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How to Choose Eyeglass Lenses
Possibly the most important part of the eyewear buying process is choosing the right lenses. The lens material and lens coating contribute to how well you see and how happy you are with your eyeglasses. With so many options available on the market today, it can be difficult to decide which type of eyeglass lens is best for you.
This guide to eyeglass lenses will help you better understand what lens treatment options are available to you and help you choose the best option for your lifestyle.
The Right Eyeglasses Lenses for Your Visual Needs
Before focusing on eyeglass lens material and special coatings, you must determine which prescription eyeglass lenses will best correct your vision. Depending on your visual needs, you may need either single-vision or multifocal lenses.
Single-Vision Distance
Many people can sufficiently correct their distance or near vision with single-vision lenses.
If you are nearsighted — which means you see clearly up close while distant vision is blurry — you will likely need a single-vision lens to correct your vision. Single-vision prescriptions for people with nearsightedness begin with a (-) in front of the number. Your eyeglass lens will be concave, or curve inward, to correct your distance vision properly.
Single-Vision Reading
Reading lenses are designed to help you see things up close — typically between 30 cm and 40 cm (11.8 to 15.8 inches) from the face. They are appropriate for people with farsightedness, which means your distance vision is clear while your near vision is blurry.
Prescriptions that improve near vision begin with a (+) and are followed by a number. The lenses are convex, or curve outward, to properly correct farsightedness.
Progressive Lenses
If you have difficulty seeing at near and far distances, you may need progressive, bifocal, or trifocal lenses (also called multifocal lenses). These prescription eyeglass lenses correct your vision at near, intermediate, and far distances.
Progressive Lenses are designed to seamlessly incorporate distance, middle, and near vision correction. Because a progressive lens is created specifically for you, they can correct any prescription combination without the visible horizontal line seen with bifocals.
While progressives can take some time to get used to, many people prefer them because they provide clear vision at all distances without any “image jumps” — all with a more youthful look. And once you’re accustomed to them, progressives are often more comfortable than other types of multifocal lenses.
Bifocal Lenses
Bifocal lenses are multifocal lenses that correct both near and long-distance vision. This is achieved by combining two prescriptions into a single lens. The upper part of the lens is designed to correct distance vision, while the bottom portion is meant to correct up-close vision.
These lenses are an excellent choice for people who need both distance correction and reading glasses. With bifocals, you no longer need to carry two pairs of glasses wherever you go. They’re also a good option for people who aren’t able to adapt to progressive lenses.
Lens Index Options
The index of your lens, also referred to as the index of refraction or “refractive index,” is a number that indicates how the eyeglass lens material bends, or refracts, light. The higher the refractive index of a lens, the more slowly light moves through it, and the more the light bends. Higher-index lenses are typically thinner and will perform the same as a thick set of standard low-index lenses.
Additionally, higher-index lenses are able to handle higher prescriptions. If you have a particularly strong prescription, a lens with a higher index may be a better choice for you. Eyebuydirect offers lenses with an index up to 1.74.
When choosing your lens index, it will help to have your vision prescription ready so you can check your SPH (sphere) and CYL (cylinder) values. The farther your SPH and CYL values are from zero, the stronger your prescription and the higher-index lens you may need.
1.56 Index – Thin and Light Lens
For people with somewhat stronger prescriptions, these lenses may be a better choice than the standard lenses. This thinner, lighter lens is stronger than its 1.5-index counterpart. They can handle SPH corrections between +/-2.50 and +/-5.00, and CYL corrections of +/-3.00 and below.
1.6 Index – Super-Thin Lens
These stylish, super-thin lenses are an excellent choice for people with strong prescriptions or particularly thin frames. Like 1.59-index polycarbonate lenses, these lenses are suited to people with SPH corrections between +/-4.25 and +/-6.75, and CYL corrections between +/-2.25 and +/-3.00.
1.67 Index – Ultra-Thin Lens
These thin, lightweight lenses ensure your eyes do not look distorted from a higher prescription. If you have a particularly strong prescription, this is likely the best choice for you. We typically recommend these lenses for people with SPH corrections between +/-7.00 and +/-9.00, and CYL corrections between +/-3.25 and +/-4.00.
1.74 Index – As-Thin-as-Possible Lens
Our thinnest corrective lens is designed for the highest-powered prescriptions. They can provide a powerful vision prescription in a thin lens, reducing the “coke bottle” appearance you often get with high-prescription lenses. These are best for prescriptions with SPH corrections of +/-9.25 and above, and CYL corrections between +/-4.25 and +/-6.00.
Which Type of Eyeglass Lens Is Best for Me?
Your vision is critical to your everyday life, which is why you need corrective lenses that provide improved visual comfort and clarity. With the help of these guidelines, you can make an educated decision on the type of lenses that will best suit you and your lifestyle.
Still not sure what lenses you need? In a comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor will make sure your eyes are healthy and determine your current eyeglasses prescription. You’ll also have a chance to speak with an eye care provider about what lenses best suit your vision needs.
Visit catalog of lenses and look at our variety of lens options today!