Our Lenses

Here are a few questions we answer everyday!

What is a progressive lens (multi focal lens) vs a Single Vision Lens?

Single-vision lenses correct for one field of vision—distance, computer or reading. Most single-vision prescription lenses result in a wider viewing area when compared to other lens styles. This lens type can help with eye conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Unlike single-vision lenses, multifocal lenses correct for more than one field of vision. Progressive lenses are designed to correct for multiple viewing distances—including far, intermediate, and near—in one lens. They can therefore correct vision at almost any distance.  Unlike other multifocal lens designs, progressives don’t have any visible lines or segments.

What Are Occupational Lenses?

An occupational lens is a design in prescription eyewear that allows the wearer to view all working distances, side to side, up and down, within a conventional working distance, or small environment.  A working distance typical to many occupations will fall somewhere between ten to thirteen feet, respectively.

Our working and lifestyle environments require that we have clear vision at working distances of 1.5, 2.5 and out to 10 feet.  And, this vision must be clear in all areas of the lens, at all viewing angles.

Ergonomics play a large role in our ability to work comfortably, without causing neck and back strain at the end of the day.   For best comfort, we should be plane with our computer station, or balanced, in essence.  This requires that we are able to sit up straight in a chair, view our computer monitor below our line of sight, at a comfortable viewing angle.  All the while, we need to be able to relax our wrists and forearms while typing, and maintain focus on the ever-changing computer monitor pixels with varying contrasts.

Quite a challenge!

The Solution:  Occupational Lenses

Different than a progressive addition lens, this variable design begins with the full reading prescription at the bottom of the lens, and weakens, for mid-range vision, as the eyes rotate upward.  Almost like an upside down progressive – taking away power vs. adding power.

In the middle of the lens, the entire design is devoted to intermediate vision.  The Shamir Office Occupational Lens is the only design to take this approach. Then, the other portion of the prescribed reading power is reduced as it reaches the upper part of the lens.  This unique design approach brings quality optics from 10 – 12 feet distance, tapering in to normal reading distances, around 16 inches.  If your lens is working for you, you can give your neck and back a break.

You will not need to tilt your head in order to find the best optical zone in the lens…it is designed to match visual requirement with ergonomics.

Comfortable vision and good working ergonomics are too important to leave to chance.  Choosing an occupational lens, specifically designed for small environments with adapting optics is the best optical solution for clear vision at varying focal ranges.  Choose the Shamir Office occupational lens… your eyes and back will thank you!

Why did my vision change at 40?

Have you ever heard the old saying, “Your arms are getting too short…?”

Perhaps you have Presbyopia. Presbyopia is not a refractive error, but rather, a condition of the eye. Specifically, Presbyopia is a natural break down of the ciliary muscle and accommodative system. As our body slows its production of collagen, the elasticity in the lens inside of the eye, the crystalline lens, loses its ability to flex.

Here is how it works

When we view something at near, many things are happening in the eye-brain visual system automatically. The eyes turn downward and inward (convergence) and the lens inside the eye focuses on the reading material, or near image. This is known as accommodation. Our ability to accommodate for near tasks gets more and more difficult as we age.

While medicine has made great advancements in the ability to slow the aging process of the body, the aging process of the eye cannot be controlled.

Accommodation is the body’s response to blurry near vision by adding magnification at near. The accommodative system counteracts blurry images up close while using the eye-brain visual system to add magnification (convex lens power) to aid in near vision. After a while, as the lens loses elasticity, accommodation becomes increasingly difficult. This leads to asthenopia, or uncomfortable vision/tired eyes.

Thanks to technology, science and engineering can replace the magnification abilities of the lens with an ophthalmic lens. An ophthalmic lens can converge the light rays at varying focal lengths just as the eyes’ natural system.

If you have Presbyopia, you are in a very popular group… baby boomer’s and beyond… The good news is, technology has kept up with your visual needs and can supply advanced lens system to aid in your correction of Presbyopia. Whether in an office, or relaxing on a ship, there is an optical solution to your visual needs.

Why do you only carry one brand of lens?

We only carry the best lens technology because we know you will have a better daily experience with a superior product. The cost is only pennies a day and you will never go back to a lack luster lens again. We wear the best and fit our customers with the same. We also discuss with our customers their lifestyle. Many of our customers benefit from occupational lenses, golf lens technology, and lenses for night driving. We also offer 2 year lens replacement. If you get a scratch or worse anytime, as many times, within those 2 years we replace them for free. Even if your dog is the one who scratches your lenses. Now that’s a nice feature you won’t find everywhere.