1. Choose the best lens material. Today, patients have many more options when it comes to choosing a material to make their spectacle lenses. In the old days, using glass was a common practice. However, because of its increased weight and lack of impact resistance, plastics are now used almost exclusively. Within the plastic category, there are still many options. Lenses are traditionally categorized by their refractive index. The higher the number, the more refractive or “bending power” of the light and the thinner the lenses can be for a given Rx. “Regular plastic” or CR-39 has a refractive index of around 1.49 and there are materials that go as high as 1.74. Although you might be tempted to go with the highest number, that is not always going to give you the best product for your money. For instance, some lenses inherently block UV light whereas others do not and would therefore need to be treated to have the same protection. Also, the optical clarity and scratch resistance of a lens can vary greatly between products and using one brand of product may not be as good as using another’s. Having an experienced optician to help you sort it out can give you the best product for your needs at the best cost.
2. Choose the best lens design. With the aid of computer technology, manufactures are now able to generate lenses using digital surfacing designs. Although it comes with a higher price tag, this new technology most certainly gives better optics and yields fewer distortions within the lens. This is especially important for those patients with higher prescriptions or those needing progressive multifocals. In fact, many patients who have had prior difficulty trying to adapt to their prescription are finding that they are seeing clearer and more comfortably than ever before!
3. Choose anti-reflective coatings. Antireflective treatments serve several purposes. First, they simply allow more light to transmit through a lens. More light going through a lens results in a brighter, crisper image. Second, they reduce reflections, which can greatly reduce annoying glare. This can make a tremendous difference for such tasks as working on a computer, reducing eyestrain under fluorescent lights or driving at night. Third, as an added benefit, they dramatically enhance the cosmetic appearance of your eyewear, allowing others to see your eyes more clearly. Like anything else, these coatings are available in different levels of quality. For the best results, go with products that have hydrophobic coatings. This means the coatings will repel the dirt and dust and keep them looking their best for the longest time. They are also easier to clean than standard AR coatings.
4. Choose the best frame. Selecting eyewear can be a fun process and yet many find it to be challenging at the same time. A frame can help you define that special look that you are trying to achieve and it can even enhance a person’s personality. Both are very important. It is often helpful to have an experienced optician to guide you in the selection process, as many lens designs and individual prescriptions are better suited for certain sized frames. Having this knowledge will greatly contribute to your overall visual success. For instance, nearsighted lenses are always thinnest at the optical center and increase in thickness as you go further in to the periphery. If you have a very high Rx, going with smaller frames will dramatically reduce the edge thickness and weight of your lenses. Newer materials such as titanium are also becoming more popular, as they will not discolor your skin and are lighter than traditional metals.
5. Choose the business that will give you the knowledge and attention that you deserve. Everyone has different wants, needs and desires and there is no single product that will work for everyone in all situations. Certainly, there are products that can act like “cross-training” running shoes, but for the best vision, comfort and protection most experts would recommend that we should have multiple pairs that are used for specific tasks. Starting with your primary pair of glasses- all the way to your sunglasses, computer/ reading glasses or safety lenses, make sure that the store you purchase your eyewear from has the knowledge and experience to help you in all of these categories. In these difficult economical times, it is more important than ever to establish a relationship with a provider that is willing to take the time to uncover all of your needs to recommend the best products for you. Having worked for over 16 yrs at one of the big box chain stores, I can attest to the products that are used in that environment. Here at Ganly Vision Care, since we recommend premium products and lens designs, we routinely get comments from patients who have worn glasses for years and yet have never seen so well.
We would love to be your provider….feel free to stop in to check us out!
Dr Ganly
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