Lens Enhancements

New advances in lens treatments have resulted in features that can prolong the life of lenses and make spectacles more comfortable. Their functions include visual comfort protecting your eyes from the sun increasing lens durability and improving lens appearance. It is best to add lens enhancements during the fabrication of the lenses rather than to add it to older lenses.

Scratch-Resistant Coatings

Anti-scratch coatings act like a shield to make plastic and polycarbonate lenses more resistant to scratches and prolong the life of the lenses. Scratch coatings work best when applied to both front and back surfaces of the lens.

Ultraviolet Protection

Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye but can cause damage to the skin and ocular tissues. Over a lifetime of exposure ultraviolet rays will damage the outside and the inside of the eye. Lenses like high–index polycarbonate and aspheric materials have UV filters built in. All other lens materials can be specially coated to filter out damaging UV light.

Anti-reflective Coating

AR coating provide TWO key advantages: clearer vision and an enhanced appearance. By significantly reducing surface reflections more light penetrates the lens resulting in clearer vision particularly in low light situations like night driving. AR coatings also enhance cosmetic appeal by providing better eye contact. Talk to your eyecare professional about AR coatings that combine both anti-reflection and scratch coating in one.

Polarized Lenses

Regular sunglasses reduce overall brightness but polarized sunglasses eliminate reflected glare from water snow and shiny surfaces like metal mirrors windshields and glass. Polarized lenses reduce overall brightness eliminate reflected glare and provide UV protection. They are great for driving or all outdoor activities. Click here for more information on polarized sunglasses.

Tints

To enhance their look or reduce light sensitivity lenses can be tinted or coloured. They filter out light and the degree of tint will depend on your vision needs and your sensitivity to light.

Colour

Lenses are available in any colour imaginable. The colour can be for sun protection to reduce the effects of glare personal style and to enhance vision. Certain colours of tints can be beneficial for certain activities. Coloured tints in sunglasses can enhance the contrast on a golf course or the colour of a tennis ball making the ball easier to track.

Gradient

Gradient lenses have a darker tint on the top of the lens and gradually become lighter towards the bottom of the lens. Usually chosen for style and sun protection they also benefit those who are sensitive to fluorescent lighting. The darker top protects the upper visual field where lights are located while leaving the lower visual field adequately illuminated.

Photochromic

Ultra Violet light allows photochromic lenses to be clear indoors and sunglass dark outdoors. They are convenient and comfortable and can reduce the need for a separate pair of prescription sunglasses. Photochromic lenses do have their limitations and it is important to discuss with your eyecare professional what they are and how they will suit your vision needs. Click here for more information on how photochromic lenses work.