Optical Information VISIONMANN OPTOMETRISTS 201307
Please take a moment to read the following information before making an eyewear purchase. Our goal is to have an informed partner in the decision-making
process. Contrary to the old wives’ tale, glasses DO NOT make one’s eyes weaker. After the age of 6 or 8 glasses merely make the wearer safer or more
comfortable or more efficient. They cannot change the anatomy or physiology of the eye. A SPARE PAIR is required to avoid drama as we do not offer 1-day
service.
MATERIALS
GLASS (1.523) is the most scratch-resistant material. It also has the fewest aberrations or distortions. Glass is the heaviest material. It has to be ordered from a
special lab taking 4- 6 weeks. It is scratch-resistant and UV-protected. It is tempered to be impact resistant, but can shatter, cutting the eye under certain
circumstances.
CR-39 PLASTIC (1.49) is the least expensive material. It has low aberrations. It has to be coated for scratch and UV-resistance. It is not impact resistant. It is not
recommended for children, drill-mounts or nylon rimless frames as it will chip. WAIVER OF LIABILITY: I UNDERSTAND THAT CR-39 PLASTIC IS NOT
A SAFETY MATERIAL AND CAN SHATTER CAUSING EYE INJURIES. ___________________________ Date __________
POLYCARBONATE (1.58) is thinner and lighter than Glass or CR-39. It is manufactured with a scratch-resistant coating and a UV coating. It has the worst
distortions, making 2 or 3 % of people unable to wear it.
TRIVEX (1.53) is not quite as thin as Polycarbonate, but has the fewest aberrations of the non-glass materials. It is impact-resistant, scratch-protected and UVcoated. This is the BEST MATERIAL for most wearers.
HIGH-INDEX PLASTIC (1.67, 1.73) is thinnest and lightest of all the above materials and is considered when the Rx is above 4 or 6 Dioptres. It includes a scratch
and UV-coating.
POLARISED LENSES are DARK lenses which block all light from horizontal surfaces, giving the best glare-reduction in sunglasses. They block glare from wet
roads, windshields and water.
A MIRROR COATING can be added to sunglass lenses. This further decreases transmission of light through the lens, maximising the light-blocking effect of
sunglasses. It may make the sunglasses unsuitable for use at dawn or dusk or medium-lighting conditions.
ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING is a very thin clear (slightly green or purple or gold) coating on any lens, clear, photochromic or coloured. It eliminates most
reflections from within the lens, increasing light transmission by 2% and enhancing visual comfort and efficiency at the computer. It cuts down the multiple
images from oncoming car headlights and allows more light into the eye at night. It does require special care to avoid scratching: Never handle the lenses dry,
only under running water and with a clean cotton towel. Average coating life is 1 year. It can be stripped off lenses if not desired.
PHOTOCHROMIC lenses contain chemicals which change from light to dark when exposed to UV light. They do not work when behind a car windshield. The
colder it is, the darker they become and the hotter it is, the less effective they are. SUNSENSORS stay slightly darker indoors but go darker outdoors than the other
brands. GREY alters colour perception less than BROWN, so we always recommend it. GLASS PHOTOGREY XTRA darkens better than non-glass products.
FOCAL DISTANCE is the distance at which a lens puts the viewer in focus. Over the age of 40 (and sometimes before) the viewer needs a different power
of lens for each focal distance required.
BIFOCALS have 2 (BI=2) windows in them to focus the viewer at 2 focal distances. These can be for distance/near or distance/intermediate or intermediate/near
working distances
TRIFOCALS have 3 (TRI=3) windows for 3 focal distances: Distance/intermediate/near.
For either of these to work, the viewer has to move the neck back and forth to view through the desired lens.
PROGRESSIVES/VARIFOCALS/”NO-LINE” lenses have 5 – 15 different powers and focal distances, giving the user greater flexibility in choosing (by means of
neck movement and nose pointing) a focal distance. Millions happily use them, but they are renowned for taking determination, flexibility and adaptation to get
used to, particularly as they have distortions off to the sides WHICH CAN BE TUNED OUT BY CONSTANT WEAR FOR 10 – 14 DAYS.
Progressives cost more than the other options. The laboratory will remake them for free as a bifocal if the wearer cannot adapt, but will not refund the difference in
cost. Frames need to be deeper to accommodate the vertical distance required to fit all the progressive range into the lens.
FRAME SELECTION Please take your time and be certain you like the frame you select and that it is comfortable. Most frames can be adjusted to fit most people,
but it is easier to start with something that is a good fit. If in any doubt, request that the doctor check the fit before making a final decision. Tap the frame behind
your ears and make sure it does not slide down. If it does, it either needs adjusting or is the WRONG FRAME. Metal frames which are plated a silver or gold colour
tend to wear well unless the patient's skin reacts with the metal. Such patients know who they are and need to select a titanium or stainless or a plastic frame. Metal
frames which are painted a colour (other than silver or gold aforementioned) are prone to the paint scratching or chipping. This is expected and considered normal
wear and tear. DRILL MOUNTS are frames which are held together by holes drilled into the lenses; they are particularly delicate and thus a SPARE PAIR is
recommended in case they need repair.
GLASSES ADJUSTMENTS can make all the difference between a successful pair of glasses and an unsuccessful one. Do not allow your optician to hand your
glasses to you. The optician needs to be standing facing you or seated facing you if you are seated. He or she needs to place the frame on your face and feel AND
LOOK behind your ears and tap on them to ensure that the glasses fit. IF THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN, PLEASE BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE
DOCTOR. Glasses will not rest squarely on a flat surface unless the wearer’s ears are perfectly symmetrical. GLASSES ADJUSTMENTS OF PATIENT’S OWN
FRAME OR INSERTION OF LENSES IN PATIENT’S OWN FRAME: While we will do our best to carefully ship and put new lenses in your old frame or to
adjust it, we DO NOT take responsibility if the frame is broken or lost.
I acknowledge that Visionmann handles my own frame at my own risk. ___________________________ Date __________
A WARRANTY AND CASE can be purchased for most glasses (not for certain insurance company-made glasses). This does not cover loss. It covers for 365 days
from the date of purchase a one-time replacement of frame or lenses or both in case of any frame manufacturers’ defect or any lens cracks from normal wear and
tear. It does not cover abuse, such as dog bites or crushing under a car. It does not cover the loss of decorative crystals. Unfortunately the laboratory will not
warrant safety frames or lenses. Frames have to be SENT AWAY TO THE LAB for replacement lenses; this can take 10 days. A warranty DOES NOT COVER a
loaner pair or a spare pair for you to wear while yours are being sent away. If you cannot manage without them, YOU WILL NEED A SPARE PAIR.
I have been offered a warranty and decline it. ___________________________ Date __________
IF YOUR GLASSES GIVE YOU ANY TROUBLE
1. Please try to adapt to them for a week or so. After that if you are still having problems, please
2. Make an ADJUSTMENT APPOINTMENT to see the doctor.
Most lenses can only be changed within 30 days without charge, and only once. If more than one lens change is required, extra fees at wholesale cost will be
assessed to the patient. Lenses are custom-made to your prescription and cannot be returned for a refund. We place the order as soon as possible after you leave the
office. We CANNOT cancel orders after they have been placed. Please make sure you are comfortable with the options you are receiving before paying. We do
our best to have glasses ready as soon as possible, but we cannot guarantee that they will be ready within a specific amount of time, due to all the processes and
factors involved in ensuring top quality.
RECEIVED BY _________________________ DATE _________________