Optimisation of progressive lenses: Listing’s law

Companies such as Rodenstock have applied Listing’s law for a long time when manufacturing lenses. Nevertheless, there is still on-going discussion regarding its interpretation. In these two articles, we aim to explain the background to the application of the law and its influence on the subsequent quality of vision through spectacle lenses. This will demonstrate how the correct adjustment of the cylinder axis, both for distance and near vision, is very important for visual quality.

Rodenstock calculate the appropriate correction of any near astigmatism possible with their EyeLT system which shall also be explained in the second of these articles.¹ This system is based on the assumption that Listing’s law has to be adapted in a specific way for near vision, and for the last 20 years the proof for the need for this adaptation has been the resultant improved quality of vision through the resultant lenses.