About C&H Optics
Founded in 1972 in Newcastle by my late father, C. & H. Optics Limited has always been a family-run business. We started by manufacturing spectacle frames for the NHS and supplying local opticians with expert glazing services.
Our journey has always been on Pitt Street—starting in a large factory lower down the street, now converted into accommodation, and moving about 20 years ago to our current smaller shop units further up the street.
Today, our lab and showroom retain the charm of a traditional window shop, where customers can browse frames in a friendly, welcoming environment. We supply the public from our fully stocked frame showroom and keep a wide range of single-vision lenses in stock for anyone needing distance or reading lenses while they wait. We also offer lens tinting on-site to give your glasses the exact look and protection you want.
We like to think our customer service is second to none, always going the extra mile to help our customers, because at C. & H. Optics, customers always come first.
Bifocal and Varifocal Height Measurement
- In bifocals, the lower part of the lens is for near vision, while the upper part is for distance. The bifocal height is measured from the bottom inside rim of the frame to the BOTTOM EYE LID.
- In varifocals, the lenses gradually change power from distance at the top, through intermediate in the middle, to near at the bottom. The varifocal height is measured from the bottom inside rim of the frame to the centre of your pupil while looking straight ahead.
Measuring the correct height ensures smooth, comfortable vision, reduces eye strain, and allows your eyes to move naturally through each lens zone.
Providing Bifocal and Varifocal Heights
You can provide your bifocal or varifocal heights in several ways:
Varifocals require a height measurement from the bottom inside rim of the frame to the pupil centre.
Bifocals require a height measurement from the bottom inside rim of the frame to BOTTOM LOWER EYE LID
- From existing lenses – If you already have bifocal or varifocal glasses, we can measure the height directly from your current lenses and use it for your new lenses.
- For new frames – You can provide them by:
- Selfie, camera lens at eye level, wearing the frame.
- Marking with a pen – Place small dots on the lenses to mark the centre of
each pupil while wearing the frames. - Self-measurement – Wear the frames and have someone measure from the bottom inside rim of the frame to the BOTTOM EYE LID (bifocals) or to the centre of your pupil (varifocals).
Providing accurate heights ensures your lenses are aligned perfectly, giving smooth, comfortable vision and reducing eye strain.
notes- simple diagram needed to show bifocal height and varifocal height.