Gelflex Custom Contact Lenses

Using THIN-TECH Lenses from SmartOD.com to Give Patients a Unique Experience & Boost your Optical

AdminWolf

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In this quick interview, Paul & I speak with Faive Kovalis, President of SmartOD and Mike Jacobson, President of THIN-TECH.

THIN-TECH makes a line of unique high-tech, customized Rx sunglass and dress wear lenses, which you can use to give your patients both valuable and unique. (check out the video to see just how thin these lenses are, even in higher powers. neat stuff.)

If you've got questions for Mike or Faive, or want to learn more about the product, just ask away here!

thanks
-- adam

(btw, thanks to both mike and faive for being sponsors at CEwire2018! remember you guys have until May 1st to get those credits done...)



 
Greg Gemoules said:
Looks to me like an optical zone with a series of blends out to the carrier.
Click to expand...

Yes, or a term I have heard in the past called hyper aspheric, perhaps akin the the Ellipsicon RGP CL with their CAS 141 periphery (121,141 & 161 as I recall).

I believe I have used this same lab to make a few sport frames for our patients that were in high wrap frames.

I believe this frame below was measured with a wrap of about 22 degrees. They produced a nice shelf bevel for the edge, and we did request a wrap compensation. This was the finished produce that we made for a junior high box for soccer.

Picture by S. DiGiorgio
upload_2018-4-28_3-47-14.png
 
Last edited:
btw if any of you have direct experience with the product, do not be bashful about posting. Pro or con -- the site thrives on honesty, so your legit feedback helps everyone understand the characteristics of every product we talk about on the site.
 
Can Mike comment on if Thin-tech is a sound choice for traditional eyewear in higher powers

How does it compare to similar technology as shown below?

Thank you.

upload_2018-4-28_23-22-4.png


upload_2018-4-28_23-23-29.png


upload_2018-4-28_23-24-3.png
 
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Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
Can Mike comment on if Thin-tech is a sound choice for traditional eyewear in higher powers

How does it compare to similar technology as shown below?

Thank you.

View attachment 18358

View attachment 18359

View attachment 18360
Click to expand...
Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
Can Mike comment on if Thin-tech is a sound choice for traditional eyewear in higher powers

How does it compare to similar technology as shown below?

Thank you.

View attachment 18358

View attachment 18359

View attachment 18360
Click to expand...
Hello Dr. DiGirorgio

Although your reference to the above technology is interesting, THIN-TECH is uniquely different. We have two patents on our lens design. One for design elements and one for processing. As you know in higher prescriptions (plus or minus) we are concerned about visual performance and appearance of the lenses for the best patient satisfaction. (Balancing Visual function and fashion)

With respect to the visual area of the lens our technology uses patented dynamically engineered visual zone optimization based on prescription, PD, OC, frame size and wrap angle. As a result this lens design calculation is truly unique to each patient. Based on visual zone design base on prescription considerations as fore mentioned, we then calculate a patented thinning algorithm to keep the lenses appearance natural and fashionable. We also have a unique processing feature that allows for up to 9mm of de-centration eliminating cut out issues with larger fashion forward sunglasses.

This technology can certainly be used to produce more attractive lenses in higher minus and plus lenses. In fact, we will soon introduce our new iThin technology for plus power lenses over a +3.00 that significantly reduces nasal and center thickness.

Thank you for your comments and interest. Mike
 
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Thank you Mike.

Are all TT lenses always bundled with AR and mirror or is there another package for use with higher Rx’s in traditional ophthalmic frames? Thank you.
 
Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
Thank you Mike.

Are all TT lenses always bundled with AR and mirror or is there another package for use with higher Rx’s in traditional ophthalmic frames? Thank you.
Click to expand...
Hello Dr. DiGiorgio,
THIN-TECH is offered as a package price and you can choose your options within the package. All is priced the same with AR or without, with Mirror or without.
You can certainly order THIN-TECH a la carte for SunRx or dress-wear eyewear. THIN-TECH lens design can be used for higher minus and plus powers with dress wear eyewear. In fact, just the other day we did a digital PAL with powers in the range of -4.00 -11.00 cylinder with +3.00 add in Transitions 7.
With my best regard, Mike
 
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Faive Kovalis said:
You can certainly order THIN-TECH a la carte for SunRx or dress-wear eyewear.
Click to expand...

We will need to find out about this. For our dresswear eyewear we are probably like 80-90% AR, and we try really hard to mechanical select the proper frame to optimize decentration, but it would still be awesome to have TT as an option to thin the job.

Maybe we need to speak with Gina about this?
 
Opinions are now coming in about Thin-Tech. As an Odwire.org sponsor I'm happy to see they are positive reports...
https://www.odwire.org/community/th...ink-and-grow-rich-in-optometry.110707/page-10

I participated in the ODwire Radio-TV/Podcast. Sometimes due to time constraints or my outspokenness questioning, my commenst are deleted.

I did pose a question that might have taken too much time to address during the show and was not included

"How should practices which are first in their community price the Thin-Tech prescription?"

Using SmartOD and Thin-Tech is a value proposition for ODs. Should the lower cost for materials be passed on to the patient?

My opinion especially it you are first OD using this technology in your community is to market thin-Tech as a premium product and price accordingly with higher cost than ordinary sun wear prescriptions.

What is your opinion?
 
Paul Farkas said:
Opinions are now coming in about Thin-Tech. As an Odwire.org sponsor I'm happy to see they are positive reports...
https://www.odwire.org/community/th...ink-and-grow-rich-in-optometry.110707/page-10

I participated in the ODwire Radio-TV/Podcast. Sometimes due to time constraints or my outspokenness questioning, my commenst are deleted.

I did pose a question that might have taken too much time to address during the show and was not included

"How should practices which are first in their community price the Thin-Tech prescription?"

Using SmartOD and Thin-Tech is a value proposition for ODs. Should the lower cost for materials be passed on to the patient?

My opinion especially it you are first OD using this technology in your community is to market thin-Tech as a premium product and price accordingly with higher cost than ordinary sunder prescriptions.

What is your opinion?
Click to expand...

Dr. Frost just had his first pair dispensed, you can see the results here!

https://www.odwire.org/community/th...-rich-in-optometry.110707/page-10#post-840512
 
So Mike lets say we are going to fit thin-tech for a moderate to high myope in a larger ophthalmic frame in say 6 base or a sun frame in 6 base or 8 base. Say we are going to use a single vision lens.

Should we specify the OC height? Lets say the patient's pupil center is 20, as an example. Should the OC by set relative to the pupil? Many opticians talk about placing the OC at 2-3 mm below pupil center. Others place the OC at half the B dimension. For higher Rx's in Thin-tech, what say you?

Thank you.
 
Mike which polarized lenses are you recommending for use with smartphones?
 
Here's an interesting question or two: (turned out 4)

1.How many of us measure the wrap angle, monoc pds and oc's when appropriate?
2.If you don't specify parameters, does your current lab call you for the data?
3.If the lab doesn't call, do they choose a compatible design and do the optical compensation(s)?

And then there's the subjective:

4.If your patient has multiple specs, (and this is for those high rx's and engineers :eek:) and they are made with differing peripheral aspheric designs, can they alternate or do they complain?

Anyone want to throw PALs into the equation?

Can you get that at Zenni, Glasses.com, Warby? Walmart? Do your patients know?
 
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Paul Farkas said:
My opinion especially it you are first OD using this technology in your community is to market thin-Tech as a premium product
Click to expand...

Are there currently any marketing materials for ThinTech that we can use in our practices to educate our patients on the TT process? (perhaps I missed this upthread. I will go back and have a look at the original post video. )

Thank you
 
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Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
Are there currently any marketing materials for ThinTech that we can use in our practices to educate our patients on the TT process? (perhaps I missed this upthread. I will go back and have a look at the original post video. )

Thank you
Click to expand...

The ODwire Radio-TV/Podcast goes into thin-Tech marketing details.

I recall from the interview the SmartOD has Thin-Tech marketing material available. Best to check with them.
 
Paul Farkas said:
The ODwire Radio-TV/Podcast goes into thin-Tech marketing details.

I recall from the interview the SmartOD has Thin-Tech marketing material available. Best to check with them.
Click to expand...

After a brief review of the video here is what I found:

  • 2 wrap frames: 1 in +4.00, 1 in -4.00. —nicely shows the size of the dynamic visual zone
  • Point of Sale Display
  • Consumer brochure
 
Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
Are there currently any marketing materials for ThinTech that we can use in our practices to educate our patients on the TT process? (perhaps I missed this upthread. I will go back and have a look at the original post video. )

Thank you
Click to expand...
Yes, it is mentioned in the video toward the end, they have marketing materials (a wheel), and samples of the product that you can use.

thanks!
adam
 
Larry Bickford O.D. said:
Can you get that at Zenni, Glasses.com, Warby? Walmart? Do your patients know?
Click to expand...

I can't speak to Walmart, but certainly for the first three -- people can't get this product online. It is for ECPs only.
 
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Larry Bickford O.D. said:
Can you get that at Zenni, Glasses.com, Warby? Walmart? Do your patients know?
Click to expand...


I will request that Thin-Tech CEO Mike Jacobson join the discussion to receive the definitive answer.

Adam or I should not be in a position to speak for the company.
 
Paul Farkas said:
I will request that Thin-Tech CEO Mike Jacobson join the discussion to receive the definitive answer.

Adam or I should not be in a position to speak for the company.
Click to expand...

That's the great part about having Faive or Mike here -- you can get it straight scoop from the Presidents, you don't need us to muddle the message! :)

My personal belief after watching this space for the last 20 years is that lenses like THIN-TECH should probably be in everyone's bag of tricks.

If you're looking for differentiation, you need products that are premium and unique, that you won't see on every street corner or online. Now more so than ever, with the consolidation that has taken place.
 
Paul Farkas said:
I will request that Thin-Tech CEO Mike Jacobson join the discussion to receive the definitive answer.

Adam or I should not be in a position to speak for the company.
Click to expand...

Since we started providing ThinTech I am often asked if these lenses can work for regular or fashion frames. The answer is “yes” they can. In fact, these lenses are best for patients with high prescriptions who want stylish frames. So far, we’ve done clear, transitions, polarized, tints with mirror coatings in all types of materials including poly, Trivex, 1.60 and 1.67. We’ve done jobs using fashion frames, sports frames and safety glasses. So far ThinTech has lived up to its promise.
 
Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
So Mike lets say we are going to fit thin-tech for a moderate to high myope in a larger ophthalmic frame in say 6 base or a sun frame in 6 base or 8 base. Say we are going to use a single vision lens.

Should we specify the OC height? Lets say the patient's pupil center is 20, as an example. Should the OC by set relative to the pupil? Many opticians talk about placing the OC at 2-3 mm below pupil center. Others place the OC at half the B dimension. For higher Rx's in Thin-tech, what say you?

Thank you.
Click to expand...
Hello Dr. DiGiorgio
It is best to always provide an OC measurement; especially with higher power prescriptions. The OC should be measured relative to the pupil.
Thank you for your questions and interest in our patented lens design technology. Mike
 
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Allan Panzer said:
Interesting...I've used these for years...

Do you truly own the patent????

http://www.ice-tech.com/
Click to expand...
Hello Dr. Panzer,
Yes, We are the patent holders of the technology. ICE-TECH is a licensee of THIN-TECH. The TT early technology was first introduced by ICE-TECH.
THIN-TECH lens design is covered by US Patent #8,002,404 & 8,499,111, Japan patent 5202564, Australian patent 2010201129, Taiwan Patent 390260 and German patent 202010018595

Thank you for your question. Mike
 
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AdminWolf said:
I can't speak to Walmart, but certainly for the first three -- people can't get this product online. It is for ECPs only.
Click to expand...
Hello Everyone,

ThinTech lens designs are only offered thought select distribution channels that support private optometry. We do not offer our patented technology to any retail chains (that includes Walmart!!) or any on-line line retailers.

The ThinTech product line is designed to enable private optometry to become the SunRx expert. We also can bring much nicer looking lenses for dress wear lenses in high plus and minus powers.

Thanks everyone for your interest, Mike
 
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Paul Farkas said:
Opinions are now coming in about Thin-Tech. As an Odwire.org sponsor I'm happy to see they are positive reports...
https://www.odwire.org/community/th...ink-and-grow-rich-in-optometry.110707/page-10

I participated in the ODwire Radio-TV/Podcast. Sometimes due to time constraints or my outspokenness questioning, my commenst are deleted.

I did pose a question that might have taken too much time to address during the show and was not included

"How should practices which are first in their community price the Thin-Tech prescription?"

Using SmartOD and Thin-Tech is a value proposition for ODs. Should the lower cost for materials be passed on to the patient?

My opinion especially it you are first OD using this technology in your community is to market thin-Tech as a premium product and price accordingly with higher cost than ordinary sun wear prescriptions.

What is your opinion?
Click to expand...

Since Thin-Tech combines innovation, design and reasonable Rx pricing model for the complete solution in RX Sunwear as compared to the major brand Rx product offerings; it is certainly an interesting business opportunity for ECP to become the best solution for SunRx products. My only comment on pricing is that from a vision function point of view; nearly all ECP patients would benefit from a great pair of prescription sunwear. So the price should be set to maximize this business opportunity based on your market and patient base.
 
Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
Are there currently any marketing materials for ThinTech that we can use in our practices to educate our patients on the TT process? (perhaps I missed this upthread. I will go back and have a look at the original post video. )

Thank you
Click to expand...
We will have new POP and patient brochures in two weeks. We offer a demo lenses in +4.00 and -4.00 with our advanced obsidian mirror book. We also provide a nice brochure on the ThinTech total sun solution.
 
Larry Bickford O.D. said:
Here's an interesting question or two: (turned out 4)

1.How many of us measure the wrap angle, monoc pds and oc's when appropriate?
2.If you don't specify parameters, does your current lab call you for the data?
3.If the lab doesn't call, do they choose a compatible design and do the optical compensation(s)?

And then there's the subjective:

4.If your patient has multiple specs, (and this is for those high rx's and engineers :eek:) and they are made with differing peripheral aspheric designs, can they alternate or do they complain?

Anyone want to throw PALs into the equation?

Can you get that at Zenni, Glasses.com, Warby? Walmart? Do your patients know?
Click to expand...
Hello Dr. Bickford

Here are a few comments to your questions. Since we do the complete job with THIN-TECH orders 95% of the time we handled wrap angle measurement at the lab. It is a good practice with wrap and larger sunglass frames to provide an OC measurement.
If you don't specify parameters we would use default values in our lens design software. Again since we have the frame and Rx information we can produce the Rx for superior results.
We have sold a significant amount of Thin-Tech lenses into the market very little patient issues. That includes the PAL designs.

ThinTech is not offered or sold to online companies for larger retail chains
 
Mike Jacobson said:
We will have new POP and patient brochures in two weeks. We offer a demo lenses in +4.00 and -4.00 with our advanced obsidian mirror book. We also provide a nice brochure on the ThinTech total sun solution.
Click to expand...

Looking forward to it. Can you please have Gina send it to us.

Many thanks
 
Joe DiGiorgio O.D. said:
Mike which polarized lenses are you recommending for use with smartphones?
Click to expand...
Hi Dr. DiGiorgio

We have a new patented polarized lens called Polarized Advanced that neutralize the negative effects of Polarized lenses while preserving the positives. THIN-TECH Advanced solves the readability challenges with digital devices outdoors (smart phones, tablets, GPS, ATM's ect) We combine a polarizing film to protect eyes from glare and natural pigments and dyes in the monomer to make any device readable outdoors.
This product will launch June 1, 2018. Thanks Mike
 
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Mike Jacobson said:
Hi Dr. DiGiorgio

We have a new patented polarized lens called Polarized Advanced that neutralize the negative effects of Polarized lenses while preserving the positives. THIN-TECH Advanced solves the readability challenges with digital devices outdoors (smart phones, tablets, GPS, ATM's ect) We combine a polarizing film to protect eyes from glare and natural pigments and dyes in the monomer to make any device readable outdoors.
This product will launch June 1, 2018. Thanks Mike
Click to expand...

Information please...

After launch when will this be available for your partner's labs combined with marketing material for ODs?
 
Is it possible to get a PDF file uploaded of the chart that lists all the different types of tints and coatings and options. I could not find this on the thin tech website.
 
Frederick Frost said:
Is it possible to get a PDF file uploaded of the chart that lists all the different types of tints and coatings and options. I could not find this on the thin tech website.
Click to expand...

I am thinking it should be the same as Solidar availability if you are a Solidar account.
 
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Frederick Frost said:
Thanks Joe, I am. Where can I find that? I did not see it on their website or my price list either.
Click to expand...

Fred Solidar sent me a book with all their mirror tints. Call Gina and tell her Joe sent you.

This is one of the jobs they did for us.

31165508_1794971830524688_5218993249152718002_n.jpg
 
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