Polarized Lenses

Now that we have officially entered the summer season, I feel this is a great time to talk about polarized sunwear. When patients are ordering prescription glasses, they have a choice of getting a tint on their lenses or getting polarized lenses. There is a huge difference between the two. A tint is exactly like it sounds. The lenses are dipped in dyes to tint them to the desired amount of darkness. This results in cutting the amount of light coming into the eye but there are no protections from UVA and UVB rays unless specifically ordered as extra coatings. If these coating are not specifically ordered and are not present(as is the case in many of the non rx sunwear that people purchase in drug stores,etc.)then the end result is worse. The pupil opens up with the darkened lens and allows UVA and UVB rays in a greater amount which in turn can help to cause cataracts. Many case studies aslo indicate this can also lead to macular degeneration.

Polarized lenses are actually layered lenses that cut glare and reflections from reflective surfaces such as water and snow. They also cut the UVCA and UVB rays as well. The glare and reflections are what usually cause visual discomfort. If you have never tried polarized lenses, do yourself a favor the next time you order and try out these great lenses. One company that we carry, Maui Jim Sunwear, has several proprietary coatings that make this lens what I consider to be one of the best lenses for sunwear in the world today. These can be ordered in prescription as well as non rx.

I hope you will try a separate pair of polarized sunwear this summer for a great and more comfortable experience.

Reflection free or Antireflective coating

I heard feed back from my staff recently concerning this subject that disturbed me. Apparently a patient stated that this option was made up by optometrists just to make extra money. I am here to state that nothing could be further from the truth.

Just to put everyone out there on a level playing field as far as knowledge let me explain what this coating does. Just as the name implies, this coating cuts glare and reflection off of the surface of your lenses so that not only are objects clearer but night driving is improved. Oncoming headlights without reflection free can be very uncomfortable. With AR coating night driving and contrast sensitivity is greatly improved. Even reflections from your computer screen are cut and make every day tasks more comfortable.

Additionally on thin lens materials this coating is highly recommended and the thinnest of lenses are not even available without it. As lens materials become thinner, there are internal reflections within the lens itself that can be so disturbing that it would be almost impossible to wear the lens without this coating in place.

In Europe, Japan, and other places around the world, about 99% of lenses are sold as reflection free.

As part of everyone's exam, the patient is tested using reflection free coated lenses within the instrumentation. Therefore if a patient orders lenses without this coating they are not getting the acuity that they were tested with in the exam room.

For some odd reason in this country, many people feel this is an "add on" that is not necessary when in reality this provides the comfort and acuity that most everyone wants.

Wake up people and join the rest of the world in providing yourself with the very best acuity possible. After all, you deserve the best!