Choosing Frames and Lenses at Cambridge Eye Doctors: Options and Materials Today

Cambridge Eye Doctors offers frames plus a full range of modern lens options: single-vision, progressives, bifocals and trifocals, in materials such as polycarbonate, Trivex, high-index and standard plastics. Coatings include anti-reflective, scratch resistance, UV protection and photochromic treatments (e.g., Transitions®). Talk with the optician about the best combination for your prescription and lifestyle, and request current product specs and pricing.

When you buy glasses, you choose a frame and lenses. Cambridge Eye Doctors provides frame selection and a range of modern lens options and coatings to match vision needs and lifestyles.

Types of lenses

Single-vision lenses

Single-vision lenses correct one distance: near (reading), distance (myopia), or intermediate. They remain the simplest, most common choice and can be made in a variety of materials and prescriptions.

Progressive lenses

Progressive lenses give a continuous, no-line transition between near, intermediate and distance zones. Modern progressives are often digitally surfaced (free-form) to improve clarity and reduce peripheral distortion compared with older designs.

Bifocals and trifocals

Traditional bifocals and trifocals - with visible lines separating viewing zones - are still available for people who prefer defined segments for near and distance or three zones for near, mid-range and far. Some wearers still favor them for predictable eye placement.

Lens materials and coatings

Lens materials affect weight, thickness, impact resistance and UV filtering. Common materials available today include:

• Polycarbonate and Trivex: impact-resistant and lightweight; often recommended for children, safety glasses and thin, mid-range prescriptions.

• High-index plastics: thinner and lighter for stronger prescriptions; they reduce the "bulky" look of thick lenses.

• Standard CR-39 plastic: economical and still used for many prescriptions.

• Anti-reflective (AR) coatings reduce glare and improve night driving comfort.

• Scratch-resistant coatings protect the surface of plastic lenses.

• UV protection is built into many lens materials; combined coatings add further blocking of UVA/UVB.

• Photochromic lenses (commonly known by brand names such as Transitions®) darken outdoors and clear indoors, combining sunglasses and regular lenses in one pair.

• Polarized lenses are available for sunglasses to reduce reflected glare on water and road surfaces.

What Cambridge Eye Doctors can do for you

Cambridge Eye Doctors can advise on which lens type and material suit your prescription, frame choice and daily activities. They offer options for coatings and photochromic treatments and can fit progressive or segmented lenses to your frame. If you have special needs - sports, occupational tasks, or children's eyewear - they can recommend materials and designs that balance comfort, safety and visual performance.

Want specifics?

Product names, percentage improvements or historical brand lines mentioned in older materials (for example, specific "Pinnacle" product claims and exact thickness/weight percentages) have changed since 2006. Ask your optician at Cambridge Eye Doctors for current product names, technical specs and pricing so you get an up-to-date recommendation.

1. Confirm whether the historical "Pinnacle Lenses" product name and the exact claims (30% thinner, 40% lighter, 47% flatter) are still used by any current manufacturer or were accurate.
2. Verify whether a product called "Pinnacle Transitions" was an actual branded combination and whether Cambridge Eye Doctors currently offers that specific line.
3. Confirm current product lines and brand offerings at Cambridge Eye Doctors (brands, available coatings, and exact technical specifications).