# Adlens variable focus eyewear. What a fascinating technology! I had no idea these existed **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 1, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051 "2013-08-01T03:30:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051/1 "2013-08-01T03:30:34Z")
See > **[Prescription VR Lenses | Made in UK | Meta, PSVR, PICO, Lenovo Legion](https://vrprooptics.com)** > > Prescription VR lenses made in the UK for Meta Quest 3, PSVR2, PICO 4, Lenovo Legion and more. Custom prescription lens inserts, replacing your normal prescription glasses to take your VR experience to the next level. Surprisingly they are not that expensive. > [@](#): > > Alvarez lens technology > > Each lens comprises two wave-shaped polycarbonate plates that are able to slide across one another. The power of each lens can be varied by moving the plates relative to one another, as shown in the diagram. > Fluid-Compression lens technology > > Currently in development, Fluid-Compression technology has the power to truly transform the way people see the world. Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with the latest developments. > Fluid-Injection, variable focus lens technology > > Each variable focus lens comprises an elastic membrane held in a chamber between rigid front and back polycarbonate plates. When fluid is injected into the chamber the elastic membrane bows outwards or inwards to change the power of the lens, as shown in the diagram. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051/2 "2013-08-01T03:39:57Z")
[Youtube video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwigh1nDW6A) ---
**Author:** ![phouka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c5a1d2/32.png) [@phouka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phouka)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051/3 "2013-08-01T13:00:18Z")
I remember seeing something about this when a global charity was trying to find a way to supply the poor in Africa with glasses. Even polycarbonate lens grinding is too expensive and time consuming to get glasses out on the scale needed. The version I saw was very clunky and ugly, but it was affordable. Nice to see they’ve found a fashion outlet for them. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051/4 "2013-08-01T13:07:12Z")
They still look more or less clunky and ugly, but if function trumps form for someone, they’re a neat option. ---
**Author:** ![Dragwyr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dragwyr/32/2855_2.png) [@Dragwyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragwyr)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051/5 "2013-08-01T14:05:08Z")
This is not a new idea. [Superfocus](http://www.superfocus.com/)glasses have been out for at least the past 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051/6 "2013-08-01T15:57:27Z")
> [@Dragwyr](#): > > This is not a new idea. [Superfocus](http://www.superfocus.com/)glasses have been out for at least the past 4 years. But the Superfocus are way more expensive, although they don’t have those ugly dials on the sides. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2013, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051/7 "2013-08-01T16:08:53Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > But the Superfocus are way more expensive, although they don’t have those ugly dials on the sides. The dials are removable, after you’ve set your focal length. ---
**Author:** ![JWT\_Kottekoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@JWT\_Kottekoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWT_Kottekoe)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2013, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adlens-variable-focus-eyewear-what-a-fascinating-technology-i-had-no-idea-these-existed/665051/8 "2013-08-02T02:42:35Z")
I remember Louis Alvarez showing me a pair of adjustable lens eyeglasses about 40 years ago. According to a Google search, he invented them in 1964. His glasses worked by sliding two lenses with complex shapes across each other. This was commercialized a few years ago by [Focus on Vision.](http://www.focus-on-vision.org/adjustable-glasses/product-details/)