WE LOOK AT YOUR LENSES DIFFERENTLY
We all use our eyes differently. That’s why we spend time to establish your lifestyle and visual requirements. Your optometrist will then make recommendations on lenses tailored to your needs.
How your spectacle lenses work
The lens can be divided into three main parts: the design, the material and lens technology. Your optometrist can advise you on the best lens to meet your daily needs.
- Lens Design: The lens is made to your prescription, following the examination by your optometrist. The design of the lens can be either single vision, bifocal, trifocal, varifocal, or occupational office lenses.
- Material: The look and weight of your lenses is dependent on the type of lens material you decide upon. The lens material can be either plastic, polycarbonate, high-index plastic or glass.
- Lens technology: This can be applied to the front or back surface of your lens, to enhance the benefits and features best suited to your lifestyle. These additions can improve the longevity of the lens, provide optimum clarity of vision and also have eye-health benefits. Options can include photochromic, polarised, anti-reflective, anti-scratch, anti-smudge, anti-fog and also coatings that repel dust and water.
SPECTACLE LENS TYPES
Single vision lenses – These lenses have one single prescription across their entire surface. They are set for one viewing distance only, which may be near for reading, intermediate for the computer and distance for driving, or watching TV.
Bifocal lenses – These lenses provide distance and near vision in one lens. The distance vision is at the top of the lens, and the reading vision is located in a segment at the bottom of the lens, which is often visible on the front surface. There is distinct line on the lens separating the two zones.
Varifocal lenses – These lenses have three zones which correct your vision at all distances. The top of the lens is for distance, like driving and TV. The middle part of the lens is for seeing the computer or the dashboard whilst driving, and the bottom of the lens is for close work like reading and knitting.
SPECTACLE LENS MATERIAL
We recommend thin and light lenses, which will give you the most attractive looking and more comfortable glasses. Lenses can be made from various materials which are detailed below. The lens material and the strength of your personal prescription will determine the overall weight and thickness of your lenses.
As a general rule, the higher the refractive index of the lens, the lighter and thinner your lenses will be. These lenses can be up to 40% thinner and lighter than standard lenses.
Thin and light lenses will give you a more comfortable and lighter feel whilst wearing your glasses, and at the same time improve the appearance.
Summary of Thin and Light Lenses:
- Thinner, flatter lenses for provide a more stylish and natural look
- High quality of vision
- Robust impact resistance
- 100% UV protection
- 40% thinner than similar options
- Durable and resistant to abrasion and scratches
- Feel comfortable
- The higher the index number (as detailed below), the thinner the lens
Crown Glass
- 52 index
- Excellent optics
- Downside: Heavy and breakable
Plastic CR39
- 5 index
- Good optical quality and durability
- Downside: Thickness
Trivex
- 53 index
- Superior impact resistance
- Good for sports
- Blocks100% UV light
- Lightest lens material available
Polycarbonate
- 59 index
- Superior impact resistance
- Good in safety spectacles and sports
- Blocks 100% UV light
- Lightweight material
High Index Plastic Lenses (Ultra Thin and Light)
- 67 index
- Useful for high prescriptions
- Manufactured using aspheric surface design, which means the lens is flatter and thinner
- Blocks 100% UV light
- 30% thinner than standard plastic 1.50 index
High Index Plastic Lenses (Super Thin and Light)
- 74 index
- Designed for high prescriptions
- Thinnest, lightest and sleekest
- Blocks 100% UV light
- 40% thinner than standard plastic lenses
SPECTACLE LENS TECHNOLOGIES
Anti-reflection Lenses
You can experience glare whilst driving at night, watching TV and using the computer. Glare increases the reflections on your lens and reduces contrast. This can lead to visual discomfort and headaches.
Anti-reflection lenses reduce glare and reflections significantly, to give you clearer, sharper and more comfortable vision. With this lens treatment, night driving becomes safer and you experience less eyestrain whilst using the computer.
Your glasses appearance is also enhanced with this lens. This results in reflection free lenses on your photographs, and also people can see your eyes rather than reflections.
Scratch Resistance Lenses
Scratches can ruin the appearance of your lenses and reduce the clarity of your vision.
We recommend scratch resistant lenses, if you have a physical job and/or work in an environment with loose material. Children also benefit from this type of lens.
UV Protection/ Block Lenses
Our optometrist recommends UV protection on all lenses
Our eyes are exposed to UV light on a daily basis. The continuous exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation, over your lifetime, can be associated with age-related eye conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts.
Blue-light Control Technology on Lenses
Avoid long-term damage to your eyes with blue-light protection on your lenses.
Blue-light is all around us, it can come from your smartphone, tablet, computer and also the sun.
Our blue-light block on your lenses, helps to reduce harmful blue-light entering your eyes, which is emitted from all electronic devices we use regularly, every day. Long-term exposure to of blue-light can affect the retina and can be associated with macular degeneration.
Continue use of digital devices can lead to various eyestrain symptoms such as tired or dry eyes, blurred vision, headaches and watery eyes.
Our lenses that block blue-light entering your eyes, can help maintain long-term eye health. These lenses only let good light into your eyes, which regulates both sleep and mood, as well as help boost brain activity.
Sun Adaptive Lenses
Photochromic or sun adaptive lenses are designed to quickly adapt from being clear, whilst you are indoor, to fully dark when you are outside in bright sunshine.
This allows you to avoid bright light, whilst you are outdoors, without having to change your glasses. Theses lenses also prevent long-term eye damage, like cataracts and macular degeneration by blocking out harmful UV rays.
Photochromic lenses are great for those who enjoy wearing sunglasses, but don’t want two pairs and also if you are sensitive to bright lights.
Polarising Lenses
Polarising lenses are tinted, they eliminate glare and enhance colour and contrast. They also protect your eyes from damaging UV light.
These lenses are great for driving, sports like cycling and fishing, sand for people with light sensitivity. This lens offers optimum clarity, great protection and comfort.
Tints
Tinted lenses are available in a variety of colours to suit your individual taste and needs. Specific tinted colours can enhance your vision for sports or hobbies. Tints can be fully tinted, graduated or mirror coated.
Read about our titanium frames that pair well with any lense!
