Question 1

Is anti reflective coating necessary for glasses?

Accepted Answer

While not necessary, Anti-glare treatments are generally recommended for glasses and for good reason. Anti-glare or anti-reflective coatings come with a bevy of benefits. They eliminate glare from incoming light which provides for more crisp vision. Also, most anti-glares come with secondary benefits such as scratch and water resistance which helps to keep the surface clean and clear.

Question 2

Are high index lenses worth it?

Accepted Answer

It's really relative to what the actual prescription is and also the preference of the patient. If the Rx is approaching a high value such as -4.00 and above then it's generally time to consider high index. Also, they are more aesthetically appealing than other materials, such as polycarbonate, which would be thicker and more unseemly given the same Rx. Also, high index has a higher abbe value and what this means is light refracts more cleanly through the lens making the vision clearer. All in all, higher index lenses are worth it if applicable.

Question 3

Is anti scratch coating necessary for glasses?

Accepted Answer

Hardly anything is necessary when it comes to lenses, aside for the proper fulfilling of the Rx. However, there are things to be done that can improve the overall optical experience like adding an anti-scratch/anti-reflective coating to your lenses. So, let's make a distinction from the get go to avoid confusion later. All anti-scratch coatings are also anti-reflective or anti-glare but not all anti-reflective coatings have a scratch resistant quality. This is important when deciding on what type of anti-reflective to get on your lenses. Every anti-reflective is constructed differently and some offer just the refractive qualities of an anti-reflective while others incorporate the scratch resistance element as well. While it isn't necessary there are a myriad of benefits to choosing a scratch resistant coating for lenses. Not only do you get the benefits from your standard AR lenses but you'll also get that smoother, hydrophobic, scratch resistance which can contribute to an increase in lens longevity. Meaning, with a little bit of care, you'll get a lot more wear. Furthermore we strongly recommend getting scratch resistant coatings for children's glasses, because kids will be kids.

Question 4

What is prism lenses?

Accepted Answer

Prism lenses are lenses that shift the focal point in a certain direction but a unit called diopters. What this mean is, depending on the diopters of prism, a lens will move the "image" over that much. Prisms have no refractive quality, meaning they don't help you see clearly like other lenses typically do. Instead they shift images in a certain direction so help our eyes pair images together into a single image in your mind.

Question 5

What do prisms in glasses do?

Accepted Answer

Prisms in glasses typically shift light, which we perceive as an image, in a general direction, For instance prisms are usually prescribed in both lenses and will move the image in a direction that makes it easier for the patient to make the images into a single one.

Question 6

Are polycarbonate lenses scratch resistant?

Accepted Answer

In short, while they do not scratch very easily they are not scratch proof. Polycarbonate lenses are rated as one of the most impact resistant materials for lenses as opposed to plastic or high index but impact resistance doesn't translate to scratch resistance. The highest degree of scratch resistance is typically attained with an anti-glare/anti-scratch coating. These coatings, in their varying levels, offer scratch resistance when placed onto a lens material.

Question 7

What are glasses lenses made of?

Accepted Answer

Lenses are primarily made out of plastics these days. The plastic or polymers they are made out of can be separated into four categories. We use CR-39, Polycarbonate, Trivex, and Hi-Index. Depending on the Rx, Age of patient, and their needs will determine the lens material that's chosen.

Question 8

What are computer glasses?

Accepted Answer

Computer glasses are used to see at an intermediate range, thusly named. They are a composite of the sphere power of an Rx and about half the addition. When combined we'll have a prescription for intermediate or computer glasses that will let us work comfortably at that range.

Question 9

What lenses help with night driving?

Accepted Answer

In my experience, there's only one trusted method for increasing visibility at night and that's an anti-glare coating. Some providers suggest using differing tints, such as yellow tints, with an AR coating. Tinted lenses filter out a spectra of light which overall reduces light data that goes into the retina and in low light conditions this can prove dangerous. The most effective and virtually danger free method is an AR coating. As of late, companies have produced specifically formulated AR coatings to reduce glare for night driving. The goal is to reduce diffraction, which is light bouncing around and away from the focal point of the lens, resulting in glare such as halos, without reducing the light coming in that's necessary to see an image. Much like when we see oncoming headlights and they're engulfed in a ring of light. An AR coating helps reduce this ultimately let us see more of what's important, the road.

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