Prescription lenses are prescribed after we determine from your comprehensive eye exam if you require lenses to correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.
Sometimes lenses can be used to protect your eyes from excess blue light from being on a computer all day. You will require a lens that addresses your particular vision issues. For this reason lenses are offered in many types, materials and coatings. This can be confusing if you haven’t purchased them before which is why we’re here to help you determine the best options for your prescription and your lifestyle.
We’ve done our best to explain what to look for in a prescription lens below to get you started.
What are the different types of prescription lenses?
Lenses come in different types to meet your vision correction needs. They are:
- Single vision lenses – designed for one, consistent focal power to correct a single vision condition such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism.
- Progressive lenses – correct more than one vision condition, with the focal power “progressing” from top to bottom without a visible line separating them. These are lenses that provide near, intermediate and distance vision. The latest technology in progressive lenses is the digital progressive lens customized to meet your unique vision correction needs.
- Concave lenses – are used to treat near-sightedness, or myopia. The lens shape is concave (thicker at the edge, thinner in the middle) to bend rays outwards.
- Plus lenses – used to treat farsightedness, or hyperopia. The lens shape is convex (thicker in the middle, thinner at the edge) to bend rays inwards.
- Cylindrical lenses — designed for astigmatisms, or when the cornea of the eye is oval, rather than round. A cylindrical lens is the most common way to correct astigmatism.
These lenses are manufactured in different materials. They include plastic, glass and polycarbonate. Plastic is the most common type of material used but with ordinary plastic lenses, a strong prescription can result in a thicker lens. In those instances you may want to consider lenses made of:
- Hi-index plastic – this material is lightweight and thinner than most plastic offering an appealing aesthetic for greater comfort.
- Polycarbonate – these lenses have superior impact resistance and are lighter than regular plastic lenses. They may be 20% thinner and 30% lighter than standard plastic lenses, yet they are very resistant and durable.