TOKYO— Carl Zeiss Vision announced that the Japanese Patent Office has granted Zeiss two patents covering certain types of back-surface free-form progressive lenses and processes by which they are made. These include types of progressive lenses whose front surfaces are rotationally symmetric with the back-surface progressive design determined by the individual prescriptions alone or in combination with other customization options.

“The back surface free-form lens technology covered by our patents has been an important innovation with implications for the manufacture of quality ophthalmic lenses and the delivery of superior visual solutions to the market,” said Rolf Beyersdoerfer, president of Carl Zeiss Japan. “This proprietary free-form technology has been changing industry standards for years now, is patented in many major markets and also licensed to major lens companies.”

Zeiss has licensed its patented, back-surface free-form lens technology to the Essilor Group, Hoya, Rodenstock and other major lens companies.