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For many people, different lenses are needed for seeing at different distances. Bifocal lenses allow the wearer to look through two areas of the lens. One area focuses on distant objects. The other is used for reading.

Most of the time the “reading” area is smaller, shaped like a sideways “D”, and found in the lower hemisphere of the lens. These lenses are called line bifocals. If you are focusing on distant objects, you look through the top half of the lenses. To read a book, magazine, or newspaper, you look through the lower “reading” area. One thing that is difficult about using bifocals is dealing with the line between the two vision areas. Fortunately, recent technologies have developed a new type of lens, called the no-line, or progressive, lens.

Bifocals allow the wearer to read through one area of the lens, and to focus on distant objects through another area of the lens. As the eyes age, a stronger prescription is often needed to read. This would be fine, but the stronger prescription that allows for reading makes it difficult to focus on objects at intermediate distances, such as grocery items on a shelf or your speedometer. Thus, trifocals are necessary, providing a third prescription for intermediate focusing.

Trifocals, also known as line trifocals, feature three areas of focusing power, each separated from the other by a distinct line. The three windows allow for focusing on distant objects, intermediately distanced objects, and for reading. The downside of trifocals is dealing with the lines between the different focusing powers. Fortunately, advances in technology have led to developments in no-line, or progressive lenses.

One of the main problems with bifocal and trifocal lenses is the issue of eye fatigue. It can be difficult to switch from one focusing power to another. Your eyes can tire, which can even lead to a headache, sore neck and sore back.

A variation of bifocals and trifocals is the no-line lens or progressive lens. No-lines provide a smooth transition from focusing on nearby to distant objects because they do not have a distinct line separating the focusing powers. Instead, a gradual change in power allows the wearer to focus on objects at all distances. Distant objects are viewed through the upper portion of the lens, while near objects are viewed through the middle or lower portion of the lens. These are also great for computer users.

Normal eyewear often creates glare, reflections, and “ghost images.” Now that can all be eliminated with a non-glare or anti-reflective lens.

With normal glasses, much of the light reflects off the lenses. This produces glare. It also reduces the wearer’s visual acuity. In other words, the light reflection is both a cosmetic and visual problem.

Non-glare lenses increase light transmission to 99.5 percent. They make it easier to see and easier for others to see you! These lenses are especially useful for those viewing computer screens and driving at night, but are visually beneficial for every glasses wearer.

Previous to the last few years, the only materials available for use as lenses were glass and a hard resin called CR-39. But recently, high index lenses have become available. High-index materials are named because they have a higher index of light refraction. Basically, they can do the same job that glass or CR-39 does, but high index lenses are much thinner and lighter. With high index lenses, you can avoid having “soda bottle” lenses.

Polycarbonate

The first and still the most popular high index plastic is polycarbonate. Polycarbonate was originally developed for fighter jet cockpits. It is very strong, very light, and resistant to breaking. Most sports lenses are made of polycarbonate.

High-Index

High-index lenses are much thinner than regular glass or plastic. We are happy to talk with you to decide which high index lens is right for you!

Glare from wet roads, light reflecting off other vehicles, and glare from your own windshield can be annoying and dangerous. To eliminate this glare, we recommend polarized lenses. Polarized lenses eliminate the majority of glare, reducing eye strain and increasing visibility. Polarized lenses are the most effective means to reduce glare.

Most glare comes from horizontal surfaces, so the light is “horizontally polarized.” Polarized lenses feature vertically-oriented “polarizers.” These polarizers block the horizontally polarized light. The result is a glare-reduced view of the world. Polarized lenses can make a world of difference for any outdoor enthusiast. Fishermen can eliminate the bright reflections from the water and actually see into the water, joggers and bikers can enjoy reduced glare from the road, and drivers can enjoy the safety and comfort that polarized lenses provide.

If you have hard resin lenses (CR-39), you should consider getting a scratch-resistant treatment. Resins and plastics are more susceptible to scratches than glass. Scratches damage the cosmetics of the lenses and compromise their visual performance. With a scratch-resistant treatment, you do not have to worry as much about minor scratches on your lenses.

Another advantage of a scratch-resistant treatment is that most come with a one-year warranty. They are a great investment to prevent minor scratches. However, it is important to remember that scratch-resistant does not mean scratch-proof! All lenses are susceptible to scratches.

Photochromic lenses darken when exposed to UV rays. The change is caused by photochromic molecules that are incorporated into the lens or into a coating on the lens. When the wearer goes outside when it's bright, the lenses darken automatically. When the wearer goes back inside, the glasses become clear. These lenses are especially good for light sensitive individuals and children.

There are a variety of photochromic options available. Depending on what you choose, you can customize the lenses to your needs. Some lenses darken only in direct sunlight, while others darken in little or no direct light. You can even choose the color of the tint. Ask us what option is the best fit for your lifestyle!

We all have heard the phrase, “Different strokes for different folks.” Well, this also holds true when it comes to selecting glasses. There are different lenses for just about everybody. No matter what your particular need, there is probably a specialty lens designed for you.

An example of a specialty lens that is becoming increasingly popular is a lens designed for computer users. Computer lenses have “windows” designed for viewing your computer screen, documents on your desk, and distant objects. The lenses are designed to reduce Computer Vision Syndrome, or CVS, which is characterized by headaches, eye strain, neck and back aches, dry eyes, blurred vision, and double vision.

If you have a hobby, sport, occupation, or activity where your everyday glasses don't work well, ask us if there is a better solution for those specific times. Chances are there is something out there that would make life better for you! 

Contact lenses, when used properly, are very convenient, and with the latest advancements in technology, they are extremely comfortable. Most of the time, you will hardly know you are wearing them, though you will certainly notice how clear and accurate your vision is. Contact lenses are small lenses worn on the surface of the eye, or cornea, to correct vision. While contact lenses may be worn for daily wear, patients who wear contacts should always have an up-to-date pair of glasses. This allows you to best meet your overall lifestyle needs while protecting the integrity of your overall eye health.

Although you may think of contact lenses as a full time committment, there are options for part time and occasional wear. Many patients find that they prefer contacts for special events and recreational activities even if they usually wear glasses.  If you are interested in contact lenses for full time, part time, or occasional wear, ask Dr. Bensing or Dr. Shuke at your next visit if there is a contact lens that is right for you!

Contact Lens Types

The types of contact lenses available have exploded in the past few years. There are contact lenses available for almost everyone. Many of our patients were told in the past that they could not wear contacts, or they tried unsuccessfully to wear contact lenses. With the many advances in contact lens technology, that has all changed! We carry many lens types, and daily disposable soft lenses are popular among our patients for their comfort and convenience. Choose from the following list for a brief look at some available options.

These lenses are oftentimes worn for one-month periods and then replaced.  Frequent replacement soft lenses are worn during the day and removed to be cleaned and stored at night. Some frequent replacement lenses require a weekly cleaning using an enzymatic cleaner, which removes protein deposits.

Disposable soft lenses are much more popular than frequent replacement soft lenses. These lenses are worn for a period of time and then, of course, thrown away. Disposables may be designed to last for one day or up to a couple of weeks. These are perfect for many patients who were told they could not wear contact lenses because of allergies or mild dry eye conditions. They have a low cost per lens and are also popular for athletes and hobbyists who do not necessarily want to wear contact lenses every day.

Recent technology has greatly improved bifocal soft lenses. Many patients past their 40s who need bifocals can now enjoy the comfort and benefits of soft contact lenses.  Ask Dr. Bensing or Dr. Shuke if this would be a good fit for you.

Toric lenses are used to correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is a vision condition where an irregularly shaped cornea affects the vision. In the past, the only options for those with astigmatism were either glasses or hard gas permeable contact lenses. Toric lenses, which are lenses with a special shape, now offer an alternative.

As the name implies, these lenses are hard and gas permeable. If you’ve been told you cannot wear soft lenses, RGP lenses are often a great alternative. RGP lenses are available in specialized designs to correct just about any vision disorder.

There are a variety of solutions available from many different manufacturers. The important thing to remember is that not every solution is right for every type of contact lens. Some contact lenses require the use of multipurpose solutions, while others require separate solutions for the four steps in contact lens care: disinfecting, cleaning, rinsing, and enzyming. Daily disposable soft lenses eliminate the need for most or all solutions. Use only the lens solutions that are recommended by your eye doctor. If you wish to change brands, check with our office first. 

If you play sports, you should keep two things in mind related to your vision: protection and precision.

Sports lenses protect the wearer’s eyes. Sports such as tennis, baseball, softball, and racquetball may see ball speeds of 90 mph or more. In baseball alone, there are over 500,000 injuries per year! But that is not the most common cause of sports-related eye injuries. Most eye injuries occur in basketball, where an elbow or a finger jabbed into the eye can cause corneal abrasions, fractured bones, retinal detachments, or even blindness. Polycarbonate lenses are more resistant to impact than glass or plastic and offer protection for 90% of eye injuries. Protective eyewear fits well, features a padded bridge, has prescription or non-prescription lenses, and has deep-grooved eyewires to prevent the lens from falling out.

Specialized lenses also optimize your vision. Depending on your sport, certain lenses are more appropriate than others. Dark, UV protection lenses are great for baseball and other outdoor sports. Golfers can benefit from gray-brown colored lenses which make it easier to outline the course. Even if you do not normally wear glasses, non-prescription sports lenses can benefit your performance. Some people think that lenses prevent the wearer from seeing the action, but many sports lenses have anti-fog, glare reduction, and scratch resistant properties. Some are also designed to maximize peripheral vision or enhance the contrast between a ball and the surrounding background.

To reduce exposure to UV rays and their effects, we recommend you invest in a pair of sunglasses which provide at least 98% protection from UVA and UVB rays. While cheaper sunglasses can range from poor to excellent UV protection, our sunwear lines provide top quality protection from the sun. We carry a large selection of styles and colors.

Polarized lenses block light reflected from surfaces such as a flat road, smooth water, or snow. If you are involved in activities such as water sports, skiing, golfing, biking, fishing, and even driving, polarized lenses can be very helpful in reducing glare and giving a clearer view.

Finally, if you have a youngster in the family, it is never too early to fit them with sunglasses. Children under the age of 20 are the most susceptible to the damaging effects of UV light. One concern of parents is that their child will scratch, break, or lose the sunglasses; we are here to help you make the best choice for your child.