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Spectacle Lenses
Finding the right spectacle lens to meet your needs requires expert advice and that's where our dispensing opticians come in. They'll discuss the available options in depth (there's a lot of choice out there!) and advise you on what's going to work well for you. The lenses will be edged in our own workshop which means we can ensure the accuracy and quality of the job,
Some information on different types of spectacle lenses follows. For some practical examples of their uses, go to Roger's Free Advice Section.
Some information on different types of spectacle lenses follows. For some practical examples of their uses, go to Roger's Free Advice Section.
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Single Vision LensesSingle Vision vision have one power across the entire lens. Most people aged less than forty-five wear single vision lenses. The loss of focusing ability as we get older (after the age of forty-five or so) means that we need different levels of power for different viewing distances, which could mean different lenses for different activities like reading or driving. This isn't always convenient, so bifocals or multifocals may be more suitable. |
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Bifocal LensesBifocals are two-power lenses designed for two viewing distances. Usually they have distance power in the top and reading power in the bottom but they can be made for any viewing distance. There is a visible dividing line between the two powers. |
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Trifocal LensesTrifocals have three powers lenses for three viewing distances - far, middle and close There are dividing lines between the three powers. Trifocals give a wide field of view but are not as cosmetically appealing as progressive lenses. |
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Progressive LensesAlso called multifocals or varifocals, progressive addition lenses are multi-powered. The power changes gradually between the top and bottom of the lens Many more people wear progressives than bifocals or trifocals because they look better (no dividing lines) and because there a no sudden changes in power. There are things to get used to, like the fact that you need to be precise about your head position when wearing progressive lenses and that the pavement may look a little blurred when you're walking. |
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Occupational Progressive LensesOccupational lenses are designed especially for people who work at a desk, but can be thought of as indoor lenses and work just as well in the kitchen as theny do in the office. The power varies between middle distance (where your computer would be) and close distance (where your book or paper would be). There is a much wider field of view for those tasks than you would get with regular progressive lenses. |
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Thinner, Lighter and Flatter Lenses
Spectacle lenses can be made from glass or plastic. Ninety-nine percent of our customers have plastic lenses because they're ligther and safer than glass ones. Plastic lenses come in different densities (called the refractive index) and the higher the refractive index, the thinner the lens is. Thin lenses are lighter and more cosmetically appealing. Our dispensing opticians can advise on what refractive index will produce the best result for your prescription and your frame. We also have lens designs available that give you flatter surfaces and less distortion through the edge of the lens - our dispensing opticians can tell you more about this.
Photochromic Lenses
Photochromic lenses have a special chemical incorporated which causes them to darken when exposed to ultra-violet light. This means they darken outside and lighten inside. They're very useful here in New Zealand where the ultraviolet levels are high..
Benefits include
- only having to have one pair of glasses - photochromic glasses may eliminate the need for prescription sunglasses
- 100% UV protection
- Available in both grey or brown.
Possible disadvantages are
- a slight residual tint - photochromatic lenses are never completely clear, although you'd be hard pushed to tell.
- they don't go very dark in the car because the windscreen blocks the UV rays needed to activate the lenses.
- the degree of tint is temperature dependent - the hotter it is the less dark they go-which can be a disadvantage overseas - it doesn't get hot enough in Wellington for this to be a problem.
- if you have your photograph taken outdoors, your lenses will be dark in the photo.
Anti-Reflection CoatingsDid you know that eight to twelve percent of the light arriving at the your spectacle lens is lost to reflection before it reaches your eye? Anti-reflection coatings are designed to address this problem and result in better looking lenses, improved night vision and fewer annoying reflections from the back surface of your lenses. Most of our customers have anti-reflection coated lenses. |
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Polarised Lenses
There are two kinds of glare; discomfort glare and reflected glare. Discomfort glare is controlled by the degree and colour that the lens is tinted and reflected glare is controlled by using polarised lenses- see the picture that shows how they reduce the glare reflected off the water. Polarised lenses reduce glare reflected from snow, water and wet roads so are very useful for boaties , fishermen and skiers.They're available in gray, brown and green, transition and in both single vision, bifocal and multifocal designs.
Too much choice? Not sure which lens is right for you? Come and talk to one of our dispensing opticians.
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