Wavefront technology is used to measure, map and correct the unique optical fingerprint of the eye. The result is improved visual acuity and a reduction or elimination of visual distortions caused by the higher order aberrations of the eye. Wearers of iZon® lenses also see an improvement in low contrast visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Of note is the improvement in functional vision tasks, in particular night time driving performance.

Wavefront technology is used to analyze the way light travels through the eye. A painless, invisible and completely safe laser light is beamed into the retina at the back of the eye and then reflected back out. Paths taken by light rays traveling through the eye provide a three-dimensional optical map of the eye. This Wavefront mapping helps practitioners detect aberrations not seen in conventional vision tests, which impact the quality of a patient's vision.

Thinner and Lighter Lenses

High Index Lenses

High-index  Lenses are thinner and lighter in weight because the material they are made from is denser than standard lens materials. Standard plastic (Cr-39) is the material of choice for low to moderate prescriptions. It is relatively inexpensive and lighter than glass.  For moderately strong to high prescriptions, there are several "high-index" materials to choose from. The term "high-index" refers to any lens material with an index of refraction greater than the 1.49 of Cr-39. All lens materials being denser than air have higher refractive indices ranging from the 1.49 of CR-39 through 1.60 through 1.67 to finally 1.74, corresponding to progressively denser and thinner high-index lenses. 1.60 lenses are about 30-35% thinner than CR-39, and 1.66 lenses are about 40-50% thinner.

                       

 

Aspheric Lenses

Originally designed for farsighted (plus) lenses to reduce the thick bulge, this special design now is available for nearsighted (minus) lenses as well. This type of lens uses a computer design that flattens the curves of both surfaces to reduce thickness, decrease the magnification effect and improve optics. Couple this design with high-index materials to get great looking strong prescription lenses.

Trivex

Introduced in 2001 by PPG, Trivex is the only lens material other than polycarbonate to pass the FDA Impact Resistance Test (@ 1mm CT), the high velocity impact test, and meet ANSI Z87.1 '89 standards. Trivex is the lightest lens material available today and has inherent UV protection. It is optically superior to polycarbonate because it has far less chromatic abberation and lens distortion. Further distinguishig itself, Trivex is ideal for drill mounting (rimless frames). It is less prone to stress fractures and lens cracking.

Crizal® Alizé™Antireflective Coating

The Crizal^® three-in-one system combines smudge-proofing, scratch-proofing, and antireflective treatment. Crizal^® is the market benchmark for lens treatments. First introduced in 1993, the Crizal^® brand was strengthened in 2003 and 2004 with the launch and global deployment of Crizal^® Alizé^™. This third generation of Crizal^® coatings, developed using nanotechnologies, prevents water and fingerprints from sticking and makes the lenses still more smudge-resistant and easier to clean.

Definity Progressive Lens

Definity lenses use both sides of the lens to create a progessive lens that is as close to a regular, single-vision lens as you can get. This means that you will have less distortion throughout your lenses giving you:

• Wider intermediate zone

  • Helps with computer use, looking at your dashboard while driving, or seeing things between 18 inches to 6 feet away

  • Definity allows your eyes to move naturally, as opposed to other progressive lenses, which cause people to move their head to see side to side,or what is at their feet

• Smoother transitions

  • With Definity you will be able to transition between zones more naturally

  • It makes wearing Definity easy and comfortable from the moment you put them on

• The Ground View Advantage

  • An additional zone of vision at the bottom and sides of your lenses, unique to Definity

  • Allows you to see better when looking down at the ground

Varilux Physio 360

Until recently, even the best progressive lenses distorted light waves as they passed through the lens. This causes higher order aberrations that affect visual acuity and wearer satisfaction. But now, after years of work, Varilux has refined a new design and manufacturing process, W.A.V.E. Technology, which minimizes and eliminates these distortions with unprecedented digital precision. And with W.A.V.E. Technology, Varilux Physio has been created, the first general purpose lens to deliver the corrective power of wavefront to all presbyopes who want the sharpest, most physiologically natural vision. Varilux's breakthrough W.A.V.E. process is able to apply even the most complex surface design of Varilux Physio with unprecedented, point by point accuracy: 1/10 micron.

Drivewear

Drivewear is a revolutionary new sunglass lens. Drivewear lenses are capable of sensing and reacting to varying light conditions. Drivewear lenses feature a high efficiency polarizer which is active in every lighting condition to block blinding glare and improve visual acuity. One of the most unique and special attributes of Drivewear is that it is the only photochromic lens to darken behind the windshield of a car. Exposed to visible light, the lens changes to a copper color, which many drivers find is the most comfortable color for driving. This is not surprising, as this Drivewear color was designed to both remove excess light and provide good traffic signal recognition. Outdoors, Drivewear is activated by UV and visible light and deepens to a dark reddish-brown color. This color was designed for maximum filtration of excess light and to provide maximum protection from bright light and blinding glare. The brown color of the lens provides excellent color recognition with a special emphasis on highlighting greens. Because green is the most common color in the natural landscape, it’s a great visual experience to have these enhanced. 

          

Links:

Finding the frame that fits you best: http://www.allaboutvision.com/eyeglasses/eyeglasses_shape_color_analysis.htm

Information about progressive lenses:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/progressives.htm

Information about wavefront designed progressive lenses:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/wavefront-lenses.htm

Information about high index spectacle lenses:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/highindx.htm

Information about aspheric spectacle lenses:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/aspheric-lenses.htm

Information about custom wavefront spectacle lenses:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/lenses/wavefront-lenses.htm