Bifocal Add: Image Jump
and Image Displacement
Basic Optics, Chapter 24
2
Jump and Displacement
Image jump and image displacement are
phenomena associated with bifocal additions
3
Jump and Displacement
Image jump and image displacement are
phenomena associated with bifocal additions
Not an issue with PALs (progressive addition
lenses; i.e., no-line bifocals)
4
Jump and Displacement
Image jump and image displacement are
phenomena associated with bifocal additions
Not an issue with PALs (progressive addition
lenses; i.e., no-line bifocals)
Before delving into jump and displacement,
let’s talk about some background info:
Lenses as prisms
Types of bifocal add segments
Optical centers
Prentice’s rule of induced prism
5
Lenses as Prisms
Spherical lenses come in two basic flavors: Plus and minus
6
Lenses as Prisms
Recall that a plus lens can be thought of as
two prisms base-to-base =
Spherical lenses come in two basic flavors: Plus and minus
7
Lenses as Prisms
Recall that a plus lens can be thought of as
two prisms base-to-base =
Spherical lenses come in two basic flavors: Plus and minus
Likewise, a minus lens can be thought of as
two prisms apex-to-apex =
8
Types of Add Segments
Bifocal adds come in two basic flavors: Round top and flat top
9
Types of Add Segments
top of segment
(Why it’s called a
‘round top’ segment)
Distance lens
Bifocal add
A round-top bifocal segment can be thought of as the top
half of a plus lens (and thus like a base-down prism)
Bifocal adds come in two basic flavors: Round top and flat top
10
Types of Add Segments
top of segment
(Why it’s called a
‘round top’ segment)
Distance lens
Bifocal add
A round-top bifocal segment can be thought of as the top
half of a plus lens (and thus like a base-down prism)
Bifocal adds come in two basic flavors: Round top and flat top
Distance lens
Likewise, a flat-top bifocal segment can be thought of
as the bottom half of a plus lens (i.e., a base-up prism)
Bifocal add top of segment
(Why it’s called a
‘flat top’ segment)
11
Lenses: Optical Centers
The optical center of
the plus lens is right here,
in the center
Spherical lenses come in two
basic flavors: Plus and minus
12
Lenses: Optical Centers
The optical center of
the plus lens is right here,
in the center
Spherical lenses come in two
basic flavors: Plus and minus
The optical center of
the minus lens is right here,
in the center
13
Lenses: Optical Centers
The optical center of
the plus lens is right here,
in the center
Spherical lenses come in two The optical center of the add is near its base;
i.e., near where it would be if the add were a
basic flavors: Plus and minus
‘whole’ plus lens instead of half of one
The optical center of
the minus lens is right here,
in the center
14
Lenses: Optical Centers
The optical center of
the plus lens is right here,
in the center On a round-top add, the
optical center of the add is low
Spherical lenses come in two The optical center of the add is near its base;
i.e., near where it would be if the add were a
basic flavors: Plus and minus
‘whole’ plus lens instead of half of one
The optical center of
the minus lens is right here,
in the center
15
Lenses: Optical Centers
The optical center of
the plus lens is right here,
in the center On a round-top add, the
optical center of the add is low
Spherical lenses come in two The optical center of the add is near its base;
i.e., near where it would be if the add were a
basic flavors: Plus and minus
‘whole’ plus lens instead of half of one
The optical center of
the minus lens is right here,
in the center
On a flat-top add, the optical
center of the add is high
16
Prentice’s Rule of Induced Prism
Because lenses are fundamentally prisms, it is not surprising that lenses can have prismatic
effects. Prentice’s Rule states that the amount of prism (in prism diopters, PD) induced by a
lens is a function of the distance from the optical center through which one is looking, and the
dioptric power of the lens:
PD = hD
where h is the distance from the optical center in cm and D is the dioptric power of the lens.
17
Prentice’s Rule of Induced Prism
Because lenses are fundamentally prisms, it is not surprising that lenses can have prismatic
effects. Prentice’s Rule states that the amount of prism (in prism diopters, PD) induced by a
lens is a function of the distance from the optical center through which one is looking, and the
dioptric power of the lens:
PD = hD
where h is the distance from the optical center in cm and D is the dioptric power of the lens.
Make sure you take note of this!
18
Prentice’s Rule of Induced Prism
Because lenses are fundamentally prisms, it is not surprising that lenses can have prismatic
effects. Prentice’s Rule states that the amount of prism (in prism diopters, PD) induced by a
lens is a function of the distance from the optical center through which one is looking, and the
dioptric power of the lens:
PD = hD
where h is the distance from the optical center in cm and D is the dioptric power of the lens.
-3D
5 mm
Looking 5 mm below the optical center
of a -3D lens induces .5 x (-3) = 1.5D
of base-down prism
19
Prentice’s Rule of Induced Prism
Because lenses are fundamentally prisms, it is not surprising that lenses can have prismatic
effects. Prentice’s Rule states that the amount of prism (in prism diopters, PD) induced by a
lens is a function of the distance from the optical center through which one is looking, and the
dioptric power of the lens:
PD = hD
where h is the distance from the optical center in cm and D is the dioptric power of the lens.
-3D +3D
5 mm 5 mm
Looking 5 mm below the optical center Looking 5 mm below the optical center
of a -3D lens induces .5 x (-3) = 1.5D of a +3D lens induces .5 x (3) = 1.5D
of base-down prism of base-up prism
20
Prentice’s Rule of Induced Prism
Because lenses are fundamentally prisms, it is not surprising that lenses can have prismatic
effects. Prentice’s Rule
Virtual states
image that the amount of prism (in prism diopters, PD) induced by a
is displaced
toward the apex
lens is a function of the distance from the optical center through which one is looking, and the
dioptric power of the lens:
PD(Dashed
= hD line indicates the image is virtual)
where h is the distance from the optical center in cm and D is the dioptric power of the lens.
-3D +3D
Rays (and real image) are
displaced toward the base
5 mm 5 mm
Recall that light rays are bent toward the base of a prism,
with the result that the image seems to move toward the
apex of the prism…
Looking 5 mm below the optical center Looking 5 mm below the optical center
of a -3D lens induces .5 x (-3) = 1.5D of a +3D lens induces .5 x (3) = 1.5D
of base-down prism of base-up prism
21
Image Jump
Image jump refers to a sudden change in
image location that occurs when gaze shifts
from the distance lens to the add segment
22
Image Jump
Image jump refers to a sudden change in
image location that occurs when gaze shifts
from the distance lens to the add segment
Think of it as a Prentice’s Rule issue owing to the
location of the optical center of the add segment
23
Image Jump
Image jump: A sudden change in
image location occurring when gaze
shifts into the bifocal add segment
Bifocal add:
Flat-Top segment
PD=hD
=(~zero)D
=little/no prism
h h
The optical center of a flat-top segment is
high. When gaze shifts downward into the
add, one is looking through or very near its
optical center. Because there is little or no
induced prism (i.e., h is small or zero),
images do not seem to jump.
24
Image Jump
Image jump: A sudden change in
image location occurring when gaze
shifts into the bifocal add segment
Bifocal add: Bifocal add:
Flat-Top segment Round-Top segment
PD=hD PD=hD
=(~zero)D =(Large#)D
=little/no prism =lots of prism
h h
h h
The optical center of a flat-top segment is However, the optical center of a round-top
high. When gaze shifts downward into the segment is low. Therefore, when gaze shifts
add, one is looking through or very near its downward into the add, one is suddenly looking
optical center. Because there is little or no through a lens at considerable distance from
induced prism (i.e., h is small or zero), its optical center (i.e., h is large). This abruptly
images do not seem to jump. induces a significant amount of prism, and
images will seem to jump (upwards, toward
the apex of the add segment ‘prism’).
25
Image Jump
Image jump: A sudden change in
image location occurring when gaze
shifts into the bifocal add segment
Bifocal add: Bifocal add:
Flat-Top segment Round-Top segment
PD=hD PD=hD
=(~zero)D =(Large#)D
=little/no prism =lots of prism
h h
h h
The optical center of a flat-top segment is However, the optical center of a round-top
high. When gaze shifts downward into the segment is low. Therefore, when gaze shifts
add, one is looking through or very near its downward into the add, one is suddenly looking
optical center. Because there is little or no through a lens at considerable distance from
induced prism (i.e., h is small or zero), its optical center (i.e., h is large). This abruptly
images do not seem to jump. induces a significant amount of prism, and
images will seem to jump (upwards, toward
the apex of the add segment ‘prism’).
Therefore, for both plus and minus lenses, image
jump is minimized with a flat-top segment
26
Image Displacement
Image displacement refers to the total apparent
distance between an image viewed through the
distance lens versus through the add segment
27
Image Displacement
Image displacement refers to the total apparent
distance between an image viewed through the
distance lens versus through the add segment
Think of it as owing to net prismatic effects
The magnitude of image displacement is a function of
the total net prism acting on the image through the
bifocal segment
28
Image Displacement
The magnitude of image displacement is
a function of the total net prism acting
on the image through the bifocal segment
29
Image Displacement
The magnitude of image displacement is
a function of the total net prism acting
on the image through the bifocal segment
Bifocal adds: Plus lenses
When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, note
how the prismatic effects BU
work to cancel each other
BD
BU+BD=Little net prism
little image displacement
30
Image Displacement
The magnitude of image displacement is
a function of the total net prism acting
on the image through the bifocal segment
Bifocal adds: Plus lenses
When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, note
how the prismatic effects BU
work to cancel each other
BD
BU+BD=Little net prism
little image displacement
BU BU However, when a flat-top
segment is placed on a plus
lens, note how the prismatic
effect is amplified
BU+BU=Lots of net prism
lots of image displacement
31
Image Displacement
The magnitude of image displacement is
a function of the total net prism acting
on the image through the bifocal segment
Bifocal adds: Plus lenses
When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, note
how the prismatic effects BU
work to cancel each other
BD
BU+BD=Little net prism
little image displacement
BU BU However, when a flat-top
segment is placed on a plus
lens, note how the prismatic
effect is amplified
BU+BU=Lots of net prism
lots of image displacement
For a plus lens, image displacement
is minimized with a round-top segment
32
Image Displacement
The magnitude of image displacement is
a function of the total net prism acting
on the image through the bifocal segment
Bifocal adds: Plus lenses Bifocal adds: Minus lenses
When a round-top segment When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, note is placed on a minus lens,
how the prismatic effects BU note how the prismatic effects
work to cancel each other amplify one another
BD BD BD
BU+BD=Little net prism BD+BD=Lots of net prism
little image displacement lots of image displacement
BU BU However, when a flat-top
segment is placed on a plus
lens, note how the prismatic
effect is amplified
BU+BU=Lots of net prism
lots of image displacement
For a plus lens, image displacement
is minimized with a round-top segment
33
Image Displacement
The magnitude of image displacement is
a function of the total net prism acting
on the image through the bifocal segment
Bifocal adds: Plus lenses Bifocal adds: Minus lenses
When a round-top segment When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, note is placed on a minus lens,
how the prismatic effects BU note how the prismatic effects
work to cancel each other amplify one another
BD BD BD
BU+BD=Little net prism BD+BD=Lots of net prism
little image displacement lots of image displacement
BU BU However, when a flat-top However, when a flat-top BU
segment is placed on a plus segment is placed on a minus
lens, note how the prismatic lens, the prismatic effects
effect is amplified work to cancel one another BD
BU+BU=Lots of net prism BD+BU=Little net prism
lots of image displacement little image displacement
For a plus lens, image displacement
is minimized with a round-top segment
34
Image Displacement
The magnitude of image displacement is
a function of the total net prism acting
on the image through the bifocal segment
Bifocal adds: Plus lenses Bifocal adds: Minus lenses
When a round-top segment When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, note is placed on a minus lens,
how the prismatic effects BU note how the prismatic effects
work to cancel each other amplify one another
BD BD BD
BU+BD=Little net prism BD+BD=Lots of net prism
little image displacement lots of image displacement
BU BU However, when a flat-top However, when a flat-top BU
segment is placed on a plus segment is placed on a minus
lens, note how the prismatic lens, the prismatic effects
effect is amplified work to cancel one another BD
BU+BU=Lots of net prism BD+BU=Little net prism
lots of image displacement little image displacement
For a plus lens, image displacement For a minus lens, image displacement
is minimized with a round-top segment is minimized with a flat-top segment
35
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
36
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds: Bifocal adds:
Minus lenses Plus lenses
h h
A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump
As stated previously, a flat-top segment minimizes
image jump for both plus and minus lenses
37
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds: Bifocal adds:
Minus lenses Plus lenses
h h
A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump
When a flat-top segment is
BU
placed on a minus lens, the
prismatic effects work to
cancel one another BD
BD+BU=Little net prism
little image displacement
38
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds: Bifocal adds:
Minus lenses Plus lenses
h h
A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump
So, for minus lenses the choice
of add type is easy: A flat-top
minimizes both image jump
and displacement
When a flat-top segment is
BU
placed on a minus lens, the
prismatic effects work to
cancel one another BD
BD+BU=Little net prism
little image displacement
39
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds: Bifocal adds:
Minus lenses Plus lenses
h h
A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump
So, for minus lenses the choice
of add type is easy: A flat-top
minimizes both image jump
and displacement
When a flat-top segment is
BU
placed on a minus lens, the
prismatic effects work to
cancel one another BD
BD+BU=Little net prism
little image displacement
For a minus lens, always
select a flat-top segment
40
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds: Bifocal adds:
Minus lenses Plus lenses
h h
A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump
So, for minus lenses the choice
of add type is easy: A flat-top For plus lenses, the choice is
minimizes both image jump not as easy: A flat-top will
and displacement minimize jump…
When a flat-top segment is
BU
placed on a minus lens, the
prismatic effects work to
cancel one another BD
BD+BU=Little net prism
little image displacement
For a minus lens, always
select a flat-top segment
41
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds: Bifocal adds:
Minus lenses Plus lenses
h h
A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump
So, for minus lenses the choice
of add type is easy: A flat-top For plus lenses, the choice is
minimizes both image jump not as easy: A flat-top will
and displacement minimize jump…but a round-
top minimizes displacement
When a flat-top segment is BU
placed on a minus lens, the
BU When a round-top segment
prismatic effects work to is placed on a plus lens, the
cancel one another prismatic effects work to
BD BD cancel each other
BD+BU=Little net prism BU+BD=Little net prism
little image displacement little image displacement
For a minus lens, always
select a flat-top segment
42
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds: Bifocal adds:
Minus lenses Plus lenses
h h
A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump A flat-top segment minimizes
image jump
So, for minus lenses the choice
of add type is easy: A flat-top For plus lenses, the choice is
minimizes both image jump not as easy: A flat-top will
and displacement minimize jump…but a round-
top minimizes displacement
When a flat-top segment is BU
placed on a minus lens, the
BU When a round-top segment
prismatic effects work to is placed on a plus lens, the
cancel one another prismatic effects work to
BD BD cancel each other
BD+BU=Little net prism BU+BD=Little net prism
little image displacement little image displacement
For a minus lens, always So which is the best add
select a flat-top segment segment for a plus lens?
43
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds:
The choice of segment Plus lenses
type for hyperopic adds
depends on whether one h
A flat-top segment minimizes
needs to minimize jump vs image jump
displacement For plus lenses, the choice is
not as easy: A flat-top will
minimize jump…but a round-
top minimizes displacement
BU
When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, the
prismatic effects work to
BD cancel each other
BU+BD=Little net prism
little image displacement
So which is the best add
segment for a plus lens?
44
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds:
The choice of segment Plus lenses
type for hyperopic adds
depends on whether one h
A flat-top segment minimizes
needs to minimize jump vs image jump
displacement For plus lenses, the choice is
not as easy: A flat-top will
Jump might bother waiters minimize jump…but a round-
Displacement might bother top minimizes displacement
BU
desk workers When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, the
prismatic effects work to
BD cancel each other
BU+BD=Little net prism
little image displacement
So which is the best add
segment for a plus lens?
45
Putting It Together: Which Add Is Best?
Bifocal adds:
The choice of segment Plus lenses
type for hyperopic adds
depends on whether one h
A flat-top segment minimizes
needs to minimize jump vs image jump
displacement For plus lenses, the choice is
not as easy: A flat-top will
Jump might bother waiters minimize jump…but a round-
Displacement might bother top minimizes displacement
BU
desk workers When a round-top segment
is placed on a plus lens, the
In practice, most specs are prismatic effects work to
BD cancel each other
made with flat-top segs BU+BD=Little net prism
little image displacement
Easier and cheaper to make
So which is the best add
segment for a plus lens?
