Lense Types

We offer a wide variety of lens material options to fit all your visual needs, from standard plastic lenses to high index lenses to the new revolutionary digital surfacing (free-form, high definition, wavefront) technology lenses.  By utilizing premium lenses, our patients are provided the highest quality products for prescription compatibility and maximum visual acuity.

The information below highlights your options — and why you might consider requesting a particular material for your next pair of eyeglasses.

Wavefront Technology Lenses

Introducing the new Wavefront Technology lenses from Carl Zeiss, Essilor of America, and Shamir. Through brilliant innovations and engineering in lens design, the revolutionary Wavefront Technology lenses integrate a wearer’s frame, face, and prescription to create a personalized lens for each individual. Wavefront technology uses advanced digital lens surfacing technology to provide maximum visual performance for high resolution vision. This lens design allows you to achieve a wider field of vision with sharp, vivid colors, crisp detail, and improved clarity in low light conditions.

Available in single vision and progressive lenses.  Ask one of our opticians for further details.

Plastic Lenses

Conventional plastic lenses are half the weight of glass lenses and can be tinted to almost any color and density. Plastic lenses are more easily scratched than glass lenses.  Therefore, an optional scratch resistant protection is recommended.

Polycarbonate Lenses

Polycarbonate lenses are made of a type of plastic that is ten times more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses. They are also thinner and lighter in weight. Polycarbonate lenses have a built-in ultraviolet protection and scratch resistant coating. Because of these properties, it is the lens material of choice for children’s lenses, sport lenses, and safety lenses.

Hi-Index Lenses

High-index refers to the lens material’s index of refraction, or the degree to which it refracts light. The higher index of refraction enables the material to bend light to a greater degree, so less curvature is needed in the lens to achieve a specific prescription power. Because less material is required to produce the lens, lenses are lighter. High index lenses also have a built-in ultraviolet protection and scratch resistant coating and are available with lens options such as polarized, transitions, and anti-reflective coating.

Did you know the material you choose is a primary factor in the quality of vision, number of aberrations and clarity within the lens?

Anti-Reflective Coating

Anti-reflection coating (ARC) is applied to eyeglasses to reduce the amount of internal and external reflections on a lens. This increases the amount of light transmitted through the lens, which improves quality of vision. ARC also decreases unwanted glare and halos at nighttime. It makes the lenses appear somewhat invisible and very thin. Every pair of glasses can benefit from the addition of an ARC. Patients who work under fluorescent lighting or computers will find that the addition of an ARC also reduces eyestrain. As an added bonus, ARC’s are now designed to include double-sided scratch resistance.

Sun Protection: Tint, Polarized, Transitions

Tints can be added onto lenses in a veritable rainbow of colors to provide fashion and function. Some patients find it soothing to have a light tint on their glasses to minimize light sensitivity. Many find the convenience of a photochromic tint, such as Transitions, to be a great choice for sun protection. Transitions are clear indoors and darken to either brown or gray when exposed to direct sunlight. Although convenient in an everyday eye wear, Transitions are not a substitute for sunglasses.

Photochromic Demonstrations

Click here to view an instant demonstration of Transitions® photochromic technology. See how lenses darken and fade back to clear to provide continual visual comfort and protection. Demonstrations brought to you by Transitions®.

Polarized lenses are the best option for sunglasses. Unlike standard tints, which allow light to pass through the lens and disperse in all directions, polarized lenses filter light into one direction. This reduces glare and offers the most optimal visual acuity and UV protection.

Progressive Lenses

Progressive lenses offer patients a seamless lens that will correct for both far and near distances in one lens. The concept of a no-line bifocal is not brand new, but technology has enabled the development of premium progressives that are optimized for each individual wearer’s prescription. Some digitally surfaced free-form lens designs will take into account measurements such as pantoscopic tilt, vertex distance, near viewing distance, panoramic angle and wrap angle. This process allows our lab to provide truly customized lenses for individual wearers. New  progressive lens wearers will find ease in adapting to their new lenses while previous wearers will notice increased comfort and better vision.