Lenses Options Explained.

Standard Plastic

Often called plain ‘plastic’ or ‘CR39’. No coatings with a refractive index of 1.5. (The higher the refractive index the more ‘dense’ the lens is, so the thinner it will be per unit of power) Can be easily tinted.

Scratch Resistant

Still CR39, but with a clear tough coating on both sides to prevent day to day scratches. Not scratch proof (no lens material is) but does help extend the life of lenses. Can still be tinted.

Reflection-Free (HMAR)

Still CR39 plastic, but with a multi layer coating to help reduce ghost imaging. Very useful for night driving, and those working on computers, as it helps reduce the glare. Also has excellent cosmetic benefits, as it enables everyone else to see straight through to your eyes.

Comes with a scratch resistant coating as standard.

Uncoated lenses lose over 10% of incident light to reflections. Reflection Free lenses reduce this to less than 1%.

All camera lenses have this coating.

Hi Index Lenses.

These are lenses made from more dense plastics to make lenses thinner and lighter. They all come with the reflection free coating, so you don’t need to add that on to these lenses. With a starting price of only £30 they represent an excellent way to enhance your vision and the look of your new glasses.

1.6 Index.Reduces thickness by up to 25%. Ideal for all prescriptions.

1.67 Index. Reduces thickness by up to 33%. Ideal for prescriptions +/- 2 and over

1.74 Index. The thinnest plastic lenses available, reducing thickness by up to 40%. Ideal for prescriptions +/- 4 and above.

Hi Index lenses can be tinted, but due to the technical difficulties of this, they are significantly more expensive. Please call for details.

Photochromic Lenses.

These are variable tint lenses (often called by trade names such as Reactolight, Reactions, Transitions etc). They change darkness depending on how much UV is around. Inside they go almost clear, but as soon as you go outside (even on a dull cloudy day) they will darken within a minute. They will go as dark as a sunglass tint in full sun.

Come with a scratch resistant coating as standard.

They will not react as well in your car as outside, as when you are in your car you are effectively indoors.

We use the world renowned Transitions VI.

It is possible to combine Photochromic and Hi Index in 1 lens.

Polarised Lenses.

These are dark tinted lenses (Brown or Grey) specially designed to cut out horizontal glare, such as that from the surface of water, snow or a wet road. Only available in 1.5 index, but can have the Reflection Free coating. Excellent as a prescription sunglass lens.

Bifocal Lenses.

This 'combination' lens has a visible 'segment' which you read through, the rest of the lens is for distance use. Bifocals eliminate the need to swap and change between different pairs of glasses. They are very easy to use, and most people adapt in a day or two.

Varifocal Lenses.

Varifocals (also called Multifocals, or Progressive Lenses) allow the user to see clearly at all distances. The prescription changes seamlessly from distance at the top of the lens, to reading at the bottom, with no visible line at all (making them cosmetically superior to varifocals). They also include a section where the prescription is ideal for computer use (or any other intermediate distance tasks). Varifocals can be made in all the same materials as single vision lenses, including thinner, reflection free and Transitions. We use the latest varifocal designs to ensure you adapt as quickly as possible to your new varifocals.

We source our lenses from the world’s top manufacturers such as Kodak, Essilor, Zeiss, Nikon and Pentax.