glasses faq
What is an anti-refractive (anti-reflective) coating?
Antireflective (AR) coatings improves both the aesthetics of eyeglass lenses and the visual acuity through the lenses. AR coatings reduce the number of reflections between the front and the back of lenses reducing the "coke bottle" effect of large minus lenses and reduce halo effects around bright lights and ghost images while driving at night. AR coatings also reduce external reflections from the lenses making your eyes appear more natural and especially in the case of sunglasses reduces the back reflections produced from light entering from behind the lens. New antireflective lenses have blue blocking technology to protect eyes from strain while viewing a smartphone, IPad or computer.
Refer to http://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/coatings.htm for more information.
Why should I wear sunglasses?
Whether enjoying picnics, spending time at the beach or lake, driving, fishing, gardening, or just relaxing near the backyard pool, sunglasses are a necessity to protect your eyes against the summer sun's ultraviolet radiation. Although still controversial, some studies have linked the extended exposure of your eyes to ultra-violet (UV) radiation to increased risk of macular degeneration and cataracts and possibly even eye cancers. If hiking in the mountains, prolonged exposure to UV radiation, high altitude, and cold can result in a painful condition called snow blindness (photokeratitis).
It is important to protect your eyes with a high quality sunglass (clear or tinted) that blocks 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation when you plan on staying outdoors for any prolonged period of time. Since clouds do not block UVA and UVB radiation, this includes cloudy days as well. Sunglasses come is all shapes and sizes, colors and tints but their main purpose is to block UV radiation. Some features to look for include mirror finished, single/double gradient, polarization, tint, and anti-reflective coating. For more information visit our sunglasses section in the eye store. Mention you saw this on the web and receive a 10% discount on a new pair of sunglasses.
Do I need to do anything different to protect my eyes in the Summer?
Summer, with its warm weather, is a great time of year when many people participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, sports, or working in the garden. All of theses activities carry a risk of harming our precious eyes.
While outdoors it is critical to protect your eyes from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. This radiation can result in sunburn around the delicate eye area and can also cause keratitis, a painful inflammation of the cornea. Always remember to wear your sunglasses with proper UV protection.
Chlorine, from swimming pools, can cause a toxic burn to the cornea resulting in painful eyes and decreased vision. Close your eyes under water or wear protective goggles. Prescription swim goggles are available. Remember if you are a contact lens wearer to remove and clean your lenses immediately after swimming in the pool, this will reduce your risk of getting a sight threatening eye infection.
Wear protective goggles with UV protection while participating in outdoor sports. Many people wear protective gear for their elbows and knees but neglect to wear protection for their eyes. A direct hit to the eye can cause an inflammation of the eye, a traumatic cataract and/or a retinal detachment.
Spending time in the garden is very relaxing but keep these helpful hints in mind to prevent eye injuries. Do not touch your eyes with your hands while working with plants. Many plants can cause eye allergies. Wear protective glasses while using lawn equipment, especially string trimmers or power mowers. Many people do not realize how dangerous it can be if something like a stone or other object is propelled through the air and into the eye.
What is the difference between CR-39, polycarbonate, and glass lenses?
Various materials have been used over the year to make lenses. Glass was a common material for many years but has fallen out of favor as new lightweight and high index material have become available. CR-39 or Columbia Resin #39 is a registered trademark of Columbia Laboratories and commonly used as the material in "plastic" lenses. It is a much lighter weight material with a refractive index of 1.498 making it almost equivalent to glass' 1.52. The basic difference in material weight allows for a much lighter weight lenses than an equivalent lens manufactured in glass. CR-39 is a thermoset plastic meaning it can not be bent by heat so lenses are made from blanks and ground to match the frames and prescription. The other advantage of plastic lenses is they are less breakable than glass but less scratch resistant if not coated. With coatings they can be made very scratch resistant.
Polycarbonate is a higher index material (1.52) which is lighter and 10 times more impact resistant than plastic and blocks ultraviolet (UV) light as well. The material is used in bullet-proof windows and was originally developed by NASA as the visor material in the helmets worn by the Apollo astronauts. This beneficial combination of traits results in rugged, safe, extremely thin edged and therefore extremely lightweight lenses. With a scratch resistant coating these lenses are ideal for kids, teens involved in sports, sunglasses, or active adults.
Because high index materials result in lighter lenses, their popularity and use has grown dramatically leading to the development of even higher index materials. The higher the index, the thinner the edges and the lighter the lens. Available high index materials have refractive indexes ranging from 1.53 to 1.70. Generally, high index materials reduce the amount of light transmitted through the lens, blocking between 10-12 % of the light as compared to just 8% for glass or plastic lenses. With anti-reflective (AR) polymer coatings however, this loss can be reduce to just 0.5%. Therefore when buying high index lenses you should always consider including an AR coating if you can.
Do you make your own lenses?
Yes. We have a full service lens fabrication laboratory at our Washington, NJ office, unlike other optician and optometry practices who have their lenses made by a third party. Because we take the time to custom make your lenses, you can be assured that the finest quality materials and processes go into each and every pair we make. You can't rush quality so our typical fabrication interval is about 5 business days. We are trying to ensure that your lenses result in a pair of glasses that you will be happy with.
Can I have my eyeglass prescription filled anywhere?
Yes. Once you have received your prescription from your eye doctor, you can take that to any licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist providing lens fabrication services. If you are a first time user of contact lenses though, we require that you purchase your first year of lenses with us to ensure that you have the proper follow up care as you adjust to your new lenses.
Do wearing glasses weaken my eyes over time?
No. This is a common misconception passed on as folklore. Although certain diseases and conditions of the eye concern the muscles which can weaken over time, wearing glasses does not cause a dependency on the glasses. The brain adapts to blurry vision and can compensate to some extent for the blurry signals the retina sends it. Once glasses are worn for a period of time the brain "deprograms" this compensation filter as it no longer needs to make up for a blurry signal from the retina. If you remove your glasses, your eyesight appears to have worsened due to the lack of having this "compensating filter" present in the brain. If you stop wearing glasses for a long period, the brain will redevelop this filter and will try to compensate again for the returned blurry image.
How do I care for my eyeglasses?
Glasses should be cleaned daily. Using soft hand soap, lather the lenses and frame just like you would your own hands. Rinse the glasses under warm tap water. Shake the excess water off of the eyeglasses and dry gently with a lint free cloth. Avoid using paper products or terry cloth towels which can cause scratches to the lenses.
Your new eyeglasses are supplied with a case. The case is designed to be used to hold and protect the glasses when they are not on your face. If the case gets worn and dirty, it is recommended to replace the case so the worn fabric and dirt inside will not harm the glasses.
Never place your glasses on a chair or car seat where someone else may sit on them. Never leave glasses in a hot car because this may cause the frame shape to change and the lenses may fall out. Never place your glasses face down on a table or any other object because the lenses may scratch.
Over time the glasses may lose their original shape or screws may loosen because they are stretched each time they are taken on and off. Unfortunately, this is normal. We offer free adjustments and free minor repairs for the life of your glasses.
Why does it take so long to get my glasses when some stores grind my lenses in under an hour?
We personally grind our lenses to ensure that you have the prescription that we specified. We take pride in our process and prefer not to rush it. In most cases, waiting a few extra days for a pair of glasses is not a problem. However, in those cases where a situation exists where the patient requires their prescription to be filled immediately, we can make arrangements to help remedy the situation.
Antireflective (AR) coatings improves both the aesthetics of eyeglass lenses and the visual acuity through the lenses. AR coatings reduce the number of reflections between the front and the back of lenses reducing the "coke bottle" effect of large minus lenses and reduce halo effects around bright lights and ghost images while driving at night. AR coatings also reduce external reflections from the lenses making your eyes appear more natural and especially in the case of sunglasses reduces the back reflections produced from light entering from behind the lens. New antireflective lenses have blue blocking technology to protect eyes from strain while viewing a smartphone, IPad or computer.
Refer to http://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/coatings.htm for more information.
Why should I wear sunglasses?
Whether enjoying picnics, spending time at the beach or lake, driving, fishing, gardening, or just relaxing near the backyard pool, sunglasses are a necessity to protect your eyes against the summer sun's ultraviolet radiation. Although still controversial, some studies have linked the extended exposure of your eyes to ultra-violet (UV) radiation to increased risk of macular degeneration and cataracts and possibly even eye cancers. If hiking in the mountains, prolonged exposure to UV radiation, high altitude, and cold can result in a painful condition called snow blindness (photokeratitis).
It is important to protect your eyes with a high quality sunglass (clear or tinted) that blocks 100% of both UVA and UVB radiation when you plan on staying outdoors for any prolonged period of time. Since clouds do not block UVA and UVB radiation, this includes cloudy days as well. Sunglasses come is all shapes and sizes, colors and tints but their main purpose is to block UV radiation. Some features to look for include mirror finished, single/double gradient, polarization, tint, and anti-reflective coating. For more information visit our sunglasses section in the eye store. Mention you saw this on the web and receive a 10% discount on a new pair of sunglasses.
Do I need to do anything different to protect my eyes in the Summer?
Summer, with its warm weather, is a great time of year when many people participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, sports, or working in the garden. All of theses activities carry a risk of harming our precious eyes.
While outdoors it is critical to protect your eyes from the harmful UVA and UVB rays. This radiation can result in sunburn around the delicate eye area and can also cause keratitis, a painful inflammation of the cornea. Always remember to wear your sunglasses with proper UV protection.
Chlorine, from swimming pools, can cause a toxic burn to the cornea resulting in painful eyes and decreased vision. Close your eyes under water or wear protective goggles. Prescription swim goggles are available. Remember if you are a contact lens wearer to remove and clean your lenses immediately after swimming in the pool, this will reduce your risk of getting a sight threatening eye infection.
Wear protective goggles with UV protection while participating in outdoor sports. Many people wear protective gear for their elbows and knees but neglect to wear protection for their eyes. A direct hit to the eye can cause an inflammation of the eye, a traumatic cataract and/or a retinal detachment.
Spending time in the garden is very relaxing but keep these helpful hints in mind to prevent eye injuries. Do not touch your eyes with your hands while working with plants. Many plants can cause eye allergies. Wear protective glasses while using lawn equipment, especially string trimmers or power mowers. Many people do not realize how dangerous it can be if something like a stone or other object is propelled through the air and into the eye.
What is the difference between CR-39, polycarbonate, and glass lenses?
Various materials have been used over the year to make lenses. Glass was a common material for many years but has fallen out of favor as new lightweight and high index material have become available. CR-39 or Columbia Resin #39 is a registered trademark of Columbia Laboratories and commonly used as the material in "plastic" lenses. It is a much lighter weight material with a refractive index of 1.498 making it almost equivalent to glass' 1.52. The basic difference in material weight allows for a much lighter weight lenses than an equivalent lens manufactured in glass. CR-39 is a thermoset plastic meaning it can not be bent by heat so lenses are made from blanks and ground to match the frames and prescription. The other advantage of plastic lenses is they are less breakable than glass but less scratch resistant if not coated. With coatings they can be made very scratch resistant.
Polycarbonate is a higher index material (1.52) which is lighter and 10 times more impact resistant than plastic and blocks ultraviolet (UV) light as well. The material is used in bullet-proof windows and was originally developed by NASA as the visor material in the helmets worn by the Apollo astronauts. This beneficial combination of traits results in rugged, safe, extremely thin edged and therefore extremely lightweight lenses. With a scratch resistant coating these lenses are ideal for kids, teens involved in sports, sunglasses, or active adults.
Because high index materials result in lighter lenses, their popularity and use has grown dramatically leading to the development of even higher index materials. The higher the index, the thinner the edges and the lighter the lens. Available high index materials have refractive indexes ranging from 1.53 to 1.70. Generally, high index materials reduce the amount of light transmitted through the lens, blocking between 10-12 % of the light as compared to just 8% for glass or plastic lenses. With anti-reflective (AR) polymer coatings however, this loss can be reduce to just 0.5%. Therefore when buying high index lenses you should always consider including an AR coating if you can.
Do you make your own lenses?
Yes. We have a full service lens fabrication laboratory at our Washington, NJ office, unlike other optician and optometry practices who have their lenses made by a third party. Because we take the time to custom make your lenses, you can be assured that the finest quality materials and processes go into each and every pair we make. You can't rush quality so our typical fabrication interval is about 5 business days. We are trying to ensure that your lenses result in a pair of glasses that you will be happy with.
Can I have my eyeglass prescription filled anywhere?
Yes. Once you have received your prescription from your eye doctor, you can take that to any licensed optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist providing lens fabrication services. If you are a first time user of contact lenses though, we require that you purchase your first year of lenses with us to ensure that you have the proper follow up care as you adjust to your new lenses.
Do wearing glasses weaken my eyes over time?
No. This is a common misconception passed on as folklore. Although certain diseases and conditions of the eye concern the muscles which can weaken over time, wearing glasses does not cause a dependency on the glasses. The brain adapts to blurry vision and can compensate to some extent for the blurry signals the retina sends it. Once glasses are worn for a period of time the brain "deprograms" this compensation filter as it no longer needs to make up for a blurry signal from the retina. If you remove your glasses, your eyesight appears to have worsened due to the lack of having this "compensating filter" present in the brain. If you stop wearing glasses for a long period, the brain will redevelop this filter and will try to compensate again for the returned blurry image.
How do I care for my eyeglasses?
Glasses should be cleaned daily. Using soft hand soap, lather the lenses and frame just like you would your own hands. Rinse the glasses under warm tap water. Shake the excess water off of the eyeglasses and dry gently with a lint free cloth. Avoid using paper products or terry cloth towels which can cause scratches to the lenses.
Your new eyeglasses are supplied with a case. The case is designed to be used to hold and protect the glasses when they are not on your face. If the case gets worn and dirty, it is recommended to replace the case so the worn fabric and dirt inside will not harm the glasses.
Never place your glasses on a chair or car seat where someone else may sit on them. Never leave glasses in a hot car because this may cause the frame shape to change and the lenses may fall out. Never place your glasses face down on a table or any other object because the lenses may scratch.
Over time the glasses may lose their original shape or screws may loosen because they are stretched each time they are taken on and off. Unfortunately, this is normal. We offer free adjustments and free minor repairs for the life of your glasses.
Why does it take so long to get my glasses when some stores grind my lenses in under an hour?
We personally grind our lenses to ensure that you have the prescription that we specified. We take pride in our process and prefer not to rush it. In most cases, waiting a few extra days for a pair of glasses is not a problem. However, in those cases where a situation exists where the patient requires their prescription to be filled immediately, we can make arrangements to help remedy the situation.
