A lens treatment is a special additive that either bonds with the lens, or is built into the lens during the lens manufacturing process. Lens treatments are available as individual additions to lenses, and are also commonly bundled into single lens products for convenience and maximum benefit to your eyes. Most of our lens treatments and coatings are covered under a manufacturer warranty for a 1 year 1 time replacement.
Common Lens Coatings & Treatments:
- UV Protection
The UV rays in sunlight can be harmful to the eyes. Lenses that block 100% UV help to ward off various eye conditions and damage. - Scratch Resistant
Scratches on lenses are distracting, plain and simple. And they can interfere with lens performance. Scratch-resistant treatments imbued into the lens surface toughen up the lenses making them more durable. - Anti-Reflective
For fashion, comfort and clarity, anti-reflective treatments are the way to go. They make the lens nearly invisible and cut glare from headlights, computer screens and harsh lighting. The better the anti-reflective coating, the better the anti-fog and scratch resistance. - Mirror Coating
Mirror coatings decrease the amount of light reaching the eyes thereby minimizing harmful wavelengths from reaching the eyes. They optimize the usable light that passes through the lens for specific light conditions helping guard against harmful high energy visible light. - Tint
Tinted lenses can enhance your vision for indoor or outdoor activities. Tinting lenses can increase eye comfort and can be added as a solid or a gradient fade. - Polarization
Polarized lenses reduce glare and increase visual clarity and comfort by blocking the amount of reflecting light that enters the eyes. For fashion, comfort and clarity, polarized sunglasses are the way to go. - Photochromic lenses
Photochromic lenses are light changing lenses that are clear until activated by UV light, once outdoors the brighter the sun the darker the lenses become. Photochromic lenses protect your eyes from the UV rays in sunlight, get dark in bright sun conditions, and lighten as you go indoors. Photochromic lenses have different colors available and different degrees of darkness to fit your vision needs. - Blue Light Blocking (High Energy Visible Light Protection)
Blue light is known as high-energy visible light (HEV) and absorbed through the eye to the retina. Harmful blue light is emitted from electronic devices and fluorescent lights, while beneficial blue light is emitted from the sun. Many people may experience digital eye strain, blurred vision, dry and irritated eyes, headaches, and trouble sleeping with prolonged exposure to harmful HEV. Blue blocking protection is available in an anti-reflective coating (purple-blue coating) or a blue light blocking filter (essentially clear lens material) built into the lens.
Lens Materials
A lens material has properties that affect how well you see. Different lens materials have different properties that affect the quality of vision, the weight and thickness of the lenses, the level of UV protection, and shatter resistance.
- Glass lenses are not commonly used anymore. Glass lenses provide superior optics and unmatched clarity. However, glass lenses tend to be heavier and less impact resistant compared to other lens options. Glass lenses should never be used in anyone under the age of 18 for safety concerns.
- CR-39 or plastic lenses provide great clarity, but is heavy and scratches easier than other lens materials. Plastic lenses shatter very easily under impact and should not be used in anyone under the age of 18 for obvious safety concerns. Dr. Owens does not recommend plastic lenses due to the material shattering, chipping, and scratching easier than higher quality lenses to protect the eyes.
- Polycarbonate lenses are an impact resistant material and thinner than plastic and glass. Polycarbonate is always recommended for children under the age of 18, active adults, and adults needing safety lenses. Polycarbonate lenses provide 100% UV protection, are shatter resistant, thinner and more lightweight than plastic and glass.
- Trivex lenses or Mid-index lenses have increased clarity over the entire lens and similar impact resistance to polycarbonate lenses. Trivex lenses provide 100% UV protection, are thin and lightweight, and offer superior optics and clarity.
- High-index lenses are for moderate to high prescriptions and are available in two levels, 1.67 and 1.74. They are the thinnest and lightest lens materials available. High-index is not always available in all tints, coatings, or additional lens styles or enhancements, but our opticians can help guide you to design your custom glasses with the best materials possible to fit your needs.
Pupillary Distance
The pupillary distance (PD) is the distance between the pupil of each eye. The PD may vary depending on the use of the glasses whether for distance or a near working distance. The optical center (OC) is also an important measurement for glasses. This measurement is the central position of your pupil based on the height of the bottom of the lens. Having both the PD and OC measurements are important to obtain your best vision through lenses.
The PD and OC measurements are usually taken by the optician at the time of purchasing new glasses. Although we encourage you to support our small business, if you choose to purchase your glasses elsewhere, we do offer a service for PD measurement for $20.
