precision eye wear

Lens Technology

Technology in lens production is occurring at a very rapid pace. New methods of lens production have made the vision through them clearer and more comfortable. Essilor ( www.essilorusa.com ) has W.A.V.E. Technology: Wavefront Advanced Vision Enhancement that uses digital design and surfacing. This results in a 30% wider intermediate that appeals to new progressive lens wearers and those with implants. Another Essilor progressive design is the DEFINITY that uses a dual-add design. Most progressive lenses place their progressive optics on the front surface of the lens and some place the optics of the backside surface. DEFINIY splits the add on both front a backside surfaces that produces the distinct optical advantage of offering a wider intermediate with the least amount of peripheral distortion of any PAL.

Transition lenses can change from almost a clear lens indoors to a dark sunglass outdoors. Several manufactures, such as Vision-Ease (www.Vision-ease.com) produce Transition lenses that change darker and faster than previous designs. Tansition lenses come in traditional gray and brown colors, but can also be made in amber, purple, yellow, autumn gold and copper. (www.beloptic.com , www.kbco.net)

Polarized lenses are a superior sunglass lens design. They are comfortable in sunny areas while also cutting reflected glare. This lens is perfect for the boater and daily wear. Beloptix, Inc. (www.beloptix.com) incorporates the best of polarization and transitions in one lens. They come in the traditional gray and brown, but also colors.

A/R, anti-reflective coatings, increase light transmission to the wearer while reducing reflections, such as on coming headlights while driving and internal reflections within the lens (ghost images). The new technology in A/R coatings produces a coating that is hydrophobic and oleophobic. This means specks of dirt and smudges will not stick to the lens surface resulting in a lens that is easier to clean. The surfaces of an A/R coated lenses are tougher and manufactures such as CrizalAlize offer a superior scratch warranty.