Learn About Lenses

Lense Materials

plastic, glass, mid index, and high index

Plastic or CR-39

CR-39 plastic lenses are the most popular choice for prescription eyewear and sunglasses due to their lightweight design, high optical quality, and abrasion resistance. They produce less chromatic aberration than polycarbonate lenses and can be tinted to virtually any color, making them ideal for prescription sunglasses. Plastic lenses are available in clear, polarized, photochromatic, and Hi-Index options.

Mid Index

Mid Index lenses, with a refractive index between 1.53 and 1.59, are thinner, lighter, and more durable than plastic or glass lenses. Materials like Polycarbonate, Phoenix, Trivex, and Trilogy offer exceptional impact resistance, making them ideal for sports eyewear, children, and active lifestyles. These lenses also provide UV protection and are available in clear, polarized, and photochromatic options.

Glass

Crown glass and flint glass are the two types of glass used today to create glass lenses. The main obstacle to manufacturing flint glass in the 18th century was the difficulty of removing bubbles and unevenness in the glass mixture. This material is heavier than plastic or Hi Index but had a greater resistance to scratches and a higher Abbe number which means that they have clearer optics. Glass lenses are available in clear white, polarized, photo chromatic, and Hi-Index.

High Index

High Index lenses are thinner, lighter, and denser than standard lenses, with a higher index of refraction (IOR) resulting in slimmer designs. Available in glass or plastic, plastic high-index lenses are lighter due to the material's lower weight. Higher IOR lenses are typically more expensive, but your eye doctor or optician can recommend the best option for your prescription. High Index lenses are available in single vision, bifocal, trifocal, progressive, and photochromatic designs, as well as clear and polarized options.

Lense Designs

single vision, multifocals, line bifocals, line trifocals, and no line progressives

Single Vision

Single vision lenses have one power across the entire surface of the lens. These lenses correct myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism. Single vision lenses are available in all lens materials.

Line Bifocal

Line bifocals are the most common type and least expensive and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The most familiar type of bifocal is when the bifocal is in the shape of a sideways D. These are called flat-tops. You have a distance prescription in the top portion of the lens for far off vision and your near prescription in the bottom portion for seeing close up objects. Your Optometrist or Optician can instruct you on the benefits of each.

No-Line Progressives

Progressive lenses provide correction at all distances and is the closest thing to your natural eye. They offer a continuous, gradual change in prescription strength from the lower (reading correction) to the upper (distance correction) portion of the lens. Because there is no visible line, progressives have the appearance of a single vision lens and therefore more cosmetically desirable.

Multifocal

Multifocals offer distance as well as near correction. The top part of the lens provides the distance refractive correction and the bottom segment provides the near refractive correction. These lenses correct presbyopia. Multifocals are broken down into 3 major groups:

Line Trifocal

Line trifocals are similar to line bifocals except a portion is added to the bifocal for intermediate vision. The majority of the lens is used for distance, the intermediate portion is used for objects from about 18-26 inches (arms length) and the bifocals are used for reading and seeing objects that are within 6-18 inches. (close up)

Digital Lenses

Digital lenses are precision-engineered to offer superior clarity compared to standard lenses, especially when paired with an anti-reflective coating. Available in single vision, bifocals, and progressives, they reduce distortions common in traditional lenses and provide up to 20% more vision channels for intermediate and close distances. Digital lenses come in various styles, including options for hobbies, sports, computer use, and reading.