Prescription Type

Single Vision lenses are the standard eyeglass prescription. These glasses are for one field of vision across the entire lens. Single vision glasses can be prescribed for distance vision, near-vision reading glasses, or computer-distance glasses.  There are no lens height requirements for single vision prescriptions.

Progressive lenses includes three fields of vision, without lines. In a Progressive lens, the shape of the corrected part of the lens is approximately that of a funnel or mushroom. The top portion is used for distance-vision, the middle portion (corridor) for mid-range vision, and the bottom portion for the near-vision or reading.

Bifocals lenses include two fields of vision separated by a line. Usually the top is designated for distance vision or computer-distance vision, and the bottom for near-vision work such as reading. The bottom reading area is positioned just below the centerline of the lens. The position of the bi-focal area will be affected by the height of the lens chosen.

CYL CYLNDER

CYL, for Cylinder, refers to the strength of the correction for the astigmatism in the eye.  It can be either positive or negative.  If there is a CYL value on an eye, there must be an Axis value on that eye.

If "DS" or "SPH" or "spherical" is noted in the CYL space on your prescription, you have no astigmatism in that eye.  In that case, enter 0.00 in both the CYL and Axis.

OD-CYL is cylinder correction for your right eye.

OS-CYL is cylinder correction for your left eye.

AXS AXIS

AXS, or Axis, refers to the angle of the correction for the astigmatism in the eye (if one exists) from 1 to 180.  If there is an Axis value on an eye, there must be a CYL (Cylinder) value on that eye.  If there is no Cylinder value or if the value is zero, the OD Axis value is entered as 0.00.

The Axis value is usually written as 3 digits, which means if your Axis value is 5, it is often written as 005. This Axis value is still 5, regardless of how it is displayed.

OD Axis is Axis correction for your right eye.

OS Axis is Axis correction for your left eye.

NV-ADD

Sometimes seen on your prescription as "NV, ADD, Near, Reading, or Reading Addition."  "NV" stands for "Near-Vision."  This number indicates the additional magnification that is added to the distance prescription to get the reading portion of the lens in a multi-focal prescription.  We display a single NV-ADD field since it is almost always the same value for both eyes.

PRISM

Prism is the prismatic power used to correct vision displacement, like double vision.  Most eyeglass prescriptions do not have prism correction.  Prism is measure in prism diopters.

A prescription with prism prescription will have two values per eye.  The Prism Value is the prism diopter written in a range between 0.50 to 5.00.  Base Direction is usually written as BU for Base Up, BD for Base Down, BI for Base In, and BO for Base Out.

If you do not have prism correction in your prescription, do not include prism values since it will negatively affect your vision.

Pupillary Distance

Pupillary Distance (PD) is the distance, in millimeters, between the center of one pupil to the center of the other. The PD is needed to manufacture your eyeglasses because it determines the exact optical center of the lens, which is the point where you look through the lens. PD is especially important for manufacturing progressive lenses.

Once you have your PD, you can upload your photo to the Frame Fit tool and begin trying on glasses. The Frame Fit tool allows you to see exactly what the glasses look like on you and how well they fit the size and shape of your face. If you don’t have your PD, you can find out how to measure it here.

Lens Information

Lenses are chosen by their index, material, and tint.  The lenses are divided into standard clear lenses or specialty polarized and photochromic lenses.  Based on the values in your prescription, we try to recommend the standard lens that will give you the optimum vision correction and thinness of lens.  We do not recommend more expensive high index lenses if we do not think it will result in a noticeably thinner lens, though you are free to choose any lens available.  If you wish to have a polarized or photochromic lens, you should select a specialty lens with the same index (or higher).

Index:

The Index value refers to the refractive quality of the lens, or the degree to which the lens bends light passing through it. Generally, the higher the index, the thinner the lens.

For normal, single vision prescription values we recommend a lens with a mid-index of 1.57. It is thin and light, and is included for no extra cost with your glasses. For prescriptions less than -4.00/+2.00, a higher index lens will not produce a noticeably thinner lens.

Lenses with index values of 1.61 and 1.67 are appropriate for prescriptions beyond -4.00 or +3.00. Lenses with index values of 1.74 are recommended for nearsighted prescriptions from -8.00 to -10.00.

Material:

Unless otherwise specified, most lenses are made from advanced resin plastic.  The exception to this is Polycarbonate lenses.  No lenses we sell are made from old fashioned glass.

A "PC" lens, or PolyCarbonate, is extremely impact resistant, as well as very thin and light with an index of 1.59. We highly recommend Anti-Reflective (AR) coating with PC lenses to reduce glare and improve night-vision. 

Tint:

Most clear lenses are able to take one of our solid or gradient tints.  These tints are available in a variety of colors and strengths.  The 1.53 Trivex and 1.59 PC lens cannot be tinted.

Photochromic:

Photochromic lenses change their color according to how much UV sunlight they receive.  They turn dark when outdoors in direct sunlight and lighten when indoors.  Car windows block UV rays so this lens will not work well inside a vehicle.  Zenni Optical offers standard photochromic lenses and Transitions® brand photochromic lenses, which contain patented photochromic dyes.

Photochromic lenses do not get as dark as standard sunglass tints.  If you want the darkest sunglasses, using a clear lens with an added lens tint is a better option.

Polarized:

Polarized lenses are permanently tinted sunglasses offered in gray or brown colors.  They are available in a choice of indexes and materials.  Polarized lenses block light from certain angles and are very effective at cutting glare and harsh reflections.

ADD-ONS

There are several options for things that can be added to your glasses.  We offer several lens coatings, clip-ons, and custom engraving for certain frames

Lens Coatings

Anti-scratch and UV coatings come standard with all of our lenses.  Optional lens coatings consist of anti-reflective (AR) coatings and mirror finish. 

Anti-reflective coatings reduce glare, and are especially useful for improving problems from reflections due to overhead lights, or oncoming headlights when driving at night.

•   Standard AR coating is the traditional coating to reduce glare.
•   Hydrophobic coating has glare reduction as well as water resistance.  It is helpful for keeping the lenses fog, dirt, and dust free and makes them easier to clean. 
•   Olephobic coating has all of the benefits of the standard and hydrophobic coating plus extra resistance against fingerprints and sweat.

Mirror finish adds a reflective coating on the front side of the lens with a very slight coloring.  They are often best combined with lens tints for sunglass use.  They are not recommended for extended use indoors, especially with computers and overhead lights, since there will be some visible reflections.

Clip-On sunglasses

Custom-made polarized clip-on lenses with 80% sunglass tint.  Since they are not the flip-up type, there are two rubberized feet attached at the bridge that enable them to slide over the top of the frame and convert your regular glasses into sunglasses.  The light construction will blend into any eyeglass frame.

They can also be useful with photochromic lenses for use when driving, since the windshield glass will block UV light and keep the lenses from auto-darkening.

Custom Engraving

Some frames are able to have text or images engraved on the temple arms.  Text can be added on the inside or outside of the arm depending on the design of the frame.  Images can be chosen from our list of creative designs and are only added to the outside of the temple arm.

Please select a prescription type.

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All of the values are 0. Do you want to order lenses without a prescription?
Please confirm your prescription details.

Your PD is too small for this frame. Please select a different frame.

The Dual PD value is incorrect for the frame.

This is the amount you are being charged due to the additional customizations required on your glasses. The charge can be triggered by strong prescriptions, small PDs, or selecting a lens that needs extra work to produce your prescription. We don’t charge by the lens so this amount is the total for both lenses.

Please select a NVADD.

No Lens Tint

We will not apply a lens tint to your lenses.

Standard Solid Lens Tint

A lens tint is a permanent color in the lens used for either fashion or as sunglasses. This is a solid lens tint, meaning that the color and strength of the tint will be the same from the top to the bottom of the lens.

Permanent Lens Tint Colors:

An 80% tint is a dark sunglass tint for bright outdoor conditions. We recommend the 80% Gray tint for most sunglass applications.

A 50% tint is a mild sunglass tint that is usually not too dark to make it unusable indoors, while giving some medium/light sunshade protection outdoors. Only light colors are recommended if the glasses are to be used indoors.

A 10% tint is a very light cosmetic/fashion tint barely noticeable to the wearer, but provides a slight hint of color to people looking at the wearer.

Since the brightness and tint density displayed can vary on each monitor for the identical image, even on those hooked up to the same computer, the color examples displayed above may not be an exact match to the tint you will receive. Nevertheless, the color chart above should give you a good indication of how they will look.

Gradient Lens Tint

Gradient tints are used for sunglass lenses.  The color is darker at the top than at the bottom of the lens.  They will have an 80% sunglass level tint at the top.  If you wish to have a lighter tint, or a uniform color from top to bottom, please select from the Standard Tints.

This is a permanent tint on the lens, not to be confused with the Photochromic lens which changes shade according to the amount of sunlight exposure.

Copyrights and Trademarks

Terms and Conditions : For eyeglasses, sunglasses and prescription lenses we’ll give you a 30 day money back guarantee no questions asked! Just return the products in the original packing within 30 days of receipt and we will issue a refund for the price you paid for the products. Should you need to return an item because of an error on our part, we will also be happy to refund the delivery charges incurred when the items were sent and returned. To return goods just email us in order to obtain a Returns Goods Authorization Number (RGN#). Please note that you will need to return all goods via certified mail so that we have proof of shipment. For contact lenses, we’ll accept unopened boxes of the lenses in sterile viles again within 30 days of receipt.

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