How does XYZ Optics work exactly? A while back, someone told me that I can't have a local OPD optician cut a zero prescription lens from an authentic Oakley blank with it having XYZ Optics. The more I think about it, shouldn't the curve of the glasses define XYZ Optics?

For example, could Oakley create a plutonite lens for a Ray-ban sunglass and it would have XYZ optics? Or could Oakley create a lens out of ordinary blanks for any of its authentic frames and it would still have XYZ Optics? Speaking of which, was the Oakley/Nike feud due to Nike stealing XYZ Optics or something else?

So the question is if XYZ is dependent on:

1) The frame curvature
2) The material the Plutonite lenses are made out of
3) Both

XYZ is dependent on the frame curvature. I believe that not only does the frame curve up and down, but the thickness varies with the curve of the lens. Thus the three dimensions (x, y and z).

I think X = the rake. Y = the wrap & Z = the distance from the eye.

With all due respect, the XYZ Optics, I think refers to the tapering of the plutonite as it reaches the sides. The plutonite in a lens is thickest at the middle and slowly tapers thinner as it reaches the sides. You can try it yourself, take out your juliet lens and look at it.

Oakley was the first company to figure out that when a continous piece of polycarbonate/plutonium was bent at high wrap angles, it could cause heavy distortion at the sides. After a while this distortion caused headaches to the wearer which was very dangerous. If you dont believe me, try lifeguarding or spending a lot of time in bright sun with drugstore sunglasses.

This lens techonology has since then spread to other companies. Spy Optics refers to it as ARC; accurate radius curvature. Smith Optics refers to it as TLT; tapered lens technology. Oakley just calls it XYZ optics, or back in its heyday, HDO. High Definition Optics.

Will is correct- XYZ optics refers to the lens being thicker towards the nose to keep light from following the lens curvature (one of the disadvantages of a heavily wrapped lens curvature).

FTR, prescription lenses do not utilize XYZ, which is why Rx lenses are unavailable for the heavily wrapped (8-base and above) styles.

Thank you Neil.
Neil is also correct. RX frames are almost 5-6 base curve (little or near no curve). This is because it is near impossible to taper your lens if you have a prescription lens. Youll notice that the heavier your prescription is, the thicker your eyeglass lenses are.

To taper the eyeglass lens will alter your vision for the worse.

8 base lenses are available in RX, Juliet Splice Etc.

In very basic terms XYZ is the correction of the lens on 3 axis instead of 2 correcting the lens in 3d to give clear vision from all angles.

Very interesting. Thanks everyone.

Question on this old thread: when was XYZ optics first introduced?

Question on this old thread: when was XYZ optics first introduced? - andr3

Early to mid 90's when it was rolled out to consumers if I recall correctly. Not sure how long in development prior.

Woth the Eye Jackets I believe. Prior to that, it was Polaric Ellipsoid. I need to revisit the patent database though.

Woth the Eye Jackets I believe. Prior to that, it was Polaric Ellipsoid. I need to revisit the patent database though. - Dann

Yes, it'd be great if you were able to look that up. I have a pair of New Eye Jackets with superb lens clarity that we expect from Oakley. But in terms of image distortion they just feel ever so slightly off compared all other Oaks I have. I don't know if that's a New Eye Jacket thing or if somebody popped aftermarket lenses into these, which are not quite as good.

New Eye Jacket would be well into the XYZ era. If it feels different, then perhaps there is some sort of third party lens situation going on. It's usually very apparent when you're used to genuine Oakley optics.