Glasses and Contacts Eyeglass Lenses
With the changing of times, new advancements in lens materials, coatings and types of lenses have flooded the market. Each lens has it particular purpose and depending upon your need, it will have a place in your glasses. Whether you need a distance only, near only glasses or need the progressive invisible bifocal for your distance, intermediate and near work, our staff will be able to assist you in choosing the right lens and material for your needs. We have access to all type of lenses available today and in the many different materials available. Just tell us your specific needs and we will be able to put together a lens for your personal needs. Lens Types Singles Vision Lenses Used for either Distance or Near only prescriptions Can be used for Computer glasses Available in all types of materials and with all coatings available
Multi-focal (Bifocal/Trifocal) Lenses Allows you to focus through different prescriptions at different distances Bifocal- has two focusing areas (distance and near only) Trifocal- has three focusing areas ( distance, intermediate and near) Lenses typically has lines running through the lenses (visible bifocals "flat-top")
Progressive Invisible Bifocal Lenses Referred to as "No-Line" bifocals Provides visual correction for distance, intermediate, and near vision NO visible lines to show that you are wearing a bifocal lens These lenses are the closest to how natural vision is before the onset of "Presbyopia" -the need for reading glasses Provides a smooth transition from distance to intermediate to near focusing
Specialty Multi-focal Lenses Double-D Bifocal, has a half-moon shaped flat top bifocal at the bottom and at the top of the lens. The middle section is used for distance viewing. This bifocal allows you to see near vision when looking up above or down below. Car mechanics, plumbers, electricians, pilots, etc. use these due to the near vision demands from above and below.
Golfers Seg A round seg bifocal is placed low and in the inside comer of one lens, creating a pair of "golf glasses". The bifocal is placed in the glasses to allow the golfer to read and write on the scorecard without compromising the vision necessary to hit the "sweet spot" on the ball.
Lens Materials Lenses can be made of glass, plastic or polycarbonate. Glass is more durable and resistance to scratches, but is less impact resistant. Plastic and Polycarbonate lenses are thinner and lighter and are more impact resistant, but scratch more easily. Polycarbonate is the most impact-resistant lens available. Depending upon your activities, we can determine with you what type of lens material is best suited for your visual needs. Whether you are looking for lenses that are thinner and lighter, or lenses that darken and lighten, we can assist you in your decision and choice of lenses. Certain types of materials are better suited for specific tasks, and depending upon your visual requirements, our staff can assist you in choosing the best lens combination suited to your individual needs and function. CR-39 (Regular Plastic Lenses) Traditional plastic lenses available in all types of single vision and multi-focal lenses Lightweight and durable Can be tinted to any colors Polycarbonate Lenses Thinner and lighter in weight than traditional plastic lenses The most impact resistant lenses available (good for kids and sports Rx) Offer ultra-violet protection from the suns harmful rays High Index Lenses Available in Plastic or Glass materials Makes lenses thinner and lighter (good for those with higher prescriptions) Alternative to "Coke-bottle" lenses Available for those who are Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, and Astigmatism Aspheric Lenses Similar to High Index lenses, but thinness is accomplished by the lens design and not just the lens material Aspheric lenses use "a fatter base curve" in their design The use of a flatter base curve allows for a thinner edge design in nearsighted Rx and a flatter center for farsighted Rx (thus reducing the magnification of the eye) Better cosmetics and better optics than regular lenses Photo-Chormic Lenses* Lenses that change from light to dark, depending upon the amount of ultraviolet light exposed to the lenses Available in Glass, Plastic and Polycarbonate lens materials Available in High Index materials Available in Single Vision, Multi- focal and Progressive Invisible Bifocals Available in traditional "gray and brown" colors Now, fun newer colors such as "teal blue to green, yellow to orange, and red to purple" are also available As a general rule, photo-chromic lenses won't darken behind the windshield because the glass blocks out the UV rays that causes the lenses to change color * Special Medical Applications of Photo-Chromic Lenses Used to enhance the vision of patients who have various ocular pathologies Used by individuals who have beginning to moderate light sensitivity due to various ocular pathologies Polarized Lenses Designed to reduce or eliminate reflective glare from water, snow, pavement, airborne water particles, dust, buildings, concrete, ice, sand, wet road surfaces and windshields Glare from the sun poses an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe component when driving or enjoying the outdoors Bright sunlight and reflected sunlight from many of the surfaces around us can cause eye strain and eye fatigue Glare that is produced is dangerous because it reduces contrast and visual acuity Recommended for those who spends time outdoors, gardener, anglers, boaters, water and snow sport enthusiasts, golfers, and photosensitive contact lens wearers. Provides the maximum glare reduction and comfort in sun eyewear Available in traditional gray and brown colors Lens Coatings Anti-reflective coating, Ultra-violet coating, Scratch resistant coating, and Mirror coatings are options that make eyeglass lenses more attractive and last longer.
Anti- Reflective Coating Improves the vision through the lenses and the appearance of the glasses Similar to the coatings found on microscopes and camera lenses Reduces glare, reflections and halos around lights Enhances "Night Driving" Enhances Computer vision and reduces reflections and glare from the monitor Ultra- Violet Coating Blocks the harmful sun's UV rays from damaging the eyes Over exposure to ultra-violet light is thought to be a cause of Cataracts, Retinal damage and other eye problems Applied to most plastic lenses and does not change the appearance of the lenses Scratch Resistant Coating NO eyeglass lens material is "Scratch Proof', not even glass. Scratch Coating is a hard protective coating applied to the front and back surface of the lens to make it more resistant to scratching Available with all types of plastic lenses from the factory Mirror Coatings A highly reflective coating applied to the front surface of a lens Typically used on sunglasses to reflect light Available in traditional multi-colors of the rainbow, silver, gold and copper metallic Other fun colors include Hot pink, Blue, Green, purple Mirror coatings are purely cosmetic, the wearer perceives NO difference in vision regardless of what color the coating is. Tints* Colored lenses that remain constant all the time Available on plastic and glass lenses Lighter, fashion tints are used primarily for cosmetic purposes Darker tints are used as sunglasses Tints can be solid or gradient (dark on top and lighter on bottom)

* Color Tints are Applied to Lenses for Different Purposes

Yellow Referred to as a "blue-blocker", keeps blue light from entering the lens Often the color of choice for target shooters, because it decreases haze and makes objects appear sharper, with more contrast Green Ray Ban color (G-15), used in sunglasses to reduce glare and bright lights Keeps colors neutral Red Used mainly for persons with certain ocular pathologies Orange/Brown Also commonly called the "Blue Blocker Tint" It blocks the blue light from entering the eye, thus increasing contrast and at the same time, provide sun protection from bright lights (sun glasses)