So you’re in the market for a new pair of glasses? That’s great! But there’s a lot to consider before you’re able to pick the perfect pair, and much of it has to do with how your lenses serve your eyes.
Every pair of eyes are different, sometimes even from each other, so the very first step you should take before deciding what types of lenses are right for you will be to have an eye exam. We’ll help you find the right lenses to fit your visual needs from our exam findings.
But the library of lenses available is vast and sometimes confusing. Today, we’re going to dive into the materials and treatment options available to make the most of your vision.
Lens Materials
One of the first sets of options you’ll be looking at when deciding on a new pair of glasses is the type of material it uses. There are many types of lens materials available, but some of the most common include:
Traditional Plastic Lenses
Despite the name, eyeglasses typically are made from plastics rather than glass. The reason is that glass is not very durable or comfortable to wear. Now, high-tech plastics can help wearers achieve the vision they want without the drawbacks of traditional glass.
If you’re looking for a pair of glasses to help correct minor refractive errors, plastic lenses will most likely be the first choice you see.
Polycarbonate Lenses
If you live an active, on-the-go lifestyle, polycarbonate lenses are likely the best option for you. Polycarbonate is one of the strongest materials available for eyeglass lenses and is often worn for safety glasses, sports goggles, or even children’s eyewear.
Suppose you’re looking for lenses that can withstand a little more activity than other lenses, or you’re planning on wearing rimless frames and want your lenses to be as protected as possible. In that case, you will find a lot of benefit in using polycarbonate lenses.
High-Index Lenses
If you have a particularly strong prescription, you may want to look at what high-index lenses can offer you. High-index lenses create a higher “refraction index” than traditional lenses, allowing them to bend light even more than traditional lenses while using fewer materials.
The result is crystal clear vision without the need for bulky traditional lenses.
High Definition (HD) Lenses
Do you find that traditional lenses aren’t providing you with the sharp vision and vibrance you want even though they’re correcting your refractive error? High definition (HD), or digital lenses, might be the choice for you!
The difference between traditional and HD lenses is often described as a similar difference between standard-definition television and HD televisions; HD lenses provide a sharper, clearer, and more vibrant image to maximize your vision’s quality.
Lens Treatments
After our team helps you decide on what material is best for your lenses, the next options to look at are the variety of lens treatments available. You may not want to go for a lens treatment, and that’s perfectly okay! But these treatments can help enhance your glasses experience so you’re constantly achieving the vision you want.
Some of the most common lens treatments include:
Anti-Reflective (AR) Coatings
Anti-reflective (AR) coatings help reduce the amount of glare your lens can reflect, which is a common problem related to eye strain and computer vision syndrome. On top of this, AR lenses can help improve clarity and comfort while driving or using a computer.
High-index lenses also reflect more light than traditional eyeglass lenses, so AR coatings are extremely helpful for mitigating the amount of light reflected in your eyes.
Scratch Resistance
If you live an active lifestyle or have a child looking for their first pair of eyeglasses, it’s always a good idea to match these lenses with a scratch resistance coating. While no lens is completely scratch-proof, a scratch-resistant coating can help protect your lenses from accidental drops and scrapes.
UV Protection
Overexposure to UV light can increase your risk of developing many different eye conditions, including eyelid skin cancer, age-related macular degeneration, corneal sunburn, and even retinal damage. If you work in a sunny environment all day, it’s a really good idea to coat your lenses with 100% UV protection.
Blue Light Coating
Blue light is far more common than you may think. Despite being commonly associated with digital devices and computer vision syndrome, blue light’s largest producer is the sun. On top of this, it has more of an effect on your sleeping patterns than it does your eye comfort.
Your brain interprets blue light as a signal to be awake and active, so using digital devices well into the night can disrupt your circadian rhythm, leading to sleep deprivation. A blue light coating on your glasses can help manage these effects.
Start Seeing Your Best Today
If you’re looking for lenses that not only help you see great but also protect your eyes from things like blue light and UV rays, please give us a call today to request your appointment!
