Single Vision

Myopia, Hyperopia, Astigmatism

One single prescription throughout the entire lens. Ideal if you only need help seeing far away or up close.

Progressive

Presbyopia (Age 40+)

Seamless transition between distance, intermediate (computer), and near vision with no visible lines.

Bifocal

Presbyopia (Age 40+)

Near & Far VisionTwo distinct zones separated by a visible line. Less common now, replaced largely by progressives.

Materials & Essential Coatings

The material affects how thick, heavy, and impact-resistant your glasses will be.

CR-39 (Standard Plastic): Best for low prescriptions. It offers great clarity and is budget-friendly but can be thick for higher powers.

Polycarbonate: Highly impact-resistant and thin. The "gold standard" for children, sports, and safety glasses

High-Index (1.61, 1.67, 1.74): Designed for strong prescriptions. These bend light more efficiently, allowing for a much thinner and lighter lens.

Trivex: Similar to polycarbonate but with better optical clarity and lighter weight. Excellent for rimless frames

Coatings

Anti-Reflective (AR): Eliminates glare from headlights and computer screens. "Super-AR" coatings also include oleophobic (oil-resistant) layers to reduce fingerprints.

Blue Light Filtering: Absorbs high-energy blue light from digital devices. Look for "substrate-level" filtering where the protection is baked into the lens rather than just a surface tint.

Photochromic (Transitions): Lenses that darken in sunlight and turn clear indoors. Modern versions (like Gen S) now react in under 20 seconds.

Scratch-Resistant: A hard coating applied to plastic lenses to extend their lifespan against daily wear and tear.