FRAMES

We carry a large selection of frames including ProDesign of Denmark, which balances classic and clean styles with bold and trendy color combinations. We also have designer collections from Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Hugo Boss, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Ted Baker. Moderately priced fashion eyewear collections are provided by Tommy Bahama, Joseph Abboud, Sigrid Olson, Altair Eyewear, JOE by Joseph Abboud, bebe, and more.

LENS ADD-ONS

There are various types of lens add-ons that are beneficial. For example, we usually  advise a good quality anti-reflective coat because it increases visual comfort, makes it easier to clean your lenses, has a built-in anti-scratch coat with warranty, and looks nicer. Any lens not treated with an anti-reflective coat will have reflections because some of the light reaching the lens will go through the lens and some of it will bounce off the lens and into our eyes. We perceive this as an annoying reflection. After the lens is treated with an anti-reflective coat, nearly 100% of visible light goes through the lens instead of bouncing off the surface.

Poor quality and older anti-reflective coats were associated with difficulty cleaning the lens and also disintegration of the coating over time, which caused a smudged appearance. This is usually not a problem with the better quality anti-reflective coats now.

Another type of lens our patients often like are Transitions lenses. These become dark while worn outside, and they lose their color indoors. These lenses have built-in UV protection. There are also Transitions XTRActive lenses that get even darker when in sunlight. These lenses will have a slight indoor tint.

Most lenses (including trivex, polycarbonate and high-index lenses) already have built-in UV protection. Basic plastic lenses (made of CR-39) do not have a UV coat, so we advise adding it. It is important to protect our eyes from harmful solar radiation, just as we must protect our skin by using sunblock. Too much UV light has been associated with earlier or worse cataracts and eyelid tumors.

Polarized sunglasses increase visual comfort for many people who are sensitive to glare and bright lights. They decrease glare by eliminating light bouncing off horizontal surfaces (such as the road, the hood of the car, and water). Most people find them very soothing to wear outdoors.

Some people prefer to use clip-on sunglasses instead of having a separate pair of sunglasses. We can order custom-made clip-on sunglasses for almost any frame.

If you have been unhappy with progressive lenses in the past, there are some new types that are easier to adapt to, because the intermediate and near sections are wider, and there is less distortion on the sides of the lenses. We have begun to use freeform progressives with a lot of success, such as Hoya's iD Lifestyle:

http://www.hoyavision.com/Products/Designs/ProgressiveVision/Lifestyle.aspx

Freeform progressive lenses have many advantages over traditional progressives, including the fact that they are designed specifically for your prescription and the frame you select.

For people who are heavy computer users (and who isn't nowadays?), there are various options available that improve visual comfort and clarity. For example, there are computer progressives that provide clear vision at the computer distance in the top part of the lens, and clear vision for paperwork at the bottom part of the lens. Some brands of computer lenses allow vision up to several feet away.

EYEGLASS LENS MATERIALS

There are many different eyeglass lens materials available and Dr. Gore will help you choose the one that is best for you.

• CR39 is another name for basic plastic. This is the least expensive material. It is good for use by people who have a relatively small prescription and who do not need to have an impact-resistant lens. We advise adding UV protection to this.

• Polycarbonate advantages include: much more impact resistance so it is better for use while playing sports; built-in protection from UV radiation; it is lighter and thinner than CR39 so it is good for people whose prescriptions are somewhat larger; and it is good for use in rimless frames because it is less likely to crack over time. Other people who should have polycarbonate lenses include kids and teens (because of their very active lifestyles), and people who have decreased vision in one or both eyes (because we need to do everything we can to protect the remaining vision).

• Trivex is similar to polycarbonate in some ways. It is even more impact resistant than polycarbonate, has better optical qualities than polycarbonate, has built-in UV protection, and is very lightweight, but the lenses may be thicker than polycarbonate. This is often better to use in rimless frames because it is even less likely to crack over time than polycarbonate.

• High index lenses are used for very large prescriptions. We choose from a range of high-index lenses, and that choice depends on how large the patient's prescription is. In the old days, if one had a very large prescription, it was necessary to wear very thick "coke-bottle" lenses. With the advent of high index lenses, it is possible to make the lenses look much nicer. These lenses also have built-in UV protection and some of them come with a very high-quality anti-reflective coat.

• Glass lenses are heavy and there is more danger of the lenses shattering. We strongly advise against their use.

Dr. Gore will be happy to discuss your lens options during your exam.