RX Lens Types

Choosing the right type of prescription lens depends on your vision correction requirements and how you use your glasses. Prescription lenses fall into two main categories, single-vision and multifocal. Your choice will depend on whether you need correction for one distance (near or far) or a single multifocal pair for multiple distances and activities.

SINGLE-VISION

Single-vision lenses have one prescription across the entire lens, designed to correct either distance vision (difficulty seeing far away) or near vision (for reading or close-up tasks). They are the most common and affordable lens type, compatible with any frame style.

MULTIFOCAL

Multifocal lenses integrate multiple prescriptions in one lens, allowing clear vision at near, intermediate, and far distances without switching glasses. Different lens designs achieve this through distinct zones (bifocals) or a continuous gradient (progressives).

Progressive Lenses

Progressive lenses are multifocal lenses that offer a seamless transition from distance to near vision, with no visible lines dividing prescription zones (like those found in bifocals). They are available in different tiers of customization. Standard progressives use average parameters, while premium progressives are custom-calculated using your specific prescription, frame measurements, and fitting parameters for wider viewing zones and reduced distortion.

Enhanced

Semi-custom fully compensated design optimized for your frame shape and prescription. Provides wider viewing zones and less peripheral distortion than standard progressives. 

Precision

Fully personalized lens calculated from your prescription parameters and frame specifications. Provides the widest viewing zones with minimized peripheral distortion across all distances. 

Lens Materials

Prescription lenses are made from different materials with varying properties such as impact-resistance and refractive index (ranging from 1.50 to 1.74). Higher index lenses achieve the same optical correction with less thickness, making them preferable for stronger prescriptions. Understanding the distinctions is essential to selecting the most appropriate material for your eyewear and lifestyle needs.

CR-39 (1.50 index)

Low-cost plastic lenses with excellent optical clarity and minimal distortion. Recommended for full-rim frames with prescriptions between -3.00 and +3.00, where lens thickness is not a concern. CR-39 lenses are not used in rimless frames due to relative brittleness.

Polycarbonate (1.59)

Impact-resistant lightweight lenses with 100% UV protection that are 20% thinner and 10 times stronger than standard plastic, making them particularly advisable for children's eyewear, safety glasses, and sports use.  Suitable for all frame styles and moderate prescriptions up to +/-4.00.

High Index 1.67

Lightweight lenses with 100% UV protection that are 30% thinner than standard plastic and 20% thinner than polycarbonate. They reduce eye magnification/minification effects common with stronger corrections.  They are suitable for all frame styles and are recommended for prescriptions in the +/-4.00 to +/-7.00 range.

High Index 1.74

Thinnest and lightest plastic lenses available with 100% UV protection that are 10% thinner than 1.67 index. Ideal for powers above +/-7.00 to maximize aesthetics and comfort of eyewear with strongest prescriptions. The 1.74 are not advised for rimless frames.

Tinted Lenses

People who wear prescription eyewear require sunglasses that accommodate their vision correction needs. Lens tinting can transform prescription eyeglasses into stylish sunglasses—solid tints, transition lenses for automatic light adaptation, and polarized lens options for glare reduction.

SOLID TINTS

Solid tinted lenses feature a uniform color density throughout the lens and are available in green, brown, and grey—the most color-neutral options that maintain natural color perception. These standard tints typically absorb 75-85% of visible light, making them effective for bright, sunny conditions.

TRANSITION LENSES

Transition (photochromic) lenses automatically darken when exposed to UV light and return to clear indoors or in low-light conditions. This feature is especially beneficial for anyone who frequently moves between indoor and outdoor environments, providing the convenience of a single pair for all lighting conditions.

Note that photochromic lenses typically do not darken inside vehicles, as windshields block most of the UV light needed to activate the darkening process.

POLARIZED Lenses

Polarized tinted lenses incorporate special filtering that blocks horizontal (polarized) light waves—the primary cause of glare—while allowing vertical light to pass through. This dramatically reduces reflections from surfaces such as water, snow, and roads, resulting in sharper visual clarity and enhanced contrast—colors appear more vibrant and details become more defined compared to non-polarized sunglasses.

It should be noted that polarized lenses can make LCD screens—phones, tablets, and dashboard displays—appear dark or distorted at certain viewing angles.

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Lens Coatings

Lens coatings are thin layers of specialized materials applied to both lens surfaces that enhance the function of your eyeglasses. They can reduce glare, prevent scratches, filter harmful blue light from digital screens, and more. The coatings you choose affect your comfort and the longevity of your lenses.

BLUE LIGHT BLOCK

The prevalent use of digital screens and LED lighting exposes eyes to blue light wavelengths that can  cause eye strain, contribute to headaches, and affect sleep. Blue light blocking coating filters these wavelengths, reducing fatigue and sleep disruption while maintaining  visual clarity for extended screen use.

All of our lenses come with anti-reflective, anti-scratch, and UV protectION coatings
ANTI-REFLECTIVE

Anti-reflective (AR) coatings have fundamentally improved eyewear performance. AR coatings eliminate surface reflections, enabling over 99% of light to pass through the lenses without bouncing off. This is particularly beneficial for high-index lenses, which naturally reflect more light than standard lens materials.

Enhanced Clarity:  AR coatings improve clarity and contrast in high-glare conditions—from night driving with oncoming headlights to extended screen use. By allowing more light through and eliminating visual interference, these coatings reduce eye strain during prolonged wear. Our AR coating also includes hydrophobic and oleophobic treatments that repel water, oil, and fingerprints, maintaining optical clarity between cleanings.

Improved Aesthetics:  Surface reflections draw attention to the glasses and can distort how your eyes appear.  AR-coated lenses are virtually invisible, resulting in a cleaner, more attractive appearance (and eliminating eyeglass glare in photos and videos).

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ANTI-SCRATCH
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Anti-scratch coating creates a hardened surface that resists the minor abrasions that accumulate from daily wear—whether from cleaning, handling, or accidental drops — this protective barrier significantly extends lens life by preventing the surface scratches that distort vision and degrade optical clarity.

UV Protection

UV coating blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching your eyes, protecting them against UV-related eye damage. The coating blocks both UVA and UVB rays that penetrate clouds and reflect off surfaces like water and snow.