Lenses
Single Vision Lenses
Single-vision lenses have a single prescription strength throughout the lens. They can be made for distance (like driving or watching TV), reading (like books or your phone), or intermediate use (such as using a computer screen).
Benefits:
- Corrects vision clearly at a single range (distance, reading, or intermediate)
- Simple and easy to adapt to
- Ideal for everyday tasks in one specific range
Bifocal Lenses
Bifocal lenses combine distance vision at the top and reading at the bottom in one lens.
The reading section is usually a flat-top (D-shaped) segment or a round segment, with the flat-top being the most common as it provides a wider reading area.
A visible line shows where the prescription changes.
Benefits:
- Provides a clear vision for both distance and reading
- One pair of glasses for multiple tasks
- Affordable option for people needing two prescriptions
Varifocal Lenses
Varifocal lenses (also known as progressive lenses) provide clear vision at all focal lengths — reading, intermediate, and far distance — with no visible line, unlike bifocals.
The prescription changes gradually from top to bottom, creating a smooth transition between distances. This allows you to drive, use a computer, and read all in one pair of glasses.
Benefits:
- Clear vision at all distances without visible lines
- Smooth transition between near, intermediate, and far vision
- More natural look and modern style
- Ideal for everyday use and multiple tasks
Photochromic Lenses
Photochromic lenses darken in sunlight and clear indoors. They contain light-sensitive molecules that react to UV light, which is why they change colour, reduce glare, and filter harmful UV rays to protect your eyes.
They are available in grey, brown, and green, and we also offer Xtra Active by Transitions, specially designed to darken even behind car windshields, where normal photochromic lenses are less effective because windshields block most UV light.
This option can be added to single vision, bifocal, or varifocal lenses.
Benefits:
- Reduces glare in bright sunlight
- Protects eyes from harmful UV rays
- Adjusts automatically indoors and outdoors
- Xtra Active option works well in cars for driving comfort
Anti-Reflection (AR) Coatings
Anti-reflection coatings are a special layer added to your lenses that reduces reflections from lights, screens, and sunlight. They also include a hard coating to protect against scratches and a UV filter to help protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Benefits:
- Makes lenses look clearer and almost invisible
- Stops unwanted reflections, including back-surface reflections
- Improves night driving safety by reducing glare from headlights
- Helps you see screens more comfortably
- Protects lenses from everyday scratches, keeping them looking new longer
Blue Light Filters
Blue light filters are lenses designed to reduce exposure to high-energy blue light from phones, computers, tablets, and LED lighting.
Benefits:
- Reduces eye strain and fatigue from long screen use
- Helps improve sleep quality by limiting disruption to your natural circadian rhythm
- Protects eyes from potential long-term damage.
Prescription Tinted Lenses
Prescription tinted lenses are lenses with your exact vision prescription, combined with a coloured tint to reduce brightness, glare, and improve comfort outdoors. They can be applied to single vision, bifocal, or varifocal lenses.
Tinted lenses are available in a range of colours and intensities, letting you customise your glasses for style, comfort, or specific activities.
Benefits:
- Corrects your vision while reducing glare and bright light discomfort
- Enhances contrast and visual clarity in different environments
- Improves comfort during outdoor activities, sports, or driving
- Available in a variety of colours to suit your personal style
- Can be combined with single vision, bifocal, or varifocal lenses
- Can also be combined with other lens options, such as anti-reflection or blue light filters
Specialist/Dyslexia Tints
Specialist tints are coloured lenses designed to support specific visual needs or conditions. They go beyond standard cosmetic tints and help improve comfort, reduce visual stress, or assist with reading difficulties.
Types of specialist tints:
- Dyslexia tints: Specialist coloured lens tints that improve reading
comfort and reduce visual stress. The most beneficial colour is
determined through a professional optician test, ensuring the tint is
tailored to each individual. - Therapeutic tints: Reduce glare, eye strain, and light sensitivity,
helping people with migraines or photophobia.
Benefits:
- Reduce glare, eye strain, and visual discomfort
- Improve comfort and performance for reading or screen use
- Support specific conditions, including dyslexia, migraines, or
photophobia - Customisable colour and strength to suit individual needs
- Can be combined with single vision, bifocal, or varifocal lenses
Lens Index and Thickness
The lens index determines how thin, flat, and strong your lenses can be.
The higher the index, the thinner and flatter the lens, making glasses
more comfortable, stylish, and cosmetically appealing, especially for
stronger prescriptions.
Higher index lenses are lighter, less bulky, and ideal for rimless or
semi-rimless frames, as they are stronger and less likely to break. They
can cost more than standard lenses but offer better comfort, durability,
and appearance.
Common lens index options:
- 1.50 Standard Index: Cost-effective, suitable for low prescriptions
- 1.60 High Index: Thinner and lighter, ideal for medium to strong
prescriptions - 1.67 Extra High Index: Very thin and light, great for higher
prescriptions or larger frames - 1.74 Ultra High Index: Thinnest option, perfect for very strong
prescriptions
Benefits of higher index lenses:
- Thinner and flatter lenses for better aesthetics
- Lighter and more comfortable
- Less bulky in frames
- Better cosmetic appearance for stronger prescriptions
- Safer and stronger, less likely to break, especially in rimless or
semi-rimless frames - Works well with coatings like anti-reflection, scratch-resistant, and
tints
Dyslexia Lens Tint Assessment
For people with dyslexia, choosing the right coloured lens tint can significantly improve reading comfort and reduce visual stress. The most effective colour varies between individuals, so a professional assessment is essential.
In the UK, opticians often use the Wilkins Rate of Reading Test (WRRT) to determine the most beneficial coloured tint. During this test, the optician assesses reading speed, accuracy, and comfort under different coloured overlays or specialist coloured lens tints.
Benefits of having a professional test:
- Identifies the tint that provides the greatest improvement for reading comfort
- Reduces visual stress and eye fatigue
- Tailors the lens colour to the individual’s unique needs
- Ensures optimal support for reading and learning
After the test, your optician can prescribe the specialist coloured lens tint that is best suited to your requirements, which can be applied to single vision, bifocal, or varifocal lenses.
Wilkins Rate of Reading Test (WRRT)
best suited to your requirements, which can be applied to single. The Wilkins Rate of Reading Test (WRT) is a professional assessment used by opticians in the UK to determine the most effective coloured
lens tint for people with dyslexia or visual stress. It helps identify which colour improves reading speed, accuracy, and comfort.
What to expect during the test:
1. Reading passages: You will be asked to read short passages of text under normal lighting conditions.
2. Timing and accuracy: The optician will measure how quickly and accurately you read the passages.
3. Different colours tested: Various coloured overlays or specialist coloured lens tints will be placed over the text to see which colour reduces visual discomfort and improves reading performance.
4. Feedback: You may be asked how the text feels with each colour, noting any reduction in glare, visual stress, or eye fatigue.
5. Prescription recommendation: Based on your results, the optician will recommend the coloured lens tint best suited to you.
Benefits of the WRRT:
- Determines the colour that maximises reading comfort and efficiency
- Reduces visual stress and eye fatigue during reading or screen use
- Provides a personalised, professional recommendation for specialist coloured lens tints
The WRRT is quick, non-invasive, and tailored to each individual, ensuring that the prescribed lens tint gives the best possible support for reading and learning.
A Day in the Life of a Prescription Lens
Lens Every pair of glasses starts with your prescription. Here’s what happens to your lenses from the moment you place your order to the finished product:
1. Order Received
Your prescription and lens options are sent to our lab. Our team reviews the details to ensure we understand exactly what you need, including lens type, coatings, tints, and index.
2. Material Selection
The right lens material and index are selected from our stock or ordered based on your prescription and chosen options, balancing thickness, strength, and comfort.
3. Lens Marking
The lenses are carefully marked on a forcimeter, which identifies the optical centre, fitting points, axis for astigmatism, and alignment for your frames. This ensures your lenses are positioned correctly, giving the clearest vision and precise correction for astigmatism.
4. Frame Scanning and Lens Cutting
Your frames are scanned using a digital frame scanner to record their exact shape and size. The lenses are then cut to match using a glazing machine with water and a diamond wheel, ensuring a precise fit without damaging the lens.
5. Inspection and Quality
Check: Every lens undergoes rigorous inspection. We check for accuracy, thickness, cosmetic quality, and overall fit. Only lenses that meet our high standards move forward.
6. Final Assembly
Once approved, the lenses are carefully fitted into your frames. During this step, the lenses are thoroughly cleaned and polished to ensure they are crystal clear and ready to wear. Our lab ensures the final glasses are perfectly balanced and aligned.
7. Ready for Delivery
Your finished glasses are packaged and sent out, ready to reach you. From order to delivery, every lens is handled with precision and cares The result: A pair of glasses tailored to your vision, comfort, and style, produced with the quality and expertise only a professional optical lab can provide.