Select The Perfect Lenses For Your Glasses

Our top priority in the optical department at Alamance Eye Center is to make certain that your prescription for lenses is done correctly and recommendations for the type of lens and lens materials are given to best suit your needs.

Lenses today have come a long way from previous years in the style, type of material, and the ease of use.

Lenses types

No matter what you are using glasses for there is a lens type best suited for you. Since there are so many lens types the following list explains the lenses by focal type along with additional information regarding special treatments and advancements in lens technology.

Single vision: One prescription power used to see a single focal length (near, far or intermediate). This type of lens is available with virtually all lens options and/or treatments. The lens materials available are plastic, polycarbonate, or high index up to 1.74.

Bifocal (lined): One power on top for distance with a visible line (d-shaped) segment in the bottom for reading. The reading segment is available in different widths (28mm, 35mm, 45mm). There is not an intermediate power in this type of lens. All lens treaments are available on this lens type. The lens material available is plastic and polycarbonate.

Trifocal (lined): One power on the top for distance with a dual lined segment in the bottoming offering intermediate on the top of the lined segment and reading area in the bottom half of the segment. All lens treatments are available on this lens type. The lens material available is plastic and polycarbonate.

Progressive (The most advanced in bifocal design): This lens has the same appearance as a single vision lens. There is not any visible lines. It is referred to as a multifocal lens offering distance, intermediate, and near focal powers. All lens treaments are available on this lens. This lens is available in plastic, polycarbonate and high index up to 1.74 index.

Please visit www.varilux.com for more detailed information on the progressive lenses that we offer.

Lenses treatments/options

Anti-reflective treatment: A treatment applied to front and back surface of a lens to reduce the amount of internal and external reflections from artificial light. This treatment increases the amount of light transmitted through a lens, improving the quality of vision. This treatment is great for night driving, and for computer use. Anti-glare is great from a cosmetic standpoint giving the lenses and invisible appearance. At alamance eye center we recommend Crizal (anti-glare) with all lenses. Crizal lenses come with a superior scratch resistant treatment please visit www.crizal.com for more information.

Ultraviolet treatment: A treatment applied to a lens to protect the eyes from the exposure of harmful UV rays. This extra treatment is not necessary on all lens materials for the fact that certain lens materials already block harmful UV rays.

Polarized lenses: This lens is typically recommended for sunglasses. Many colors are available but the most common colors used are gray and brown. This is better for sunglasses than your standard tinting due to the fact that vertically polarized lenses decreases more glare by blocking horizontal polarized reflected light. Polarization also blocks 100% of harmful UV rays. Polarization is ideal for all sunglass wearers.

Transitions (photochromatic): This is a lens chemically treated so that when exposed to ultra-violet, the lens will darken. This means that while in a building, car, and any enclosed area the lens will be clear. Transitions are increasingly becoming more and more popular due to the fact they get darker quicker outdoors and lighter quicker indoors. Please visit www.transition.com for more details.