How many diopters of power may be added for lenses left in the office using a soft cloth or sponge?

When performing adjustments on lenses that are being temporarily left in an office environment, it is important to consider the changes in power that can be safely added without compromising the quality of vision or the structural integrity of the lenses. Adding 1 diopter is a safe and generally accepted practice for lenses that have been cleaned under controlled conditions.

Adding 1 diopter allows for reasonable variability in lens power while minimizing the risk of optical distortion, ensuring that the lenses remain functional for the patient until they can provide their own corrective needs. Additionally, this practice allows for a balance between adjusting the optical requirements due to minor changes in alignment or distance while maintaining comfort for the wearer.

In contrast, larger adjustments such as 1.5 or 2 diopters may significantly alter the optics and can result in discomfort or vision problems for the person using them. Therefore, staying within the 1 diopter limit is considered best practice in optics, particularly for temporary adjustments made while in a professional setting.