Eyeglass Lens Materials – Features and Benefits
Plastic Lenses: In 1947, the first lightweight plastic eyeglass lenses were introduced. The lenses were made of a plastic polymer called CR-39.
Because of its lightweight properties (about half the weight of glass), low cost and excellent optical qualities, CR-39 plastic remains a popular material for eyeglass lenses.
Polycarbonate Lenses: Eyeglass lenses made of polycarbonate were introduced in the early 1980s in response to a demand for lightweight, impact-resistant lenses.
Since then, polycarbonate lenses have become the standard for safety glasses, sports goggles and children’s eyewear.
Because they are less likely to fracture than regular plastic lenses, polycarbonate lenses also are a good choice for rimless eyewear designs where the lenses are attached to the frame components with drill mountings. They have anti-scratch coatings built in and are up to 20% thinner than regular plastic lenses.
High-Index Lenses: In the last 20 years, in response to the demand for thinner, lighter eyeglasses, a number of lens manufacturers have introduced high-index plastic lenses.
These come in 3 different degrees of thickness which are between 35%-50% thinner than basic plastic lenses, all while keeping their anti-scratch coating.
Progressive lenses are no-line multifocal eyeglass lenses that look exactly the same as single vision lenses. In other words, progressive lenses will help you see clearly at all distances without the lines that are visible in bifocals.
Progressive lenses are line-free multifocals that have a seamless progression of added magnifying power for intermediate and near vision.
The power of progressive lenses changes gradually from point to point on the lens surface, providing the correct lens power for seeing objects clearly at virtually any distance.
Bifocals lenses, on the other hand, have only two lens powers — one for seeing distant objects clearly and a second power in the lower half of the lens for seeing clearly at a specified reading distance. The junction between these distinctly different power zones is defined by a visible “bifocal line” that cuts across the center of the lens.
Progressive lenses sometimes are called “no-line bifocals” because they don’t have this visible bifocal line. They have a significantly more advanced multifocal design than bifocals or trifocals.
Anti-reflective coating (also called AR coating or anti-glare coating) improves vision, reduces eye strain and makes your eyeglasses look more attractive.
These benefits are due to the ability of AR coating to virtually eliminate reflections from the front and back surfaces of your eyeglass lenses.
With reflections gone, more light passes through your lenses to optimize visual acuity with fewer distractions (especially at night), and the lenses look nearly invisible — which enhances your appearance by drawing more attention to your eyes and helping you make better “eye contact” with others.
AR coating is especially beneficial when used on high-index lenses, which reflect more light than regular plastic lenses. Today’s modern anti-reflective coatings can virtually eliminate the reflection of light from eyeglass lenses, allowing 99.5% of available light to pass through the lenses and enter the eye for good vision.
Blue blocker AR coatings are specially designed anti-reflective lens coatings that protect the eyes from the damaging effects of HEV (High Energy Visible Blue Light) that is emitted from computer screens, cell phones, tablets, and televisions. Blue light is filtered out by this special coating to prevent eye strain, headaches, and other complications that could arise from continuous use of electronic devices.
With locations in Manhattan, Jackson Heights, Hollis, Forest Hills and Hicksville, Malik Eye Care has an optical in each of our offices. Here you’ll find an enormous selection of the most exclusive fashion eyewear. Why settle for assembly line quality, poor service, and high chain store and mall prices? We use only the finest lenses in our eyewear for maximum clarity.
Our top doctors and skilled opticians will help you find the perfect eyewear for your new look. Malik Eye Care’s custom labs can get your eyewear within one to two days and in many cases on the same day. That’s service and quality you can count on.
Request an appointment with us, today!