Spectacle Lenses
Which type of lens is best for me?
With such a vast choice in frames, it is often overlooked that all the effort to achieve a new image can be wasted if advice is not given on the correct lens for the frame.
High quality lens manufacturers such as Hoya and Nikon produce lenses which are thinner, lighter and stronger to suit the frame styles of today.
Thick or Thin
The higher the power of the lens, the thicker it will be. The lens will also be thicker in a larger frame and if your eyes are close together. To keep the lens thickness to a minimum, it is vital not to choose a frame which is too big for your face and to consider High Density Lenses. High density lenses are designated by a number - as the number goes higher, the lens thickness reduces. We now use 1.6, 1.67, 1.70 and 1.74 high density plastic materials. As an example, a 1.74 high density lens is approximately 40% thinner than a standard lens.
Our dispensing staff will guide you on which is the most appropriate lens for your frame.
Lens Coatings
These include scratch resistant and anti-reflection coatings. High quality anti-reflection coatings from Hoya and Nikon ensure that a lens is clearer by virtually eliminating reflections from the surface of the lens. Thus the annoying reflections from car headlamps at night or from the computer screen are significantly reduced. An anti-reflection coating also reduces the 'glassy' look of a spectacle lens that is particularly noticeable in photographs.
Tints and Sunwear
Plastic lenses can be tinted to a variety of colours and densities. Most recently, new technology can manufacture some prescriptions in 'wrap around' sunglasses - see Sports Vision. All of our sunwear lenses have full UV (ultra violet) protection. Prolonged exposure to excess levels of UV light can result in the eye being at risk of damage - the most recent concerns being the increased risk of age related macular degeneration (AMD).
Polarised Lenses are an excellent way of reducing glare. They are ideal for eliminating reflections from wet roads or from water - hence their popularity with anglers and water sport enthusiasts.
Photochromatic Lenses darken and lighten depending on the level of sunlight. Although they have been available for many years, they have been continually developed and improved to speed up the colour change from light to dark and vice versa. The colour change is triggered by ultra violet light and since this is partially filtered out by a car windscreen, photochromatic lenses will not darken fully when inside a car.
Drivewear Lenses TM are the latest lenses on the sunwear market which combine both photochromatic and polarising technology. These state of the art lenses will give the wearer optimal glare and reflection reduction both inside the car and out.
Varifocals
A varifocal lens is designed to give clear vision from distance to near. There is no dividing line as the power changes down the lens and hence it does not look any different from a standard lens. Not all varifocals are the same. Both Hoya and Nikon produce a number of different varifocal lens designs to suit your budget and optical requirements - the most technically advanced lenses are designed to give the widest distortion free viewing areas possible.
It is a common misconception that varifocals can only be used in larger frames. New designs of 'short corridor' varifocals are perfectly suited to most modern shallow frames, including rimless designs.
To accommodate our ever changing lifestyle, both at home and in the office, a new generation of 'occupational' varifocals have been developed. Patients who have to view a close object at or above eye level (eg. computer screen) and then have to look down to read, are ideally suited to this type of lens.
Satisfaction Guaranteed
All of our variable focus lenses are prescribed with a satisfaction guarantee. If you are not happy with your varifocals at the end of 4 weeks, you can return them to us. If a solution cannot be found, you will be offered a change to two pairs of single vision lenses (One for distance and one for reading) or bifocal lenses. Any difference in cost will be refunded.
Useful Websites:
Hoya: www.hoya.co.uk
Nikon: www.nikonoptical.co.uk
Transitions: www.transitions.com
