Development and Clinical Trial of A New Trial Frame for Ophthalmic Use

• Published in: JAPANESE ORTHOPTIC JOURNAL Vol. 25; pp. 75 - 82
• Main Authors: Shimizu, Miharu, Inaizumi, Remiko, Teramoto, Mieko, Sawa, Fumiko, Nakamura, Keiko, Utsumi, Takashi, Ueno, Masato
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED ORTHOPTISTS 1997
• Subjects: Colored design; Durability; Engineering plastics; Lightweight; Trial frame
• ISSN: 0387-5172; 1883-9215
• DOI: 10.4263/jorthoptic.25.75

Trial frames for ophthalmic use popularly utilized in Japan are lack of comfort, lightness, and durability, and are generally not satisfactory. Therefore, we joined with Masunaga Optical Mfg. Co., Ltd. in the development of a New Trial Frame to resolve the problems and made a clinical trial on a large number of subjects after obtaining their informed consent. The 2, 980 subjects were randomly selected from the outpatients who visited our ophthalmic clinic in the Osaka Medical College Hospital from February 2 to September 30 in 1995. 350 three-year-old children who visited the clinic to check the visual acuity as a social examination during the above-stated period were also included in the trial. We compared the New Trial Frames to the traditional frames of Fixed Triple Frames® (HANDAYA) and Simple BC Frames® (TAKADA MINOSUKE SHOUTEN). The New Trial Frames by Masunaga Optical Mfg. CO., Ltd. were made with engineering plastics. The features of the plastics are anti bacterial properties and scratch resistant surfaces as well as durability. A titanium alloy as a metalic part was used because of light weight. The comfort of fitting was improved by their unique ideas. Bright colored designs were employed to enlist the children's enthusiastic cooperation. As a result, the New Trial Frames gave a suitable comfort to the subjects and a favorable impression to us. The subjects were well satisfied with the New Trial Frames even after the long trial before prescribing the glasses. The bright color of the Frames was widely preferred by the children. Further widespread and practical use of the New Trial Frame is expected.