Prescription 3-D glasses

[Derek Gee <73157.2172@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Morris asks:
>I've thought for years about getting glasses like this.  Can you tell us how
>you got your optician to make them for you?  What is the magic incantation
>in optical-speak that properly describes the necessary polarization?
 
Here's most of my article from the February 1993 Stereo Window magazine:
 
Prescription 3-D Glasses?
-------------------------

When I first started to wear prescription eyeglasses in 1989, I quickly
noticed that watching polarized 3-D slides and movies was not going
to be as pleasant.  Putting full-frame 3-D glasses over my own was
uncomfortable and caused internal reflections, while the clip-on 3-D
glasses were cheaply made, caused some internal refections, and 
risked scratching my eyeglasses.  My eye doctor had recommended against
wearing contacts, so what was I to do?
 
I quickly thought, "Why not prescription 3-D eyeglasses?"  After doing
some research and experimentation, I thought I could make it work.  I
approached my local optical shop and told them my idea.  They were 
willing to give it a try.  It took a few attempts to get just the
right neutral gray tint to match the commercial 3-D glasses, but
eventually we found one type of polarized lens that seemed ideal.
After a bit of experimentation, my optician was able to cut my
prescription into the blanks and mount them into my frames with
the same orientation as regular 3-D glasses.

After 10 months or so of use (now a few years), I can state that these
are the best pair of polarized 3-D glasses I have ever used.  The 
polarizing material in my lenses is much better than that of the
usual 3-D glasses, and are much clearer than what I was used to.
They also do not scratch as easily, and I no longer have to bother
with clip-ons and the like.  The cost of the glasses is about the
same as a pair of regular prescription sunglasses; not cheap, but
worth it if you do as much 3-D viewing as I do.  The glasses can
be made for all but the most extreme prescriptions.

(information containing local optical place and phone number deleted)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 
I'd talk to a friendly optician and show him a pair of 3-D glasses.
The polarized plastic blanks have a line showing the direction of
polarization.  Rotate the blank until it matches the polarization
of the 3-D glasses you brought.  Have optician write cutting 
instructions on blank.  Repeat for other lens.  This process can
take some time, but it's worth the effort.  Too bad you don't
live in Detroit, I could just send you over to my optician!  :(
 
                               Derek Gee
                               Vice-President
                               Detroit Stereographic Society




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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 1186
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