Lense Types, Lense Materials, Specialty Lenses, Tints & Coatings

Lens Types

SINGLE VISION: Single vision lenses serve as multi purpose lenses for patients with normal focusing skills. For patients requiring multifocals, single vision lenses function for special tasks, i.e. distance vision only, near vision only or intermediate vision only.
PROGRESSIVE ADDITION LENSES: Progressive Addition lenses provide clear vision at all distances by focusing through different portions of the lens. This variety makes progressive lenses true "multifocals." Cosmetically they have a very normal appearance with no visible line and are excellent for patients requiring dynamic vision at a variety of distances.
MULTIFOCALS: Bifocals provide clear, comfortable vision for distance and for reading without having to switch glasses, but provide limited vision at intermediate distances (3 - 4 feet). Trifocals allow clear, comfortable vision at three distinct distances, (distance, intermediate (3 - 4 feet), and near (reading), without having to remove or switch glasses.

PLASTIC LENSES: Plastic lenses provide added safety over glass lenses as well as being lighter and slightly thicker. Plastic lenses fog less than glass lenses in humid conditions or cold winter sports such as skiing. Plastic lenses are also better than glass in protecting your eyes from harmful rays that my cause cataracts.
GLASS LENSES: Glass lenses are stable and offer precise optics, but are fragile and must be tempered to improve their strength. Glass lenses are more resistant to scratching but are 50% heavier than plastic lenses.
HIGH INDEX PLASTIC LENSES: High Index Plastics allow the manufacturing of lenses which are thinner and lighter than standard plastic lenses. These lenses look best, and vision is enhanced when antireflective coating is applied.
POLYCARBONATE LENSES: Polycarbonate lenses are high index plastic lenses that are virtually unbreakable. They are ideal for children or anyone in a hazardous job or high impact sporting environment. Lighter lenses give more comfort, especially with high prescriptions. The lenses look best, and enhance vision, when anti-reflective coating is applied.

COMPUTER LENSES: Technica is a progressive addition lens for those who have extensive computer or desk work. It is ideal for accountants, bookkeepers, architects, attorneys and computer operators. It is well suited for people needing dynamic intermediate vision including dentists, electricians and surgeons as well as musicians.
OCCUPATIONAL LENSES: Double D Bifocal/Quadrafocal lenses have a bifocal in the upper portion as well as a bifocal or trifocal in the lower portion of the lens. They are ideal for people needing clear, overhead, close vision as well as standard close vision such as carpenters, electricians and mechanics. Our office offers safety lenses for those patients whose job or hobby requires the safest and most impact resistant possible. Most safety frames include side shields to give all around protections from flying debris.

ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING: Anti-reflective (AR) coating improves night vision by reducing unwanted reflections and glare and are effective at reducing eye fatigue for computer users. AR coating is a must for high prescriptions and high index lenses. AR coating also helps enhance overall appearance by removing all distracting reflections.
SCRATCH GUARD COATING: Light weight plastic lenses scratch more easily than glass lenses so scratch guard coating helps protect your investment by reducing normal scratching.
UV PROTECTION: Special UV Coating is available for plastic lenses and completely blocks UV light from your eyes and protects them from the harmful UV rays that can cause cataracts. Polycarbonate and high index plastic lenses include built in UV protection at no additional cost.
TINTED LENSES: Photochromic lenses lighted indoors and darken in the direct sun. They are now available in glass, polycarbonate and high index lenses.
POLARIZED SUN LENSES: These are the exciting sunglasses that eliminate reflective glare. They are especially appropriate for drivers, fisherman, hunters and all types of outdoor activities.