When it comes to choosing the right type of lenses for your prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses, it can sometimes be difficult to know which ones are best for you. Depending on your personal needs, some types of lenses may work well for you, while others may not. Here’s a quick guide of lens types from our professional and friendly Copperas Cove eye care team at Cove Eyecare:
Plastic Lenses
Due to their comfort, durability, and impact resistance, these lenses are always a popular choice among eyeglass-wearers. Plastic is lightweight and provides excellent vision correction. It is best suited for mild or minimal prescriptions. Those requiring stronger vision correction will likely require a different type of lens.
High-index Lenses
Traditionally, higher prescriptions required thick, heavy lenses to properly correct vision. This made the glasses less comfortable to wear, created visual distortions in the wearer’s peripheral vision and magnified the wearer’s eyes, giving them a sort of “bug-eyed” look. High-index lenses are a hi-tech plastic lens specifically designed to address these issues.
With high-index lenses, less material can be used, allowing the lenses to be much thinner, lighter, and more comfortable for long-term wear. These thinner lenses also significantly reduce visual distortion.
Impact-resistant Lenses
Polycarbonate (impact-resistant) lenses provide a thinner, even lighter alternative to plastic. They also have the added benefit of providing 100% UV protection, and are shatter-proof for safety. All of these factors together make impact-resistant lenses an excellent choice for kids and active adults.
These lenses are well suited for all types of prescriptions, including strong prescriptions, since higher correction does not require added thickness, helping to minimize distortion.
For more information about these and other types of lenses for your prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses, contact our Copperas Cove eye care team today!
Q&A
Why is it important for my lenses to have UV protection?
Harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun aren’t just harmful for the skin. They can also cause damage to your eyes, causing photokeratitis (sunburn of the eye) and increasing your risk of macular degeneration and other potentially sight-threatening eye diseases.
Can my glasses help reduce my blue light exposure?
Yes. Anti-glare lenses are an excellent way to reduce your exposure to blue-light from both natural and artificial sources. These lenses also help reduce glare when driving and performing other outdoor tasks, helping minimize headaches and eyestrain throughout the day.
