Discover What Lens and Frame Are Right for You

Most people who come in to see an eye doctor spend about 80% of their time choosing the right style of glasses. The type of lenses and frames you wear can make a big difference in the way you see the world. We understand that buying a pair of eyeglasses can be a tough decision with so many different frames, designs, and lenses available at your disposal.

Every pair of glasses comes with unique features that can play a role in weighing out its cost and benefits to help make the right choice for your needs. Picking out the perfect pair of glasses can be a long process without the proper information to help guide you, making it easy to get lost. Here's an overview of the many kinds of lenses and frames available for you to choose from.

Types of Lens

Eyeglass lenses are built around your specific prescription and the problems you need to be solved for your eyes to work at their full potential. Before you begin shopping for a new pair of glasses, it is important to visit your eye doctor to determine the type of visual aid you will need to fix your eyesight.

A single vision lens contains only one prescription across the entire lens, making it the most common type of lens. These lenses can be most useful in correcting one specific distance problem such as nearsightedness and farsightedness.

A progressive lens is more common among adults who need help seeing both near and far because, with this type of lens, the transition between the field of vision is smoother. The two types include Bifocals with two focal points and trifocals with three focal points.

Lens Materials

Glass lenses have been on the decline in recent years due to their weight and tendency to shatter, which can be costly over time. Despite their great vision quality and scratch-resistant material, these lenses are only utilized in a small number of eye care institutions today.

For many years, plastic has been the standard and most popular lens material used in eyeglasses. Because it is made of thinner and lighter material, it has half the weight of a glass lens, reducing the chance of breakage.

• Polycarbonate or Trivex lens - As one of the first lightweight lenses, polycarbonate is made of a lighter material than regular plastic, making it more durable and impact-resistant. Both of these lenses are widely used for safety and children's glasses.
• High-index plastic lens - This lens is one of the thinnest lenses available and is the most useful when correcting higher prescriptions to keep the eyeglasses thin.

A transition lens offers customers the benefit of having a darker lens when in the sun and a lighter lens when in the dark. These eyeglasses save you the trouble of having to carry around a pair of sunglasses when you want to protect your eyes from the sun.

Lens Coatings

A lens coating allows for your lenses to fit within your lifestyle while simultaneously correcting your vision. Here are the 4 main lens treatments that can be applied to any type of lens to enhance its performance.

Anti-fog lenses prevent fogging and condensation from forming on your glasses when you come in from the cold or if you are hot and sweaty. This lens is ideal for people who play sports, walk in and out of coolers all day, or children whose eyeglasses fog frequently.

Even the greatest eyeglasses may scratch, and this coating can help to make the surface of your lens significantly harder and more durable. This coating is perfect for people who work around abrasive materials or children.

An anti-reflective coating helps to eliminate reflections of light to your lenses and glare spots from photographs. This type of lens is especially useful for office workers, night drivers, and people who are constantly under bright lights.

If you are someone who spends a large amount of time outdoors under the sun, this type of lens treatment can be beneficial to you. This specific coating will block many of the harmful UV rays that can damage your eyesight while leaving your field of vision unchanged.

Types of Frames

This frame completely outlines the lens and is considered one of the most durable types of frames better suited for thicker lenses with high prescriptions. This style of frame has recently grown in popularity with the younger age demographic because they come in many different styles and colors.

Semi-rimless frames outline the top portion of the lens making them lighter and more comfortable than full-frame glasses. However, because half of the frame is missing, the lower area of the lens is exposed, making it easier for it to chip and break.

A rimless pair of eyeglasses comes without a frame and is composed of just the temples and nose bridge to hold the lens. While they may not be the most stylish type of frame on the market, it has the largest field of vision and is the most lightweight. This type of frame is better suited for customers who shy away from oversized frames and bold colors.

How We Can Help

Here at Medical Arts, we can ensure the comfort and satisfaction of each and every new patient that walks through the door. As one of the only ophthalmology clinics in the Auburn area that has an optical shop, we can offer you the best selection of eyewear and prescription lenses. When you come in as a new patient, you can receive 15% off your first optical purchase. Contact us today to see how we can help you get the best vision care possible.