Are you looking at getting a new pair of glasses? Whether you're updating your prescription or you're buying your first pair, understanding what goes into your eyeglasses is essential for ensuring your new frames fit your needs and lifestyle.
This guide will explain everything you need to know when choosing lenses and provide helpful tips for getting the right ones.
Types of Prescription Lenses
Prescription lenses come in many forms, depending on the type of vision issue they treat. For example, people with only nearsightedness or farsightedness will likely need single-vision lenses with the correct strength. Here are the most common corrective lens types you'll see.
Single-Vision Lenses
Single-vision lenses correct one vision issue across the entire lens, providing the largest viewing area of any lens type
Some of the most common conditions single-vision lenses correct include:
- Nearsightedness: Myopia, or nearsightedness, makes it hard to clearly see distant objects.
- Farsightedness: Hyperopia, or farsightedness, impacts your ability to see objects that are close to you.
- Astigmatism: If you experience blurry vision at any distance or bright lights look distorted at night, you likely have astigmatism.
Single-vision lenses are also typically used in nonprescription glasses, like reading glasses and sunglasses.
Bifocal, Trifocal and Progressive Lenses
Multifocal lenses, including bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses, provide extra convenience to people managing multiple vision conditions by eliminating the need to switch between different pairs of glasses throughout the day.
Here's the difference between the three:
- Bifocal: Traditional bifocals combine two lens prescriptions into one frame, enabling you to see both near and far depending on where you look. A clear line on the lens indicates the boundary between near and far magnification.
- Trifocal: Trifocals are similar to bifocals, except they provide a third level of magnification. They tend to provide broader near and intermediate viewing areas than progressive lenses, which can be beneficial for people who do a lot of computer or writing work.
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Progressive: Unlike bifocals and trifocals, progressive lenses lack visible lines between different magnification areas. This seamless appearance blends convenience and aesthetics and allows you to see objects at any distance with one pair of glasses.
Specialty Lenses
Specialty lenses come with additional coatings and purpose-built features to make them more functional for everyday life. For example, if you're frequently outside, you might want to invest in transitional lenses or prescription sunglasses so you can see clearly on sunny days.
Some of the most common specialty lenses you might see include:
- Blue light glasses: These protective lenses feature a specialized coating that minimizes eyestrain when using blue light-emitting devices like phones, computers, tablets and e-readers.
- Transitional: Transitional lenses adapt their tint to match the level of sunlight outside, so you can use your glasses as sunglasses.
- Reading: Readers help you see up-close text more clearly, making them ideal for older people who are developing presbyopia.
- Polarized lenses: Polarized lenses have a special coating that blocks vertical light to reduce glare and eyestrain.
- Prescription sunglasses: Specially made sunglasses can combine vision correction with UV protection for comfort on sunny days.
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Custom tinted lenses: Tinted lenses are a stylish option that can help protect your eyes from the sun.
Many glasses stores offer these options as add-ons to add extra functionality to your new lenses. Ask your eyeglass provider what coating and treatment options they offer so you can get the most out of your purchase.
Exploring Lens Materials and Their Benefits
Another important consideration is the material. Each material has its own pros and cons, but your provider should be able to help you understand which one is best for your vision needs.
If you're getting a new pair of glasses, they'll likely be made from one of the following materials.
Polycarbonate Lenses
While they're typically incompatible with strong prescriptions, like severe astigmatism correction, polycarbonate lenses work well for people who need a more durable, long-lasting option.
Some of the biggest benefits of polycarbonate lenses include:
- Comfort: Polycarbonate can accommodate most prescriptions without adding too much thickness, making them a lightweight and comfortable option.
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Versatility: You can add various lens coatings, like blue-light and anti-reflective coatings, to polycarbonate lenses to better meet your needs.
High-Index Lenses
High-index lenses are another type of plastic lens specially designed for prescriptions stronger than +/-4.0 diopters. They're built to be thinner and lighter than traditional lenses, which helps minimize bulk and create more comfortable glasses.
Their lightweight construction also makes them a good choice for trendy frames, like rimless metal or clear plastic options
Standard Plastic and Glass Lenses
While standard plastic lenses are the most affordable type of lens on this list, they also tend to be thick and heavy compared to polycarbonate. However, they do provide good clarity and are more durable than traditional glass.
Although glass creates incredibly clear lenses, most eyeglass providers have stopped using it in their frames due to its weight and fragility. They're significantly easier to break than any plastic lens materials, which can lead to injuries in some cases.
You can still get glass lenses in some areas if you like their clarity and aesthetic appeal, though. Ask your glasses provider to discuss whether they would work for your needs.
The Top 3 Factors to Consider When Choosing Eyeglass Lenses
When you're looking for a new pair of glasses, considering the following factors will help you decide which ones to buy:
- Lifestyle and activities: Your glasses can match your lifestyle. For example, if you are nearsighted and farsighted, live an active lifestyle, and your job requires frequent changes in focus, you would likely benefit from progressive lenses made from polycarbonate.
- Prescription requirements: The strength of your prescription will directly impact the lens type and material you need. For example, if you have strong prescriptions for near- and farsightedness, your optometrist might recommend high-index bifocals.
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Price and aesthetics: Glasses do more than simply correct your vision — they also serve as a fashion accessory. Balancing aesthetics and price is essential for getting the frames you want.
Get the Right Lenses for You at Eyemart Express
Are you in the market for new glasses? Eyemart Express can help you find the pair that meets all your needs. We operate more than 250 stores across 40+ states, and our local in-house labs allow us to deliver same-day glasses.
Browse our online catalog to find your next pair, or book an exam with one of our eye care partners to get started. With Eyemart Express, you can get new glasses in a blink!
