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There has never been a better time to buy new lenses. Technical advances in lens design, new materials, improved coatings and new photochromic tints are providing a huge choice. The sheer number of choices can be bewildering at first, but at Black & Lizars we have trained Dispensing Opticians and Clinical Assistants to help you make the right decision. We use only the highest quality lenses from worldwide suppliers such as Nikon, Hoya, Seiko, Essilor, Rodenstock and Zeiss to ensure up to date technology and superior quality.
High Index Aspheric Lenses
The combination of high index material and aspheric design produces lenses which are thinner and flatter than conventional lenses. The addition of specific chemicals creates a lens of a high refractive index which can curve more easily than those made from standard lens materials. The lens is therefore thinner, lighter, better looking and better to see through. Most higher refractive index lenses also exhibit increased robustness which is advantageous in today’s ultra light fashionable rimless style.
One of the highest index plastic lenses available is the excellent Hoya 1.71 index Teslalid LX. At half the thickness and 45% of the weight of other 1.7 mineral alternatives, Hoya believe the Tesalid 1.71 ventures beyond thin and light. This has been superceded by the Nikonlite V 1.74, even thinner and with arguably the best coating in the world. Essilor have also recently introduced the new Stylis lens, very thin and very affordable!
Glass lenses are usually heavier than plastic but the refractive index can be higher again. From 1.7 through 1.8, 1.83, up to the 1.9 index material used by Zeiss in its Lantal 1.9 lens and Rodenstock in its Rodalent 1.9. These lenses are amazingly thin for strong myopic lenses.
Both plastic and glass are available in high index materials in single vision, bifocal and multifocal format - there really is a lens to suit everyone.
(Click here to find out more about Hi-index lenses)
How thin is this?
We now have lenses with a refractive index of 1.74 pioneered by Nikon which when coupled with the revolutionary IKON coating, probably are the best lenses in the world – bar none. Single vision and multifocal variant availability means that higher prescriptions can be transformed with these new lenses. Other manufacturers such as Hoya, Essilor and Zeiss also have higher index products in their ranges, however at this time the gold standard is unquestionably Nikon.
Now that over 80% of presbyopic patients choose multifocals over bifocal or separate pairs of glasses there are literally hundreds of designs and products available. This means there are lenses to suit every need and product. Of the budget products, the Hoya GP represents both outstanding value and technical competence.
Specialised multifocals are now available to cover fashionable small frames and the “short corridor” products mean that almost every frame style can have a multifocal fitted. Enhanced robustness lenses and polycarbonate have reduced the accidental breakages that were so annoying with the rimless designs we all like to wear.
The use of “office and business” lenses is increasing rapidly as these intermediate and near combination lenses allow VDU and desk workers to carry out their eye demanding tasks with much reduced eyestrain which has become omnipresent with these occupational requirements. Standard bifocals and single vision lenses are, of course, still available.
Nikon On Line, Zeiss Business, Sola Access and Essilor Interview are some of the brand names of these revolutionary products that are going to make our demanding computer / VDU lives a bit easier on our eyes!
All our varifocals carry a wearability guarantee and should a patient be disappointed with their performance Black & Lizars will replace them with an alternative lens choice absolutely free of charge.
Bifocals and Multifocals
Although the traditional bifocal is still readily available at Black & Lizars in all its forms we are seeing a steady decline in favour of the multifocal or varifocal progressive lens - the bifocal without the line. Multifocals now outsell bifocals, and this trend will continue as the multifocal market expands with new designs for VDU workers, and fast photochromic versions.
Basic multifocals range from the entry level PRO 15, Hoyalux GP and the traditional Sola Graduate to the excellent Varilux Comfort.
Specialist multifocals range from the Nikon Presio and Presio "i" at 1.67 index to the Hoya Tresalid 1.71 LX in plastic. The thinnest lens available is the Nikonlite V 1.74 material in Presio and "i" designs. Meanwhile, in glass the Zeiss Gradal Top 1.8, Essilors Varilux Panamic 1.8 and Rodenstocks Multigressiv 2 Rodalent 1.8 are the favoured designs.
More specific requirements such as VDU friendly multifocals and the increased desire for extremely shallow frames are also now well catered for. We have specifically engineered lenses such as the AO Compact and the Nikon range which provide a full powered reading area in a shorter lens design, invaluable for the small frame designs of today.
For the professional computer user we can use similar lenses or specially modified reading lenses such as the Zeiss Business lens or the Sola Access lens which offer comfortable vision at both reading and computer distances. The choices are increasing all the time, please ask our professional staff for the latest lens information.
Lens Coating
Multi layer anti-reflection coatings (Click here to find out more about anti-relective lens coatings) are recommended for all higher index lenses. These help light pass through the lens and reduce surface reflections giving you sharper vision and higher contrast, particularly invaluable when using a computer screen (Click here to find out more about Computer Vision Syndrome) or driving in the early evening. The lenses also look much better, no more annoying reflections hiding your eyes.
The newest coatings such as Crizal and Carat incorporate a hard element to help protect the lens and a hydrophobic - water and grease repellent - element to make it easier to keep the lens clean.
Tints
At Black & Lizars we have our own range of prescription sunglasses available in a range of traditional and fashion frames and with single vision, bifocal or multifocal lenses with the high-quality Zeiss Skylet road tint. This is a special tint which is cosmetically attractive, giving a light reduction of 80% but without the dullness of some other tints. It also provides full UV protection for anyone who enjoys outdoor pursuits.
We can also supply a wide range of non-fade quality tints for cosmetic use, ranging from a light graduated tint to a Ray-Ban equivalent. All branches have a selection of samples on display.
If you have a favourite old frame that isn’t being used, why not buy some new lenses and have it transformed into a pair of prescription sunspecs . Transform old frames into a pair of prescription sunspecs with new lens. Alternatively, we stock a range of sun-clips which can be worn over your own specs.
Consumer Questions
Why are my lenses thick?
This could be due to a larger frame, stronger prescription, or to how the lens is made for a particular frame. We will make every effort to manufacture lenses which are as thin as possible.
Why are these lenses thicker than the last pair?
As above, this will normally be due to a stronger prescription, or a different frame shape.
Why is it more difficult to keep my coated lenses clean?
Simply because the coating makes the lens less obvious, so fingerprints on the lens stand out more. Microfibre cloths and special spray cleaners help you look after coated lenses.
My hard coated lenses are scratched! Whats happened?
No lenses are totally scratch proof. If dust or grit gets on the lens, when you wipe it with a dry cloth it gets scratched. If you are often near dusty areas, rinse your spectacles with tepid tap water before drying them with a lens cloth. Never use tissues - they are made from wood and will scratch.