FACIAL MEASUREMENTS AND

LENS REFERENCE POINTS

AUTHOR
David Wilson: Brien Holden Vision Institute (BHVI), Sydney, Australia

PEER REVIEWER
Mo Jalie: Visiting Professor: University of Ulster, Varilux University in Paris

THIS CHAPTER WILL INCLUDE A REVIEW OF:

 Frame Measurements
 Lens Centration
 Frame Measurement Systems
 Minimum Size Uncut
 Frame Measuring Methods

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Chapter 21-1
 Facial Measurements and
Lens Reference Points

FRAME MEASUREMENTS

Frame measurements are required for glazing lenses to ensure they are accurately positioned vertically, relative to the
horizontal centre line and horizontally, relative to the boxing or datum centre.

LENS CENTRATION

In Figure 21.1, it can be seen that the optical centres, G (or PAL fitting crosses) need to be decentred 3 mm inwards,
in each eye, to correspond with the patient’s PD. Figure 21.1 illustrates the use of the boxing system. The same
principle applies, however, if the datum system is used. In this example a binocular calculation is used but note that
this would not be suitable for PAL or aspheric lenses.

Figure 21.1: Lens centration using boxing system

Correct centration of lenses avoids unwanted prismatic effect and positions the appropriate sections of more advanced
lenses such as progressives in the correct position relative to the visual axes (Figure 21.2).

Figure 21.2: Incorrect centration of lenses would induce unwanted prismatic effect

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 Facial Measurements and
Lens Reference Points

FRAME MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

Two systems of measurement and frame specification have been used in frame
measurement:
FRAME  Datum system (older system)
MEASUREMENT
SYSTEMS  Boxing system (more recent)
While both systems work, it is important that they are not confused. That is, that the
centration is calculated using one method but the former is made using the other.

This system is based around the datum line. Datum is a line 1/2 way between the two
horizontal lines, which are tangent and parallel to the top and bottom of the lens.
This system is no longer the preferred system for manufacturers and has been officially
DATUM SYSTEM
replaced by the boxing system as per international standards.
The datum system remains popular with many practitioners, opticians and technicians,
however, because of its ease of measurement.

Although the datum system was once the favoured frame measurement system, the
International Organization of Standardization (ISO) did not approve of it. It is still, however,
used by manufacturers and many technicians in non-ISO countries.
The system is based on datum, the horizontal line half way between the tangents to the
peaks of the bevels or depths of the grooves at the top and bottom of the lenses
(Figure 21.3).
The eye-size is the width of the lens at datum.
The bridge size or distance between lenses (DBL) is the distance between the lenses at
datum.
Datum is the horizontal line half way between the top and bottom tangents. This is the same
line as the horizontal centre line in the boxing system.
FRAME
MEASUREMENTS The notation used in quoting the frame size in the datum system is a dash or slash between
the eye-size and the bridge size. For example: 54 -18 or 54 / 18.

Figure 21.3: Datum system

The boxing system was considered by most manufacturers to be an improvement over the
datum system. It uses vertical and parallel tangents added to either side of the lens, forming
a box with the horizontal tangents (Figure 21.4).
The ISO and other major frame manufacturers have now adopted the boxing system. It is
BOXING SYSTEM
also used by automatic edging machines to determine lens centre heights.
It is important to note that boxing dimensions do not necessarily equal datum dimensions.
However, the datum line is exactly the same as the horizontal centre line of the boxing
system.

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 Facial Measurements and
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FRAME MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS (cont.)

The eye-size is the width of the box, also known as the A measurement.
The bridge size or distance between lenses (DBL) is the distance between the boxes,
which is, literally, the minimum distance between the lenses.
The lens depth is the height of the box, also known as the B measurement.
The horizontal centre line (HCL) is the horizontal line half way between the top and bottom
tangents. This is the same line as datum in the datum system (we will look at this next).
The notation used in quoting the frame size in the boxing system is a box between the eye-
size and the bridge size. For example: 56[ ]12.
FRAME
MEASUREMENTS

Figure 21.4: Boxing system

For most frames, the frame size and the centration distance (CD), often called the “frame
PD”, will be similar. For exaggerated shapes however, such as the aviator shape shown, this
will not be the case. For example, in Figure 21.5, the CD of the boxing system will be less
than the datum system. It can also be seen that the boxing centre seems to be decentred
inwards compared with the datum centre. The boxing CD is 68 mm compared with the
datum CD of 72 mm.
The boxing system will normally have larger eye-sizes and smaller bridge sizes for identical
frames. The two sizes will only be equal in cases of perfectly round frames, prolate elliptical
frames and square shaped frames.
Care must be taken not to confuse or mix the systems. For example, many practitioners
when cutting their own formers or templates use the datum system to align the frame,
thereby producing a datum template. In such cases as this, decentration should be carried
out by measuring the datum size and not by using the boxing size stamped on the frame.
COMPARING THE
SYSTEMS

Figure 21.5: Comparison of boxing and datum systems

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 Facial Measurements and
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MINIMUM SIZE UNCUT

The minimum size uncut (MSU), also known as the minimum blank size, can be calculated
for single vision lenses given the patient’s PD, the frame boxing measurement and the
effective diameter (Figure 21.6).

MSU = Effective Diameter (ED) + (2 x mono-decentration))

The effective diameter (ED) is equal to twice the longest radius from boxing the geometric
centre (GC) to the peak of bevel that is furthest away (Figure 21.7). It is important to note
that the ED is not the “longest diagonal” or “longest axis”. The terms longest axis and
longest diagonal are often used incorrectly in this calculation.

Figure 21.6: Calculating effective diameter (ED)

Example:
CALCULATING
MINIMUM SIZE
UNCUT Frame Size 54 20
Effective Diameter (ED) 60
DBL (Bridge) 20
Frame “PD” 54 + 20 = 74
Patient PD 66
Mono Decentration (74-66) / 2= 4 mm per eye
MSU 60 + (2 x 4) = 68

Therefore, to obtain the PD of 66, a 68 mm Diameter Lens Must Be Used.

Figure 21.7: Frame boxing measurement and the longest radius

In Figure 21.8, the lens shape has an effective diameter of 60 mm. If no decentration is
required this is the minimum sized lens that will produce the required PD.

With a PD of 66 given in the example, 4 mm decentration in each eye is required, giving a

MSU of 68 mm.

Figure 21.8(B) shows decentration of the 60 mm lens to achieve the desired PD producing a
distinct gap at the temporal edge of the lens shape.

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 Facial Measurements and
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MINIMUM SIZE UNCUT (cont.)

Figure 21.8(C) shows the 68 mm lens decentred to obtain the correct PD.

CALCULATING
MINIMUM SIZE
UNCUT (cont.)

Figure 21.8: (A) Minimum size uncut; (B&C) Decentration of 4 mm to achieve PD

The minimum size uncut of progressives and multifocals depends on:

 The blank diameter

 The position of the fitting cross or segment in the blank

An appropriate layout card such as the progressive lens layout card pictured in Figure 21.9
should be used to calculate the minimum size uncut accurately.

PROGRESSIVES
AND MULTIFOCALS

Figure 21.9: Layout card being used to calculate minimum size uncut of progressive lenses

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 Facial Measurements and
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FRAME MEASURING METHODS

Begin at the inside groove on one side and measure across the lens opening to the furthest
part of the groove on the other side of same eye (Figure 21.10).
OR
Measure the widest horizontal visible aperture and add 1 mm (0.5 mm for bevel on each
side).
Remember: The reference point for all frame measurements, whether using the datum or
MEASURING A boxing system, is the peak of the bevel
FRAME (BOXING)

Figure 21.10: Measuring a frame or boxing

When ordering lenses we need to specify the horizontal positioning, PD and near CD, as
well as the heights for bifocal segments, optical centres in aspheric lenses and fitting
LENS REFERENCE crosses for progressive lenses. There are a number of reference points that can be used for
POINTS the measurement. The two most common points (and least prone to error) are the horizontal
centre line (or datum) and the frame bottom, that is, the tangent to the lens at the bottom of
the “box” (Figure 21.11).

HORIZONTAL The Horizontal Centre Line (HCL) is a clear, unambiguous line and is favoured by many
CENTRE LINE (HCL) laboratories.

The bottom tangent to the lens is the other correct and frequently used reference position.
FRAME BOTTOM Many new automatic edging machines require this measurement to be entered into their
programs.

Other reference points such as the bottom at the middle of datum or the box or the bottom
directly below the segment centre or fitting cross can lead to confusion. They can be used
with confidence only when the laboratory understands the method used. They should
therefore be discouraged.

OTHER REFERENCE
POINTS

Figure 21.11: Frame reference points

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 Facial Measurements and
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SUMMARY

The accuracy of a completed pair of spectacles relies upon:

 Accurate fitting and measurements by the practitioner .

 Accurate glazing by the technician, based on the same accurate frame measurements.

If either the practitioner or the technician makes an error in measurement, the spectacles will not meet the
requirements of the prescription.

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Chapter 21-8