As visual demands continue to evolve, many practices are seeing a growing group of patients who fall between traditional lens categories. These patients are not yet ready for progressive lenses, but they are no longer fully successful in standard single vision designs. Boost, or anti-fatigue, lenses exist to address this exact gap.
For FastGrind practices, this category represents an important expansion of capability. Not a replacement for progressives and not a variation of standard single vision, boost lenses function as a progressive-adjacent solution that supports earlier-stage visual needs while preserving established lens hierarchy and workflow.
Boost and anti-fatigue lenses are typically classified as low add lenses. They are designed with a small amount of accommodative support in the lower portion of the lens to reduce sustained near-task demand.
Unlike progressive lenses, these designs do not introduce a full corridor or multiple viewing zones. Instead, they retain the simplicity and visual familiarity of single vision lenses while adding a controlled, limited amount of near support.
Because of this structure, boost lenses are often described as progressive-adjacent. They borrow selectively from progressive design concepts without requiring full adaptation or presbyopic correction.
Modern patients are performing near tasks for longer periods and across more devices than ever before. Many experience visual fatigue or strain well before they meet the clinical or functional criteria for progressive lenses.
Historically, practices were left with two less-than-ideal options for these patients. Continue prescribing standard single vision lenses that do not fully address near demand, or introduce progressives earlier than necessary.
Boost and anti-fatigue lenses were developed to solve this problem. They provide a measured, intermediate solution that supports near work without forcing premature progression into full multifocal designs.
From a practice perspective, boost lenses are most appropriate for patients whose visual demands are changing but not yet fully presbyopic.
Progressive lenses remain the most complete and versatile solution for presbyopic correction.
Boost and anti-fatigue lenses sit below progressives in the hierarchy. They are not intended to replace them, but rather to serve as a bridge solution.
Standard single vision lenses remain foundational.
FastGrind practices are already accustomed to controlling more of the lens production process in-office.
Adding boost and anti-fatigue lenses to the lens menu expands that control earlier in the patient journey.
Assist is an upcoming lens capability designed specifically to support boost and anti-fatigue lenses within the FastGrind system.
Boost and anti-fatigue lenses extend care earlier, protect the value of progressive lenses, and enhance the overall patient experience.
For existing FastGrind customers, Assist will be accessible through the FastGrind software environment. To ensure Assist appears in your lens menu when available, contact Super Optical at 1-513-321-2456 or reach out to your Customer Relations Manager to confirm you are running the latest version of FastGrind software.
FastGrind Capabilities Overview This article provides a clear, factual overview of what the FastGrind in-office lens surfacing system can produce today. It is intended as a reference point for independent
MYTH: FastGrind is limited on lens options. FALSE! FastGrind offers 6 different lens types including Progressive, Bifocal, Single vision and more. Along with 11 different Lens Features such as Anti-Reflection,
MYTH: In-Office Lens Surfacing doesn’t save that much money. FALSE! With FastGrind, customers often see over a 50% reduction in their lens costs compared to their current lab! FastGrind is
