Anti-Reflective Coating (AR)
Anti-Reflective Coatings have gotten a bad reputation in recent years due to the low quality dipped coatings that have been peddled by the big box stores. If you think a high quality anti-reflective coating is not worthwhile, think again.
Nothing can improve the visual and cosmetic performance of your eyewear more than a high quality anti-reflective coating!
Uncoated lenses create glare, reflections, and “ghost images”, which can be especially problematic in hi-index lens materials and for patients wearing rimless eyewear. These problems can all be eliminated with a high quality anti-reflective coating like Crizal.
Features and Benefits include:
- Makes the lenses appear almost invisible allowing others to see your eyes, improving the cosmetic appearance of your eyewear
- Reduces reflected light and increases light transmission through the lenses to 99.5%
- Improves the scratch resistance of the lenses
- Reduces glare and halos around lights, improving night vision and when using the computer
- Advanced hydrophobic and anti-static coatings resist and repel dust and fingerprints, and allow for easier cleaning
If you have had problems with coatings in the past, know that a high quality anti-reflective coating, like Crizal, can drastically improve the performance of your new eyewear.
Mid & High Index Lenses
In the past, the only materials available for use as lenses were glass and a hard resin called CR-39. The introduction of mid and high index lenses allowed for lenses to be made thinner and lighter than with previous materials. High index materials are named because they have a higher index of light refraction. The higher the index of refraction, the thinner and lighter a lens can be made.
When learning about high index lenses, you may hear many unfamiliar numbers and terms. Here are a few things to remember.
Polycarbonate
The first and still the most popular mid index plastic is polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is shatter proof and thus is oftentimes used in children’s eyewear, sports eyewear, and safety eyewear. It is also thinner and lighter than CR-39 and has the added benefit of improved UV protection.
Trivex
Trivex is one of the newer materials used for lenses. It was developed for military applications, such as aircraft and helicopter windshields. It is the lightest material used, has shatter resistance equal to polycarbonate, and has better clarity than polycarbonate.
High-Index
High index lenses, such as 1.66, 1.70 & 1.74, are much thinner and lighter than glass, CR-39, or the mid index lenses. As the index of refraction increases, the thickness and weight of the lenses decrease.
Progressive Lenses
One of the main problems with bifocal lenses is the problem of eye fatigue. It is difficult to switch from one focusing power to another. It can make your eyes tired, and it can even lead to a headache, sore neck, and sore back. No-line progressive lenses provide a smooth transition from focusing on nearby to focusing on distant objects because they do not have a distinct line that separates the focusing powers. Instead, a gradual change in power allows the wearer to focus on objects at all distances clearly.
There are literally hundreds of different brands of progressive lenses on the market, all of varying levels of performance. If you have had trouble in the past adapting to progressive lenses, or are not happy with the performance of your current pair, you owe it to yourself to try digital freeform lenses.
Newer free form progressive lenses have changed the game, widening the viewing areas and lessening the bothersome distortion and motion inherent in older designs.
We carry a range of progressive lenses from the Truclear line, including: Truclear, Truclear SD, and the phenomenal Truclear XD. We also represent the amazing Varilux S Series, a true breakthrough in progressive lens technology that virtually eliminates all peripheral distortion. These advanced designs take into account position of wear measurements that further customize and enhance the wearing experience.
Occupational Progressive Lenses/Computer Lenses
While progressive lenses do have an area for intermediate correction, they are not ideal for computer use secondary to the need to tilt the head. This, over many hours of computer use, can lead to neck strain.
Occupational progressive lenses, like Compuclear, provide clear intermediate viewing at the top of the lens, with extra power at the bottom for reading documents on your desk.
The lenses are designed to reduce Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, which is characterized by headaches, eye strain, neck and back aches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and double vision.
Transitions Adaptive Lenses
If you have ever felt frustrated at needing both prescription glasses and prescription sunglasses to accommodate an outdoor lifestyle, you should consider Transitions® lenses. Transitions® lenses darken when exposed to UV rays. When the wearer goes outside, the lenses darken or tint. When the wearer goes back inside, the glasses become clear.
There are a variety of Transitions® lens options available:
Transitions® Adaptive Lenses– Original Transitions lenses quickly adapt between indoor and outdoor conditions, offering a distinct advantage over ordinary clear lenses.
Transitions® XTRActive– They continuously adapt to changing light in all conditions – and by sensing and adjusting to visible light as well as UV light, they’re our first everyday lenses turning dark inside a car.
Transitions® Vantage– They darken and polarize in bright, outdoor light, combining the technology of original Transitions lenses with variable polarization: polarization that increases as the lenses get darker. This means your vision gets crisper and sharper while color contrast and perception become richer, vibrant and more vivid.
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