There are many exciting advances in the designs and materials for eyeglasses and frames.

When choosing a pair of eyeglasses there is so much more to it than ensuring they just look good. Frames and lenses come in a wide range of materials.

Types of Frames

Frames are available in acetate (plastic) as well as metal materials such as stainless steel and the ultimate in metal, titanium. Also proving popular are rimless frames for their lightweight comfort and almost invisible appearance. In lenses, the choice is even broader ranging from standard plastic materials to high tech, lightweight, very thin materials to the Transitions lens which darken in sunlight and lighten indoors.

New Technology in Eyeglasses

There are many exciting advances in the designs and materials for spectacle lenses:

HIGH INDEX MATERIALS for thinner & lighter lenses
ASPHERIC LENS DESIGNS for flatter, less bulgy, lenses
UV-BLOCKERS to prevent the transmission of harmful Ultra Violet radiation
PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIALS that change colour in response to sunlight
PROGRESSIVE LENSES for people who would otherwise need bifocals
OCCUPATIONAL LENSES with special designs for different tasks, like VDU operators

Together these provide for thinner and lighter lenses, offering improved optics and a sight correction which is more natural.

Progressive Lenses
Everyone in their early 40’s is affected to some degree by a natural loss of focusing ability called presbyopia. This is usually corrected with either reading spectacles, bifocals, trifocals or progressive lenses. Progressive lenses are designed so that the distance prescription is used during straight-ahead gaze and the reading prescription during down-gaze. This then provides a more natural vision without any lines in the lens (which can get in the way on stairs for example).
- Progressive lenses provide excellent results for most patients.
- They provide a focus for distance, near and all distances between.
- Cosmetically they look “younger” with no lines.
- The vision correction is more natural for the wearer.
- Progressive lenses are also known as multi-focal or graduated lenses.
Did you know there are over 100 types of progressive lenses available? We are now using the 4th generation of progressives. These include lenses from Hoya, Essilor, Nikon or any manufacturer whose lens suits your vision needs best.
Sunlight Responsive Lenses
Spectacle lenses with a tint that responds to sunlight are called photochromic, and they have been available since the early 1970’s. Until recently however, these lenses were always made from glass.
- Photochromic plastic lenses are light weight
- They respond to suit varying levels of glare
- They also offer UV-protection as a feature of the material
- The lens surfaces are treated to resist scratching
- Newer versions also include high index materials for further reductions in weight & thickness.
New lightweight photochromic lenses are made from a resin (or plastic). There are several different brands but the most widely known ones are called Transitions or Colourmatic.
Sunglasses

As well as fashionable spectacle frames, we also have a full range of sunglasses. These are available off-the-shelf with quality UV-Blocking sunglass lenses, or they can be fitted with sunglass lenses in your own personal prescription. A wide range of fashion brands are in stock and again feature our warranty on quality.
Prescription Sunglasses

If you’d like to buy prescription sunglasses in Oakville Optometry, you have come to the right place. Finding a suitable prescription sunglasses frame at Oakville Optometry couldn’t be easier.
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