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EYE CARE

OUr EYEWEAR GUIDE
FROM A TO Z

Explore our comprehensive guide to be in the know about all things eyewear.

Select a letter*

A

ACETATE A hypoallergenic alternative to petroleum-based plastic made from plant-based cellulose and all-natural cotton flakes.

B

BLUE-VIOLET LIGHT FILTERING Lenses that are equipped with a special coating that reduces the eyes' exposure to blue-violet light. Available for prescription and non-prescription glasses. BRIDGE The part of the frames between the lenses, the bridge sits atop and distributes weight evenly across the nose. BRUSHED A type of finish used to give metal frames a softly textured appearance. BROW BAR An upper bar along the top of the frames, commonly associated with aviator sunglasses. BUTTERFLY FRAMES A frame shape that resembles the wings of a butterfly.

C

CARBON FIBER A frame material that is extremely durable and highly rigid. CAT-EYE FRAMES Similar in shape to butterfly frames, cat-eye frames are characterized by outer edges that stretch upward and come to a point toward the outside profile of the eye. CLIP-ON LENSES Tinted protective lenses that can be clipped on over eyeglasses frames. Clip-ons transform frames with clear optical lenses into sunglasses. CORE WIRE Visible in clear acetate frames, the core wire is the wire frame inside the acetate temples.

D

DOUBLE BRIDGE A two-piece bridge design that adds stability and classic design.

E

END PIECE The part of the frames that connect the front of the eyeglasses to the temple. EYE WIRE Also called the rims, this piece of frame material holds the lenses in place.

D

FRAME ID A standard reference printed inside the temple. It includes the brand, model, color, size and temple length. FRONT PIECE The front part of the eyeglass frame.

H

HINGES The open-and-close part of the frames, the hinges connect the front piece to the temples and allow the frames to fold closed.

L

LENS COATING A special treatment added to eyeglass lenses that provides additional vision benefits. Common lens coatings include UV-protective coating, blue light-filtering coating, anti-reflective lens coating and more. LENS POWER Refers to the strength of the lens correction. It is commonly used to describe the different correction areas (near, mid- and distance vision) in multifocal or progressive lenses. LENS MATERIALS The type of materials used to create the lenses of eyeglasses or sunglasses. LOW BRIDGE FIT Offers a more secure and comfortable fit for those with a low nose bridge and higher cheekbones. A good choice if eyewear tends to slide down your nose, sit too low, or press on your temples or cheeks.

M

MATTE A non-shiny surface that is used in both metal and acetate frames to give a non-reflective, flat finish. MX GOGGLES Goggles that are designed for motocross and other motor sports.

N

NICKEL SILVER An alloy of nickel and zinc that is more rigid than other mixed metals. It is often used in eyewear for hinges, earpieces and bridges. NYLON FIBER A lightweight and resilient frame material alternative to acetate. It comes in a wide array of colors and styles. NOSE PADS The soft plastic cushions that sit on either side of the nose and can be adjusted for maximum comfort.

O

OVAL FRAMES A frame shape characterized by a stretched oval shape with soft curved lines along the ocular profile. Frame width is longer than height, and the upper and lower sides are symmetrical along the horizontal axis. OVERSIZED Eyewear that describes a larger-than-usual frame design to provide a dramatic, sophisticated look.

P

PAD ARMS The parts that hold the nose pads in place on the bridge of the frames, pad arms keep your eyeglasses comfortably balanced across your nose. POLYCARBONATE LENSES Available at LensCrafters, polycarbonate lenses are thinner, lighter and more durable than other plastic lenses. This makes them a smart choice for kids and active adults. PROTECTION INDEX Refers to the level of UV eye protection in sunglasses. Experts recommend lenses that are rated UV400 or higher, which means they will block 99.9% of UV rays. POLARIZED LENSES Sunglasses lenses that filter out horizontally reflected glare. Polarized lenses help provide sharper details, enhanced colors, and increased depth perception. PROGRESSIVE LENSES Lenses that offer up to three vision powers in one lens, making them a great option for older adults with a need for near, mid- and distance vision correction.

R

READERS Glasses that have lenses with predetermined magnification to help with reading and other near work. Also called reading glasses, they can be purchased without a vision prescription. RECTANGLE FRAMES A rectangular frame shape characterized by a frame width that is greater than the height. The inner and outer frame edges are parallel and regular. RETRO A vintage look characterized by rounded shapes, rivets, and etched metal or coin-edge tooling. ROUND FRAMES A round frame shape characterized by a classic circle appearance.

S

SINGLE VISION One vision prescription throughout the entire lens (usually for distance or reading). SQUARE FRAMES A square frame shape characterized by equal or similar frame width and height. STAINLESS STEEL An affordable alternative to titanium that offers a lightweight feel and hypoallergenic benefits. SUNGLASSES Frames that have darkly tinted lenses to protect the eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

T

TEMPLE The parts of eyeglasses or sunglasses that extend along the sides of the head, from the hinges to the temple tips (or earpieces). Temples are also known as the arms or the stems. TEMPLE TIPS At the end of each temple, this is the curved part of the frames that wraps around each ear. Also called the earpiece. TITANIUM A strong premium metal that is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and highly resistant to corrosion. TRANSITIONS® Lenses equipped with technology that allows them to darken quickly when exposed to sunlight and fade back to clear when indoors.

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