LENSLESS SPECTACLES -- SEEING IS BELIEVING. 

Since times prehistoric, eye protection has been implemented, and, in many cases, most successfully by native people all over the globe. The Inuit have for ages worn pieces of bone, wood or hide, containing tiny horizontal slits that protect eyes from the glare of sun, snow and sea and allowed travel for days over barren Arctic snowscapes with relative comfort. Now LAX-OPTIC, the latest in "glare interception", stenopeic (multiple-pinhole) technology provided by The Institute For Vision Improvement in South Africa.

Lensless spectacles are made of solid, unbreakable plastic containing Ninety-Seven minute holes per eye section, that operate on the same principle that first allowed pinhole box cameras to open our world to photography ("drawing with light").

For the past year I have been testing these glasses on myself and seminar attendees who, can read clearly under under conditions that previously prevented reading. After removing their regular glasses, they were asked to tell when they were unable to read a document held in front of them at varying distances. With the new Lax-Optic glasses, they were able to read such documents at the same distances. No one failed to observe this effect.

In checking with my own M.D./opthomological specialist it was confirmed that these type of glasses can also aid cateract sufferers as the light is concentrated through the pin holes and in some cases lines up with a "break" in the cateract and the item in vision then comes through clearly.

Lax-Optic supporters say that "reading too much, doing close work, watching movies/TV and sewing or bookkeeping can leave the eyes strained, dull and bloodshot". Most of us at one time or another have experienced such uncomfortable feelings. These glasses apparently reduce the eye-strain that produces tension in eye muscles. LAX-OPTIC claim that "such tension prevents blood from circulating properly through the eye muscles. This reduced nutrient flow causes eye muscles deterioration and correct, natural focusing is impossible".

These glasses also reduce sensitivity to sunlight glare and brilliant lights, through the multiple-pinhole "lenses", each of which produces a perfectly focused, non-distorted image. I personally note an improvement looking through these scientifically-spaced openings, for both near and distant vision. The "legs" of each set of glasses are much wider than on normal eye glasses, thereby cutting down the amount of light that enters via peripheral vision. That is one reason why they are NOT recommended for driving.

The Vision Improvement Institute in their literature provides other information, medical comments and clinical evidence supporting this product. While these glasses may not be for everyone, at US$34 per pair it isn't a big gamble. They come in one size and black only. An "industrial" version resembles welding or diving goggles that come with a wide, adjustable elastic band to hold the glasses in place. Seems ideal for sportsmen or people who live on houseboats and are always dropping their regular glasses in the saltchuck.

Neither type fits any existing glasses. Because of the pin-hole effect, no prescription is necessary, according to LAX-OPTIC. More information: The Institute for Vision Improvement, P.O. Box 7840, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa. Phone: 011 27 11 708-1459. Fax: 011 27 11 708-1464.

* * *

< previous | chapter index | next >
back to Main Chapter Listing
back to Home Page