Prescription Glasses Lens Guide: Lens Types and Materials

Learn how to pick the best prescription glasses lenses for you! - Check out our full series showing what you need to know about buying prescription glasses

📒 Show Notes 📒
Purchasing prescription glasses can be a challenge and often confusing when you do not know all the lens options. In this video, I walk you through different eyeglasses lens types (such as bifocals vs trifocals vs progressive lenses), as well as showing different glasses lens materials and the pros and cons of each.

If possible, it is always best to consult your local optician or glasses shop for more information and details about what is best for you and your glasses prescription.

⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 - Prescription glasses guide
1:19 - Glasses lens types
1:45 - Single Vision Lenses
2:01 - Bifocal vs Trifocal Lenses
2:54 - Progressive lenses
4:01 - Lens Material for glasses
4:40 - CR-39
5:14 - Lens material types
5:23 - Polycarbonate lenses
6:51 - Trivex lenses
7:36 - High Index Lenses
7:55 - High Glasses Prescription

**PRO TIP**
No matter where you buy your eyeglasses it is always best to have them professionally adjusted to improve their fit and comfort. It will help you see better too.

If you are looking to purchase prescription glasses online, it is important to continue seeing your eye doctor yearly for eye health evaluations. Although you may be seeing well, many eye diseases may creep up without affecting your eyesight until it's too late.

This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links below are affiliate links which means if you buy something we may receive a small commission and no additional cost to you.

Like my glasses frames? If you are choosing to purchase online you can find most of them online here:

If there is a specific frame in the video you want to know about, please ask.

Another cool brand I like - Christopher Cloos Eyewear

✅ Recommended playlists:

Eyeglasses Tips and Tricks to help you!

💡 Videos for frequently asked questions:

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1239 2nd St N # 741, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

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About This Video:
Thinking of buying new prescription glasses? In this video, Dr. Allen from Doctor Eye Health shares his knowledge about eyeglasses lens types and different lens materials for glasses.

#prescriptionglasses #eyeglasses #doctoreyehealth

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[VenomDamage]

Where I live there are hundreds of optical stores, I have used eyeglasses for a long time and although I visited almost all of them, none of them honestly clarified the difference between the materials. They just told me that polycarbonate was the best material against scratches (which is why I always chose it) when in reality it is not, in addition to putting more emphasis on trying to sell treatments that are not so important. I always trusted their opinion as professionals but the 80% of them (or they employees) only have the mentality of merchants ... it was not until now that I began to learn more thanks to content like this and decide for myself which product is suitable.
Thank you very much !

[pjaypender]

I've been wearing glasses since I was a year old. Since I was a kid, I could see that distortion you talked about on the edges of my strong polycarbonate lenses, but the eye doctor just told me that I must be imagining it, because apparently gaslighting children is acceptable. It's there, and it's why I wear contacts as much as possible.

[wisdomeziulo]

I wear the polycarbonate lenses and I didn't know what those color distortions were until I watched this video. Thanks Doctor Allen!

[alanfromlondon]

So much great information in this video. 😊 7:53 Something to be aware of with high index lenses is that, the higher the index the lower the Abbe value, which means you're going to see more chromatic aberration (colour fringing) around the edges of the lenses. Some high index lenses have an Abbe value as low as 31, which isn't great for the clarity of the lens.

[jessicamerced]

These videos are sooo necessary! I’m doing research on lenses since it’s time for a new pair 😊

[billiamnotbob]

I see you and the first thing I think of is "It's Jimmy from NCIS!" Sorry, I had to. Love the informative video's.

[gkweather]

Great video Doc. I have a -3.25 and -3.5 with -1 of astigmatism in each eye and I just recently received my new glasses with the 1.69 index. Way lighter and thinnner than the polycarbonate ones I used to have! Feels great on the face. Also ordered a slightly lower perscription ( lower by 0.25 in each eye) for computer with Blue Light blocking. I find that computer usage requires less lens power to see clearly than other activities. I then have to switch back when looking for. But at least I don’t mind!

[ddahstan]

Hands Down... One of the most genuine and engaging eye doctors on the planet!! I learn something every single video. Thank You, teaching us whenever you can. Truly appreciate you.

[LS-bwjt]

I specialise in glasses from the UK and being in optics for the past 12 years this is what I speak to my patient's on a day to day basis. Very useful video for those new to glasses. My favourite lenses are zeiss or rodenstock. Not a presbyopic just yet!

[HaydenEccles]

Great information for the customer here!

[therealdeal]

Thanks for such an informative video Dr. Allen! I had wondered what Trivex lenses were. Didn't get glasses until age 42, so went straight to Progressives. What could be better than a lens that has every different section allow you to have perfect vision depending on where you're looking? I understand for people who don't start out with them it takes some getting used to. But since they were the first lenses I wore they were a natural for me. Love photochromatic Transitions lenses, as well! The new XtraActive versions are great for people with light sensitivity. They always have the slightest tint and then change tint readily with the strength of the light they're exposed to. Although I have regular transitions as well. I do have non photochromatic lenses for indoors or night time, especially for night driving. 😎

[jojajim]

I don't need glasses in the slightest, I don't know why I'm here but I like the videos ! Keep up the great work

[ShannonLambert]

I've been a polycarb lens wearer for years, and I really like them. I am a big fan of the photochromic lenses, too, since my glasses are always on my face. I've never misplaced my sunnies. :)

Thanks for all this information - I've been wearing glasses for almost 40 years and I am always learning from you. I appreciate it!

[Hanky]

Acetate plastic frame to cover edge of high myopia, 1.67 MC with Transitions but here’s my twist, single vision freeform lens to increase my field of view in the lens to stop the extra astigmatism in the corners of the lenses hehe

[anthonydiaz]

I have a question just changed from rectangular lenses to oval and with first time blue light and already have had them for almost two weeks and on the side of the lenses I see blurry and in the front I see perfectly fine. What do you think it might be?

[GYANICHASMABABA]

Mr8 can be a good options over poly what I feel still in less budget...but yes they are not as strong as poly ..

Good episodes doc

[aalmi]

I just glasses for the first time last month and I have to admit that I love them so far. I ended up getting polycarbonate lens and I see great with them. It took about two weeks for me to get used to them. I just bought some CR-39 glasses so let’s see how they compare to this one.

[Tech_review_HERE]

This channel helps alot on people with glasses should gives tips or new thing to know about glasses that is not just a ordinary material
Greetings from the philippines

[SheritaGurl]

Your page is amazing. You broke this down in such a simple way. Easy to understand. Now I know exactly what I need. I appreciate this. Thank you.

[jennyschur]

Great video. Just ordered new glasses after 4 years and I’m so aggregated my prescription increased. I’m 41 and have been wearing glasses since age 6. My right eye is -12 and my left is -11.75. I laughed when you said -2 high. Can you answer what is the highest prescription lenses they make? Also what are the best contacts for high prescriptions and dry eyes? I’d love to try contacts again but the dryness is awful. Thank you.