Dec. 16, 2024
I am an optician who has worked for a mall-based optical chain and two different independent doctors of optometry, both with large retail sales. I now work as the Director of Education for an independent optical lab. I have more than twenty-five years &#;in the business.&#; I know exactly what optical products cost and how they are marked up. You are not going to read any &#;industry insider information&#; here, because none exists.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
What I can share with you are some common-sense guidelines.
Many consumers find our optician videos very helpful: OpticianWorks on YouTube
You can find great information on frame selection, lens choices and some of the language of the eyewear industry.
If I could give you just one piece of advice it would be this: You should feel both comfortable with and confident in the optician you are working with. If something doesn&#;t seem right, find another one. Think of the optician exactly as you would a plumber or car mechanic. If they can&#;t answer basic questions and their work turns out to be shoddy &#; STOP using them.
I am NOT selling anything!
I do NOT recommend any particular brand name products.
I do NOT accept advertising money from optical companies.
As a consumer, the first thing you must know is that you own your eyeglass &#;prescription.&#; Once your exam has been paid for, you may ask for a copy of it. By law, your doctor must give it to you. You are free to take that &#;prescription&#; anywhere you want to have your glasses made. Your doctor has no right to hesitate or refuse to provide you with your prescription.
Here is the actual law:
§456.2 Separation of examination and dispensing.It is an unfair act or practice for an ophthalmologist or optometrist to:
(a) Fail to provide to the patient one copy of the patient&#;s prescription immediately after the eye examination is completed. Provided: An ophthalmologist or optometrist may refuse to give the patient a copy of the patient&#;s prescription until the patient has paid for the eye examination, but only if that ophthalmologist or optometrist would have required immediate payment from that patient had the examination revealed that no ophthalmic goods were required;
(b) Condition the availability of an eye examination to any person on a requirement that the patient agree to purchase any ophthalmic goods from the ophthalmologist or optometrist;
(c) Charge the patient any fee in addition to the ophthalmologist&#;s or optometrist&#;s examination fee as a condition to releasing the prescription to the patient. Provided: An ophthalmologist or optometrist may charge an additional fee for verifying ophthalmic goods dispensed by another seller when the additional fee is imposed at the time the verification is performed; or
(d) Place on the prescription, or require the patient to sign, or deliver to the patient a form or notice waiving or disclaiming the liability or responsibility of the ophthalmologist or optometrist for the accuracy of the eye examination or the accuracy of the ophthalmic goods and services dispensed by another seller.
The use of the word &#;prescription&#; is misleading and it implies that the form you are being handed has medical value. It does not.
Currently, your routine eye exam consists of two parts.
1) A medical eye exam: Part of the exam is medically based and includes a thorough physical examination of the entire eye and visual system. This is often done with the eye dilated and it is when the doctor looks inside the eye with their bio-microscope. The medical portion of the exam can prevent blindness and detect a wide range of other serious health-related issues. Medical based eye exams are an important part of your overall healthcare plan. Medical eye exams are an objective screening tool. Everyone should get a complete medical eye exam at least every three years with every other year being a great idea.
2) Refraction: The other part of the exam called refraction is the determination of your eyeglass &#;prescription.&#; It is when you are looking at the eye chart and answering the, &#;which is better, one or two&#; questions. Refraction is a subjective, non-medical test, which in many countries can be performed by eye care providers who are not doctors.
&#;What is better 1 or 2?&#; is subjective. That means that you choose what you feel is adequate vision for you. It is a personal choice. You are free to decide if you are perfectly happy with your current &#;eyeglass prescription.&#; It is your CHOICE, your DECISION not your legislature&#;s, optician&#;s or any doctor&#;s to make. Not really much different than you deciding to exercise, smoke or take vitamins. It&#;s not anyone else&#;s business!
Prescriptions written for eyeglasses (not contacts) may, or may not, have an expiration date. This should only vary by any individual state law.
Shopping Online? &#; I&#;m Not Against It! More On That Below
Fit matters, not only for comfort and appearance but for your vision as well. Only an experienced optician can provide you with a proper fit for your new eyewear. Only an experienced optician can take accurate measurements for the proper alignment of your eyeglass lenses. Your optician will take the time and care to assure you are getting the proper lenses by doing a final inspection of the product. In many cases you will actually see a difference in the quality of your vision. This is important when choosing progressive lenses and frames and higher lens powers.
Because your shopping experience should be fun and satisfying and you should feel great about your purchase. Shopping for your new eyeglasses can be no different than shopping for new clothes or a new pair of shoes. You will determine what is within your budget and what you want your shopping experience to be.
Optical shops provide you with hundreds of frame choices to try on so you can determine what looks and fits best. Maintaining that inventory costs the business $10,000 to $100,000. This allows you to choose the right style and the right fit without trial-and-error or settling for something that isn&#;t quite right because you don&#;t want the hassle of returning that frame you bought online.
Shops stock repair parts and have the tools to properly and safely adjust and repair your eyewear. They also offer education and information about new products that can provide you with better vision.
Unlike online retailers, local shops can, in some cases, make glasses while you wait, handle warranty issues and repair broken glasses on the spot.
BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BROWSE THE FRAMES! The difference between what looks great and what doesn&#;t is so very little. A shade of color, one degree of angle, one millimeter of sizing, they can all make a difference. You want choice? You want an optical shop with hundreds of frames to choose from.
Looking for something special, unique, something you are being told &#;can&#;t be done?&#;
You need to do two things:
1) Look for an independent optician owned shop.
2) Expect to pay out of pocket.
You will not, you cannot get custom work through a vision care plan.
Frame pricing is consistent throughout the industry. Almost all optical retailers mark up frames along similar guidelines. It is common to find identical frames selling for within a few dollars of each other in local markets. Unless the frame is unique to a very small vendor, chances are excellent that at least one other shop in town is selling the same frame. A little price comparison is always a good idea.
Frames are made by the millions, in huge factories located all over the globe. They are rarely hand-crafted in the back room at the shop.
You will pay more for a frame with a designer name. Frame manufacturers spend millions of dollars buying the rights to put designer names on their frame lines. They have to recoup that cost somewhere, so the higher the brand recognition is, the higher the cost will be. Stores will also charge a premium for exclusive brands, styles and the latest fashion trends in eyewear.
Designer frames look better than non-designer frames. Do not kid yourself. The frame companies know how to manipulate style. The best-looking shapes, styles and colors are combined in the higher cost designer lines.
Just because a frame has a designer name does not mean it is a better product. In fact, it was most likely made on the very same assembly line and from the very same materials as the company&#;s house brand. Heck it is even possible that a no-name or more generic brand name may be of higher quality than the fancy big-name designer line.
If you&#;ve ever felt like so many eyewear brands look similar, there&#;s a reason. The eyewear industry is dominated by a few large corporate monopolies, most notably, EssilorLuxottica which owns many popular brands. These corporations shape everything from frame design to availability and pricing. Many of the &#;choices&#; you see come from the same source and are just packaged or branded differently.
In addition to owning brands outright, like Ray-Ban and Oakley, EssilorLuxottica also pays to license well-known designer names, like Chanel, Prada, Coach, and Dolce & Gabbana, producing frames under a familiar label but often with little input from the original design houses. This means that even iconic brands can be mass-produced under a single corporation&#;s control.
Independent eyeglasses brands offer a unique alternative to the corporate designer brands you might be familiar with. Independent brands typically focus on creating frames with more distinctive, standout designs, breaking away from the somewhat generic or trendy styles you often find with mass-produced eyewear. Whether it&#;s bold colors, unusual shapes, or unique materials, independent brands tend to push the boundaries of what eyewear can look like.
Independent brands tend to use higher-grade materials, such as handcrafted acetates and lightweight metals, making for more comfortable, durable frames. These often prioritize unique design, quality, and craftsmanship over mass appeal. If you&#;ve ever felt that mainstream glasses are a bit generic, exploring independent brands may be the perfect way to find frames that fit your style.
Just something to keep in mind, eyeglasses don&#;t just have to be something you purchase out of necessity&#;beautiful eyewear can be something you collect, like watches or shoes. Some independent eyewear brands make collectible eyewear by design, releasing limited-edition or even numbered frames, sometimes with fewer than 500 pairs produced. Other brands will have distinctive collaborations with artists or celebrities. Many independent brands feature luxury materials and handmade craftsmanship, sometimes with hundreds of steps in the creation process. Some of these frames are so high quality that they can be genuine heirlooms.
At its heart, collecting eyewear is about choosing frames that resonate with you. While rare pieces and carefully crafted designs can add meaning to your collection, the best part of collecting is discovering frames that bring you joy, whether for their story, their design, or simply the way they make you feel.
When you buy a frame, think about how and when you will wear it. If you wear your contact lenses 99% of the time, then buy a house-brand frame, and save your money. Does it really matter what your bedside readers look like? Do you need a designer frame for your computer glasses?
This video covers the basics of frame fit quite well.
Know that almost all lenses are made at huge factories or ground to order at places called wholesale optical labs, not behind the wall in your local optical shop. The fanciest and most expensive store in town may well be using the same exact optical lab as the discount place on the corner. Lenses may be ground to fit a frame in a shop, but rarely ground to fill an individual prescription.
Unlike frames, lens pricing is very inconsistent throughout the industry. Almost all optical retailers will mark up lenses to what the local market will bear. Of course, there are exceptions, and it is up to you to shop around and be sure you are not overpaying for a specific lens.
Single vision lenses: Single vision lenses are pretty basic stuff. If you have a low prescription, or wear your contact lenses most of the time, then just about any lens will do, yes even those bought online. If you have a higher prescription and wear your glasses all the time, then you will want to consider aspheric designs, non-glare coatings, and high-index materials (see below).
Lined multi-focal lenses: Lined bi-focals and lined tri-focals, the lenses with the &#;half-moon&#; segment, really have not changed much in the last twenty years. You will probably get what you had before and be pretty happy with them. They are also an excellent alternative to costly and compromised progressive lenses.
Obviously I could wear any lens I want. I actually prefer a lined bi-focal over a progressive.
Progressive lenses:
Not all progressive lenses are created equal.
To some degree you really do get what you pay for. Is $500.00+ a heck of a lot of money for some pieces of plastic? Yes it is. But, that is the way it is&#;
Beware The Smoke & Mirror Products:
Beware of glasses with switches, wires, knobs, batteries and any &#;new-technology&#; that has not been on the market for a few years and had the bugs worked out.
Don&#;t say I didn&#;t warn you!
Do know that all current, brand-name, lenses and many new free-form house brands are pretty darn good &#; to &#; excellent.
If you are being told that a certain lens is somehow above and beyond all others and is worth considerably more money than other lenses, you are being fed worthless sales propaganda.
There is no magic pixie dust!
Do buy a quality non-glare coating. Non-glare coatings allow you to see better, look better, and make for a better pair of glasses. Get the best non-glare coating you can afford. If you can afford it, get the good coating on every pair you have. Just like lenses, your optician should be able to tell you what brand and what type of non-glare coating you are getting and give you information about your coating. If you must choose between a cheap non-glare coating or none at all choose none at all. Cheap AR or non-glare coatings do nothing but scratch, smudge and smear.
Do ask about which lens you are getting. If your optician cannot tell you then you are probably being sold a very low-end product. Today the lenses being sold may not be a &#;brand name&#; but may still be of extremely high quality. Listen for terms like &#;house&#; or &#;independent&#; free-form.
Do try to buy a lens produced in the last year or two. Progressive lenses are still getting improvements, so many new designs are actually easier to wear than those made just a few years ago.
Do know that in the US your doctor determines your prescription, not your optician. So please do not get angry with them when a new prescription does not work for you. It would be (a little) like yelling at your pharmacist because your antibiotic did not cure your cold.
Do realize that if you are presbyopic (meaning that you need an add power, and should wear a lined multi-focal or progressive) and that if you have a change in prescription, that one area of your vision will be better and one will be worse!
PLEASE Re-Read that &#; Realize that if you are presbyopic (meaning that you need an add power, and wear a multi-focal or progressive) and that if you have a change in prescription that one area of your vision will be better and one will be worse! Stop torturing your doctor and optician! It is a simple fact that you cannot have perfect vision in all ranges. You are o-l-d. Get over it. If the doctor&#;s prescription provides you with crisp distance vision, chances are that you will lose some of the clarity that you had with near vision in your old pair. The only way around this is having individual pairs of glasses for the different ranges you need.
Do buy a BIG frame if you want a progressive to work well. If you want a progressive to work well, it needs room to do it. Yes, the optician will probably tell you it will work just fine, and the lens company will probably tell you it will work, but guess what? It won&#;t. Don&#;t say I didn&#;t warn you.
Pssst- Here is Insider Secret #1 that I will let you in on: Contrary to the ads you see, bifocal contact lenses rarely work very well! Or, they work for a year or so and then as you get older and your reading power increases with age they stop working. As we age our eyes also tend to dry out far more often making long term contact lens use less comfortable. So, don&#;t be surprised if your doctor is less than enthusiastic about you trying them. Your results may vary&#;
Do NOT buy the latest new thing, unless it comes with a 100% money back guarantee.
Is a pair of $500 glasses better than a pair of $200 glasses? Not necessarily.
Expect to pay about this much for a complete pair of glasses (frame AND lenses):
Single vision glasses: Between $30 and $500.
Lined multi-focal glasses: Between $150 and $500.
Progressive glasses: Between $250 and $700.
AR or non-glare coatings: add $85 to $200.
Changeable tint lenses: add $85 to $200.
Obviously some designer or specialty frames, gold, special materials all can fall in the thousands of dollars.
Know that a frame that has been returned can often be reused or returned to the manufacturer for a credit. Lenses, since they are ground especially for your individual pair of glasses and prescription cannot be reused and become trash. For that reason you must understand the reluctance of your doctor or optician to remake lenses without being 100% sure that they know e-x-a-c-t-l-y what the reason is.
For that reason you will need to explain to them what is not right about your prescription and/or glasses, not just throw them down and say, &#;These don&#;t work.&#; See: Why Can&#;t I See Out of My New Glasses below.
You cannot overlook a complete pair of glasses for $28.00 when similar or even identical products are selling for a hundred dollars more at the local shop. Online eyewear sales are a routine part of the business.
It IS possible to purchase a pair of perfectly good glasses online. Heck, I would say that your chances of getting a great pair of glasses from a large online retailer are actually better than what you might get through several of the managed care plan companies offered through your doctor&#;s office!
With that said, if you have a low prescription, you are looking for an inexpensive pair of glasses and you prefer to shop online then I would suggest going with one of the larger online retailers, Warby Parker and Zenni Optical seem to be the leaders.
Just like shoes or clothing you purchase online, for goodness sake, if your online glasses don&#;t fit, don&#;t work, give you a headache, well, then DON&#;T WEAR THEM &#; SEND THEM BACK!
PLEASE! If you are wearing progressive lenses and/or have a high prescription go and see a professional. DO NOT SHOP ONLINE for progressives or high prescriptions! The fit and measurements for progressives and higher prescriptions need to be made by a human. The choice of appropriate lens material and lens design needs to be made by an experienced optician.
You may also want to visit our YouTube Channel: Laramy-K On YouTube
Here is a list I am compiling of some frequently asked questions you are likely to have when you go to your doctor&#;s office or optical shop.
Q: How can I tell if my optician is reputable and competent?
A: You can&#;t. You can judge the likelihood of it by how long they have been in business and that they appear to be confident, competent and knowledgeable. &#;Certification&#;, since it varies greatly from state-to-state, is not a very good indicator of competence.
Q: Should I see a &#;licensed&#; optician?
A: Not necessarily. The only thing that matters in your optician is their level of experience and competency. Only half the states require a license anyway.
Q: Can you remove scratches from a lens?
A: NO! NO! NO! Your eyeglass Rx is created by the curves on the front and back of the lens. If you &#;buffed&#; out the scratch you would change the curve and you would change the Rx and/or create a big blurry spot. There is no &#;magic&#; liquid that can fill a scratch. Trust me if there was we would have it on hand for when we slip and scratch a new lens!
Q: Am I a patient or a customer?
A: When you are with the doctor you are a patient &#; when you are with an optician you are a customer. Glasses are two pieces of curved plastic held in place in front of your eyes by a couple pieces of bent wire. They are not a &#;medical device&#; and you shouldn&#;t be treated like they are. Your eyeglass shopping experience should be fun and entertaining not medicinal.
Q: What should I bring with me when I go in for an eye exam?
A: #1 Your eyecare insurance information. Know it before you go in! If you don&#;t know what it is then contact your company HR department and find out. Also bring a current pair of glasses, the box for both your R and L contact lenses if you wear them and a copy of your last written Rx if you have it.
Psst&#; Insider Tip #2: If you wear glasses then bring them with you to your exam. Don&#;t think that having the doctor &#;starting from scratch&#; will change anything. Don&#;t pull the, &#;Well you tell me doc.&#; The only thing that will happen is that you will seriously tick off the doctor! The very person that is trying to help you.
Q: What makes a high prescription?
A: Most opticians will consider a prescription &#;high&#; when it is over +3.00 or over -5.00. The higher the power of a lens the more important the frame fit and measurements taken are.
Q: Why can&#;t I use my eyeglass prescription for contact lenses?
A: Because a contact lens sits directly on your cornea. Every cornea has unique curves that must be matched to the lens for proper fit. Because the lens sits on the eye the power of a contact lens is often different than that for eyeglasses. Wearing a contact lens that is not fit properly can cause damage to the cornea. Unlike glasses contact lenses are a MEDICAL device and are not something to play with.
Q: When should I consider &#;high-index&#;?
A: When your prescription is &#;high&#; and/or your cylinder value (the middle number in your Rx) is over 2.00.
Q: Why doesn&#;t the reading area of a progressive lens go all the way across the bottom?
A: Eyeglass prescription are created by the curvature of the lens. You cannot overcome physics. The industry has thousands of doctoral level optical engineers working on making the best lens possible, trust me if it could be done it would be done. Just like with most things in life anything that does everything rarely does all of them well.
Q: What about all this blue-light stuff I see and hear about?
A: I&#;m not jumping down that rabbit hole. You&#;ll need to decide for yourself. My one word of advice would be if you are worried enough about exposure to blue light &#; spend less time on your electronic devices. Maybe go for a nice walk instead. If you are worried about a child&#;s exposure time, well, um, take it away from them!
Q: What is this free-form, digital, HD, stuff about?
A: The most direct answer is that a free-form or digital or whatever brand name they want to call it is a lens based on computer automated design or CAD. These lenses are created using very sophisticated computer programs and high precision tools to create special surfaces on both the front and back surfaces of the lens. The result is often a lens with a wider range of vision, increased optical quality and a prescription designed around the individual wearer and their frame. It is popular in progressives but can be done in high single vision prescriptions also.
Q: How do I know a frame fits me? Also see the video above on proper frame fit.
A: Look at 3 things. Width &#; Nose &#; Temple
RuiQi contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.
Featured content:Width: The temples or &#;arms&#; or &#;stems&#; should leave the front of the glasses and go roughly straight back and touch just before the ear. NO CONTACT with the side of your head!
Nose: Frames should feel comfortable on your nose. In plastic frames you want all or close to all of the frame touching the nose with no gaps and no single points of contact.
Temple: Make sure the temples are long enough to reach well behind the ear. In kid and petite frames make sure they are not so long they will be annoying.
If being fit for a progressive lens the optician must also consider the depth of the frame.
Q: Is the anti-reflective coating worth the money?
A: Yes, a high-quality one is worth every penny. I you need to choose between a cheap AR or none choose none. A high quality AR will have a brand name and your ECP should be able to tell you what you are getting. Most high quality AR coatings come with a two-year warranty.
Q: Do I really need sunglasses when the sun does not bother me at all?
A: If you go outside you should wear glasses with UV protection. While many clear eyeglasses lenses protect you from UV damage, all sunglasses do.
Q: Does a polarized lens offer more protection than a well made pair of sunglasses without polarization?
A: No
Q: Should I get the frames with spring hinges?
A: Not necessarily. Many frames today have flex properties throughout the frame making the spring hinge unnecessary. Frames made of super-strong titanium may not need spring hinges.
Q: Do frames with spring hinges fit better?
A: NO! If a frame is fit properly the spring hinge will be closed unless hit or being taken on or off.
Q: My vision has not changed in years. Why should I get a new exam?
A: Because an eye exam is not about getting the prescription for glasses it is about checking the overall health of your eyes. A good eye exam can check for diabetes, glaucoma, retinal problems, dry-eye and many other MEDICAL conditions that can lead to blindness.
Q: Why can&#;t I take my old lenses and put them in a new frame?
A: This can be done but it is like finding a needle in a haystack. In the world today there just simply is not time to do it and it is not worth the money. Lenses are cut for a SPECIFIC frame to within a 5/100 of a millimeter of accuracy. Forcing the wrong shape in to the wrong frame is not going to be doing you any favor.
Q: Why was the person at the optical shop such a jerk, acted annoyed, refused, rolled their eyes etc. when I asked for my PD?
A: If you are regular customer, get yearly eye exams, buy contacts and refer others to the store then that person should gladly give you your PD! If they do not they are foolish and rude. If you just wander in off the street and ask them to take their time to measure you for your PD so you can turn around and go and by your glasses on-line then you deserve to be treated rudely.
Q: Why can&#;t the optician tell how thick the edge of my lenses will be?
A: If the optician says, &#;There is no way to predict exactly how thick a lens edge will be.&#; Thank them and be happy you have probably found a competent optician! Lens edge thickness depends on material, patient PD, frame size, frame shape, the processes used to grind or create the Rx and of course the Rx itself. A difference of even 1/10th of a millimeter in any direction can cause a difference in edge thickness.
Q: Huh, what do you mean, my optician has a chart on his/her desk that shows edge thickness by material and power?
A: No, just no. Those things are marketing snake oil, BS.
Q: Why do some glasses cost so much?
A: You are paying for a brand name frame, you are paying for the research and development for the latest in lens and frame material technology, you are paying to make up some of the gap in income loss from the shop taking insurance, you want the very latest style from the famous high-end designer and you are willing to pay for it.
Q: Why did the optician look like they wanted to beat me with a stick and then toss me in a dumpster of hungry weasels when I kept comparing my old pair to the new pair I just got?
A: Because your prescription and/or frame changed! Of course things will look a little different between the old and the new pair. If they did not then you would not have needed a new pair of glasses. Yes, a change in frame can cause a change in vision even in the same prescription (due to different angles and distances from your eye). Remember YOU chose the Rx by saying 1 was better than 2 etc&#;
Q: Why can&#;t I get my Rx in those cool wrapped styles I see?
A: Depending on your Rx you may be able to but expect to pay well over $500 to get it done. Eyeglass prescription are created by the curvature of the lens. You cannot overcome physics just because you want to look cool. The higher your Rx the less likely it will be that you can get it filled in a &#;wrap&#; frame. I do NOT endorse any products however Bolle, Rudy Project and Oakley do offer some of their wrap designs in Rx.
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LOL: A customer called and asked, &#;If I bring my glasses in can you fix them?&#; He replied, &#;Well I might have a much better chance that way instead of over the !&#;
LOL: A customer called and asked, &#;How much are your glasses?&#; She replied, &#;How much is a car?&#;
LOL: &#;No I did not use Super Glue on them.&#;
LOL: &#;I need a screw.&#;
LOL: A daily occurrence in an optical shop &#; A customer brings in a pair of glasses with both lenses out, the temples bent and the temple end cracked and says, &#;I just opened the case and they were like that.&#;
OK, this is a tough one and I could go on for hours&#; A competent optician working with your eye doctor should be able to trouble shoot a prescription problem, in one visit, 95% of the time. 5% of you out there need to remember that you see with your brain, not with your eyes and maybe your brain is not working quite right. That is not meant to be mean or sarcastic, it is quite simply the truth. Yes, you may be in that 5% group if you have been back more than twice for a prescription problem. If you have been back three, four, five times then you are in that 5%!
Vision is subjective not objective.
STOP comparing your old pair and any new pair. As stated above, as we age if your Rx changes you will gain and lose perfect vision in one area or another.
Vision is the result of the brain interpreting what it sees through BOTH eyes. STOP covering one of them and insisting there is a problem.
If you have a pair you like and work well for you then BRING THEM WITH YOU when you take your new glasses back to the store.
Many small problems with a new Rx can be overcome with simple adjustments to the frame. This may seem a little odd but it works, it works!
If your prescription changed and it now calls for an add power but you choose to not go in to a bi-focal or progressive lens you are probably going to be unhappy! You are old, o-l-d, get over it.
Single Vision: If you are a routine prescription and you wear single vision glasses and you cannot see well out of your new prescription then chances are excellent that you need the Rx tweaked closer to what you were wearing previously and liked. Have your optician:
Note: In very rare instances a change in material can cause problems with an Rx.
Lined Bi-Focals and Lined Tri-Focals: If you wear a fairly routine prescription and you wear a lined bi-focal or lined trifocal and cannot see out of a new Rx then you will need your optician to run through the same checklist as above for single vision. However if the line is placed too high or too low they simply need to remake the glasses. Note: The height can often be adjusted a few millimeters up and down with the nose-pads on a wire or metal frame. Lenses made too high or low in a plastic frame MUST be remade.
Progressives:
After ruling out the checklist above for single vision:
Every progressive lens has special embedded proprietary markings and an individual fitting layout chart. They should use those marks and highlight them with a special pen. Then check that the lens measurements match those written on the job order form. Only then should they put the glasses on you and look at how they align with your eyes. Common errors (we are human) are fitting the distance area too high or too low or missing that one eye is much higher or lower than the other.
Any reputable optician or ECP should be able to explain, in simple terms, what you are buying. Here is a list I am compiling of terms you are likely to hear when you go to your doctor&#;s office or optical shop.
Many consumers find our optician videos very helpful: OpticianWorks on YouTube
You can find great information on frame selection, lens choices and some of the language of the eyewear industry.
Aspheric: A lens that is designed with special curves that makes the lens thinner, lighter and provides better vision.
Astigmatism: All it means is that your eye&#;s cornea has two different curves on it. It is a scary sounding word for a very simple refractive condition. We have a free video on it.
Plastic: Virtually all eyeglass lenses are now a type of plastic. A lens called &#;plastic&#; is one made from a material called CR-39. It is heavy and quite thick but is quite good for lower prescriptions, tinting and optics.
High-Index: A material that provides the thinnest (NOT LIGHTEST) possible lens for higher prescriptions. High-index lenses will have a number from 1.60 to 1.74. The higher the number the thinner the lens should be.
Trivex: A lens material that is lightweight, and has great optics. But &#; Can be quite thick in higher prescriptions.
Progressive & Transition &#;
Transitions Lenses®: Is a brand name for lenses that darken when you go outdoors. Transitions (the word) has become a generic term for darkening lenses. Darkening lenses are an excellent choice for anyone who frequently goes from inside to outside. Darkening lenses do not stay dark in a car so they DO NOT replace sunglasses.
Progressives: Also incorrectly called no-line bifocals or no-line trifocals. These are lenses that provide the full range of vision from distance to intermediate to near with no visible lines.
Polycarbonate: A thin, lightweight, lens material with fair optics. Polycarbonate is used in over 80% of all eyeglasses because of its low wholesale cost and low weight. It is NOT a high-index lens and it is NOT the thinnest lens available. Polycarbonate once coated is NOT safe, impact resistant or offer any kind of special protection.
Non-Glare: Also called anti-reflective or AR is a special coating that allows more light to enter the eye. More light = More sight.
Single Vision: A lens for one fixed distance, not a bifocal, trifocal or progressive lens.
Distance: A lens or prescription for distance viewing only: Examples, driving, watching a football match, sightseeing.
Intermediate: A lens or prescription for intermediate viewing or roughly at, or just beyond, arms length: Examples, computer screen, grocery items on the shelf, sheet music on a stand.
Near: A lens or prescription for near work or less than arms length: Examples, threading a needle, reading fine print, removing a splinter.
Computer Progressive: Also called office progressive. A progressive style lens designed for only intermediate and near work. An office progressive will allow comfortable intermediate viewing with the head in its natural position. These only work in the office environment!
Free-Form: (Digital) (&#;3D&#;) A special computer generated technique of making a lens that provides the best vision. Lens may require special measurements be taken.
Digital: (Free-Form) (&#;3D&#;) A special computer generated technique of making a lens that provides the best vision.
Temple: You might call it a &#;stem&#;. The piece that holds the front of the glasses the chassis that goes back to your ear.
Prism: A technique using the eyeglass lens to alter the position of an image being viewed so it appears to your brain that it is in the correct place and in the same position as the other eye sees it.
PD: Patient PD or patient pupillary distance. The measurement between the center of the eyes (actually the eye&#;s visual axis). Can be measured from eye to eye called binocularly or from center of nose to center of eye for right and left called monocularly. Very important in high prescriptions and for progressive lenses, not so important in lower prescriptions. As in anything less than 1.00 diopter it really doesn&#;t matter at all.
Fitting Height: The vertical measurement of where the distance portion of a progressive lens will be fit. Unique for every different set of glasses and every individual person.
Polarized: Polarized: A sunglass lens that has a special polarizing filter. The energy that we perceive as light travels in both horizontal and vertical waves. A polarizing filter cancels or blocks the energy moving along the horizontal plane, or the light that we perceive as glare. Nice to have but NOT necessary.
Whether you are wondering how to pick the right glasses frames or glasses lenses, various designs may suit your needs. From choosing your lens material to perusing different coatings, exploring your options before investing in a new pair can save you time and money. While you may be familiar with your prescription, perhaps you want to find out what exact lens type would work for your eyes. Here are four tips for choosing eyeglasses lenses that you should consider.
Choosing the right glasses lenses begins with understanding the difference between each lens type. Many lens types assist with various eye conditions or needs, from single-vision glasses to multifocal lenses. Consider your eyesight and whether you are near- or farsighted before diving into the different lens types. Here are 10 types of glasses lenses and why they might be right for you
Single-Vision Distance
In general, single-vision lenses assist those who have trouble with either near or distance vision. Single-vision lenses, while common, can also help with specific eye conditions like astigmatism, myopia or hyperopia.
A single-vision distance lens helps those with nearsightedness correct their vision and look into far distances again. The lens will look like a concave or curved piece pushing inward, and the prescription is the same throughout the entire lens. Because single-vision lenses are meant to correct one field of vision, they also have the largest viewing area of all other lens types.
The single-vision distance lens may be for you if you struggle with nearsightedness.
Single-Vision Reading
Single-vision reading lenses help those with farsightedness see at a close distance. Unlike the single-vision distance lens, a reading lens has a convex shape and curves outward. The prescription remains the same throughout the entire lens and has a larger viewing area than other lens types.
If you want to correct your farsightedness, the single-vision reading lens may help you.
Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses use distance, middle and near vision correction throughout the lens. Many people appreciate that the progressive lens has no transition zone, visible divide or noticeable line between each part, unlike bifocal or trifocal lenses. However, you can still benefit from the progressive lens type as you would a bifocal lens. This lens is perfect for those needing a customizable lens option due to their unique eye type. It&#;s also great if you don&#;t want a pesky line between your glasses. The progressive lens will come with a distance prescription at the top and a reading prescription at the bottom, creating a seamless transition between each type so you can see at any distance.
Bifocal Lenses
If you need more than one prescription type, chances are you&#;ll require bifocal lenses. With two different abilities, these lenses are often prescribed by an eye doctor, as bifocal lenses could cause eye problems for those who don&#;t need them.
Bifocal lenses are divided into two zones &#; near vision and distance vision. Unlike progressive lenses, you can see a visible line that separates the two zones and splits them into sections. The upper part of the lens helps with distance vision and the lower with near vision, eliminating the need for you to buy both reading and distance glasses.
If you are someone who struggles with both your distance and reading vision, bifocals can help. Bifocals are also great for middle-aged or older people who might have eye conditions due to aging. If you need to focus more or are diagnosed with presbyopia, a condition that affects the lens of your eye, then bifocals could be for you.
Trifocal
Trifocal lenses are made of three parts &#; near, intermediate and distance vision. Those who use trifocal lenses typically have presbyopia or an inability to focus on the center of their vision, which can cause less flexibility in the lens of their eye.
Trifocals sit above the typical bifocal portion of the lens and use two visible lines to separate the zones. If you find yourself dealing with presbyopia, trifocal lenses may be what you need.
Toric
A kind of single-vision lens, toric lenses are made to correct astigmatism. Using a cylinder correction piece, toric lenses have more prescription power than typical single-vision lenses to help with the eye condition. If you have astigmatism and want lenses to correct it, a toric lens may be for you.
Prism
Prism lenses help correct an eye condition called heterophoria. This disorder causes the eyes to look in different directions when at rest and could result in eyes that move out of alignment, double vision or eye strain. Prism lenses also help correct strabismus, or crossed eyes.
If you have either of these eye conditions, consider getting a prism lens. The position and orientation of the lens will depend on your specific prescription and the direction of the thickest edge and base of the prism. Make sure you understand what refractive strength your condition may require, and have your eye doctor measure new lenses in prism diopters and base direction to ensure you get the right prescription you need.
Antifatigue
Antifatigue lenses are a kind of single-vision prescription lens that helps you resist eye fatigue and strain. By using magnification at the bottom of the lens, the lower area of the prescription assists with near vision by helping to relax the eye muscle.
Antifatigue glasses may be suitable for those who often use digital devices or work closely with computers and phones.
Spherical
Spherical lenses are meant to correct refractions in nearsighted or farsighted prescriptions. Spherical lenses help focus light in front or behind the retina, bringing the focal point toward the retina&#;s surface. If you have refractive errors in your sight, consider using spherical lens types.
Cylindrical
Cylindrical lenses correct astigmatism by focusing light onto multiple areas in the eye. By correcting the cornea&#;s curvature, the lenses can help you adequately focus and correct astigmatism. Consider using cylindrical lens types if you have this eye condition.
You&#;ll also want to consider the type of lens coating that may be right for you. From scratch-resistant coatings to tints and UV-resistant lenses, there are various coatings to suit your specific needs. Here are a few areas to consider when choosing the type of coating you want.
What Resistant Coatings To Consider
The most common coating to consider is anti-scratch, which reduces scratches or abrasions caused by everyday wear and tear. Keep in mind that if you own lightweight glasses, they may be more prone to scratches than other glasses types. If you want a coating that will help protect your glasses long term, consider investing in lenses with scratch resistance that can make them more durable.
You could also try an anti-reflective coating. This kind of coating helps protect your eyes from harmful glares or reflections while enhancing color contrast and visual clarity. Many people enjoy that anti-reflective lenses make their glasses less visible, allowing them to make better eye contact with peers and have fewer glare spots in photos. You might want to consider an anti-reflective coating to combat the light if you have high-index lenses or lenses with a highly reflective component.
The last resistant coating you can try is anti-fog coating. With the ability to prevent foggy lenses in cold or hot weather, this lens type could be best for you if you often find yourself with foggy lenses.
What Tints to Consider
Lens tints offer various ways to add color or light-adjusting elements to your glasses. Several tints may be right for you, whether you want sunglasses or lenses that change according to your location.
Light-adjusting lenses, also called photochromic lenses, adjust their tint depending on light exposure. They become darker outside and clearer inside while also protecting your eyes from UV rays and sunlight. While this kind of tint may not apply to sunglasses, you can get light-adjusting lenses in your prescription and save money by using them as both glasses and sunglasses.
These kinds of lenses are great if you work a job that requires you to go inside and outside frequently or if you are concerned about eye protection when outdoors.
Color-tinted lenses are another great way to spice up your glasses. While many like to color their lenses for fashion purposes, you can also tint them to help with migraines or blue light exposure. With various color options, you&#;ll enjoy tinted lenses for their stylishness.
Gradient tint lenses are often used for sunglasses, with a dark color on top that gets lighter toward the bottom. If you want sunglasses that protect against the sun and offer added privacy, consider adding gradient tints to your glasses.
Polarized coated lenses help reduce glare from light while making colors and contrasts around you brighter and clearer. Polarized lenses are a great option if you spend a lot of time outdoors biking, traveling or hanging near bodies of water. While reducing distracting reflections that could cause dangers when traveling long distances, polarized coatings also come in various color options.
Mirror-tinted lenses are often used for sunglasses and help protect your eyes from bright light by being reflective. If you want to protect your eyes or are looking for a fun and fashionable tint option, try using mirror-tinted lenses. They are also a good choice for athletes exposed to bright sunlight during practices or games.
When to Use Water-Repellant or Hydrophobic Lenses
Look for water-repellant or hydrophobic lenses if you want lenses that repel water. As large droplets of water can leave smudges or dirt, water-resistant lenses help keep your glasses clean and clear at all times. For those who live or work in rainy areas or around bodies of water, consider investing in hydrophobic lenses to protect your glasses for extended periods.
When to Use UV Protective Lenses
Blocking harmful UV rays is essential to protecting the eyes from light overexposure and age-related eye conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration. For those who want to protect their eyes, many doctors recommend you get UV protective lenses as early in life as possible.
When to Use Blue Light Filtering Lenses
Consider adding a blue light lens to your glasses if you use screens a lot. The lens filters blue light from electronics like computers or phones while helping you sleep better and reducing eye strain. The average American spends more than 7 hours a day looking at screens, so more people have turned to blue light lenses to protect their eyes.
If you use screens for work or personal use, you may want to consider investing in blue light lenses. Extended screen time without blue light lenses could cause eye fatigue, eye dryness, headaches or an inability to focus.
Another feature to consider is the type of lens material you want. From plastic types to modern polycarbonate, the type of material you choose may impact the quality of your glasses. Here are the five most common types of lens materials you could use.
Plastic: Early plastic glasses lenses were made during the s. The plastic was called CR-39, with material lighter than glass lenses and less costly than other types. With great optical features and high impact resistance, the plastic lens type is one of the most popular lens materials today.
Polycarbonate: Polycarbonate lenses were developed around the s, often used in children&#;s, safety and sports glasses. These lenses have become very popular due to their lightweight, impact-resistant nature.
Glass: Most lenses consisted of glass before the invention of plastic and polycarbonate. Keep in mind that this material is usually not as available as the other options and could lead to breakage, cracks or eye injuries.
Trivex: Trivex lenses are a new kind of impact-resistant and light material developed in . Many people use these lenses instead of polycarbonate ones due to their lighter weight.
High index: High index lenses use more refraction than other lens types. They also take inspiration from aspheric designs, where the lens comes with thinner and lighter features.
The fourth and final tip on how to choose prescription glasses involves selecting various lens features. After you&#;ve explored materials, types and coatings, you can look at areas such as the index of refraction or the possibility of aspheric design. Here are four features you might want to consider before buying new lenses.
Lens Index
The lens index, also called the index of refraction, measures how well the lens material bends and refracts light. The higher the number, the slower the light will move, and the more light will bend. A higher lens index number can also handle more powerful prescriptions should you need something more substantial.
Prescriptions within the lens index fall between 1.5 and 1.74. Some examples of numbers that indicate the index of refraction include the following:
1.5 index: This index offers a standard lens with a weaker prescription and is often used if you need basic vision help.
1.57 index: A thinner and lighter lens, the 1.57 index has a stronger prescription and thinner features.
1.59 index: Many lenses on the 1.59 index are made of polycarbonate or durable, impact-resistant materials. People often use these lenses for their children or for sportswear.
1.6 index: Lenses on the 1.6 index are very thin and used by people who need strong prescriptions.
1.67 index: A very light and thin lens, the 1.67 index keeps the eyes from looking distorted and provides a strong prescription.
1.74 index: Designed for the highest and most powerful prescription, the 1.74 index has the thinnest possible lens.
Abbe Value
The abbe value determines the amount of chromatic aberration your lens produces. If your lens has an optical error, you may notice colorful beams or halos around lighting fixtures.
In some cases, the aberrations may only be seen through your peripheral vision and less noticeable through the center of your glasses. Many abbe value numbers range from a high of 59, which applies to glass lenses, to a low of 30, which could apply to polycarbonate. The lower the abbe value, the less likely you are to see aberrations.
Whenever you change your lenses, check out the abbe value to avoid pesky aberrations, reflections and distracting lights in your vision.
Aspheric Design
Some people look for lenses with an aspheric design, meaning the lens will have a curved shape that gradually changes from the center to the edge. The effect is intended to slim a person&#;s face and create a more attractive side profile. When lenses are made with an aspheric design, the manufacturer will use flatter curves to fabricate the new glasses.
Because the angles are flatter than with other forms of glasses, the eyes tend to look more natural. Adding less magnification can also help improve the wearer&#;s peripheral vision.
Center and Edge Thickness
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set guidelines for glasses&#; impact resistance and limits on how thin glasses can be. Due to these restrictions, the thinnest part of the lens is often the center, which is used to correct nearsightedness. For glasses that correct farsightedness, the lens&#;s thinnest part is often the edge. Whichever condition you need to correct, keep in mind that many companies may have to follow regulations on how the size and shape of the lens can look.
While the lens thickness may be noticeable if you have a stronger eyeglass prescription, there are ways to distract from the thickness should you want a more discreet design. You can choose small and centered frames to help reduce the apparent thickness and weight of the lenses.
Whenever you need new lenses, you can easily find the right solution even from the comfort of your home with us. At Lensabl, our reliable lens replacement services offer various lens materials, types and features to fit your exact needs. With our Lensabl+ plan, you can find the best benefits if you regularly need new eyeglasses or lenses.
Consider using our vision benefits services if you want to protect your eyewear in the future. You can also enjoy perks like one prescription lens replacement per year and online vision testing for prescription renewal.
Lensabl is dedicated to providing accessible and affordable vision products for you and your family. Whether you&#;re looking for a polycarbonate lens material or a blue light filtering lens to block out harmful light, Lensabl can help you find the perfect replacement lens for your prescription. Contact us today to speak to a representative, or call us at 1-800-984-.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Aspheric Cylindrical Lens solution.
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