gaze with concave lenses and base out with convex lenses. Shaw lens optimizes the base curvature and displays the effective binocular field based upon the vergence facility of the patient to enhance adaptation and provide unrivalled binocular vision in eccentric gaze.

In the past, using paraxial equations, there was a tendency to use steep base curvatures. SHAW lens technology is different, ray tracing modeling and high index materials maintain flatter curvatures that do not distort the frame shape and are actually more effective in controlling dynamic aniseikonia.

Our experience has been that patients who require a “thick” lens appreciate the improved vision. Patients with the toughest cases tend to care less about aesthetics if their eyesight gets better. For all other cases, the increased thickness is often not noticed by the wearer.

The SHAW lens app includes an iseikonic design method, the optometrist simply enters the required endpoint iseikonic value and the SHAW algorithm will not only optimize the base curvature, index and thickness to achieve that goal but also optimize for the least negative impact on motor fusion (vergence) facility.

Traditionally, bi-centric (slab off) designs have been employed to address anisometropia. While this method addresses vertically induced prism in the reading zone, it does nothing to compensate for motor fusion demands in lateral and /or superior gaze nor, issues regarding sensory fusion. Shaw lens technology corrects both dynamic and sensory aniseikonia in all directions of gaze as well as the sensory component.

Shaw lens is an extension of the expertise in binocular vision that optometrists obtain during their formal education. A sound understanding of physiological optics and the ability to provide a motor fusion assessment are key components of SHAW lens technology. Motor fusion facility is something that is not part of a traditional spectacle lens prescription, this clinical finding is one that a competent optometrist will be able to accurately measure and is not readily delegated to non-optometric personnel.

Publication of our first case study, which looks at our technology with respect to anisometropic amblyopia is still pending. The lead researcher is William Bobier at the School of Optometry at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. In addition, the University of Bradford are commencing a full amblyopia study with the SHAW lens technology this June.

The SHAW lens system will be installed at the University of Waterloo (Ontario, Canada), Midwestern University (Arizona), the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Auckland (New Zealand).

Ordering is simple. Register the practice once, then simply input a patient’s prescription and measurements for vergence, lens, frame and position of wear. Then click “Order.” The order information will be displayed for confirmation. If you have no changes to make, click “Send” and you’re done.

Absolutely. We offer full training and technical support for your staff. We also have extensive online and remote support so you’ll never be stuck.

Your current lab is an important partner in your practice and we understand that. Our preferred method of sale is directly to our optometry customers. We’ll ship our lenses to your lab for edging and finishing.

We ship lenses directly to your lab or office, depending on your preference.

Normally, less than two weeks.

No. Lenses can only be sold through a registered and approved optometry office.

To make the SHAW lens, we need specific optometric measurements that are only done by an optometrist. Our focus is on supporting the independent practitioner.

Yes. You can return the lenses up to 60 days after the patient receives them. Plus we offer email consultations on refits.

Dr. Peter Shaw is always interested in hearing from optometrists. Email him at peter.shaw@shawlens.com and he’ll be happy to provide a consultation.

Surgically induced anisometropia can occur for a number of reasons after refractive surgery – outcome not as predicted, previous monocular laser treatment, time lag between cataract surgeries, etc. These patients are often hard to satisfy, and that’s because of the aniseikonia induced by traditional lenses. The SHAW lens solves for aniseikonia and offers better comfort of wear for anisometropes with as little as 0.75D.

The SHAW lens design software manages base curve and thickness to reduce or eliminate barrel distortion for high myopes – who tend to be contact lens wearers.

We can’t comment on other technology; however, the SHAW lens technology takes into account how both eyes move in relation to each other and manages the aniseikonia caused by other lenses. We believe this to be the only truly binocular lens system available.

We will be able to integrate many EMRs. Ask your sales rep to coordinate with your IT professional.

Shaw lenses are available worldwide through our network of licensed partner labs and are manufactured locally to better serve you.  Our labs are independently owned and operated, and manufacture Shaw lenses to our strict guidelines.  We currently have labs operating in Canada, USA, Europe,  Australia and New Zealand.

SHAW lenses come with a one-year warranty for scratch and anti-reflection coating .

SHAW lens is proprietary technology. We have dedicated specialty manufacturers that maintain an inventory of lens blanks with an extensive base curve range that is updated into the software as new product comes on stream. Our digital designs are selected from leading wave-front designers according to our extensive evaluation methods.

Prescribed prism may cause curvature of field (another form of dynamic aniseikonia). This is due to the non-linearity of prism with thickness and of course prismatic lenses are thicker at the base. SHAW lens technology reduces this curvature distortion using ray tracing and base curve optimization. The SHAW lens application also assists in the correct placement or the MRP due to the rotation of the eye due to the prism (the eye rotates towards the apex of the prism and the MRP and decentration must be repositioned to re-align the corridor and centre).

In a very small percentage of cases an eikonometer may be a useful adjunct. Eikonometers come in two flavours, dynamic (Robertson eikonometer) and static (Remole, meridional afferent frontal parallel plane MAFPP). But you cannot buy a Remole eikonometer , it is a only a research/educational tool.

Fortunately, cases that benefit from eikonometry (retinal surgery and monocular aphakia with a contact lens) are few. Most aniseikonia can be well treated without eikonometry.

The SHAW lens design application creates a virtual eikonometer by modeling the predicted influence that the spectacle correction will have based upon the measured vergence facility and the known physical characteristics of the lens in the “as worn” position.

All major lens companies offer position of wear, wave-front technology using a 3D specification system such as templates or video capture. The ensuing digital free-form often gives a superior monocular correction for each eye when compared to standard spherical lenses. SHAW lens takes wave-front technology one step beyond with a formalized and repeatable method to address the binocular condition. SHAW lens has patent-pending technology that not only corrects the monocular refractive requirements but also balances the retinal image size and rotational displacement discrepancies (induced aniseikonia) to within measured patient limits. No other lens manufacturer addresses this.

Golf : lateral gaze during putting and down gaze during address, International Skeet: tracking the target while the cheek is attached to the gun stock, Tennis: especially during the serve, Baseball/ Cricket: during batting and of course fielding, the list goes on.

Well, in a word, no. There is a big difference in the science from one company to another. And not to put our competitors down (too much), but only the SHAW lens takes into account the way both eyes work together. And we can’t do that without the expertise of an optometrist.

Other lens companies use basic prescriptions to make lenses. To prescribe a SHAW lens, optometrists make more measurements of your eyes. This enables us to craft a lens that simply works better. The SHAW lens design was developed by Dr. Peter Shaw, a clinical optometrist who has spent the past 30 years in practice, managing the eyesight of literally thousands of patients. Over the years, he modified conventional lens designs to help patients adapt to their glasses. Leveraging global optics research, Dr. Shaw has developed a new, patent-pending process for making lenses. Simply put, the old prescription model just doesn’t contain enough information to make a pair of glasses that optimizes binocular (both eyes working together) vision. The SHAW lens system does.

No. Because the SHAW lens is computer designed, only practitioners with the right software can order it. The SHAW lens design software makes the necessary calculations to create a SHAW lens.

Absolutely. Tints, gradient tints, Transitions® and polarization are all available for our full range of lenses. We also offer Drivewear® lenses, which reduce glare and distortion while you’re on the road. Talk to your eye care professional about what’s best for your needs.

Because the SHAW lens is designed to accommodate how both eyes work together, it is by nature an iseikonic lens, so one lens in a pair of glasses will likely be slightly thicker than the other. This can make a huge difference in the comfort of wear for many patients and can reduce or eliminate headaches. The SHAW lens design software lets the optometrist manage the edge thickness through frame choice and reduction of visual optimization.

Simply put, we believe they just don’t think aniseikonia matters. That’s why we’ve applied to patent the methodology.