Opticians dispense anti-reflective lens coatings because they decrease reflections from the lens surface making them more attractive. They also decrease glare for the wearer, which is particularly noticeable when driving at night or working in front of a computer monitor. The decreased glare means that the wearer often finds their eyes are less tired at the end of the day. These lenses allow more light to pass through them than non-coated lenses. Some people claim they notice an increase in contrast of lights and dark, therefore improving their visual acuity.

Factory Eyeglass Outlet’s anti-reflective lenses include additional coatings that repel water and grease, making them easier to keep clean than older types of coatings. Anti-reflective coatings are particularly suited to high-index lenses (thinner high Rx Lenses) since these lenses tend to reflect more light without the coating than lower-index lenses due to their flatter curves.

 

Photochromatic lens products are made to darken when exposed to high intensity light (Ultra-Violet Rays), and lighten up when removed from that light source.

The current advertising for this product portrays the lens as a substitute for sunglasses. In our opinion this is misleading, and does not accurately describe this lens. Transitions and SunSensor lenses are made from lightweight plastic that changes from almost clear to approxamatly 70% absorbent grey or brown color. Transitions and SunSensors are brand names for this type of product.

You should know that:
- When the temperature rises, the ability of the lens to darken, and clear is reduced substantially. Conversely when the temperature drops to the 40 degree Fahrenheit range its ability to change increases.
- They will not darken in a car. Since the windows filter most of the Ultra-Violet rays of light.

Factory Eyeglass Outlet strongly recommends Corning’s SunSensor lenses. Unlike Transitions, Corning SunSensor lenses have the molecules that react to Ultra Violet light imbedded in the lens material not just on the surface like Transitions. This is the first photochromic material to optimize a wide variety of properties including darkening speed, attractive colors and longer life.

Molecules in all plastic photochromic lenses lose their darkening and lightening ability due to UV exposure over the course of time.

 

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Progressive lenses are for anyone who needs a prescription for distance vision, reading or close work and/or intermediate (used for computer use, reading music at piano distance, cooking and slicing on a counter, etc.).

The progressive lens accomplishes this by having your prescription slowly change in power from your far vision prescription down to your close range prescription. As your eyes move down the lens in a normal fashion to see items at closer range, you see through the prescriptions that are appropriate for that distance (see the diagrams below).

Factory Eyeglass Outlet’s opticians know all about the many brands and types of progressive lenses on the market today, and will assist you in choosing the best option for your use. For those of you who already have gotten used to a particular brand of progressive lens, we will identify the lens type and let you know if your new prescription can be made in that brand. Today there are dozens of different brands of lenses. Every lens made today works well but they all have different pros and cons. Your Factory Eyeglass Outlet licensed opticians will guide you through the lenses available which will best suit your needs.

Below are the choices for people needing Reading and Distance Prescriptions.

Factory Eyeglass Outlet’s opticians will show you the different thinner lens choices and explain their differences.

Many people with moderately thick or very thick lenses want lenses that are thinner than the standard plastic lens materials.

There are several different types of materials that allow us to create thinner lenses for moderate to high prescriptions.

These materials have pros and cons that must be understood by the wearer.

These types of lenses are made of transparent materials, which bend light more drastically than other optical lens materials. This means they can be thinner (less material needed to accomplish the same prescription) and have much less curvature than the normal lenses of the same prescription. All lenses that correct far sightedness are thicker in the center of the lens than at the edges, Conversely, lenses that correct for nearsightedness (can see at near but have trouble with distances) are much thicker at the edges of the lens than in the center. As you make a nearsighted lens smaller it appears thinner because you are cutting off the thick part. Farsighted lenses expose their centers when they are cut down in size making them appear thicker.

While the cosmetic appearance and weight of these lenses can be more pleasing, the vision may not be as clear as standard plastic lenses. These lenses by nature break up color more than regular optical lenses. Therefore, some people feel they get too many rainbow reflections from the sides of the lenses when in brightly illuminated places.