Investing in the ideal pair of lenses for your eyeglasses is one of the most important things to do in pursuing corrective eye care. When we go for an eye check-up, the ophthalmologist writes us a prescription for the corrective lenses we might be required to fix. Most of the time while purchasing our eyeglasses we focus on the glasses and leave the lens to the judgment of the eye care provider. It is the eyeglass lens that requires close inspection, as it is the functional part of the glasses that will solve our vision requirements.
The choice of an eyeglass lens is what determines how effective your corrective eyeglasses are. The appearance, vision, and comfort levels of the pair of eyeglasses you choose are dependent on the eyeglass lens. Before choosing the right eyeglass lens, however, one should keep in mind the options they can choose from, and which of these options is best suited to their specific type of eye care needs. Since the goal is to have an unobstructed vision, investing in the right eyeglass lens is the first step towards the same. Let us look at the distinct types of eyeglass lenses available for your convenience and how they can benefit you.
Types of Eyeglass Lens: The Basics
When it comes to eyeglasses and lenses, affordability and accessibility are key factors. Adding to the same, durability has become a foremost priority as eyeglasses are bought to be worn for a long time, and through active lifestyles as well. Earlier, all eyeglass lenses were made of glass. This grew out of favour, as newer, more durable alternatives were engineered to be more durable and multi-functional.
Plastic Lenses
The average types of eyeglass lens in the new decade are made of plastic, and it is one of the most reliable and accessible alternatives to glass lenses. They are basic and most importantly, affordable when compared to other options on the market. For common eye conditions with focal errors, plastic lenses are the best. However, if one has a stronger prescription, they should choose a different type of eyeglass lens as plastic ones can look bulky, thick, and overwhelm your features.
Polycarbonate Lenses
This eyeglass lens is a wonderful choice for those who favour durability as the primary factor for their eyeglass purchase. Active lifestyles can often take a toll on eyewear, as the wear-and-tear is greater. Polycarbonate lenses are shatter-proof, which is what makes them a popular choice among athletes and children. This eyeglass lens is also affordable for those on a budget.
High Index Lens
A lightweight alternative to polycarbonate lenses, this eyeglass lens is designed for maximum comfort. They are thinner and sleeker than regular eyeglass lenses, which can be a wonderful choice for someone with a strong prescription. A high index eyeglass lens serves the purposes of a regular high prescription eyeglass lens and also keeps you comfortable without making you conscious of thick lenses. Additionally, these lenses come with a UV protective eyeglass lens coating.
Different Types of Eyeglass Lens Coatings
One of the best features of an eyeglass lens in the new decade is how they come with existing lens coatings that add to their beneficial qualities. There are diverse types of eyeglass lens coatings that are installed onto the surface of the lenses to keep them durable, functional, and comfortable. Let us look at some of the most used lens coatings on an eyeglass lens:
UV Blocking Lens Coatings
The very purpose of eyewear is to protect the eyes and keep them safe from externally caused damage. Prolonged and unfiltered exposure to UV radiation has proven to be one of the leading causes of early-onset cataracts and macular degeneration. Most polycarbonate and high index types of eyeglass come with UV-blocking lens coatings.
Scratch-Proof Lens Coatings
Our everyday lives are dynamic and demanding, and those with eyewear can often have their eyeglasses subjected to wear and tear. Therefore, Scratch-proof lens coatings keep the lenses free from getting ridden with scratches. These lens coatings, often called hard coats can make the eyeglass lens scratch resistant as glass.
Anti-Reflective Lens Coatings
Glares and reflections are troublesome, and these lens coatings keep these light reflections from entering the field of vision. These lens coatings also provide added comfort and clarity, making them ideal for outdoor activities. It is important to note that if you purchase a high index lens, you should add on an Anti-Reflective lens coating as these lenses are more prone to reflecting light and glares.
Photochromic Lenses
This is less of a lens coating than an infused type of lens where the functional property is built into the lens itself. These lenses are dual-purpose, as they function as clear, regular eyeglass lenses but when interacting with the sunlight, they darken to protect the eyes from radiation.
The choice of an ideal eyeglass lens is dictated by the kind of lifestyle you have and what is prescribed to you. But once you know what to look for, the process gets much easier. If you are looking for eyeglasses to serve your eye care needs, Fastrack Eyewear offers an abundance of lens and frame options to choose from at fantastic prices.