Lenses and Lens Options
Lens Materials
CR-39 - CR-39 lenses are plastic.
Polycarbonate - Polycarbonate is impact resistant and very safe for children and adults.
Trivex - Trivex is also impact resistant, but is clearer to see through versus polycarbonate. It does not scratch as easily and provides less distortion compared to the polycarbonate lenses.
High Index - (1.60/1.67) High Index lenses are cleaner, thinner, and lighter for people to wear that have moderate to high prescriptions.
Hyper Index - (1.70/1.74) Hyper Index lenses are the lightest thinnest lenses made and are exceptional for people who have high glasses prescriptions. This lens provides crisper and clearer vision with less lens distortion.
Aspheric - Aspheric design is advanced technology that is added primarily to High Index lenses providing patient's with slimmer, flatter curves for a more attractive profile. They reduce the "beady eyes" look or "magnification" look some patients get due to their prescription. Aspheric lens design provides a wide field of vision, less lens distortion, and a better peripheral view. They look better cosmetically and provide better visual benefits.
Different Type of Lenses
Single Vision - Single Vision lenses are prescribed to patient's who only need correction for one field of vision.
Bifocals - Bifocal lenses are designed to provide two different areas of vision correction, which are divided by a line that sits horizontally across the lens. The top portion of the lens is used for distance, while the bottom portion is used for near vision.
Trifocals - Trifocals are lenses that have three regions which correct distance, intermediate (especially computer work), and near vision. The regions are divided by two distinct horizontal lines.
Progressives - Progressive lenses provide a graduated range of vision that varies from distance, intermediate, and near vision by harnessing 10-12 powers from top to bottom.
Lens Options
Scratch Resistant Coating - No lenses are free from scratches; however, adding a scratch resistant coating to your lenses extend their life and helps to resist scratches. It is a coating that the lab treats the lenses with, many premium lenses are pretreated with scratch resistant coatings and it does not need to be added on.
Anti-Reflective Coating - Anti-reflective lenses are treatments that eliminate unwanted reflection and glare. They do improve the appearance of your eyewear. Anti-reflective coating allows 99.5% of light to pass through the lenses and enter the eye. This treatment increases vision by 14%.
UV Protection - Ultra Violet treatment is an invisible dye that blocks harmful UV radiation. It is similar to sunscreen which keeps the sun's rays from harming your skin. Over exposure to UV radiation is thought to cause cataracts, retinal damage, and other harmful eye problems. Some lenses are pretreated with UV protection; however, regular CR-39 (plastic) lenses are not.
Transitions - Transition lenses are also called photochromic - meaning that they automatically darken outside and are lighter indoors They are also called "variable tint sunglasses". They shield your eyes 100% from unwanted UV radiation. They make for a great 2-in-1 combination: having both sunglasses and dress glasses all in one pair.
Polarization - Polarization provides the best sun-wear lens because they eliminate glare and reduce eye strain. They contain a special filter that blocks intensely reflective light.