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Glasses and Vision: Some Common Questions

There are so many lens choices, how do I choose?

LENS MATERIALS

Conventional Plastic Lenses are half the weight of glass lenses and can be tinted to almost any color and density. Plastic lenses are more easily scratched than glass but can have an optional scratch protection applied. Plastic is more impact resistant than glass, and does not require heat treating.

High Index lighter, thinner lenses bend light differently so that stronger corrections are thinner than made in conventional plastic. High Index lenses have the added advantage of absorbing all harmful UV light and can be tinted.

Photochromatic Lenses darken in the sun. They are available in glass, plastic and high index materials.

Glass Lenses were the only choice for years. The most scratch-resistant material, the primary disadvantage of glass is weight, generally twice that of plastic. Glass lenses are heat or chemically treated to increase impact resistance.

LENS DESIGN

Single Vision Lenses are have the same prescription throughout the lens. They can be full time glasses, reading only or distance only. They are available in all lens materials.

Aspheric Lenses provide special visual and cosmetic benefits for stronger corrections and increase edge to edge clarity. Flatter than conventional lenses, aesthetics eliminate the "bulgy " appearance of strong farsighted lenses. Persons with strong nearsighted corrections also benefit from thinner, lighter weight lenses when their lenses are aspheric. There is less eye magnification with farsighted corrections and less "small eyes" look with nearsighted corrections. Aspheric lenses are often made of high index materials for the ultimate in thin lenses.

Progressives ("No-Line Bifocals") provide all the benefits of bifocals or trifocals but add the feature of continuous clear vision at all distance, including mid-range distance. They progressively, gradually change from a distance prescription at the top to a near prescription on the bottom. Progressives have the cosmetic advantage of appearing to be single vision lenses. Progressives are available in all lens materials and also made in aspheric form. Because of their many benefits they are becoming the lens of choice for bifocal and trifocal wearers.

Flat Top Bifocals provide a distinct distance and near prescription with the segment in a variety of widths to help with various close-up vision needs. Flat-tops are made in every type of lens material.

Executive Bifocals have a reading portion that goes from edge to edge in the lower portion of the lens. They have the disadvantage of being thicker and are generally only available in glass, conventional plastic and photochromic glass. They are being replaced by wide flat-top bifocals.

Trifocals come in a variety of designs. The added middle area provides clear vision at arms length distance, the area that is usually blurred for bifocal wearers. Trifocals are available in all lens materials.

    Sports Glasses special designs are available for the special needs of sports. Polycarbonate is usually the material of choice for active sports.

    Polarized Sun Lenses eliminate reflected glare they are appropriate for driving, boating and all types of outdoor activities.

LENS TREATMENTS

  • Scratch Protection Coating. Plastic lenses scratch more easily than glass lenses. This coating helps protect lenses from normal scratching.

  • UV Protection treats plastic and glass lenses to filter out harmful UV rays. Polycarbonate and High-Index include a built in UV protection. 
  • Anti-Reflection Coatings reduce reflections and can be helpful for night driving and for computer users. They enhance the appearance of spectacle wearers by removing lens reflections.

We welcome all inquiries regarding visual services and we accept most forms of health insurance. For information please contact us.