Qestion for those that wear glasses with progressive lenses or bifocals

I didn't realize so man of us had poor vision. Perhaps when the sense of sight is affected we make up for it by taking better pictures. Perhaps not.

I do wear small, rimless, lightweight, stylish, expensive glasses. I'm not sure whether I'm just going to have the new lenses made for these frames or get a new frame as well.

As its been mentioned, I won't know until I actually have the lenses.

Couple of things I want to point out, having worked in optics for 5 years and being a DO (Dispensing Optician, properly qualified to know what I'm talking about lol).

Firstly, progressive lenses shouldn't be a problem when taking photo's, however as most people here have said, lifting the glasses is generally better.

In regards to computer use and progressives, yes the hourglass idea is ROUGHLY true, but not as true as you may think. Varifocal lenses have what is known as Surface Aberation Astigmatism, which basically means that if you shift off centre you arrive in distortion. Depending on the design of the lens depends on how that distortion presents itself. If you wear soft lenses, the distortion gradually edges in but is more tolerable. If you wear hard lenses, the area of distortion is the same but instead of a smooth transition from clarity to fuzz it's like a line is drawn at one point, one side clear the other fuzz.
Also, depending on lens manufacturer and model, you can have lenses with much much wider intermeidiate (computer) sections. From personal experience, I would suggest Essilor Physio lenses or possibly the American Optical (AO) Pro Easy. For optimal computer use do not go for to shallow a frame, as the design of lenses that will be required will affect your intermediate vision.
Finally on this subject, make sure you clarify with your Optometrist what distance your computer screen is set at . . . it can affect what they prescribe you, or they may tell you that you are too close/far to get optimal vision.

Oh and Gasrocks: Glass as opposed to plastic would make no difference in how well they could see, they both have the same Abbe value (light dispersion and therefore chromatic abberation). It will be the change from progressives to BiFocals that has made the differnce!

Sorry to be a bore guys, I deal with this stuff all day long!!!

Tom

Thank you Tom,

This was the explanation we needed all along.
Far from boring!

No not boring at all, its good to hear this stuff from somebody who actually knows about all this.

The main advantage of choosing glass over plastic is surely more durable correct? plastic should in theory be easier to scratch, although it is lighter!

Nick,

As raw materials glass is definitely more scratch resistant, however with modern Scratch Resistant coatings plastic is not that far behind. When you factor in Anti Reflection coatings (a must for all lenses I think) which can peel and scratch no matter what surface they are applied to, there really isn't much in it. Here is the long and the short of it from my perspective in optics:

Glass Pro: Higher Indexes available (thinner lenses), more scratch resistant, cheaper (index for index)
Glass Con: Heavier, crack if dropped, Reactolite/Photochromi​c/Transitions colours and speed not as good/

Plastic Pro: Light, easily available, durable (do not crack), Reactolite/Photochromi​c/Transitions at latest stage of development (Trans 4 in US and 5 in EU IIRC), wider range of progressive designs, wider frame choices
Plastic Con: Slightly more expensive, not as scratch resistant (in raw state)

Honestly, that's about it! If you go for plastic you should get your glasses quicker, and they will be lighter and more comfortable on your face. You'll also get a much wider choice of frames, including Nylor (half frames where the bottom/top is held in with nylon cord) and Rimless.

Tom

I have glasses with the newest lightweight, scratch resistant, anti-glare lenses. Well, they are lightweight and to some degree the anti glare coating works but don't let anyone tell you they are scratch resistant. You have to baby these things and since I've had them (almost 2 years) I have only cleaned them with lint free lens tissue or photo cleaning cloths.

Years ago I would just use my tee shirt but I stopped doing that after I realized I was creating tiny hair line scratches.

Anyway...thanks or the valuable information about materials used and the glasses themselves.

TMR,

If you happen to have Polycarbonate lenses in your glasses, I'm not surprised that they have scratched. Polycarbonate is marketed as light, impact resistant etc etc. In fact it is what Oakley use in their sunglasses. However, it is also the softest of all optical manufacturing materials, and they scratch badly. That's one of the reasons that I stay well away from it and go for normal High Index Lenses (1.6, 1.67 and 1.74) which although slightly more costly have superior properties and are just as light and even thinner!

Tom

Progressives are the way to go! Just stay with them, , , , because they seem distortive when you first put them on. With patience, your brain will adapt and you will see clearly.

Just don't look in the mirror. That is where the real shocker can be found, LOL!

tsfall wrote in post #4017535
Nick,

As raw materials glass is definitely more scratch resistant, however with modern Scratch Resistant coatings plastic is not that far behind. When you factor in Anti Reflection coatings (a must for all lenses I think) which can peel and scratch no matter what surface they are applied to, there really isn't much in it. Here is the long and the short of it from my perspective in optics:

Glass Pro: Higher Indexes available (thinner lenses), more scratch resistant, cheaper (index for index)
Glass Con: Heavier, crack if dropped, Reactolite/Photochromi​c/Transitions colours and speed not as good/

Plastic Pro: Light, easily available, durable (do not crack), Reactolite/Photochromi​c/Transitions at latest stage of development (Trans 4 in US and 5 in EU IIRC), wider range of progressive designs, wider frame choices
Plastic Con: Slightly more expensive, not as scratch resistant (in raw state)

Honestly, that's about it! If you go for plastic you should get your glasses quicker, and they will be lighter and more comfortable on your face. You'll also get a much wider choice of frames, including Nylor (half frames where the bottom/top is held in with nylon cord) and Rimless.

Tom

Thanks for that info Tom.

Im actually wondering about plastic now, the lightness factor is very appealing, the glasses I wear at the moment are high index, with anti reflective coatings in a thin frame with a nylon cord at the bottom, I cant actually tell if they are glass or plastic though.

So this polycarbonate sounds not very good, when I go into the opticians is there a type of plastic that I should be asking for? or do I just ask for high index plastic lens with the scratch resistant coating?

Sorry if this is like a busmans holiday, you probably come on here to get away from all this talk & then cop us lot going on about glasses, its like being back at work, but you really are helping me a lot, I know now that contacts wouldnt be right for me.

Hi Nick,

It's nice to actually have someone listen to what I'm saying about work stuff for once, most people ignore us assuming we are "know nothing retailers trying to push a product".

If you are going for Essilor lenses I would suggest going for a material called Ormil (this is a 1.6 index lens) or Ormex (1.67). Essilor's name for Polycarbonate is Airwear.
Apart from that I would simply say that you want High Index lenses, but wish to stay away from Polycarbonate. Every lens I can think of that has an Anti Reflection coating also has a Scratch Resistant coating applied as part of the process.

I would almost guarantee that your current glasses are in fact plastic lenses, as although it is possible to fit glass lenses into Nylor frames (such as you have) it is not reccommended. This is because the lenses have to have a groove put into the flat edge of the lens, which is difficult with glass and makes it extremely liable to chip.

If you do happen to find yourself going to a Vision Express store, you will find that we have different names for lenses, in an attempt to make it easier for you to understand. I suggest for your use that you go for one of the following lenses:

Essilor Physio Ormex/Ormil with Crizal Alizee (Essilor Anti Reflection and Hard Coating)
AO Pro Easy 1.6 with Anti Reflection (Pinnacle Advanced Progressive in Vision Express speak)

Both these lenses are extremey durable, have excellent wearer adaption times, extremely light and are able to be fitted into smaller frames (minimum total depth of frame around 27mm).

tsfall wrote in post #4017535
Nick,
When you factor in Anti Reflection coatings (a must for all lenses I think) which can peel and scratch no matter what surface they are applied to, there really isn't much in it.
Tom

I don't think I will opt for Anti Reflection coatings on my next pair of glasses.

The stuff started to peel off after a few months (I had one lens replaced at no charge, but it just happened again).

Now the spots where the stuff has peeled off is noticble to other people and to me if the sun is at a certain angle. Its probably because I run everyday and sweat on my glasses!!

I really need to find some contacts that my eyes will tolerate - damn dry eyes!!

tsfall wrote in post #4017848
Hi Nick,

It's nice to actually have someone listen to what I'm saying about work stuff for once, most people ignore us assuming we are "know nothing retailers trying to push a product".

If you are going for Essilor lenses I would suggest going for a material called Ormil (this is a 1.6 index lens) or Ormex (1.67). Essilor's name for Polycarbonate is Airwear.
Apart from that I would simply say that you want High Index lenses, but wish to stay away from Polycarbonate. Every lens I can think of that has an Anti Reflection coating also has a Scratch Resistant coating applied as part of the process.

I would almost guarantee that your current glasses are in fact plastic lenses, as although it is possible to fit glass lenses into Nylor frames (such as you have) it is not reccommended. This is because the lenses have to have a groove put into the flat edge of the lens, which is difficult with glass and makes it extremely liable to chip.

If you do happen to find yourself going to a Vision Express store, you will find that we have different names for lenses, in an attempt to make it easier for you to understand. I suggest for your use that you go for one of the following lenses:

Essilor Physio Ormex/Ormil with Crizal Alizee (Essilor Anti Reflection and Hard Coating)
AO Pro Easy 1.6 with Anti Reflection (Pinnacle Advanced Progressive in Vision Express speak)

Both these lenses are extremey durable, have excellent wearer adaption times, extremely light and are able to be fitted into smaller frames (minimum total depth of frame around 27mm).

Yep I guess you will always get people like that, I have actually learnt quite a lot since chatting with you.

I had a closer look at the ground part of the lens (on the edge) & yes it does indeed look like plastic, well these have been very good, the coatings do have some little dots on them where the coating has come away, but its so small as to not cause any problems.

Essilor Physio Ormex/Ormil with Crizal Alizee, wow I definately need to jot that one down, it sounds like your speaking a foreign language when said quickly

At the moment im planning on getting 2 pairs, one pair for working in, decorating & general messy jobs, possibly the flexible bendy frames & another better pair for photography & computing.

In your experience are there any types of frames, materials used etc.. or anything else come to think of it that you would avoid? any particular coatings you would recommend or not?, things like that.

Its been quite a number of years since I last went to the opticians but I now feel like im armed with a lot more knowledge thanks to you

For your working and messy pair I would strongly suggest not getting an Anti Reflection coating, this will end up getting degraded quicker due to dust and paint particles. A normal pair of scratch resistant lenses will do you proud for that job. For these, the AO Pro Easy is going to be a great choice, its nearly as good as the Essilor ones and is a darn sight cheaper.

Best pair? Essilor, all the way. Oh and the reason it sounds like a foreign language is because Essilor are french lol!

All frame materials are pretty good, unless you happen to have a nickel allergy! Most forgiving frames for being knocked about are definitely the flexible types, with surgical steel (brand name of Flexium) coming a close second.

If you are going to be doing a lot of painting etc it is worth considering some sort of extended guarantee on the glasses (I think its against the rules of the forum to advertise, so sorry! I'm just trying to pass on advice) such as the Vision Express Grand Advantage card. £25 up front fee, the glasses you buy at the same time as the card are then covered for damage (frames and lenses) with no excess. We replace frames and lenses like for like as many times within two years as you need. It's an excellent policy.

Thats pretty much all I can think of off the top of my head, if you want to know what prices are like and how long things will take, send me a PM, I'm sure the mods would rather that was done privately

Glad I've been of some use
Tom

tsfall wrote in post #4019551
For your working and messy pair I would strongly suggest not getting an Anti Reflection coating, this will end up getting degraded quicker due to dust and paint particles. A normal pair of scratch resistant lenses will do you proud for that job. For these, the AO Pro Easy is going to be a great choice, its nearly as good as the Essilor ones and is a darn sight cheaper.

Best pair? Essilor, all the way. Oh and the reason it sounds like a foreign language is because Essilor are french lol!

All frame materials are pretty good, unless you happen to have a nickel allergy! Most forgiving frames for being knocked about are definitely the flexible types, with surgical steel (brand name of Flexium) coming a close second.

If you are going to be doing a lot of painting etc it is worth considering some sort of extended guarantee on the glasses (I think its against the rules of the forum to advertise, so sorry! I'm just trying to pass on advice) such as the Vision Express Grand Advantage card. £25 up front fee, the glasses you buy at the same time as the card are then covered for damage (frames and lenses) with no excess. We replace frames and lenses like for like as many times within two years as you need. It's an excellent policy.

Thats pretty much all I can think of off the top of my head, if you want to know what prices are like and how long things will take, send me a PM, I'm sure the mods would rather that was done privately

Glad I've been of some use
Tom

Ok thanks for the info, ive saved all this so I dont forget it, yes I have rather hogged this thread with all my questions but its not everyday you get somebody who actually knows quite a lot & is so willing to help!

I am now armed with a lot more knowledge & know what I want, where as before I was all over the place, even wondering about contacts, but I also felt I wasnt going to be right for those, you really have been a superb help, thanks a lot Tom

tsfall wrote in post #4019551
For your working and messy pair I would strongly suggest not getting an Anti Reflection coating, this will end up getting degraded quicker due to dust and paint particles. A normal pair of scratch resistant lenses will do you proud for that job. For these, the AO Pro Easy is going to be a great choice, its nearly as good as the Essilor ones and is a darn sight cheaper.

Best pair? Essilor, all the way. Oh and the reason it sounds like a foreign language is because Essilor are french lol!

All frame materials are pretty good, unless you happen to have a nickel allergy! Most forgiving frames for being knocked about are definitely the flexible types, with surgical steel (brand name of Flexium) coming a close second.

If you are going to be doing a lot of painting etc it is worth considering some sort of extended guarantee on the glasses (I think its against the rules of the forum to advertise, so sorry! I'm just trying to pass on advice) such as the Vision Express Grand Advantage card. £25 up front fee, the glasses you buy at the same time as the card are then covered for damage (frames and lenses) with no excess. We replace frames and lenses like for like as many times within two years as you need. It's an excellent policy.

Thats pretty much all I can think of off the top of my head, if you want to know what prices are like and how long things will take, send me a PM, I'm sure the mods would rather that was done privately

Glad I've been of some use
Tom

Tom Excellent Advice, I use Verifocals, I'm think of changing my frames and are looking at sports type frames which fit closer to Eye sort of more flush, can you advise?

Cheers