Choosing the right lenses for your glasses

At Optical King, we believe the most important part of the eyewear selection process is choosing the correct lenses for your glasses.

The quality and type of lenses you choose for your glasses, will make a big difference to how happy you are with your new spectacles.

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide which type of lenses you require, so we have made this guide to help make that decision a little easier!   

1) Lens Type

Single Vision

Distance

The majority of spectacle wearers will fall into this category when picking their lenses.

Distance correction includes Short-Sighted (Myopia), Longsighted (Hypermetropia) and Astigmatism prescriptions. If you need your glasses to help with seeing objects far away in the distance and still be able to see things close up - Choose this option. 

Single Vision

Near

Need that extra help to read? Well these lenses are designed solely for near range correction, which is approximately ~30-40 cm from your nose. They can NOT be worn for activities in the distance, such as driving!

If you were told at your eye test that you now need reading glasses or the term 'presybyopia' was used - Choose this option.

Single vision

Computer

A popular option in todays 'Digital age'. Ideal if you want clear vision at an arms length range. These lenses help with computer use, laptops and also things like reading music or painting.

If you need glasses to solely help correct the range ~50cm away from the nose, this is the option to go for. 

Multifocal

Varifocal

The most practical and popular option for anyone that wants one pair of glasses to do everything for them!

There are no visible lines on the lenses and they have a natural progression of power as you go down.  The further up the lens you look, the further away you can see. The further down the lens you look, the closer you can see. It really is that simple!

So if you just want just one pair of glasses to do the same job as three pairs of glasses (Distance, Near and Intermediate powers), choose this option.

multifocal

Bifocal

Bifocals are easily recognised with the visible line you can see on the lenses that separate the top part, from the bottom part.  'Bi' meaning two, is a very suitable name for this lens type!

Just like Varifocals, you can correct Far and Near with just one pair of glasses However, unlike Varifocals, the Intermediate range can not be corrected.

Choose this option if you want one pair of glasses, don't mind the visible line on the lenses and don't require any intermediate correction. 

 

2) Thinning

standard or normal

1.50

Standard: This is a basic lens with no coatings what so ever. These lenses come free with any frame chosen from our shop!

Normal: This option Comes with 2 recommended coatings:                                                                     

 'Anti-reflective' - Allows more light to pass through the lenses. This then reduces effects such as glare at night and any reflections on lenses.                                                                                   'Scratch Resistant' -  As the name suggests, this invisible coating helps to prevent and resist against minor damage, such as superficial scratches.

thin

1.60

This level of thinning, includes all the benefits of a 'Normal 1.50', but also includes UV400 protection!

Not only that, but the lens is approximately ~20% thinner and lighter on average in comparison.

Great choice if your prescription powers are higher than + or -2.00 on average.

Thinner

1.67

These lenses are approximately ~40% thinner and lighter than the 'Normal 1.50' lens and also has all the protection perks of a 1.60 lens!

Recommended if you have a moderate prescription, with powers above + or -5.00 on average. 

Thinnest

1.74

The most optimal choice if your prescription power is on the higher end.

This lens is approximately 60% thinner and lighter on average than the 'Normal 1.50' lens. Making it the thinnest option available!

Recommended for prescription powers -7.00 and above. 

3) Coatings & Tints

Sunglasses

Tint

If you are looking for traditional sunglasses for the summer, look no further. There are two types of tints to choose from:

Full Tint: As the name suggests, this is a full colour tint which covers the whole lens entirely. Comes in a choice of different colours, with Grey being the most popular choice.

                                                                                                Gradient Tint: If you want a different style to your sunglasses, a gradient tint can give you that. Gradient tints are darkest at the top of the lens and blend lighter and lighter, as you go down to the bottom of the lenses. Very cool indeed!

                                                                                                           When choosing a Tint, we recommend having 'UV400' protection added to your lenses, which helps to stop harmful UV rays damaging your eyes. (note: if 1.60, 1.67 or 1.74 thinning is chosen: UV400 protection is already included and added to your lenses!) 

Sunglasses

Transitions

These lenses change from clear to dark when exposed to UV rays.

They are great if you want one pair of glasses that can have all the benefits of sunglasses and still work as clear glasses when indoors! 

Sunglasses

Polarised

These are special sunglasses, that also reduce glare caused by light reflections in the daytime. 

Recommended for where glare is most common, such as for those who drive and especially individuals who participate in any water activities such as: fishing or water sports. Very useful indeed!

How do they work? Polarised lenses have a special light filter which only allows 'useful' light to enter and blocks the light which encourages glare.

However because of the special filter, this can also disrupt the light from screens and make things harder to see on laptops or computers. Another activity that could be hindered by polaroid lenses is Skiing. Where you would need to see the light reflected of the ice and snow to maneuver safely. Please bear this in mind. 

Blue Light Filter

Lets first explain what Blue Light is...

The Visible light we have around us is made of what scientists call 'wavelengths'. Blue light has a special wavelength which is at the higher end of our visible light spectrum. This range is normally termed HEV (High Energy Visible Light).

What are some of the effects when exposed to Blue light? Some reports, such as the one by the European Commision have suggested that late night exposure to blue light can affect our natural 'body clock'. The 'body clock' is what controls our sleep patterns.

So where does excess blue light normally come from? Blue light is emitted from the majority of screens we come into contact with on a daily basis, such as phones, laptops and computers!

This coating is beneficial for those who work on or use screens on a regular basis.