OUR LENSES
Helping you to choose the right lenses for your spectacles is of paramount importance to us at G.T. Harvey & Partners. If you don’t get the right ones, you might not get the best vision possible.
There are a wide range of lens types available, including some you’ve probably heard of:
- Simple single vision
- Bifocals
- Varifocals
More specialised lens types include occupational lenses, specially designed for computer operators.
You can also choose from ‘standard’ lens materials (1.49 index) through to ‘super thin’ (1.74 index).
Our primary lens supplier is Hoya, who have been providing eye health practicioners with lenses for 80 years. You can read more about Hoya lenses below.
You can opt for lenses that change colour with sunlight (such as Transitions and Sensity lenses) or lenses that block UV rays to protect the eyes outdoors. Various coatings, such as blue filter to make computer work more comfortable, and anti-reflection filter, can also help give you the best vision possible.
Our fully qualified Dispensing Opticians at our practice in Newcastle City Centre are here to guide you through all the choices so you get the lenses most suited to you and your needs.
We will make sure the lenses are centred correctly in the frames to correspond with the centre of your eyes, which we will determine during your comprehensive eye test.
Your choice of lenses is just as important as the choice of frames, so let our team ensure you make the right decision.
Hoya have been a partner to Eye Care Professionals for 80 years. At G.T. Harvey & Partners we use Hoya as our main lense supplier.
Below is additional information about some of the lens types mentioned in our introduction above.
SINGLE VISION LENSES
Hoya’s single vision lenses have been perfected and, using recent innovations, can now be individually calculated and produced using their point-by-point Freeform technology. They can therefore provide us with pixel-perfect precision with outstanding visual performance. These lenses can be supplied in standard or hi index materials dependant on the patient’s prescription and requirements. The highest quality HiVision Longlife coating is supplied as standard.
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ENHANCED SINGLE VISION LENSES
Research shows that the majority of people look at a screen for 8-10 hours a day! This prolonged screen time can cause digital eye strain with symptoms such as blurred vision, headaches and irritated eyes, even after only 2 hours.
Enhance Single Vision Lenses have a distance prescription for every day use but also have a “boost zone” at the bottom of the lens. This boost zone slightly increases the lens power which supports and relaxes the eye muscles so that the eyes can focus more easily. This relieves eye strain and thereby enhances visual comfort during up close activities which is so helpful in our digital world.
These lenses may be suitable for 13–45-year-olds who spend 2 hours + a day looking at screens.
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VARIFOCALS
Varifocals are a good all-round pair of spectacles that enable vision at all distances. The distance portion of the lens is directly in front of the eye with the lens gradually changing in power so that the reading area is near the bottom of the lens. Many people who require vision correction for distance near and intermediate, could benefit from having a varifocal lens.
The best varifocal lenses are the ones that offer minimal peripheral blur, using the latest lens technology to provide superior vision for all distances.
Hoya MySelf is the most premium personalised progressive lens from Hoya, combining pioneering technologies with patient-based innovation. They enable patients to use digital devices, switch their vision from near to far and back again so smoothly that they will probably forget they are wearing them. They are ideal for the patient who is conscious about the adaptation required or needs stable and crisp vision in a dynamic environment.
Hoya MySelf offer crisp, clear image perception during all activities. It is easier to switch focus between near and far distances with less head movements. There is less swim and sway feeling, with significantly improved visual balance and outstanding visual comfort.
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UV BLOCKING LENSES
UV light is part of daylight and is all around us. It isn’t visible to the human eye but is harmful to our skin and eyes. Both UVA and UVB rays penetrate the atmosphere and can cause conditions such as premature skin ageing, eye damage including cataracts and skin cancers.
Some studies have suggested that exposure to high levels of sunlight throughout your life may increase your risk of developing Macular degeneration although this has not been proven.
The UV Control coating from Hoya is specially designed to stop back surface reflected UV light entering the eyes, giving 100% UV protection (front and back) across all plastic lens materials. UV Control is supplied only in combination with HiVision Longlife, so has all the benefits of their premium coating including unrivalled scratch resistance and durability.
All spectacle wearers, especially children and anyone who works in a high UV environment would benefit from having UV Control on their lenses. It prevents UV ageing the eyes, protects from UV damage to the eyes and also protects against UV related eye disorders.
UV Control may not be suitable for photographers and graphic designers, where colour definition is important.
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ANTI REFLECTION LENS COATINGS
Anti-reflection coatings virtually eliminate light reflecting within the lens and therefore allows more light to pass through the lens. Anti-reflection coatings help people see your eyes instead of glare from your lenses. It gives the best cosmetic appearance and also reduces glare from light sources so the vision can feel more comfortable particularly in artificial light or using screens. They are recommended for driving as they help to drastically reduce the glare from oncoming head lights and street lights.
Hoya’s HiVision Longlife coating offers the very best technology to produce a tough, easy to clean coating with excellent performance.