You’ve probably heard of progressive lenses, or no-line bifocals. They’ve actually been around for decades. But what you may not know is why they are now the lens of choice for people over 40 who need help with distance and reading vision. It’s simple – progressive lenses give you the most natural type of vision, and without the bifocal line no one will know you’re old enough to need reading glasses!
Progressive lenses are also preferred because they offer a smooth transition from distance to intermediate to near vision. Unfortunately, with lined bifocals intermediate vision is compromised. The smooth transition of the progressive means you can sit at a computer and look up to see clearly at a distance, continue working at the computer and glance down to read paperwork. Progressives offer the most natural type of vision – the vision that most closely resembles your vision before you needed correction for reading.
It’s important to note that with progressive lenses there is a transition period, as your eyes adapt to the new type of vision. But if you’ve been someone who has tried progressives in the past and just didn’t like them, don’t give up hope. Progressive lenses are evolving every year with the latest generation of lenses providing the clearest and most functional vision ever in a much smaller lens size than was needed in the past. Because there are numerous types of progressive lenses, they must be carefully selected to match your visual demands and lifestyle needs. Our experienced opticians will make sure to choose the progressive lens that is right for you.
Transitions
About Transitions® Lenses
Transitions® lenses are photochromic lenses, which means they darken into sunglasses automatically when exposed to sunlight. When indoors, away from UV light, these lenses return to their normal clear state. These lenses are ideal for people who go in and out of doors frequently or who don’t want to switch between their regular prescription glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses.
Transitions® lenses provide the following benefits:
Transitions® lenses provide the following benefits:- 100% UV protection to maintain healthy eyes
- Glare reduction to reduce eye strain
- Convenience
- Rapid transition from dark to light and light to dark for quick visual adaptation
- The ability to adjust the amount of darkness based upon the amount of UV present for better clarity
Transitions® lenses can be made in a variety of styles, prescriptions and materials:
- A choice of grey or brown tints
- Single vision, bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses
- Plastic and polycarbonate lenses
- Anti-reflective and scratch resistant coatings
Polarized Lenses
Why do people need polarized sunglasses?
Every day over 6,000 automobile accidents in the United States are caused by the sun glare and light related distractions. In addition, the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UVA, UVB) have been linked to eye disease such as macular degeneration and cataracts. In order to reduce the risk of accidents caused by glare and prevent eye disease we recommend that children and adults wear a good pair of polarized sunglasses.
What are polarized lenses?
Polarized sunglasses contain special color lenses that block 99% of the harmful UVA and UVB light rays and reduce the harmful effects of glare. Unfortunately, regular sunglasses only decrease the light intensity of everything by the same amount and do nothing to reduce glare.
Polarized sunglasses are the only lenses that reduce glare while at the same time allowing more light through resulting in images that are sharper, crisper and more colorful.
What are direct and reflective glare?
There are two types of glare. Direct glare is the glare outside from the sun, which is 25 times brighter than the light inside. Reflective glare is the concentrated light that bounces off of shiny surfaces, such as sunlight bouncing off a lake, a wet road or the snow.
What symptoms make glare detrimental to your vision?
Glare is harmful because it reduces contrast, it strains the eyes, impairs vision and makes colors less vibrant. The effects of glare often result in squinting, eye strain, headaches and fatigue. Glare can also cause auto accidents and falls, which make stairs, steps and curbs dangerous.
Polarized lens colors for specialized activities:
Polarized lenses come in a variety of colors, each suited to a unique lifestyle activity. Our opticians will provide you with the appropriate polarized lenses to suit your hobbies, work environment and driving needs. Here are examples of recommended colors for different activities:
| Color | Activities | Benefits |
| Grey/Green, Grey | driving, sports, water activities | gives a natural color contrast |
| Neutral Grey, Neutral Brown | computer work | reduces eye strain from artificial (indoor) light |
| Brown | driving, sports, water activities, golf | filters more blue light, improves visual acuity, sharper definition golfing |
| Apple green, Yellow | shooting, fishing, hi-contrast for early morning, late evening and cloudy days | provides excellent depth perception and contrast |
| Blue | fashion | fashion |
(Some of the information on this page obtained from Kbco Polarized Lenses)
To learn more about our polarized lenses and see a demonstration, click on this link: http://ecp.polarxp.com
Computer Vision Syndrome
Computer Vision SyndromeAccording to the 2003 US Census Report, it is estimated that over 175 million working Americans suffer from computer eye strain. Nearly 60 million children connect to the Internet either at home or in school. If you or your child spend more than two hours each day in front of a computer screen, you likely experience symptoms of computer vision syndrome or CVS:
- Headaches
- Loss of focus
- Burning/tired eyes
- Double vision
- Blurred vision
- Neck and shoulder pains
CVS is caused by our eyes and brain reacting differently to characters on the screen than they do to printed characters. Until now, traditional eye exams for near vision have resulted in eyewear suited for reading printed material, not for viewing computer screens. Characters on a computer screen don’t have as much contrast as in printed material, which can cause the eyes to strain while trying to focus. This straining can lead to fatigue and a tired burning feeling in the eyes.
The Solution
Only when your eyes can clearly focus at the plane of the computer screen can you experience relief from the fatiguing effects of Computer Vision Syndrome. Computer lenses are designed to reduce the effects of CVS by providing the following:
- The widest possible clear vision at the computer screen
- Less distortion than other lenses
- Burning/tired eyes
- Improved clarity
- Glare reduction
In fact, computer lenses are also great for anyone requiring clear intermediate and near vision, such as musicians, seamstresses, mechanics, and many others.
