Plastic lenses are ideal for optical lenses because they are lightweight and can be polished with precision for visual acuity.

    However, these lenses have a disadvantage in that they have a soft surface that is prone to scratching. Traditionally, the lenses are treated with a soft-coating to protect the lens. Soft coatings are layers of a film which usually consists of silver, zine, sulfide or cryolite. Although they offer some protection to the lens, they are still quite delicate. The edges of the coating may degrade if exposed to moisture in day-to-day use.

    Hard Coatings have been introduced as an improved method for protecting optical lenses.

    By using a plasma deposition process, hard coated films are applied in a controlled atmosphere using sophisticated computer generated programs. This ensures an even application of the film across the entire lens. Hard coatings also have higher levels of wavelength absorption. Typically, hard coated lenses have 90 percent transmission of visible and UV light. Meanwhile, soft coated lenses have lower transmission rates.

    Anti-Reflective coatings improve visual clarity.

    Anti-reflective coatings allow more visible light to pass through the lens that gives the eyes more information about the environment. They also eliminate the glare on the surface of the lens that omits any distractions from reflected light.

    At night, they reduce glare and halos around light sources giving you improved visibility in low light conditions.

    Anti-reflective coatings are clear and almost invisible.

    Reflections that appear on the lens can be an unattractive look when wearing glasses. Anti-reflective lenses allow people to see their eyes and not the reflection on the lens. This makes eye contact easier to accomplish and the ability to communicate facial expressions accurately.

    Light is essential for the eye to perceive vision. Unfortunately, there are harmful elements in the visible light spectrum that can hurt your eyes.

    The invisible UV light and Blue UV light are considered harmful forms of light which are prevalent in indoor and outdoor light sources. The sun emits both UV and Blue UV light outdoors. Meanwhile, artificial light sources like bulbs and LED’s (office or indoor lighting) are sources of Blue UV light. Exposure of Blue UV light from backlit screens like smartphones, tablets, and computers compounds the risk of potentially harming your eyes.

    Short-term exposure to Blue UV light sources may be the underlying cause of headaches, eyestrain, as well as physical and mental fatigue.

    Eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration are contributed to UV/Blue UV light. The exposure to these harmful forms of light reaches the internal tissues of the eye and can damage them in the long-term.

    Photochromic lenses are a light adaptive eyeglass lens that are clear indoors and automatically darken outdoors.

    The lenses darkening effect are caused by molecules in the lens material that reacts to UV light and activates its darkening properties. This allows the lens to remain clear indoors and darkens as the amount of UV light present increases. The lenses remain clear inside vehicles due to windshields coated with a UV blocker. The UV light is unable to pass through and prevents the molecules from reacting.

    Doctors Optical Lab photochromic lenses are available in a variety of lens materials and designs.

    This includes single vision and multifocal lenses in standard and high index options. Light adaptive lenses filter 100% UVA and UVB rays protecting the eye to these harmful rays. Features include:

    • Blocks 100% UV light
    • Automatically darkens with direct contact from UV light.

    Polarized lenses block horizontal light.

    A polarizing film is embedded inside a lens when they are manufactured. This film filters horizontal light reflected from flat surfaces in any given environment. Simply put, the polarizing film acts like Venetian blinds that are positioned vertically. The "blinds" prevent horizontal light from passing through the lens and improves overall clarity.

    Polarized lenses have been ideal for water related activities such as boaters and fishermen who seek to reduce the reflected glare from the water surrounding them.

    Nowadays, polarized lenses have become a staple for any outdoor-related activities. The added benefit of improved clarity ensures the likelihood of peak performance. Polarized lenses are great for driving, biking, jogging, and golfing.

    Mirror coatings are an added touch for sun protection in sunglass lenses.

    They are available in a variety of different colors for an interesting effect and personalization. Mirrored coatings decrease the amount of light passing through the lens (approx. 10%-60% less) by reflecting the light off of the mirrored surface. Mirror coated lenses excel in environments rich with sand, water, snow and higher altitudes where light is reflected by the surface of each setting.

    Combinations of lens tints and mirror coatings can be selected individually for a custom look for each individual.

    Light from the sun are constant sources of UV and Blue UV rays that are a potential risk to eye health.

    Even on overcast days where there is no direct sunlight, UV rays can be reflected off of surfaces like sand, water, snow, and buildings. These cause immediate issues like eyestrain, and headaches for short term exposure to UV rays. Prolonged exposure over time can pose a higher risk of eye health issues like eye-related cancers, cataracts, as well as damage to the cornea and retina. Macular degeneration has also been linked to overexposure from UV rays.

    Prevention is key to these health related risks. The adverse effects of UV damage are typically formed from a cumulative exposure in an individual’s lifespan.

    It is essential to protect the eye from these harmful rays with a coating that blocks UV and Blue UV light. All UV coatings block 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays and can be applied to standard and high index lenses.