It's no longer prudent to simply order the same type of lenses you previously wore. There have been marvelous improvements in lens materials and lens designs, many of which didn't even exist a year or two ago.

Lens Materials   Lens Designs   Optional Lens Treatments   Vision Safety Notice

Hard Resin (plastic)
Conventional hard resin lenses are half the weight of glass lenses and can be tinted to almost any color and density. Hard resin lenses are more easily scratched than glass but can have an optional scratch protection applied. More impact resistant than glass, hard resin lenses do not require heat treating.

Lighter, thinner Lenses
Modern technology has created lenses that bend light differently so that stronger corrections are thinner than when made in conventional materials. Such lenses are called "high index" and stronger corrections are more attractive because they are slimmer. Glass lenses are also available with the slimming advantages of high index but are considerably heavier High index plastic uses less material so they are often lighter in weight. High index lenses absorb all harmful UV light and can be tinted to any shade or color.

Lenses That Darken in the Sun
These are lenses that darken as you go from indoors to outdoors They are available in both glass and lightweight hard resin. They darken to a moderate shade of grey. Ask for a demonstration of photosensitive lenses.

Polycarbonate
Polycarbonate lenses are the most impact resistant lenses available and are always the lens of choice for young people and active patients. Polycarbonate lenses are high index and are usually the lightest, most comfortable lenses. They absorb all harmful UV light and can be made with ultra thin edges because of their unique strength.

Glass
For years glass was the only lens material available and glass still offers superior optics. The most scratch-resistant material, the primary disadvantage of glass is its weight, generally twice that of hard resin. Glass lenses are heat or chemically treated to increase impact resistance.

Single Vision Lenses
Single vision lenses function as all purpose glasses for persons who have normal accommodation. Persons who normally wear bifocals or trifocals can use single vision for distance or near lenses. Single vision lenses can also function as occupational glasses for certain types of work. Single vision lenses are available in all lens materials.

Aspheric Lenses
These new lenses provide special visual and cosmetic benefits for stronger corrections and increase edge to edge clarity. Flatter than conventional lenses, aspherics eliminate the "bulgy" appearance of strong plus lenses (far-sighted corrections) and greatly enhance the appearance of finished eyewear. Persons with strong nearsighted corrections also benefit from thinner, lighter weight glasses when their lenses are aspheric. Because aspheric lenses are positioned closer to the face, there is less eye magnification with farsighted corrections and less eye minimization look with nearsighted corrections. Aspheric lenses are often made of high index materials for the ultimate in thin lenses.

Flat Top Bifocals
This is the most popular bifocal form and is available with the bifocal portion made in a variety of widths to help with various close-up occupations. Flat top bifocals are made in every type of lens material.

Franklin Style Bifocals
Sometimes used for those who need a wide field of vision for near work (accountants, for example), Franklin style bifocals have a distinctive appearance and are thicker because of their design. They are generally only available in glass, hard resin and photochromic glass. They are being replaced by wide Flat Top bifocals.

Trifocals
Trifocals come in a variety of designs. Flat-top trifocals are the most widely used form. The added segment provides clear vision at arm's length distance, the area that is usually blurred for bifocal wearers. Trifocals are available in all lens materials.

Progressives (no line bifocals)
These lenses provide all the benefits of bifocals but add the feature of continuous clear vision at all distances, including mid-range distance (arm's length). Progressives have the cosmetic advantage of appearing to be single vision lenses so they never reveal the user wears bifocals. Progressives are available in all lens materials and are also made in aspheric form. Because of their many benefits, they are becoming the lens of choice for bifocal and trifocal wearers.

Occupational Requirements
Many occupations impose demanding visual requirements on those who wear bifocals or trifocals. Special occupational designs are available to solve these special needs. If the visual requirements of your job fall into this category, let us know and we'll explain what will work best for your individual needs.

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

Computer Glasses
There are a variety of options for those who use computers. These include lens designs, special filters and anti-reflection coatingsspecial filters and anti-reflection coatings.

Polarized Sun Lenses
These are the exciting sunglasses that eliminate reflected glare. They are especially appropriate for drivers, fisherman, hunters and all types of outdoors activities.

Scratch Protection Coating
Light weight hard resin lenses can be more easily scratched than glass lenses. Special coatings have been developed to help protect lenses from normal scratching. The modest additional cost for such scratch coating is usually a prudent investment.

UV Protection
It is generally accepted that the ultraviolet rays in sunlight pose potential harm to the eyes. Special treatment is available for hard resin lenses that completely blocks hazardous UV light. Lenses like polycarbonate and high index include built-in UV protection at no extra cost.

Anti/Reflection Coatings
Special anti-reflective coatings are now available for spectacle lenses, much like those used for fine camera lenses. These coatings are particularly effective for reducing eye fatigue for computer operators and anyone driving at night. And, of course, AR lenses enhance appearance by removing all distracting reflections.

These are, by no means, the only lenses available. By telling us of any unusual work or leisure visual requirements, We can tailor exactly the right lenses for all your visual needs.

Vision safety is everyone's responsibility! When selecting eyewear, keep these safety factors in mind and be sure to discuss your safety needs with the dispenser:

• The type and style of the spectacle frame is an important factor in determining how much protection your eyeglasses will provide. Many frames are designed for appearance - not for protection.

• While federal law requires all lenses to meet a standard of impact resistance, lenses used in dress eyewear are not required to meet as rigorous a standard for impact resistance as lenses used in safety or sports spectacles. Of all the materials that lenses can be made from, polycarbonate is the most impact resistant.

• Lenses are not unbreakable or shatterproof. They can break into sharp pieces that can cause serious injury to the eye, or blindness. Even if the lenses do not break, the frame can break or distort and cause serious eye injury.

• The continued impact resistance of your lenses depends on how well you protect them from physical shocks and abuse. For your own protection, scratched or pitted glass lenses should be replaced immediately.

• If your occupational or recreational activities expose you to severe risk of flying objects or physical impacts, your eye safety may require special safety spectacles with safety lenses, side shields, goggles and/or a full face shield.

The "Lens Menu" is courtesy of the Optical Laboratories Association (OLA) and is intended to help make a complex subject more understandable for today's eyewear consumer.