If you or a family member has recently purchased a new pair of glasses, you may have been overwhelmed with the incredible number of options you were presented with while finalizing your order.  The vast array or lens options and frame types can be daunting. However, while it may seem overwhelming to address all these options, the wide array of possibilities means it’s possible to find the exact right pair of glasses for you.  Below we’ve simplified and summarized some of the more popular options to help you in your next endeavor of buying glasses.

What are the Right Lenses for Your Glasses?... An Important Starting Point

The lens material you choose may have a bigger impact than you think.  The material of lens can impact vision through glasses, as well as appearance of the lenses.  The most basic lenses are made of a plastic called CR-39.  These plastic lenses are typically the cheapest option, and provide good vision with minimal distortions.  However, they are not the most durable or sturdy lens option on the market. Polycarbonate lenses are made of a stronger, more impact-resistant material.  Polycarbonate provides an important protective aspect to glasses, making it the material of choice for children’s spectacles and safety glasses.  High-Index lenses are specially designed to keep lenses then and lightweight, and are an appealing object for those with strong prescriptions.  Lenses made out of high-index material will not be as thick and bulky, making glasses more comfortable and cosmetically appealing.

Coatings and Treatments for Every Need

Lenses can be specially made with a wide variety of treatments and coatings to custom-tailor the lenses to your lifestyle.  One of the more common lens coatings is an anti-reflective (AR) coating.  AR lenses help to reduce glare and reflections from the front and back surface of the lenses.  Not only does this coating work to improve comfort by reducing glare during activities such as nighttime driving or computer work; it also makes the lenses more cosmetically appealing, both in person and in photographs.  Another commonly sought-out coating is the photochromatic treatment.  Photochromatic lenses are clear lenses that become tinted when exposed to UV sunlight.  These lenses can be useful for those who wear glasses full time and do not want to be bothered with a separate pair of prescription sunglasses.  However, they do have their drawbacks; some photochromatic designs may take longer than desired to transition back to clear after coming inside on a sunny day.  Blue-blocking lenses are becoming an increasingly popular lens option.  These lenses work to reduce eye strain by protecting our eyes from high energy light waves emitted from screens and other light sources.  As screen time and digital eye strain becomes more prevalent, these lenses are an increasingly popular option, helping to prevent eye fatigue by reducing exposure to short wavelength, high energy light.  

Many other lens materials and options exists, ensuring the possibility of the perfect pair of glasses.  At Premier Eye Associates, we are proud to offer a thorough selection of the latest lens options. For more information on these and other lens options, ask your optometrist or optician the next time you visit our office.

Dr. Anthony Spina and the staff of Premier Eye Associates is trained in the latest technology and can help you attain clear and comfortable vision ans choose the right lenses for your glasses!  Call us  at (334) 539-5391 or schedule an appointment online. Our office and eye doctor provide the highest quality services in Auburn, AL area.