LENS SERVICES

With Spectacle Lenses, there is a wide range of available features.  New technologies has brought us a range in lens power that is virtually unlimited.  However, not all available features are right for all of our patients.  As such, we provide you with a brief discussion of each of these features so when you visit our office you will have some ideas of what features might work best for you.  We will discuss all of these and how they fit your needs.

FIXED TINTS

Lenses are often tinted for a variety of reasons.  Sometimes the color is  just accent to the already stylish frame. Other times the patient is super sensitive to bright light (Photophobia).  Migraine headaches or severe allergies are a few of the reasons for this. Tints can be a "solid" color, where the color is the same throughout the lens.  Tints can also be a gradient where the top of the lens is dark and the bottom of the lens is clear.  This is useful for those who are sensitive to overhead fluorescent light but when they are trying to read they want all the light they can get.

SUNGLASSES

Sunglass Colors tend to range from a neutral gray, brown, green and variations of their combinations.  We offer any color or density you can imagine.  Mirror finishes are also available.

COMMON MIRROR COATING COLORS AND OPTINOS

CHILDREN & SUNGLASSES

Dermatologists tell us that many skin cancers originate from excessive sun exposure.  For younger children, ultra-violet from the sun is even more damaging. This holds true for children's eyes as well as their skin.  We recommend sunglasses for children as well as a cap with a "bill" to protect their young eyes.

POLARIZED SUN LENSES

Polarizing sunglasses eliminates reflected glare from wet road surfaces, bumpers, windshields and water on the road, lakes and rivers.  This is particularly useful for drivers, boaters, fishermen, hunters and many other outdoor activities. 

PHOTOCHROMIC TECHNOLOGY  (TRANSITIONS LENSES)

Transition and Photogray lenses change with the light.  Light from the sun contains ultra-violet wavelengths (over 700 nm).  It is the ultra-violet that creates a change in the chemistry of the lens.  This change causes the lens to darken.  Transition refers to plastic light weight lenses.  Photogray refers to glass lenses.  Both of these photosensitive lenses block over 95% of the ultra-violet rays.  When indoors, and out of the effect from sunlight, the lenses lighten up nearly perfectly clear.  When in your car, the lenses are only about 25% dark due to the fact that the car windshield blocks about 50% of the UV.  Transitions come in two densities.  If you prefer clear lenses when you are indoors, the traditional Transitions lens is best for you.  However, if you are sensitive to bright light and prefer a comfortable light tint indoors and you want moderate darkening in the car, then you should use Transitions XTRActive.

HARD COAT FINISH

A hard coat finish is a coating of silica particles that are baked on the surface of the lenses.  This finish resists scratches and nicks.  This hard coat finish is baked on the front and the back surface of both lenses.  Over a period of time,  the hard coat finish will reduce scratches by approximately 75%.

ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING

[Anti-reflective Coating (ARC) Lenses] When you look at a high quality camera lens, you will note a purplish sheen to the surface of the lens.  This is an Anti-Reflection (ARC) Coating which is baked on the lens.  This same anti-reflection coating is available in your glasses.  This coating reduces reflections and glare from lights by over 80%.  This feature is particularly useful when driving at night, when there is a multitude of streetlights and car lights that are reflecting off the surfaces of your lenses.  Glare while driving or while on a computer can create a lot of visual discomfort and distraction.  It is important to know there are different grades (Category A, B, C, and D with Cat. D being the highest grade) of ARC and premium grades (Cat. C & D) are usually multi-layer coating that may include scratch coat and blue light shield.  Ask your optician about details of the specific type of ARC that you are getting.

Another great feature of a premium grade ARC is that it is "Hydrophobic" and "Oleophobic".  This means that a lens with premium grade ARC on it repels water and oil, and most of the premium grade ARC has the hard coat finish built into it, which provides the same characteristics and benefits of the Hard Coat finish discussed above.  In addition, most of the premium grade ARC are also Anti-Static so the coating resists dust built-up and helps lenses to stay cleaner.

YELLOW LENSES AND HUNTERS

Hunters tend to like yellow or orange lenses since they increase contrast during the daybreak hours or twilight hours. During those hours the sun is at its greatest angle with the earth and therefore light passes through a denser atmosphere.  As such, light is more bluish during those hours.  As this bluish light passes through a yellow lens, the blue wavelength is filtered out and only the remaining colors can go through. Since the blue light can't get through the lens,  blue objects appear to be darker or even black.  That increases contrast against all the other colors.