Glasses’ Secret Sauce: Lens Enhancements

Glasses without lenses are just fancy frames, but lenses without the right lens enhancements might not be much better! No one in the world sees the world quite like you do, and it might take the right prescription eyeglass lens enhancements and special coatings to help you see your best. Keep reading below to learn the advantages of our most common “vision boosters.”  

Eyeglass Lens Enhancements: Lenses 

  • Progressive lenses
    Also known as “no-line bifocals” or “no-line multifocals,” these eyeglass lenses are just that—multifocals without the trademark line separating the distinct optical powers. They allow you to see clearly, both near, mid and far, with multiple different prescriptions rolled into one.  

  • Photochromic lenses
    These are light-sensitive lenses that adjust their tint depending on how much sunlight they are exposed to. They will appear clear (or nearly clear) indoors and darken automatically outside. The transition from clear to dark and back again depends on the brand but for the quickest tint adjustment on the market, check out VSP’s SunSync® Light-Reactive lenses. It’s a clever and convenient way to reduce your need to carry a pair of prescription sunglasses around.  

  • Impact-resistant lenses
    A great option if you play sports (or are just prone to dropping your glasses!), impact-resistant lenses are made from polycarbonate materials that are 10 times stronger than traditional glass or plastic lenses. 

  • High-index lenses
    Unofficially the official “anti-coke-bottle glasses,” these thin, light lenses are specifically made to accommodate higher prescriptions and look good doing it!   

Eyeglass Lens Enhancements: Lens coatings 

  • Scratch-resistance coating
    Different from impact-resistant lenses, a scratch-resistant coating is a clear coat applied to the surface of your lenses. It protects your eyeglass lenses from scratches that can reduce your ability to see clearly. 

  • Anti-reflective (AR) coating
    AR coatings, like those on TechShield® lenses, increase light transmission, eliminating ghost images and reducing the amount of light reflected from the lens surface. For those who wear them, this equates to less glare from intense light sources, especially in low-light situations (think car headlights, etc.).

  • Blue light reduction coatings
    Whether it’s for work or play, most of us now spend a significant amount of our daily lives looking at digital screens. This can spell trouble for our eyes, as the blue light emitted from these screens can cause eye strain and headaches. Blue light reduction coatings, like those on TechShield® Blue lenses, filter the amount of blue light that makes it to your eyes, and sport a near-clear appearance—no one will know you have them, but your eyes will certainly be able to tell the difference! 

  • UV coatings 
    All glasses should be “sun” glasses! After all, protecting your eyes from the sun’s rays isn’t just useful at the beach. That’s why UV coatings for your daily glasses are always recommended. But unlike your favorite pair of beach shades, this coating is clear and allows you to accomplish your daily tasks without making everything appear darker.   

See and Save

Prescription lens enhancements and coatings for your glasses can certainly help you see your best at all times, no matter your lifestyle or vision requirements. But they often come with an associated cost that many eyewear retailers only include in the fine print, so to speak. This can lead to “sticker shock,” and transform a great deal into the complete opposite. If you have vision insurance, like a VSP® Individual Vision Plan, however, your plan should help reduce or cover these costs. To find out more, explore our coverage options to see how much you could save with our Vision Insurance Plan saving calculator.

 

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