Sunglasses serve a greater purpose than simply reducing sunlight. Beyond visual comfort, they provide crucial protection and optimize visual function, especially for the visually impaired. It's not just about light…
Tints not only vary in color, but also vary in transmissibility. The amount of light that is transmitted is the amount of light allowed to pass through the lens. The darkness of the tint does not indicate it’s capability to protect against harmful UV light.
While you may think that sunglasses are just glasses with a tint, but protecting the eyes requires more than just a tint. The tint decreases the amount of light that reaches your eyes. Generally, the darker the tint, the less light is transmitted (passed through) the lens. Someone who is outdoors and needs to decrease the brightness of sunlight, will choose a lens with low transmittance. Keep in mind, the darkness of the tint does not indicate it’s capability to protect against harmful UV light. (more…)
Polarized lenses have a molecular structure which gives it the ability to reduce glare. Glare is light reflected and scattered off of a surface that is brighter than the surrounding light. Glare can decrease our capability to see clearly and can cause visual discomfort. (more…)
Anti-reflective coating is applied to the surface of the eyeglass lens to optimize vision by reducing glare. Ideally, it should be applied to both the front and back surface of the lens for maximum benefit.
It serves several purposes: (more…)
‘Aspheric’ refers to a type of lens design. It is recommended for those high-powered reading and magnifying eyeglasses.
There is also an aspheric design for those who are very near-sighted and wear ‘coke-bottle’ lenses in their eyeglasses. You may also see hand-held and stand magnifying lens that are aspheric in design. (more…)
You think that it should be simple: aren’t all eyeglass lenses clear plastic: Most are, but there are several types of plastic, each with features that differentiate them by how they function. There are also glass lenses, which are only occasionally a first choice.
Once the eye doctor has written up a prescription for eyeglasses and you are sitting in front of the optician, he or she will begin asking you questions about lens-type preferences. The optician will often give suggestions as to the best lens material for you based on the prescription. They will usually educate the consumer as to the features that will be beneficial. Here are the basic types of lens materials: (more…)
Near vision can be improved by strengthening the eyeglass prescription to magnify. The advantages of high powered reading glasses are that they can have a larger field of view and are hands-free.
Adapting to low vision should start with a comprehensive eye examination to optimize your vision with the best eyeglass prescription. This prescription is for distance and near viewing. What defines those with low vision is that even with the best prescription, they are unable to get perfect vision. More is needed. (more…)