With so many choices out there to choose from, it’s hard to know which types of lenses will be the best for you. From glare free to transition, bifocal to progressive, let us break down the purpose and benefit of each type of lens so you can decide which prescription lenses are right for you.
Trivex or Polycarbonate
Trivex or Polycarbonate lenses are thinner and lighter than glass and plastic. They are also up to 10x more shatter resistant than regular lenses. They have built in UV and scratch protection. They have a higher tolerance against chipping and cracking when compared to glass or plastic, which makes them a good choice for rimless glasses. These types of lenses are ideal for younger children or prescriptions that would require a thick lens.
Trivex has clearer vision/optics than polycarbonate and was invented by the military. Trivex is recommended over polycarbonate for most prescriptions.
Transitions
Transitions lenses are made to quickly adjust to changing light to help protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays. These lenses are fully UV protected, but are not a replacement for sunglasses as they do not protect against visible violet rays. Transitions lenses are known for changing to sunglasses when outdoors and are clear indoors. However, a pair of prescription sunglasses should be available while driving to provide maximum eye protection.
Transitions XTRActive
Transisions XTRActive lenses work very similarly to standard Transitions lenses. The difference is in the ability to darken sufficiently behind the windshield of a vehicle to protect eyes just like sunglasses would. These lenses work to protect from both UV rays and visible violet rays. Because of the increased amount of light that these lenses react to, the lens will get much darker outside than a regular Transitions lens. It will be moderately dark behind a windshield, and it will always have a grey tint indoors to protect from the glare of indoor lighting.
Transitions Vantage
The latest in the Transisions family is Vantage. This new lens incorporates the technology from previous Transitions lenses and adds polarization. Indoors, the lenses still have a grey tint to them and will darken the more light they are exposed to, polarizing at the same time. Polarized lenses are fully UVA, UVB, and UVC protected. UVC light is also called “blue light” or “HEV light”. Blue light or HEV light are the most harmful rays that come from the sun. However, wearing a polarized lens can block up to 97% of UVC light. Polarized lenses work by filtering all the horizontal light, which eliminates sun reflection. Many people prefer polarized lenses for outdoor activities.
Anti-Reflective / Glare Free Lenses
Glare free lenses eliminate artificial reflection, making your lenses seem as though they are not there. It is a special coating that is applied to your lens and is perfect for night time driving, computer usage, and working under florescent lights. Purchasing a premium glare-free lens will make your glasses easier to clean and make them more scratch resistant.
Bifocal Lenses
The best of both worlds, bifocal lenses allow you to see far away as well as close up with just one pair of glasses. These lenses usually have a small, moon-shaped area at the bottom of the lens which magnifies those things that are close by. This is a great solution for people who need some distance correction as well as help reading. They can be worn all day and are a great alternative to reading glasses.
Trifocal Lenses
Very similar to bifocal lenses, the added feature of trifocal lenses is the small computer distance reading ability. This area is located above the moon-shaped reading area of the traditional bifocal. This feature will help eliminate eye strain and overall muscle strain from looking at a computer.
Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses are the same as bifocals / trifocals, but have no noticeable line between the different areas. The purpose of this type of lens is to help avoid noticeable jumps or discontinuities experienced with traditional bifocals or trifocals. They resemble the look of regular glasses and are more attractive than bifocals or trifocals. It takes a bit of time to adjust to the lens design, but once you get used to them, they are the most like natural eyesight.
BDP Advanced Progressive
This progressive lens is custom designed. Whereas the standard progressive lenses are all the same, with the exception of the prescription, this lens is digitally created using the frame shape, size, and measurement, as well as your prescription and prescription measurements. This allows for the best fit for you and your prescription and your frames.