Polycarbonate or high index? Bifocals or progressives? How to choose what’s right for you and save money. The two very popular eyeglass lenses are one of the most standard ones: CR-39 and the polycarbonate, both plastic. If you have a single-vision prescription (glasses to see far or close up), you can typically get by with CR-39 lenses. They can be inexpensive– we found them for $29 to $149 – but they can look close more powerful prescriptions.
Doctor’s Answers Regarding Eyeglasses and Eyeglass Lenses, Prism Glasses
Q: I just got brand-new polycarbonate lenses. What is the best method to clean them, and with what? They seem to already have little dots all over them, perhaps from spray paint where I work. — T.H., Ohio
A: My personnel informs me you can use rubbing alcohol on the front surface, however not on the back. Use it sparingly, especially if you have AR (anti-reflective) coating. Another very simple trick is gently using your fingernail if there are only a few spots.
Our high tech coatings are fantastic, however they are prone to failure when attacked by excellent, old-fashioned things like paint and other hazardous chemicals. — Dr. Dubow
Q: I have 20/40 vision in one eye, and 20/50 in the other. My doctor firmly insists that I get glasses, however I feel no requirement for it. I never feel any strain (or get headaches) when reading or dealing with the computer system.
It is my understanding that many people who get glasses get used to them and are not able to do without them — something I would like to avoid. Besides, isn’t really 20/40 considered a good eye surgery outcome? — L., New Jersey
A: “Good” vision goes through personal interpretation. With your kind of vision and no symptoms, you will not damage your eyes by not using glasses. However, you are losing out on a lot by being fuzzy! And your driving, especially in the evening, is exceptionally risky for you and those people on the highway with you!
It is a typical misperception that using glasses makes your eyes worse, to a point where you can not go without the glasses. There is no irreversible vision modification brought on by using glasses. Your brain does lose its “blur adaptation” temporarily, which is how you make up for seeing terribly, however it comes back if you go without glasses for a while.
So, it is your option to be fuzzy. But remember, you don’t have to use your glasses all the time — how about just for driving, movies, and so on? — Dr. Dubow
Q: What type of eyeglass lenses would you suggest to correct -8.5 flaw in the most visually pleasing method, and would I need to sell my house to purchase them? — J.L., Manchester, England
A: It depends upon the value of your house!
Seriously, there are aspheric high-index lenses and polycarbonate lenses that might be made extremely thin in your prescription if you picked the right frame.
I advise the smallest frame possible (that looks good on your face). I likewise recommend a frame that is fairly round or oval (no corners), where you look right through the center of each lens. These methods reduce lens thickness.
I’d likewise suggest an anti-reflective coating on the lenses. You’ll look terrific… and you will not need to offer your house! — Dr. Dubow
Q: Is there a lens readily available for farsighted individuals that doesn’t magnify the eye? I hate that effect and will not use glasses due to the fact that it is so unappealing. — L., West Virginia
A: There are now lenses called aspheric lenses that don’t amplify the eye as much as previous lenses did. They can look truly great, as well as having less distortion. You’ll like them! — Dr. Dubow
Q: I have a +4.00 prescription in my left eye and a -2.00 in my right. What lenses are available to make my left eye appear normal in size when wearing glasses? Please react. I am really uneasy while using my glasses. — G.R., New York
A: I understand your feelings. Thankfully there are some new phenomenon lens designs that can help you. In particular, ask about aspheric and high-index lenses. Likewise ask your glasses supplier to match the thickness as much as possible in between the two eyes.
I would likewise recommend you think about contact lenses. They will equalize the image sizes on your retinas and potentially give you better balance in between the two eyes. — Dr. Dubow
Q: I recently purchased high-index plastic lenses and can not view as well similar to my previous plastic lenses. My range vision and peripheral vision are much poorer. My eye doctor thinks it may be the brand-new product. What do you think? — A.G., California
A: Could be the product. It could also be the position of the lenses on your face, the angle of the glasses, the size of the lenses, etc. There are a variety of thin and light products on the marketplace. If nothing makes this issue much better, possibly you must try a various one. — Dr. Dubow
Q: Are you familiar with the high-index glass products from Zeiss and Corning (up to 1.9)? I have a prescription of roughly -8.5 / -3 and 9.25 / -3. The frames I’m looking into are size 38 to 40. Based upon my research, the benefits of plastic (lighter, shatter-resistant) might not be a problem with the high-index and lens size. I’ve been informed that Corning lenses are tempered and ball dropped. — P.C., Delaware
A: I agree. Modern high-index glass lenses can be thin, light and safe. Nevertheless, in my opinion, polycarbonate lenses are much safer. — Dr. Dubow
Q: What is the best spectacles tint? — B.H., Idaho
A: It depends upon what “is” is! Truly and really, there is no best tint. Various tints help with various things. There are some tints that assist shooters, some that help golf players, some that assist tennis gamers, some that help computer users, etc. However everyone is various. Go to a great optical store and talk to an experienced dispenser who can assist you find out what would be best for you. — Dr. Dubow
Q: I have just recently acquired brand-new glasses. My lenses are “mid” index, and for the very first time I got the anti-reflective coating. This is my 2nd week wearing them, and in brilliant light, if I’m not looking straight through the center, I see a thin halo-type impact of blue and yellow on either sides of objects — even on my computer system screen. Is this normal, or are the lenses malfunctioning? — L.G., Canada
A: In my experience, anti-reflective (AR) finishes do not cause this to occur. You might see a shimmery colored coating when taking a look at the fronts of the lenses, but not typically while using them and looking from the back. The index may be triggering this phenomenon — I’m unsure. It’s possible it’s just normal distortions caused by looking off-center. — Dr. Dubow
I advise you return to where you got your glasses and let them figure this one out! — Dr. Dubow
Q: Please explain all the numbers and terms on my spectacles prescription. Thank you. — B.J., Texas
A: A glasses prescription is written in a standardized format with standardized notation so it can be interpreted worldwide. Let’s look at one and simplify:
-2.00 -1.00 x 180. The first number (-2.00) informs us the spherical refractive mistake (farsightedness or nearsightedness). In this case, since there is a minus sign in front of the 2.00, this patient is nearsighted. A plus sign would show farsightedness.
The 2nd number (-1.00) is the astigmatism. If there is no astigmatism, we generally compose the letters DS or SPH after the first number to let the optician know that we didn’t simply forget to compose in the astigmatism.
The last number (180) is the instructions of the astigmatism. Astigmatism, a football-shaped eye, can be measured in any instructions around the clock. We use the numbers from 1 to 180 to indicate the orientation of the football shape.
There might be extra numbers in a glasses prescription. For example, if the standard prescription is followed by a little number with a superscript (1 ^) it shows prism correction. There might be more than one set of prism numbers for each eye.
Lastly, there can likewise be numbers denoting the amount of near reading strength required (bifocal or progressive). They normally go from +0.75 to +3.00, depending on age and visual need.
The letters OD and OS in front of a prescription let us understand which eye each string of numbers is for. OD means right eye and OS for left eye, while OU indicates both eyes. — Dr. Dubow
Q: What is the best possible kind of glasses to use while owning at night to eliminate glare from other lorries’ headlights? — R.B., New Jersey
A: Easy! Get lenses with anti-reflective coating. This coating decreases glare by 90 percent or more and works terrific. I never ever get glasses without it! — Dr. Dubow
Q: Can you inform me what the difference is in between anti-reflective lenses and polarized lenses? No one seems to want to, or maybe they’re simply not able to address this concern for me. — D.L., New York
A: Anti-reflective lenses just cut out the majority of the reflections caused by light bouncing in between the two lens surface areas and disrupting excellent, comfortable vision.
Polarized lenses eliminated light from one entire meridian, normally the horizontal one. This lessens the glare from light that bounces off water, the hood of your car, or a glossy road surface area.
Polarization works for anglers or individuals that do a lot of owning, though lots of outdoors individuals prefer polarized sunglasses.
Polarization is generally used only to sun lenses, whereas anti-reflective finishes can be used on both indoor and outdoor glasses with success. — Dr. Dubow
Q: I just recently went to my regional eye doctor for new frames and lenses. By the time I left his workplace I had “the best” progressive lenses, titanium frames, scratch coat, AR coating and a costs for over 420 dollars.
Three weeks later I brought the set of glasses back to the OD due to scratches on the lenses and was told he would split the cost with me for replacement lenses.
Is this any method to treat a client? I did not drop my glasses or take a sledgehammer to them. I believed I paid extra for the scratch coating so I would not have this issue. Is this typical practice for an OD today? — K.F., New Jersey
A: Good concern! Although I are reluctant to speak versus a coworker, it is my view that new and interesting innovation should not replace client service.
A lot depends on how you specify “just recently.” If you purchased your glasses within the previous 3 to six months, it is my viewpoint that your doctor need to have used the warranty provided to them by the lab that provided the lenses.
If your problem took place a year earlier, then the deal to divide the cost is probably fair depending upon what triggered the scratches. Circular scratches typically suggest that the patient used the incorrect cleansing cloth or forgot to rinse dirt particles off the lenses before rubbing.
Many importantly, if you are unhappy be sure to inform the doctor. The majority of personal professionals are extremely tuned in to their patients’ total satisfaction. And remember, it is best to use a suitable cleansing solution and cleansing fabric on your state-of-the-art lenses. You can also clean your lenses with warm water and a moderate detergent and dry them with a tidy cotton dish towel. — Dr. Dubow
Q: What is “recommended prism?” Why is it necessary, and how does it assist me see? — J.C., Colorado
A: Prism is generally prescribed in lenses to assist you use your eyes together. Some people’s eyes have a tendency to try and pull apart when they are in use — some fluctuate, and some go in, and some go out. These are called muscle imbalances, or “fixation variations,” in our lingo.
Prism can help ease the symptoms of these imbalances by making the brain believe the eyes are working together. I have worn prism in my glasses because about age 5, and I recommend prism for a number of my patients, with very favorable outcomes. In my viewpoint, you have a great eye care professional! — Dr. Dubow
Q: I have a “prism” in my glasses, which is to help with the fact that I do not do the “lining up the horizontal/vertical bars” portion of the eye exam properly. I wish to have my eyes repaired, however my doctor states that LASIK can’t fix this condition and I’d need to wear glasses when I do computer work anyway.
Is this true? I am in computer system sales, so I use one ALL day long. Any concepts? Thanks! — J.P., Kansas
A: Take a look at my description of prism above. I have discovered that a few of my patients who need prism can get along simply fine after refractive surgery, while others require glasses for some jobs.
I cannot agree or disagree with your doctor without having actually examined you myself.
However before you jump on an airplane to Minnesota, bear in mind that you will have to wear glasses once again anyway as you age — unless you have a monovision correction.
I recommend you get a consultation on your prism and have a frank discussion about the pros and cons of refractive surgery with a practitioner you trust. — Dr. Dubow
Q: I have double vision and wants to understand how prism in glasses assists to cure this. Also, exists any method I can wear contacts to fix this? — Tina, Florida
A: A prism flexes light. Prism in glasses can type of fool your eyes into believing they are collaborating without strain. Prism can also help with double vision by aligning the two images into one.
I prescribe a great deal of prism for my patients, with exceptional results.
Some patients who need prism can use contact lenses, and some can’t. It depends on the kind and the quantity of the prism.
In truth, some sort of prism are corrected much better by contact lenses than by glasses! See your eye care professional for more details. — Dr. Dubow
Q: What are prisms? How do they work? — B.M., Arizona
A: Prisms bend light and different white light into its component colors. In vision correction, we like the light flexing and do not desire the color separation aspects of prism.
How do prisms work? It’s complicated, however if you think about a prism as being a triangle pointing upwards, light goes in one side, flexes down towards the base, and comes out the other side entering a different direction. Obviously, in glasses and contact lenses this is far more advanced and doesn’t really appear like a triangle… but the result is the same.
Prisms are used in lenses to assist keep the eyes interacting and lined up. They can make the distinction between glasses that are OK and glasses that are wonderful. — Dr. Dubow
Some years back, I woke up one early morning with double-vision, extremely frightening! Healthcare facility expert stuck a kind of prism lens on the front of my glasses and told me not to fret, my sight would go back to normal after about 2 or 3 months.( a blood vessel had actually burst). During the recovery period it was needed to re-learn how to look at the world. Any sharp sideways motion of the head would send me reeling, I needed to do everything in sluggish movement.
I had such a question if a person sees 50% with one eye and 70% with the second one and does not complain about it. Everything suits him and the doctor forces him to wear glasses to what it can lead to. Well, the person is not comfortable in glasses and does not want to wear lenses. Glasses is a compulsory subject in order that there would be no further consequences or there are some other factors or associated diseases?
As for the selection of points, then everything is individual. First of all, you need to check your vision with a specialist who will give a conclusion. According to this conclusion, they will provide you with a recommendation which glasses will suit you best. Also, buying glasses, you need to try a lot of options and choose those that suit you better both regarding the quality of what you see and sit comfortably on your face. That you did not feel discomfort.
To pick up points is the first step to a good view and awareness of clarity of objects. But this is not all as eyepieces need to be monitored and maintained in proper condition. You need to wipe the eyepiece every day so that you look through clean glasses and do not spoil your eyesight anymore. Actually, there are cases for storing from falling and dust on them.