Beyond your basic eyeglass prescription, lens materials, shapes, and treatments can all make a significant difference in the clarity of your vision. Our friendly staff will be happy to review not just your prescription, but your unique lifestyle and needs to make sure you see your best. We’re here to help you understand your vision and guide you through your options.
Union Eye Works uses only the most advanced lenses available in the world today from Hoya Vision and Essilor labs.
Overview of Lens Materials
Plastic
Plastic CR-39 has replaced glass as the most common eyeglass lens material, as it offers equally outstanding optical quality with half the weight. Plastic is the most affordable lens material available and is well suited to many low-moderate prescriptions.
Polycarbonate
Used for airplane and space shuttle windows, polycarbonate is one of the safest and most durable lens materials. Due to its higher index of refraction, polycarbonate lenses can be made thinner and lighter than standard plastic lenses. Polycarbonate is one of the most common materials used in eyeglasses around the world, and is well-suited to nearly any prescription.
Phoenix (Trivex)
Phoenix lenses, a type of Trivex material, are produced by Hoya Vision Labs. A relatively new material, Phoenix lenses are comparable to polycarbonate lenses in strength and durability, while offering the superior optical quality of plastic lenses. Phoenix excels as the lightest lens material in the world, despite being slightly thicker than polycarbonate due to its lower index of refraction.
Hi-Index
Hi-Index plastic lenses are the thinnest lenses available. Hi-Index plastic is the lens of choice for moderate-high prescriptions. Thinner and lighter lenses can look more attractive and be more comfortable for the wearer.
Overview of Lens Designs
Single Vision Lenses
Single vision lenses are all-purpose lenses for those with myopia (near-sightedness) and hyperopia (far-sightedness) and only need one distance corrected. Some also prefer separate reading and distance glasses rather than choosing a multifocal option.
Bifocal Lenses
Bifocals, also known as lined bifocals, offer separate segments for correction of distance and close-up vision.
Progressive Lenses
Progressive lenses are a modern lens design rapidly replacing the traditional bifocal lens. While they are sometimes referred to as “no-line bifocals”, progressive lenses are distinctly different in that the prescription gradually changes from distance to moderate (arms length) to near vision. Progressive lenses offer wearers a range of vision unachievable with bifocals, while giving the appearance of single vision lenses.
Optional Lens Options and Treatments
Anti-Reflective (No-Glare) Coatings
[table id=12 /]
Anti-Scratch Coatings
Anti-Scratch hard coats add an extra layer of protection for your lenses, helping to prevent scratches. Anti-Scratch coatings may also add a warranty to your prescription lenses. See more information on Union Eye Works’ frame and lens warranties here.
Transitions® Lenses
When exposed to UV light, Transitions® patented photochromatic molecules change structure, causing the lens to darken. Transitions unique technology conforms to the amount of light reaching your eyes, constantly adjusting to the optimal shading. All Transitions lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB light and are compatible with nearly any lens design and prescription.
Transitions® XTRActive® Lenses
Traditional Transitions lenses respond to UV light exposure. In cars and other vehicles, windshields are treated to block 99% or more of ultraviolet light, providing insufficient UV light to darken Transitions lenses. Transitions XTRActive lenses are designed differently, capable of reacting to both UV and visible light, providing lens darkening behind your car windshield.
Transitions® Vantage ® Lenses
Transitions Vantage lenses are the first in the world to offer variable polarization. Not only do these lenses darken like traditional Transitions when exposed to sunlight, Vantage lenses contain unique molecules capable of adjusting polarization to glare outdoors.
Read more about Transitions® lenses and see a comparision of Transitions products on their website here.
Polarized Lenses
Surfaces such as water, cars, and roads reflect light in a horizontal direction, rather than scattering randomly. This reflection, which we call glare, can consist of extremely intense light, which can make activities such as driving more hazardous. Polarized lenses block this horizontally reflected light, reducing or eliminating glare altogether.
Many sunglasses now come with polarized lenses, and nearly any prescription or non-prescription sunglass lens can be made polarized.