Lenses for Your Eyeglasses
Your one-on-one consultation with our lens specialists will help you determine what is right for you. We use the most advanced, custom Nikon lenses available today so that you can experience crisp, clear vision in your everyday tasks, work and play.
In addition to the options listed below, you can also choose from various tints and coatings.
Progressive Lenses
These lenses are ideal for people who need help viewing multiple distances. They have no lines in the lenses, so wearers have a better cosmetic appearance while wearing their glasses. The very best progressive lenses are digitally surfaced on both sides, allowing you to have the clearest, most precise vision, similar to looking at an HD television. Lenses will be customized with specific measurements for you.
Progressive lenses are most often recommended for people aged 40+, however, they are occasionally recommended for specific visual situations for children and teenagers, or students.
Computer Glasses (Task Lenses, Office Lenses)
According to a 2017 survey conducted by the Alberta Association of Optometrists, adults are spending an average of 10.5 hours using digital devices every day, and children are spending an average of more than five hours a day using digital devices at home and at school. Because regular-wear glasses are often not well suited for prolonged computer work, speak to your Doctor of Optometry about computer glasses.
Without the appropriate eyewear, computer users can often end up with blurred vision, eyestrain and headaches – the hallmark of digital eye strain. They may also be over compensating for their blurred vision by learning forward, or by tipping their head to look through the bottom portion of their glasses. These unnatural postures can lead to headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and backaches.
Computer glasses can make all the difference. These are special-purpose glasses prescribed specifically to reduce eyestrain and give you the most comfortable vision at your computer. Because these lenses are prescribed specifically for computer use, they are unsuitable for driving or regular-wear.
The glasses should accurately correct any astigmatism you might have, and precise measurements should be taken to ensure the optical centre of each lens is directly in front of your pupils when you are using your preferred working distance from your screen. Prior to scheduling your eye exam, measure from the bridge of our nose to the surface of your computer screen. Bring this measurement with you to your eye exam so your Doctor of Optometry can determine the optimum lens power for your computer glasses.
Your Doctor of Optometry may also recommend adding an anti-reflective coating to eliminate reflection of light from the front and back surfaces of your lenses that can cause eye strain, photochromic lenses that can shield your eyes from potentially harmful high-energy visible blue light from your computer screen and digital devices, or adding a light tint to reduce glare caused by harsh overhead lighting and to enhance contrast.
Single Vision Digital
Digitally surfaced lenses provide you with the clearest, most crisp vision, no matter where you look in a single vision lens. They can be made to focus in the distance, as a reading lens, or at a computer screen. If this is your first time wearing a digital lens, things may look and feel different for up to 2 weeks until you grow accustomed to this new clarity.
Bifocals
Bifocals refers to a pair of eyeglasses having lenses with two parts with different focal lengths. There is a visible line in the lower part of the bifocal lens. Usually the top of the bifocal is used for distance viewing and the lower part, or segment, is used to read. They typically have a larger reading area than a progressive lens, but do not offer any intermediate vision for arm’s reach or computer distance.
Lens Materials
- Plastic – the most common lens material, lightweight but strong, in various thicknesses, and offering great optics and UV protection.
- Polycarbonate – thinner and lighter than plastic, and also offers the benefit of UV protection. From a safety and durability perspective, it is shatterproof and impact resistant. It is often the best choice for children and youth.
- Hi-Index. A Hi-Index lens can be made much thinner and lighter than a standard plastic lens. It is recommended for higher prescriptions.
- Photochromic – will automatically adjust from clear to dark when you go outdoors, and will revert back when you return indoors. They typically darken within a minute of exposure to bright light, and take somewhat longer to clear. The most commonly used brand of photochromic lenses is “Transitions”.
- Tinted Sun (100% UVA and UVB). Visit our Sunglasses page.
- Polarized Sun (100% UVA and UVB) – both a safe and comfortable option for outdoor protection of your eyes, with the combination of UV protection and glare reduction. Visit our Sunglasses page.