|
EYEGLASSES
Below you will find information about eyeglass
options. At Clear View Eye Clinic, we feel you should be
educated on these options so that you can better decide
which options fit your visual needs. Of course, our staff
is always available to answer questions and make personalized
recommendations of what will be best for you.
Lens Styles
| Single Vision |
Single vision lenses
are lenses that correct vision at one distance only,
and are the most common glasses used by patients under
40 (or those who have not yet developed presbyopia).
For most people, these lenses are used to clear vision
at distance, although reading-only glasses are also
an example of single vision lenses.
|
 |
|
|
|
| Bifocal Lenses |
Famously invented by Benjamin Franklin,
bifocal lenses provide two vision zones separated by
a visible line. The bottom segment (often "half-moon"
in shape) corrects for near or reading distances while
the remainder of the lens corrects for distance vision. |
 |
|
|
|
| Trifocal Lenses |
Unlike bifocals that correct for near
and distance only, trifocal lenses incorporate a third
zone into the lens to clear intermediate distances (think
computer screens- they are often closer than distance,
but farther than reading distance). These three vision
zones are separated by visible lines. The upper area
is for distance vision, the middle segment provides
intermediate vision for distances between 2 and 7 feet,
and the bottom segment holds the reading prescription. |
 |
|
|
|
| Progressive Addition
Lenses (No-Line Bifocals) |
Also referred to as "no-line bifocals",
these lenses are similar to trifocals in that they have
3 different prescription areas for near, intermediate,
and distance vision. Progressives differ from bifocals
and trifocals in that the different zones are not separated
by visible lines, but rather offer a natural, "progressive",
transition between the different powers on the lens.
This eliminates the problem of "image jump"
associated with lined multifocals and presents a more
attractive appearance. |
 |
|
|
|
| Occupational Lenses |
Occupational lenses are typically bifocal
lenses with customized placement of the near zone correction.
Plumbers, electricians, and others frequently engaged
in overhead work often find double-segment lenses preferable,
which add a near zone in the top of the lens. Golfers
typically experience blur when teeing-off in traditional
bifocals, so many prefer a special golf lens which places
the near zone into the upper right corner. |
 |
Lens Materials
| Glass |
Oldest lens material
(although archeological findings have discovered emerald
and ruby lenses in ancient cultures- we'll just stick
to modern times). Has superior optical qualities (clarity)
to plastic lenses, yet are very heavy and are a safety
concern due to shattering into small sharp fragments
when impacted.
|
|
|
|
|
| Basic Plastic (CR-39) |
Like the name implies, these lenses
are, well, basic. The cheapest lens available, but prone
to shattering upon impact, and chipping when placed
into a drill-mount or semi-rimpless frame. |
|
|
|
|
| Polycarbonate |
The most impact-resistant material
available- these lenses exceed ANSI safety standards
at less than 1/3 the required thickness! Polycarbonate
lenses also have the added benefit of being lighter
and thinner than basic plastic lenses. Recommended for
safety, sports and children's glasses. |
|
|
|
|
| Trivex |
Trivex has optical qualities (degree
of clarity) nearly identical to glass. Due to manufacturing
processes, it is even less likely to crack than polycarbonate,
although it is less impact resistant (more prone to
shattering than polycarbonate, yet less likely to crack?
strange but true- anyways, both are much safer than
basic plastic or glass). Recommended for drill-mounted
frames. |
|
|
|
|
| Hi-Index |
Hi-index lenses fall between basic
plastic and polycarbonate in their degree of safety,
but offer the benefit of creating the thinnest lens
possible. Hi-Index lenses include 1.60, 1.67, 1.70,
and 1.74. Basically the higher the number, the thinner
the lens (but also the higher the cost). |
|
Lens Coatings/Tints
| Anti-Scratch Coating |
While no coating can prevent scratches,
an anti-scratch coating, as the name implies, can make
your lenses more scratch resistant. Recommended for
eyeglass wearers who work in dusty environments to increase
the life of the lenses. |
|
|
|
|
| Anti-Reflective Coating
(anti-glare coating) |
For people who wear glasses, distracting
reflections and glare can rob the eyes of the up to
14 percent of available light. AR lenses allow virtually
all the available light to pass through the lens for
sharper, clearer, more comfortable vision. Recent tests
prove that people are able to see more clearly with
AR lenses, especially under low light conditions like
driving at night. Key benefits of AR lenses include:
glare reduction, better night vision, better computer
vision (especially when using LCD monitors), better
lens cosmetics, and reduced eye fatigue. Clear View
Eye Clinic highly recommends anti-reflective coating
for all eyeglass wearers, and highly recommends the
Crizal Avance with Scotchguard brand as the most superior
coating available. View
demos of why the Crizal Avance is your best option. |
|
|
|
|
| Transitions |
Transitions Lenses change from clear
to dark, & block 100% of harmful UV rays. The newest
generations of these lenses darken and lighten faster
than ever before, and are available in most every lens
material. It is useful to know, however, that Transitions
lenses will not darken in the car, as they react to
UV light, and our windshields in North America have
been treated with a UV filter.
|
 |
|
|
|
| Polarized Lenses |
Polarized lenses improve vision, especially
in strong light conditions. They do this by controlling
which light rays are allowed to enter the eye. By filtering-out
reflected and scattered light, vision is crisper, and
eye fatigue is reduced, as the visual system doesn't
have to "search" through a glared image. Polarized
lenses will protect you from UV rays, glare and intense
light. |
 |
|
|
|
| UV Coating |
UV Coating, also called a UV filter,
is a bath treatment that effectively gives lenses the
ability to block 100% of harmful ultraviolet light rays. |
 |
|
|
|
| Tints |
Lens tints come in a full spectrum
of color options, and range from light tints for indoor
glare reduction or cosmesis, to dark tints for maximum
brightness reduction of sunlight. Colors may be selected
based on appearance, but individuals who engage in certain
sports or professions may find our Clear
View Eye Clinic Specialty Tint Chart useful in selecting
a tint best suited to their needs. |
|
|
|
|
| Mirrored Coatings |
Mirrored coatings reduced glare and
brightness as well as provide a dramatic and appealing
cosmetic appearance. Traditionally, silver mirror was
the most common of these coatings, but today, mirror
coatings also come in blues, greens, golds, reds, oranges,
and violets, allowing for a more custom match to the
frame of your choice. |
 |
Eyeglass Frames
| Plastic Frames |
Frames made of a variety
of plastics (nylon, zyl, polycarbonate) are excellent
in durability and comfort. The most important thing
to consider when looking for a plastic frame is to
look for one that fits your nose well, or to have
one custom fit to your nose. Plastic frames are also
good at hiding lens thickness often found in higher
prescriptions. As an added benefit, plastic frames
are hypoallergenic- meaning your skin will not react
to the material (read Metal Frames to find out more)
|
|
|
|
|
| Metal Frames |
Metal frames offer greater
adjustability to specific faces and, when paired with
soft silicone nosepads, are very comfortable. The
most common material used in metal frame manufacturing
has traditionally been a nickel alloy, making these
frames difficult for persons with nickel allergies
(many people do have this allergy- just look for green
deposits near the nosepads or temples of your current
glasses). Hypoallergenic metals are available, however,
and include stainless steel and titanium. Titanium
frames are very strong and have a slight "memory"
property, making them flexible (although not as flexible
as true memory-metals).
|
|
|
|
|
| Flex-Frames (Memory
Metals) |
These are the infamous
"twist and tie" frames (although most won't
put-up with overly-repeated bending and twisting).
Flex frames are excellent for adults or children who
are rough on their eyewear. Most are composed of hypoalergenic
materials.
|
|
|
|
|
| Semi-Rimless Frames |
Semi-rimless frames
have always been a sought-after choice that has continued
to grow in popularity. These frames have an eyewire
on part of the lens, while the remaining part of the
lens seems suspended. They are cosmetically appealing,
yet usually require a polycarbonate, trivex, or hi-index
material to be used in lens manufacturing to eliminate
chipping of the lens at the site of lens mounting.
|
|
|
|
|
| Drill-Mount Frames |
The lightest and least-conspicuous
frames available, drill-mount frames have no eyewire
around the lens at all. The temples (side pieces)
and bridge (middle part that sits on your nose) are
actually drilled into the lens to make a complete
eyeglass. Trivex is the most compatible lens material
with this style of mounting, in order to eliminate
lens cracking or chipping at the drill-sites. These
frames also come in a variety of metals, although
titanium is the most durable, stainless steel is second,
and nickel frames are not recommended in this style
of frame.
|
|
|
| |
|
| Safety/Sport Frames |
Safety frames come in a variety of
materials and designs, most are like their regular eyeglass
counterparts, but these meet or exceed ANSI safety standards.
Sport frames are an entirely different breed, however,
as these frames are expecting to get hit. As such, they
are designed to maintain comfort for the wearer even
during an impact (when's the last time you took a basketball
to your face and didn't really mind?). Many of these
frames are semi-sport specific, and include racquetball/tennis,
basketball, shooting and biking glasses, as well as
ski, atv, and paintball goggles. Due to safety concerns,
olycarbonate is the recommended lens choice for these
frames. |
| |
|
|
