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LENS INFORMATION

LENS COATINGS AND LENS TYPES EXPLAINED

Please note that we can only supply plastic single vision lenses of a spherical power upto +/- 6.00 dioptres and a cylindrical power of upto +/- 2.00 dioptres.

If your prescription is not within these ranges, please contact us for a quote.

If your prescription is greater than +/- 3.00 dioptres we strongly recommend you to select a high-index lens option (please see options & below)

HARDCOAT – This coating can be applied to any of the lens types below

A hard coat makes your spectacle lenses more scratch-resistant; it does not unfortunately make them scratch-proof. This coating is obviously particularly advisable if you have had such a coating in the past, if your current spectacle lenses are scratched, you know you don’t look after your specs as well as you should ie put them with the lenses face down on the table.

MULTI ANTI-REFLECTION COAT – This coating can be applied to any lens type to make the most of your lenses. The coating gives you clearer vision by minimising reflections that occur at the lens surface.

As the name suggests this is a coat consisting of more than one layer, the three layers applied to the lens are a hard coat(as explained above), an anti-reflection coating and a hydrophobic coat. The anti-reflection coating helps to make your eyes more visible behind your spectacle lenses by minimising the reflections that others may see coming from your lenses when they look at you, it also gives you clearer vision by minimising the reflections that you may be aware of eg when driving on a sunny day sometimes you can see your own eye reflected in your spectacle lenses. Other benefits include a reduction in glare effects from oncoming headlights with night driving and when using your computer. The hydrophobic coat repels water from the lens surface making it easier to clean and helps to avoid water stains.

ALIZE COAT – This is a MULTI ANTI-REFLECTION COAT – However it is made by essilor and is superior to a standard MULTI ANTI-REFLECTION COAT. The main difference is that it does not smudge and hence much easier to clean.

HIGH INDEX (THINNER) LENSES – This lens type comes with a multi-coat (as above) as standard.

These lenses are thinner and lighter than standard plastic lenses because they are made from a higher density plastic; the higher the index, the thinner the lens.

* = of a –6.00D lens

When you contact us with your prescription we can recommend a suitable index material for your prescription. The index recommended depends on your prescription and on the type of frame you have chosen

1.67 also offers 100% UV protection

1.74 also offers an excellent level of UV protection (cuts out 100% UVA & UVB)

TINTS – Choosing this option will mean that your specs can only be used as sunglasses. If you combine this option with a UV coat your sunglasses will also protect your eyes from the harmful effects of the sun. Tint colours to choose from inc. grey, brown and green.

PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES - (also commonly known as reaction or transition lenses) – These lenses react to UV light by darkening as sunlight intensity increases. So they are clear indoors but on a bright day will darken rapidly outside to effectively turn into sunglasses. This lens option conveniently allows you to combine your specs and sunglasses into 1 pair. Please note that these lenses will darken slightly even on cloudy days for some uv light will still reach the lenses.

SUNSENSORS – This is a photochromic lens offering superior performance (reacts very quickly).

POLYCARBONATE LENSES – These extremely light lenses(up to 30% lighter than standard plastic lenses) offer amazing resistance to impact, making them ideal for rimless frames and protective eyewear whether to be used in industry or for sport. Our polycarbonate lenses come with a multicoat (as above) as standard so that you get the best from your lenses.