After you have reviewed the article on How To Read Your Eyeglasses Prescription, you will be ready to determine how strong or weak your eyeglasses prescription is. When you purchase eyeglasses, your optician will make recommendations based on your prescription and how you plan to use your glasses. In addition to picking a material, you will be offered lens options such as anti-reflection coating and transitions.
Instructions
things you’ll need:
Eyeglasses Prescription
1 Think about how you plan to use your glasses.
Will your glasses be for backup use when not wearing contacts?
Are your glasses for reading or computer work?
Will you need something lightweight because you’ll wear them for extended periods?
Will you need more durable lenses because you’ll wear them for athletics or working outdoors?
Will you wear them for driving at night?
2 Plastic, Polycarbonate, Trivex, Hi-Index
There are four main materials that you may choose for your lenses. Although glass is available, most people choose basic plastic, polycarbonate, Trivex, or hi-index lenses. Glass may shatter and is heavier.
Click on the chart to compare each material.
Material options will depend on what your optician can order and if you are wearing single vision, bifocal, or no-line bifocal (progressive lenses). Some opticians will charge extra for certain features while others will include it in the package price for your lenses.
3 DECIDE ON YOUR DURABILITY NEEDS:
Basic plastic lenses are fine for indoor use, but if you plan to wear them outside you will need a UV coating. Other materials have UV protection already. If you work or play sports in your glasses, you will want to consider polycarbonate or Trivex. Both materials are impact resistant so they are less likely to chip. These are also good choices if you have a tendency to knock your glasses around or if you have rimless frames.
4 DECIDE IF YOU NEED BACKUP SUNGLASSES OR TRANSITIONS:
Transitions are a brand name for lenses that turn into sunglasses outside. They are clear inside and when exposed to UV light, they get dark. They do not change in the car. If you need sunglasses for driving, consider either tinted lenses or polarized sunglasses.
5 DECIDE IF YOU NEED ANTI-RELFECTION COATING:
Anti-reflection coating can be added to lenses to help minimize glare and reflections for night-time driving. Anti-reflection coating also prevents glare on your glasses in photos. Keep in mind that this is a coating added onto your lenses so it can potentially scratch and be harder to keep smudge-free. Some opticians have an anti-reflection coating available that has an extra scratch coating, making it easier to clean and less likely to scratch.
6 Sample of Single Vision Prescription
Refer to the picture to determine how to read your prescription.
PLASTIC LENSES: If your spherical power is +/-2.00, you may want to consider basic plastic lenses.
POLYCARBONATE VERSUS TRIVEX: If your spherical power is greater than +/-2.00, you may want to consider polycarbonate or Trivex lenses. Typically polycarbonate will be thinner than Trivex for prescriptions higher than +/-4.00. You will want to check with your optician because lab equipment will cause this to vary.
If you have a strong astigmatism of +/-2.00 or higher, you may want to consider Trivex. Your optics will be better with Trivex. However, if your spherical power is +/-4.00 or higher, Trivex lenses will be thicker.
Tips & Warnings
Thickness differences between materials varies based on where your glasses are purchased. Labs have different equipment available so talk to your optician to determine which material is ultimately the best for you.
Center thickness on lenses is typically much thinner overseas because there is less regulation on safety standards.
If you are considering a rimless frame, purchase polycarbonate or Trivex lenses to prevent chipping. Rimless frames have a cord (similar to fishing line) that holds the lenses into place. This can move back and forth over time and potentially chip your lenses.
Completely frameless glasses, or drillmount frames, are typically made with Trivex lenses.
Some people may be sensitive to optic differences with materials. This typically isn’t a problem unless you have a stronger +/- 4.00 prescription. Always ask what the exchange and return policy is at your optical center before changing materials.