More and more people worldwide are being diagnosed with eye conditions and disorders. In fact, myopia rates are rising at an alarming rate, especially at an earlier age. These eye illnesses can be congenital but can also stem from environmental factors. The Guardian reports that constant screen time—the daily average being around nine hours—in both children and adults is radically changing people’s eyes. Spending more time on devices and less time outdoors may also play a role in eye issues.
Many strides have been made in eye care to help combat this increase in eye conditions. One recent case is the research from University College London on how exposing the eyes to deep red light can improve declining vision, which has shown promising results. However, you don’t need access to high-tech equipment to help manage vision. The right pair of eyeglasses can correct these symptoms and prevent permanent vision impairment. Eyeglasses can also effectively protect and maintain eye health among those with normal vision. Choosing the right lenses is crucial to match the glasses to your vision needs, so here’s a guide to the different types of lenses.
Understanding the different lens classifications
If you’re planning to wear eyeglasses because of vision problems, you must first see an eye doctor for an updated eye exam. This way, you can identify your specific vision problem and get your eye prescription. The shape and optical power of your lenses will then depend on whether you have myopia or near-sightedness, hyperopia or far-sightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia, which refers to the gradual loss of visual acuity due to aging.
Lenses can also come with protective features to improve the clarity of your vision and better suit your lifestyle. They can be treated, coated, or tinted with special material to reduce glare, block harsh and reflective light, and protect the lens surface from scratches or damages.
Lastly, lenses can also differ in terms of material. While lenses were made exclusively from glass in the past, technological advancements have paved the way for lighter and thinner lenses that enhance comfort, durability, and appearance. These high-tech lenses are usually made from polycarbonate, trivex, and high-index plastics.
Choosing the right type of lenses
1. Single-vision lenses
Single-vision lenses are the simplest form of corrective lenses. They have the same, consistent focal power across the entire lens and are ideal for correcting one vision problem. Concave lenses are thinner in the middle to correct short-sightedness, while convex lenses are thinner at the edge to bend rays inwards and correct far-sightedness.
2. Progressive lenses
Meanwhile, progressive lenses are a viable option if you have more than one prescription. Although there are bifocal and trifocal lenses that have two or three magnification levels, the American Academy of Opthalmology highlights the advantage of progressive lenses being seamless to provide a gentle transition between near, far, and middle distances. However, keep in mind that this type of all-in-one lens has a learning curve. It takes about a week to a couple of months before your eyes fully adjust to the different portions of the lens.
3. Blue light filtering lenses
If you use devices like computers, phones, and tablets for extended periods, the blue light from the digital displays can cause headaches and eye strain. Eyebuydirect offers glasses with Blue-Violet Light filtering to avoid overexposure and reduce digital eye fatigue. These lenses block the blue light from reaching your eyes and are available for both prescription and non-prescription glasses. Additionally, blue light not only affects visual health but also suppresses melatonin secretion, so getting this type of lens filter can help improve your sleep despite the exposure to digital screens and light bulbs.
4. Adaptive lens technology
Also known as light-adaptive, transition, or photochromic lenses, adaptive lens technology is a unique feature that allows your lenses to adjust automatically as you move between the clear outdoors and dark indoors. Reportlinker reports that this segment is increasing in value and demand and is expected to be worth $8,992.46 million by 2027. On top of the public’s growing need for continuous UV protection and convenient eyewear, the development of photochromic lenses with enhanced features by best-selling brands like Ray-Ban drives this significant growth.
Whichever type of lens prescription, treatment, or material you end up getting, it’s essential that you practice proper eyewear care. Always store your eyeglasses in clean, dry places and wipe them with water and a non-lint cloth to maintain their optical performance over time.
Industries, including health and eye care, have changed rapidly over the past few years. It can be hard to keep up with something new emerging every day. To help you stay updated with all the advancements, visit The Education Magazine to stay on top of what’s new in the world and the future opportunities it can bring.
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