Countrywide specs

29/08/2025

25/08/2025

17/05/2025

1 Optical lenses
Most optical outlets use as a standard lens for run of the mill jobs a material called CR39.
Cr39 came on the market in around 1940. By the time World War 2 began, the plastic revolution was well on its way . Most lenses in those day were glass . But due to safety issues they are being phased out . However there are glass lenses still manufactured for extremely high prescriptions and even diving masks.
New plastics were introduced by a company called Pittsburg plate glass company,and products like pleiglas and Lucite ( both trade names), were thermoplastic materials that were alkyl resin with low pressure thermosetting properties. (Google it).
The subsidy company connected to PPG called Columbia southern chemical company is where the researched for clear resins. The particular resin was alkyl diglycol carbonate (ADC) monomer that PPG trademarked under the materials batch name “CR-39”
Please make a comment!

17/05/2025

It’s a new year. At least 1/4 of it’s gone . I’ve had bot cataracts done. 20/20 vision in both eyes. Thanks Dr Francis ( Ballarat).
I’m still doing specs! And if you ever have questions on products feel free to send an email stevemck58@gmail.com
There are a lot of lenses out there some sold with fancy jargon. Sounds good . But what does it mean ! Elite?
And there are different grades of coatings from no coatings ( normally any pair that you haven’t paid for to diamond finishing) The information I’m sharing with you is from my 50 years in the trade . And from companies I still have contact with. I can source anything you want from normal specs to under water and specs for sporting applications. Even if you have broken your own frame , I could fit your lenses into another frame.
Tell a friend?
Ask me a question?
Got a problem with your specs, they don’t work for me?
I broke my frame?

25/08/2024

A message to Phillip Dumesny, l can respond on your message
Please send me a text on 0477066013

05/05/2023

Let’s talk optics

The next topic I want to cover is changing broken or old nose pads, but before that it’s not going to be the same for every frame ,”No that would be easy”….there is a massive selection of nose pads available for all types of optical frames.
Generally metal frames have nose pads , but there are versions that can be added or are part of a plastic style frame and some sports frames have pads to reduce slippage.
Nose pads can be made from a multitude of materials ,from silicone to titanium and even glass…
The information I’m sharing with you …firstly is to hopefully educate you and secondly to provide you with a possible kit( in this case)to repair your specs and with items that actually relate to your specs ,not a kit you have bought on line with 90% of bits that you’ll never use or don’t work for your optical frame.
I hope you’ll share this information with your friends and family

So there are some important tools you need

Small screwdrivers, if your frame has any screws on it , this will be handy down the track…always use the closest size to the head of the screw. And with optical frames they will be flat head or Phillips.
Something to protect the lens.
There are items that we use in the trade ( lenses guard), sometimes we use our fingers ,and many the injuries have occurred.
The right size screw for the job, and the right size or type of nose pad also….
And possibly a hands free magnifying glass….either with a light or a sewing magnifying glass ( which sits on your chest)
A readymade from the chemist might help( but I only recommend readymades for short periods, that’s another subject down the track)
The other possible tool is a texter or paint pen( something that is easily removed with metho) in case your lenses are loose mark where the joint in the metal frame is, it’s important to keep the lenses as straight as possible in the frame as the manufacturer has done for optimal vision. And if you put your lenses back into the frame and you find the vision is either not as good as it was or altogether wrong, this could be the problem. Either send it to me or go somewhere local to sort the problem.
One other thing with optical lenses is they all should have a bevel on the edge of the fitted into your frame . This is a safety edge to hopefully prevent chipping of your lenses. ( but it can only do that to a point . And a lot of the time it’s one the edge closest to your eye. So when I’m working on your specs , I work from the back….just a tip….

And some type of mat protect the front would also be good, say a mouse pad mat plus possibly hold your specs over a tray or plate, dropping parts on the floor can be a nightmare to find.

So finishing up this post, l can make your up a repair kit suitable for your frame and I can supply you with all these items so that if your away and there’s no optical technician for miles….you have a better chance of sorting it yourself , price of kits will vary depending on what parts and tools you’ll need ….
Just send me photos of your specs!

For further information send me an email theopticaltechnician@gmail.com
Or text Steve 0477066013
Please share with a friend
Below there are some run of the mill nose pads…

The frames you have been looking for, but could not find. Latest technology lenses, better prices

17/04/2023

Let’s talk optics
My bio

Plus other subject l’ll be covering as below

*changing nose pads

*types of noes pads/ comfort bridges

*replacing screws on your frame

*types of screws/ lock nuts

*the nylon has broken , how to repair it

*My rimless frame has come a part

*An individual repair kit for your specs

*my frame is slipping down my nose. How to solve this problem
temple types

*l can’t see clearly with my spectacles, what do I do !

*buying a frame on line

*How l can fit your prescription to your frame without see you..

*new verses second hand

*buying prescription lenses on line
(Dangers with bifocals/multifocals)heights

*Reading your prescription…what it means…

*Taking your pd

*prisms/fresnels

*higher index materials , what makes it different

*ready made sand the dangers of over use

*blue filters

*anti reflective coatings verses hard coated lenses

*photochromic/transition lens coatings glass verses plastics

*polarised/sunglass lenses (tints)

*6 base verses 8 base

*single vision lenses

*bifocals/trifocals

*multifocals

*channel lengths/widths

*fitting your lenses to a new frame

*how optical lenses are manufactured

*how the lenses is fitted into your frame

*step bevels and wrap fits 8/9 base

*Metal/plastic fit

*nylon fit

*rimless fit

*Diving mask fit

*safety eyewear for industry or not

*optical frames new/ end of line

*sports frames/ Google’s and diving masks

*Retro/steam punk frames

*half frames

My bio

Hi my name is Stephen Mckenna, I started in the optical trade in 1975 as an apprentice,completing a four year course as a optical fitter and surfacer(a surfacer was in the 70’s manufacturing optical lenses from a disc of optical glass)…extra courses l did was the manufacture of mirrors for telescopes and in my final years a diploma in optical dispensing.
In the 70’s glass lenses ruled the industry,we would drill holes through them (constantly breaking them) to fit to the rimless frames of the day. We did a lot of dydimium/crooks alpha and others materials used for the welders in other industries…
Coming into the 80’s plastic lense materials were becoming more popular being lighter, and with safety issues.
There were 2 distinct groups in the labs…glass lense makers and plastic lense makers.
So know plastic materials dominate the market .
Glass lenses are still been used ,but in limited use…and can be expensive…we use glass lenses to attach to diving masks where the mask lenses/lens has a flat glass front. Also in thinner materials we call indexes,the higher index glass lenses 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 will still be thinner than the higher indexes of plastic lenses 1.67 and 1.74. However the plastic lenses will be far lighter in weight , where the glass lens as the index becomes thinner it has a higher metal content.

So to continue I picked up many skills learnt from fellow technicians though out my career..fitting everything from normal specs to rimless, diving masks, archery sights, rifle sights, canon sights(Richmond barracks), lenses for vintage cars,telescope lenses,optical lenses for camera sights,various sports frames and everything in between…..even steam punk frames…

So there are a multitude of possibilities out there.if your frame is damaged,the lenses can possibly be fitted into another frame….
This skill is not common in the trade now days and only by a hand full of optical technicians, still lurking out there. Like me!

So if you have a optical problem or you’ve broken your specs,send me an email theopticialtechnician@gmail.com
(Over 40 years as an optical technician)

07/04/2023

Let’s talk optics……
Firstly if you have a problem with your specs ,let who ever made them know there’s a problem…..

If anyone has a problem ,with there specs send me a message, maybe I can help …..

Let’s talk optics

There are many types of lenses available on the market place these days….don’t be fooled by fancy names and jargon….
If you want name brands…..go for it your paying extra for a label.

All lenses on the market have advantages and disadvantages, not one product will do everything….

So let’s start with some of the lenses types available to you

Most lenses are available in many different materials, depending on your prescription and what you want to use the spectacles for

Single vision- normally for reading or for distance, however their are focal points in between these two focal lengths, called intermediate focal points ( ie computer)

Bifocal- the name bi meaning 2 focal points can be set up in a multitude of ways. (Has a clear line between sections)

Multifocals- meaning multi focal lengths….there is no physical line with this lenses ( a lot of the public think this lens is a bifocal , but there’s no physical lines between sections. Multifocals come in a multitude of designs, from general purposes, to office applications, to designs that take into account wether your right or left handed.

Then there’s a multitude of materials….glass lenses are still available but in a very small range….
The market is mostly plastic materials and some can be quite thin and light weight.
Some lenses can change colour, in the sun and with UV so in cold conditions when cloudy can also change colour. Some lenses can change behind the windscreen of your car. Some lenses can change to polarised at a certain point..
There are colour changing lenses that colour to purple, blue , pink green, amber, grey and brown
Lenses that reduce the blue light from you devices, anti reflective coating that dull the on coming head lights at night , and make you look fabulous in your family photos…
And an arrangement of sunglass lenses that make you look super cool….and can also have a mirror coating applied

You can have prescription lenses in your rifle or archery sight to hit the target,,,,swimming Google’s to win that race….diving masks….safety specs to hopefully keep you from a work place injury

You name it we can do it…..well we’ll try anyway

That’s all for now stay tuned for the next episode of let’s talk optics If you have any questions send me a line ,or text me 0477066013
Steve optician technician

For other information refer to “the optical technician “ my other page or send an email to theopticaltechnician@ gmail.com

30/09/2022

Suns out , time for some sunglasses

20/05/2021

Mens

20/05/2021

New frames

20/05/2021

Wood look temples