What Type of Corrective Lenses Do Your Eyes Need?

The World Health Organization estimates about 253 million people suffer from vision impairment, but over 80% of these conditions can be treated or prevented. One of the easiest ways to correct and prevent vision issues is by wearing eyeglasses with corrective lenses.

Even if you don’t need corrective lenses because you have 20/20 vision, you may still want to invest in plano (non-prescription) blue light blocking glasses. These glasses reduce strain on your eyes from your computer and smartphone, and may even help reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

If you do need prescription lenses, here are some of the benefits you should consider when deciding which corrective lenses to purchase for your glasses:

Plastic

Standard — While standard, plastic is frequently used because of its durability and low cost to produce, they can be scratched fairly easily and feel heavy as the day wears on.
Mid-Index & High-Index — You can choose to use mid-index or high-index plastic instead, which are lighter, but each of these options becomes increasingly more expensive.

Other Materials

Polycarbonate — These lenses are becoming more popular because they are lighter and thinner than plastic, which makes them look more attractive in a wider variety of frames. They’re also more durable than plastic, and you can drop them without fear of breaking them.
Composite — Many glasses wearers are also starting to love composite lenses, which include polycarbonate and other materials like Trivex. These lenses barely weigh anything, look nearly invisible so they don’t distort your visual clarity, and block UVA and UVB rays from entering your eyes.

Specialty Lenses & Protective Coatings

Anti-Glare — This coating doesn’t completely eliminate glare from your eyes, but does reduce the amount of harmful light which is refracted into your eyes in bright and dark environments. This coating is especially helpful for driving at night, to help limit the amount of unwanted bright glares from other cars.
Photochromic — You may have heard these called “transition lenses.” Photochromic lenses automatically darken when UV rays touch them, so they can serve as sunglasses outdoors. Unfortunately, they do not darken when you’re driving, as your car’s windshield blocks the majority of UV rays from entering the car.
High-Definition — A newer lens on the market is the high-definition lens, which is custom designed to fit each individual’s prescription and eyes. The wearer’s eyes are digitally scanned to ensure all vision issues are corrected by the glasses. Additionally, HD lenses are smudge resistant, so you don’t feel like you have to clean your classes all day.
Polarized — A popular option on sunglasses, polarized lenses filter and reduce glare on non-metal surfaces (such as water, snow, and road glare), and can enhances color for the wearer. Polarized lenses offer the highest level of UV protection, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Progressive — Progressive lenses are the modern-day alternative to bifocal (distance + reading) or trifocal (distance + midrange + reading) glasses. With these lenses, you can see clearly at all distances. They may also take up to several weeks to “get used” to.

Do you need prescription lenses?

Your vision is constantly changing as you age, so even though you may have had 20/20 vision last year, you may experience near- or farsightedness in one or both of your eyes. Astigmatism and cataracts are also normal results of the aging process which affect the clarity of your vision. As a result, you may be inadvertently straining your eyes if you don’t have the necessary corrective lenses.

Fortunately, you can use the EyeQue Insight at home, anytime, to let you know if you need glasses or contacts to improve your sight. If you do need corrective lenses, the EyeQue Personal Vision Tracker can also be used at home, to tell you the recommended strength of your lenses (refractive error correction) you need to place an order.