The material your lenses are made out of have properties that affect how well you see, how heavy & thick the lenses are, shatter resistance, and UV protection.
Different lens materials have different properties that affect the following:
Glass lenses are not commonly used anymore due to obvious safety concerns. Glass lenses provide superior optics and unmatched clarity so some well versed enthusiasts will request glass. Glass lenses should never be used in anyone under the age 18.
Simple plastic lenses (CR-39) provide clarity almost as clear as glass but is heavier and scratches easier. Plastic lenses shatter when under impact, are thicker, and are heavier when the prescription has any significance; therefore, CR-39 is not recommended.
Impact resistant materials, called Polycarbonate, are always recommended for young children, active adults, and those with moderate prescriptions, as they provide 100% UV protection, are shatter-proof, and are thinner and more lightweight. Polycarbonate can create visual distortion in prescriptions that are not ideal for this level of material. This is the minimal material that Dr.
Morrow recommends to patients as she believes your eyes deserve to be protected.
Trivex offers increased clarity over the entire lens. Similar to polycarb, they are shatter-proof, offer 100% UV protection, and are thin and lightweight. Dr. Morrow personally wears Trivex since the material provides superior vision. Trivex is not always available in all tints, coatings, or additional lens enhancements, but our optician will be able to help you custom design your
glasses with the best material possible.
High-index lenses are used for moderate and high prescriptions. They are ultimately the thinnest and lightest lenses you can order in the US. There are two levels of high-index: 1.67 and 1.74. Depending on your prescription, our optician will recommend which would be best for you. Vision can be corrected with less material when using high-index material, making them thin
and lightweight.
The simple answer is because we offer superior customer service and materials. Online retailers do not employ people of the community, do not have a storefront, do not pay local taxes, or offer customer service. Online retailers are 100% dependent on the brick-and-mortar doctors offices and patients to provide the prescription and other pertinent information to sell their product.
At ForSight, we only offer independent frame companies that pride themselves on quality, craftsmanship, relationships, and the environment. Most of our frame collections are handmade, some of which are handmade in the USA.
Our motto is quality, not quantity. Just like with any product or service (shoes, purses, haircuts, cars, etc.), you can always pay less, and glasses are no different. When you purchase our frames or lenses, you are getting products that are backed by a 1-2 year warranty, are made with superior designs and materials, and are fit by a professional.
Simply put, the pupillary distance is the distance between the pupil of each eye. More specifically, we have a reflection in our pupils (pupillary light reflex- PLR) which is slightly nasal to the exact center of the pupil and that is essentially where we have the most precise vision. The pupillary distance is an important measurement necessary to fit glasses, so you see your very best. This is not the only important measurement when purchasing glasses. Eyeglass frames come in all shapes and sizes and where your eyes sit in the glasses is equally important. If the frame sits high, you need to know where the PLR, sits within the frame. If your prescription is moderate to high, this measurement is increasingly more important.
Although we encourage you to purchase your glasses from us, we do offer a ForSight Service where we will measure your PD, fit and adjust the glasses to your face when you receive them, verify they were made correctly, and provide you with a ForSight cleaning cloth for $50. This fee would cover you for clean and adjustments for 1 year. Call our office and ask for the optician to schedule your measurement appointment.