Lenses

Picking out glasses can be overwhelming!  There can be lots of choices and options.  Our opticians are experts at working with you to determine what best suits your needs and situation!

Focal Type

In general, glasses are categorized by the type of focus they give you. 

• Single Vision lenses keep you focused at one primary viewing distance.  When we’re young, this is typically far away, though we still see well through the glasses at closer distances because our eye’s natural focusing system is still fully functional.  Eventually this system becomes less efficient, and we may need additional help focusing up close!  At this point, you can do multiple pairs (one pair for each distance you typically focus at), or you can move into another lens type!
• Bifocal lenses keep you focused at two primary viewing distances.  When you look straight ahead, you are well-focused for distance.  If you move your eyes down toward the bottom of the lenses, your focus shifts to an up-close distance.  We can set this specific distance based on where you are comfortable holding things while reading.
• Trifocal lenses keep you focused at three primary viewing distances.  They are set up very similarly to bifocals, but have an in-between section focused at more of an arm’s-length distance – this is especially helpful for viewing computers, the dashboard in your car, the faces of people you are talking to, etc.
• Progressive lenses allow for focus at any viewing distance from far away to your up close reading and everything in between – the further down you move your eyes, the closer your focus becomes.  
• There are various other specialty glasses designed to help with focus specifically at computers, in industrial settings, or for people who experience eye strain.  Talk with our doctors or opticians if you are having trouble with your vision in any aspect of your life and we can make specific recommendations to best suit you!

What Makes a Quality Progressive Lens?

A question we frequently get from patients is why our lenses cost more than some retailers.  Specifically with progressive lenses, it comes down to the quality of progressive lenses that we offer, and the expertise we have in obtaining fitting measurements to be sure the lens works well for you. So what makes a quality progressive lens?

• All progressive lenses have peripheral distortions – in order to include many different prescriptions and focal distances in the same lens, there has to be some compromise. Some lenses do a better job of minimizing these distortions than others!  We only offer top-of-the-line lenses that try to maximize the clear viewing zones while minimizing the peripheral distortions.
• The way in which lenses are made can impact the optics (clarity) of your vision at different distances.  We utilize lenses called “freeform” progressives that digitally surface the prescription onto the lens.  This provides better optics as well as generally a thinner lens than non-freeform designs.  These designs tend to include complex calculations taking into account how lenses will sit on the face and the natural movements of the human eye.
• Individualization/Customization – with our highest-end progressives, we take a series of complex measurements specific to you and the frame that you have chosen.  This allows the creation of a lens specifically tailored to you to make your viewing experience feel most natural and comfortable throughout your day.

Other Glasses Options

Material – The material that a lens is made out of can have a big impact on vision and lens performance.  Some materials are naturally thinner and lighter; especially for high prescriptions this can help make the glasses much more comfortable when they rest on your face.  Some materials are more impact-resistant than others, meaning they are less likely to splinter or shatter if hit.  This can be especially useful for kids or people with certain professions or hobbies.

Antireflective (AR) Coatings – these are additions to lenses that do many beneficial things for our vision, lens appearance, and lens durability – we consider them a must for quality glasses!  Our mantra is that the prescription is only one piece of the vision puzzle; antireflective coatings are another importance piece that help you look better, see better, and feel better!  

• They reduce glare (reflections) off the surfaces of the lens.  This makes it easier for you to see in a variety of situations, particularly when driving, when under overhead lights, and when viewing screens.  This can help greatly reduce eye strain and fatigue.  
• AR coatings also help make the lenses look better when people look at you – they reduce the appearance of the old “coke-bottle” effect for higher prescriptions or larger lenses, and reducing glare makes it easier for people to see your eyes rather than reflections off your lenses.  
• AR coatings all include top-of-the-line scratch protection to minimize the risk of damage to your lenses from normal wear and tear.  Also, the AR coating is what guarantees the excellent lens warranties that we offer in-office.  If your lenses develop any scratches within the warranty window, we replace them free of charge!

Photochromic Lenses – these lenses transition from mostly clear when indoors, to tinted when exposed to UV.  This can make you feel more comfortable when outdoors without having to always switch to a separate pair of sunglasses.  Unlike sunglasses, however, they do not get as dark as may be needed for comfortable viewing in bright sunlight, and they may not always work behind the windshield when driving (it depends on the specific UV filtering in your car’s windows).