Pincushion distortion is most commonly associated with which sign of spectacle lens power?

Study for the NBEO Physiological Optics Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Pincushion distortion is most commonly associated with which sign of spectacle lens power?

Explanation:
Pincushion distortion comes from how the sign of lens power shapes magnification across the lens. A converging, or plus, spectacle lens increases magnification more toward the edge than at the center. That makes straight lines near the peripheral areas bend inward toward the center, giving the pincushion look. In contrast, minus (diverging) lenses tend to cause the opposite effect, known as barrel distortion, where lines bow outward at the edges. A neutral lens doesn’t introduce noticeable distortion. So, plus-power lenses are the ones most commonly associated with pincushion distortion.

Pincushion distortion comes from how the sign of lens power shapes magnification across the lens. A converging, or plus, spectacle lens increases magnification more toward the edge than at the center. That makes straight lines near the peripheral areas bend inward toward the center, giving the pincushion look. In contrast, minus (diverging) lenses tend to cause the opposite effect, known as barrel distortion, where lines bow outward at the edges. A neutral lens doesn’t introduce noticeable distortion. So, plus-power lenses are the ones most commonly associated with pincushion distortion.

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