everything / distance vision

This option is best for you if:

• you wear your glasses all day / you want your glasses for every day use
• you only need your glasses to see things at a distance (including driving)

reading / near vision

This option is best for you if:

• you use your glasses for close up work (for example reading, knitting etc)

computer work / arms length vision

This option is best for you if:

• you need your glasses for arms length vision (for example computer work, reading music while playing a musical instrument etc)

fashion only (non-prescription [plano] lenses)

This option is best for you if:

• you do not need a prescription but still want to wear glasses

'I don't need lenses (frame only)'

This option is best for you if:

• you want to order a frame for glazing by your own opticians (the frame is NOT suitable for wear without glazing)

standard (1.5 index)

We use optical lenses made from CR39 resin (usually called 'plastic') for most of our glasses. They are ideal for most single vision prescriptions because they are much lighter and considerably more impact resistant than glass lenses. They are the most popular optical lenses and are also used by practically all high street opticians.

Lenses made from CR39 plastic also make great prescription sunglasses as they are easy to tint.

HIGH INDEX LENSES

High index lenses have become increasingly popular as they are flatter, thinner and lighter than standard lenses and they do not distort the appearance of the eye. If you are a mid to high prescription wearer (and particularly if you selected a delicate frame) then we would recommend thinner lenses made of special higher index material as they will make your glasses more cosmetically appealing. As a rule, the higher the prescription, the bigger the impact higher index lenses will have on your appearance.

There are three options available:

thin & light (1.6 index)

Recommended if your prescription is above +/-3.00.
Up to 30% thinner than standard lenses, depending on prescription.
Scratch resistant coating is included at no extra charge.

extra thin & light (1.67 index)

Recommended if your prescription is above +/-4.00.
Up to 40% thinner than standard lenses, depending on prescription.
Scratch resistant and anti-reflection coatings are included at no extra charge.

super thin & light (1.74 index)

Recommended if your prescription is above +/-6.00.
One of the thinnest optical plastic lenses available on the market today - up to 45% thinner than standard lenses, depending on prescription.
Scratch resistant, anti-reflection and UV400 protective coatings are all included at no extra charge.

Also available are polycarbonate lenses (1.59 index)

Up to 28% thinner than standard lenses, depending on prescription.

Polycarbonate lenses are plastic lenses that are highly impact resistant and as a higher index material are also slightly thinner. Because rimless glasses are more fragile, we supply polycarbonate lenses as standard to make your glasses as robust as possible (but you can also choose these lenses for fully rimmed and semi-rimless glasses).

Scratch resistant coating is included at no extra charge.

sun reactive (photochromic) (1.5-1.56 index)

Sun reactive (or photochromic) lenses are light sensitive lenses that produce a tint effect on exposure to sunlight and become clear indoors. They protect the eyes indoors as well as outdoors - correcting your vision and ensuring UV protection at the same time. They are ideal for people who regularly have to be inside and outside, or for anyone who doesn't want the inconvenience of carrying around an extra pair of prescription sunglasses.

Please note that these lenses are in general not suitable for use as sunglasses while driving, because windscreens tend to absorb the UV light that makes photochromic lenses work.

Scratch resistant coating and UV400 protective coating are included at no extra charge.

polarised (1.5 index)

Polarised lenses provide maximum protection from reflected glare. They improve visual clarity and therefore help to better perceive contrast and depth of perception. They are very useful for driving, both in sunny and wet conditions. Polarised lenses are especially good for fishing as well as many other outdoor activities including water-sports and golfing.

Scratch resistant coating and UV400 protective coating are included (85% light absorption) at no extra charge.

scratch resistant coating

No lens material is scratch proof, however, lenses treated with a clear, scratch resistant coating do become more resistant to every day wear and tear. Although the coating does not make the lens 100% scratch proof, it helps to prevent minor scratches that can damage the surface of the lens and therefore it helps to extend the life of your lenses.

anti-reflection coating

Anti-reflection coating comes in the form of an almost invisible green film over the lenses and it improves both the vision and the appearance of the glasses. It dramatically reduces the amount of glare a lens has and therefore it is particularly useful for night time driving or working on a computer. If you have a strong prescription, you can use the anti-reflection coating combined with higher index lenses to make your glasses look and feel as thin as possible.

UV400 protective coating

Although invisible, ultraviolet light can be potentially damaging to our bodies. And although we all know about the damage that exposure to the sun can do to our skin, we often forget about the damage it can do to our eyes. Overexposure to UV light is thought to be a cause of cataracts, retinal damage and other eye problems. UV400 protective coating is a clear coating which helps to protect the eyes from the potentially harmful UV rays.

Please note: tints are only available with standard (1.5 index) and polycarbonate lenses (1.59 index).

If you want to create a more unique look, you can do so by choosing one of the fashionable colours available and selecting it as either a tint (where the entire lens is the same colour) or a graduated tint (a gradual fade from dark to light).

And by adding a dark tint and a UV400 protective coating to your glasses, you can easily turn them into sunglasses!

Our tints are defined by their light absorption factor and there are three options available:

light tint (20% light absorption)

This is a very light 'fashion' tint and is used primarily for cosmetic reasons to enhance a wearer's appearance.

medium tint (50% light absorption)

While not too dark to wear indoors, it gives some protection outdoors (although not in extreme light situations such as midday sun).

dark tint (85% light absorption)

A dark tint is ideal for all bright outdoor conditions and provides maximum protection from the sun especially for those people sensitive to light.
We recommend this option for most sunglasses applications.