In our stores, you’ll find that there are many choices of lenses and we understand it can be a bit overwhelming to know which lenses are right for you and your lifestyle. If you don’t know which lens option is right for you that’s okay, we are here to help. Below are a few brief descriptions of lenses so you can get a better idea of your options before you visit us for your appointment. Scheduling An Eye Exam
Lens Prescriptions:
Single Vision: Lenses that help correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These lenses are one power edge to edge and help with one visual need. They also help defend against digital eye strain so your eyes stay relaxed, comfortable and healthy.
Bifocal: Lenses that are prescribed to correct two fields of vision 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 of the lens is used for near vision. With bifocal lenses, you can enjoy reading without straining your eyes.
Trifocal: Trifocals help correct the intermediate area by adding a second small lens segment above the near vision segment. This results in a total of three power zones The intermediate segment allows the wearer to see things about 18-24 in from the face like the computer screen or the car dashboard.
Progressive lenses: Progressive lenses provide a smooth transition from distance through mid to near vision. Progressive lenses give you the most natural vision correction at all distances. With progressive lenses, you can look up to see clear across a room and far in the distance.
Lens Materials
Plastic: Plastic lenses are a good "basic lens" for entry level prescriptions (below -2 diopters). It is inherently more scratch insistent than Poly, and are also better for tinting.
Polycarbonate (Poly): Poly is 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses and they provide 100% protection from the sun's harmful UV rays. They are the preferred material for children’s glasses, sunglasses, and sports eyewear.
HI-Index Lenses: Hi-Index lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses. Their slim appearance reduces the magnified "bug-eye" look that conventional lenses cause in strong farsighted prescriptions.
Upgrades:
Tints: Light conditions can change considerably though out the day and tinted lenses can relieve the burden that these lighting contrasts can have on the eyes. Tints provide natural vision and color perception, even in glaring or diffuse light. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, tints can reduce glare, improve contrast, and enhance depth perception to match your lifestyle. Use the guide below to choose the ideal lens tints for you.
- Yellow or Orange: heightens contrast in overcast, hazy, low-light conditions. Filters blue light for sharper focus
- Ideal for cycling, hunting, shooting, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, indoor basketball, handball, racquetball, tennis.
- Amber, Rose, or Red: Heightens contrast in cloudy and sunny conditions but can cause significant color imbalances
- Ideal for cycling, fishing, hunting, shooting, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, water sports.
- Amber, Copper, or Brown: Blocks blue light and enhance contrast and visual acuity. Useful in improving contrast on grass and against blue skies.
- Ideal for cycling, fishing (especially in waters with grassy bottoms), golf, hunting, skiing, water sports.
- Green: heightens contrast (minimally) while preserving color balance
- Ideal for Baseball, golf
- Gray: reduces overall brightness while preserving 100% color recognition
- Ideal for outdoor sports in bright sunlight
HD: Offers a sharper and a 40% wider field of vision in all lighting conditions. HD lenses provide more clarity and precision because they are digitally customized to fit your eye and vision needs.
Anti-scratch: No lenses are 100% scratch proof, however there is an option to treat lenses with a scratch-resistant coating so that they become more resistant to scratching and will last longer.
Anti-Reflective (A/R) coatings: A thin coating placed on lenses helps eliminate glare from eyeglasses and provide better vision for night driving and more comfortable vision for reading and computer use.
Photochromic: These light-adaptive lens are clear when you are indoors but darken when activated by the sun's UV rays outdoors. This added protection helps defend the eyes against over-exposure to UV radiation.
Polarized:Polarized lenses have a filter that permits only vertical light rays to pass through the lens thus blocking glare from horizontal rays that are produced by flat surfaces. Blocking these horizontal rays makes your vision crisp and clear, reducing eye strain. Most polarized lenses offer UV protection for your eyes as well.
