ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Frame Measurements and the Boxing System

Question 1

In the boxing system of frame measurement, what does the 'A' measurement represent?

Accepted Answer

The horizontal width of the lens opening (eye size)

Answer

In the boxing system, the 'A' measurement (eye size or lens width) is the horizontal width of the smallest rectangle that can fully contain the lens shape. It is one of the three key frame measurements (A, B, DBL) used to specify frame dimensions and calculate optical centration.

Question 2

The DBL (Distance Between Lenses) in the boxing system is measured from:

Accepted Answer

The nasal (innermost) edge of one lens opening to the nasal edge of the other

Answer

DBL is measured horizontally from the innermost (nasal) edge of one lens opening to the innermost edge of the other — it is the minimum gap between the two lenses. This measurement directly represents the bridge span required and is used in frame PD calculations.

Question 3

Using the boxing system, the frame geometric center distance (frame PD) is calculated as:

Accepted Answer

2A + DBL

Answer

Frame geometric center distance (GCD) = A + DBL + A = 2A + DBL. This is the distance between the boxing centers (geometric centers) of the two lens openings. It is compared to the patient's binocular PD to determine how much decentration is needed.

Question 4

What is the 'effective diameter' (ED) of a lens frame, and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

The diameter of the smallest circle that fully contains the lens shape; used to determine minimum blank size

Answer

Effective diameter (ED) is the diameter of the smallest circle that can completely enclose the lens shape. When ordering lenses, the uncut blank must have a diameter greater than the ED plus twice the decentration amount, ensuring enough lens material to cut the correct optical center position.

Question 5

A patient's monocular PDs are 32 mm OD and 31 mm OS. The frame has an A measurement of 52 mm and a DBL of 18 mm. What is the decentration (in mm) required per eye?

Accepted Answer

OD: 3 mm in, OS: 4 mm in

Answer

The boxing center per eye sits at (A/2) + (DBL/2) = 26 + 9 = 35 mm from the frame midline. Decentration OD = 35 − 32 = 3 mm in (nasally). Decentration OS = 35 − 31 = 4 mm in. The OC must be moved nasally to align with the pupil because the frame's GC is wider than the patient's PD.

ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Practice Test

ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Practice Test

ABO NOCE Basic Opticianry Frame Measurements and the Boxing System