Types of Eyeglass Lenses
It’s all in the details
Take a closer look at all the careful details that go into making every type of Essilor lens. The combination of best-in-class technology, high-quality materials, and art is something worth seeing.
Materials matter
With ordinary plastic lenses, a strong prescription can result in a thicker lens. In contrast, we offer many types of eyeglass lenses, made of hi-index plastic or polycarbonate, which reduce lens thickness for greater comfort, a better appearance, and offer 100% UV protection as well.
- Hi-index plastic is lightweight and thinner than most plastic. Essilor offers hi-index 1.67, 1.6, and 1.74 lenses that are thinner and lighter with more appealing aesthetics for greater comfort and a better look.
- Polycarbonate lenses have superior impact resistance and are lighter than regular plastic lenses. Our eyeglass lenses are 20% thinner and 30% lighter than standard plastic lenses, yet super tough and very hard to break.
LENS DESIGN PERSONALISATION
After materials, our lens makers consider the design and function for every type of eyeglass lens. Does the wearer need them to see far away or up close? Are we correcting a vision problem, such as astigmatism? Here are just some of the lens designs to meet those vision needs.
- Single vision lenses—made for one, consistent focal power to correct a single vision condition.
- Progressive lenses—correct more than one vision condition, with the focal power “progressing” from top to bottom without a visible line separating them.
- Concave lenses—used to treat near-sightedness, or myopia. The lens shape is concave (thicker at the edge, thinner in the middle) to bend rays outwards.
- Plus lenses—used to treat far-sightedness, or hyperopia. The lens shape is convex (thicker in the middle, thinner at the edge) to bend rays inwards.
- Cylindrical lenses—designed for astigmatisms, or when the cornea of the eye is oval, rather than round. A cylindrical lens is the most common way to correct astigmatism.
Additional features & treatments
For every type of eyeglass lens, one or both sides of the lens can be treated to extend the longevity of the glasses and improve clarity of vision. Some of our advanced lens treatment options include the following:
- Anti-Glare coatings—reduces reflections, allowing more light to pass through your lenses for better clarity, especially at night. Anti-glare coatings also help lenses look nearly invisible, reducing distraction and improving eye contact. Crizal® coatings and Xperio® polarized lenses provide this feature by reducing the effects of glare, as well as protecting against scratches and smudges.
- UVA and UVB blocking—can help protect your eyes from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. Xperio® lenses, Transitions® lenses, and Crizal® coatings offer protection for your best vision under the sun.
- Transitions Light Intelligent Lenses™—lenses that adjust from clear to dark, and every shade in between.
- Polarization—a special filter that blocks intense reflected light. Xperio® polarized lenses eliminate blinding glare so you can see the outside world with sharper colour and greater depth.
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