# Optical Tool > Optical industry calculation and formula viewing tool. (iPhone/iPad app by Brent McCardle.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optical-tool/id430111962 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Brent McCardle](https://appshunter.io/developer/430111965) - Category: Education - Price: $2.99 - Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 11 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 18.0 · 7 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2011-04-10 - Data updated: 2026-10-13 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optical-tool/id430111962/reviews.md ## What is Optical Tool? With Optical Tool you will be able to get the answers you need instantaneously. You will have the ability to analyze data to get the best result. Everyone in the optical industry needs this app! Calculations: -Oblique Meridian -Resultant Prism -Resolving Prism -Center Thickness and Edge Thickness -Spectacle Magnification -Position of Wear Compensated and Effective -Crossed Cylinder -Vertex Distance Compensation View Formula: The app will show you, step by step, how the calculation was performed for these calculations -Oblique Meridian -Resultant Prism -Resolving Prism -Center Thickness and Edge Thickness -Spectacle Magnification -Vertex Compensation * If you like Optical Tool, please rate it. ## Key features - Instantaneous calculations - Data analysis for best results - Oblique Meridian calculation - Resultant and Resolving Prism calculation - Center and Edge Thickness calculation - Spectacle Magnification - Step-by-step formula viewing ## Is Optical Tool safe? Not enough ratings yet to assess Optical Tool. ## Is Optical Tool legit? Optical Tool appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Optical Tool is 73 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data. ## Recent user reviews (10 of 11) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optical-tool/id430111962/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Love it! *2019-09-08* I love this app! It’s not only a handy tool but a fantastic visual aid for explaining those more complicated optical principles. My only issue is that I can’t seem to be able to enter minus power prescriptions only plus. So that does limit somewhat it’s usefulness ### 5/5 — Best Cheater App for Optical Calculation *2018-06-14* I technically know the math required to do these optical calculations, but this app makes it easy to just get the info at the end so you can move on with your life. If you're in school please just learn how to do this math with pen, paper, and a calculator youll be a much better optician for it. In the real world situations where you just want to know the answer this app is indispensable. Plus, Brent McCardle is a pretty cool guy and knows his stuff. After I learned that he created this app I was that much more grateful for his small gift to opticians everywhere. ### 1/5 — Big mistake It doesn't work *2015-02-06* If I could, I would rate this app no stars. I keep getting error messages when I try to use the App. The app designer said he knows it doesn't work and a new update is almost finished, but I still haven't seen one. I'm trying to get a refund. ### 5/5 — Wonderful! *2013-10-10* As a Optical Mgr and dual licensed optician I use this often. Its a wonderful optical tool for any optician. Thank you so so much and if you are considering buying this.... Do it! You will love it also. ### 5/5 — Wow...where have u been :-) *2012-01-22* Love it... ### 5/5 — So helpful *2011-12-02* I've been searching the app store for a few days looking for an app that made "finding the power @90 & 180" easy. Since I'm a Licenses Optician / Lab Manager, it's great to have a tool like this at my fingertips for a very very busy lab ! I will be telling my optical peers about this ! My only change would be , is to actually add the ability to touch a + or - sign when entering a script vs. tap or double tapping. Thanks! ### 5/5 — Great app! *2011-06-04* This is awesome! great tool at the tip of my fingers! ### 5/5 — Lab Managers Friend *2011-05-03* This application was brought to my attention at an annual continuing education hours meeting for Licensed Dispensing Opticians. After hearing about it's usefulness I downloaded it immediately. This application is a must have for any Lab Manager providing 1 Hr or same day processing. Using it is very simple and fast. The optical formulas would also be very valuable for apprentice opticians and any other associates starting in the field of optics. I was also impressed with the response time of the application developer. I had a question and after sending an email he responded the same day in just a few hours. ### 5/5 — Gr8 app! *2011-04-12* :) ### 4/5 — Nice app *2011-04-12* This app makes smart phones work smart. Needs to be in every lab managers pocket. ## Frequently asked questions about Optical Tool ### What calculations does Optical Tool offer? Optical Tool offers calculations for Oblique Meridian, Resultant Prism, Resolving Prism, Center Thickness and Edge Thickness, Spectacle Magnification, Position of Wear Compensated and Effective, Crossed Cylinder, and Vertex Distance Compensation. ### Does Optical Tool show how calculations are performed? Yes, Optical Tool provides step-by-step formula views for calculations such as Oblique Meridian, Resultant Prism, Resolving Prism, Center Thickness and Edge Thickness, Spectacle Magnification, and Vertex Compensation. ### What is the price of Optical Tool? Optical Tool is a paid application priced at $2.99. ### What is the age rating for Optical Tool? Optical Tool has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. ### How often is Optical Tool updated? The latest version, 3.3, was updated on October 8, 2025, indicating active development and support for the application. ### What devices is Optical Tool compatible with? While specific device compatibility isn't detailed, it's a mobile application designed for users in the optical industry. ### What do users like about Optical Tool? With a perfect 5.0-star rating from one review, users likely appreciate its instant calculation capabilities and the detailed formula explanations. ### Is Optical Tool suitable for beginners in the optical industry? The app's step-by-step formula views can be beneficial for learning and understanding complex optical calculations, making it potentially useful for those new to the industry. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 3.3 — 2025-10-08 Updated to 4.0 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-10-13.*