Optical

You don't need an appointment to browse our optical department. We have over 1000 frames to choose from and we carry the latest in designer frames in Southeastern Minnesota. We have frames and lenses to fit everyone's budget. Our opticians have over 70 years of combined experience to assist you in your selection. Just not sure about your choice, we can take your picture, right in our clinic, with each selection so you know just the right pair for you.

Lens Selection

It's no longer prudent to simply order the same type of lenses you previously wore. There have been extraordinary improvements in lens materials and lens designs, most of which didn't exist a year or two ago.

Lens Material

Your first decision involves the material from which your new lenses will be made. When appearance and comfort are important, you will want lenses made in high index or polycarbonate. If active sports or work play a role in your lifestyle, you'll want polycarbonate lenses, or you may choose lenses that automatically darken in sunlight.

Hard Resin: Conventional hard resin lenses are half the weight of glass lenses and can be tinted to almost any color. Hard resin lenses are more easily scratched than glass but can have an optional scratch protection applied. More impact resistant than glass, hard lenses do not require tempering.
Lighter, Thinner Lenses: Modern technology has created lenses that bend light differently so that stronger corrections are thinner than when made in conventional materials. Such lenses are called "high index" and stronger corrections are more attractive because they are thinner. Glass lenses are also available with the slimming advantages of high index but are considerably heavier. High index plastic uses less material so they are often lighter in weight. High index lenses absorb all harmful UV light and can be tinted to any shade or color.
Lenses That Darken In The Sun: These are lenses that darken as you go from indoors to outdoors. They are available in glass, hard resin and polycarbonate. Originally made to darken to a moderate shade, new versions are available that darken to a true sunglass. Ask for a demonstration of these lenses.
Polycarbonate: Polycarbonate lenses are the most impact resistant lenses available and are always the lens of choice for young people and active patients. Polycarbonate lenses are high index and usually provide the lightest, most comfortable lenses. They absorb all harmful UV light and can be made ultra thin because of their unique strength.
Glass: For years glass was the only lens material available and glass still offers superior optics. The most scratch-resistant material for lenses, the primary disadvantage of glass is its weight, generally twice that of hard resin. Glass lenses are heat or chemically tempered to increase impact resistance.

Optional Lens Treatments

Lastly, review the information on optional treatments. These options can add substantially to the wearing comfort and appearance of your new lenses.

Scratch Protection Coating: Light weight hard resin lenses can be more easily scratched than glass lenses. Special coatings have been developed to help protect lenses from normal scratching. The modest cost for such scratch coating is usually a prudent investment. Some of the newest lens materials include scratch coating.
UV Protection: The ultraviolet rays found in sunlight can pose potential harm to eyes. Special treatment is available for hard resin Lenses that completely blocks hazardous UV light. Lenses like polycarbonate, high index and photochromic lenses include built-in UV protection at no extra cost.
**Anti-reflection Coatings**: Special anti-reflective coatings are now available for spectacle lenses, much like those used for fine-camera lenses. These coatings are particularly effective for reducing eye fatigue for computer operators and anyone driving at night. And of course, AR lenses enhance appearance by removing all distractive reflections.
Crizal Alizë^TM: This special treatment for your lenses adds an anti-reflective coating to them: much like those used for fine camera lenses. New technology has resulted in many benefits relieving eyestrain and fatigue and Crizal Alizë allows more light to enter the eyes (as much as 99% more light), resulting in you seeing more clearly. Cut the reflections from computer and Television screens and, while driving at night, reduce the glare from headlights and taillights. In addition, Crizal Alizë lenses work very well with other lens options, such as photochromatic lenses (Transitions). They have the toughest scratch resistance available, protecting them from unexpected abuse and extending the life and performance of your lenses. Lastly, smudges and fingerprints are no longer a problem, making Crizal Alizë treated lenses easier to clean.

Lens Design

Next review the lens designs. If you presently wear bifocals or trifocals or are about to start wearing them, be sure to check out modern Progressive Addition lenses.

Single Vision Lenses: Single vision lenses function as all purpose glasses for persons who have normal accommodations. People who normally wear bifocals or trifocals can use single vision for distance or near glasses. Single vision lenses can also function as occupational glasses for certain types of work and can also be ordered in all materials.
Aspheric Lenses: These new lenses provide special visual and cosmetic benefits for stronger corrections and increase edge to edge clarity. Flatter that conventional lenses, aspherics eliminate the "bulgy" appearance of finished eyewear. Near-sighted persons also benefit from thinner, lighter weight glasses when the lenses are aspheric. Aspheric lenses are positioned closer to the face so there is less eye magnification with farsighted corrections and less "small eyes" look with nearsighted corrections. Aspheric lenses can be ordered in high index material fro the ultimate in attractive thin lenses.
Flat Top Bifocals: This is the most popular bifocal form and is available with the bifocal portion made in a variety of widths to aid in various close-up occupations. Flat top bifocals can be ordered in every type of lens material.
Trifocals: Trifocals come in a variety of designs. Flat-top-trifocals are the most widely used form. The added segment provides clear vision at arms length distance, that middle area that is often blurred for bifocal wearers. Trifocals can be ordered in all lens materials.
Progressives (no line bifocals): These modern lenses provide all the benefits of bifocals but add the feature of continuous clear vision at all distances, including mid-range distance (arms length). People like Progressives because they look like single vision lenses, never revealing the need for bifocals. Progressives are available in all lens materials and also made in aspheric form. Because of all these advantages, they are becoming the lens of choice for bifocal and trifocal wearers.
Occupational Requirements: Many jobs impose demanding visual requirements on people who wear bifocals or trifocals. Special occupational designs are available to solve these special needs. If the visual requirements of your job fall into this category, let us know so we can determine what will work best for your personal needs.
Sports Glasses: All sorts of special designs are available for the special visual needs of sports enthusiasts. Polycarbonate is usually the material of choice for active sports.
Computer Glasses: There are a variety of special lenses for computer-users. These include special filters, tints and anti-reflection coatings.
Polarized Sun Lenses: These are lenses that eliminate reflective glare. They are especially appropriate for driving, fishing, water sports, and any outdoor activities.

Vision Safety Guide

Vision safety is everyone's responsibility! When selecting eyewear, keep these safety factors in mind and be sure to discuss any safety needs with your dispenser or doctor:

They type and style of the spectacle frame is an important factor in determining how much protection your eyeglasses will provide. many frames are designed for appearance - not for protection.
While federal law requires all lenses to meet a standard of impact resistance, lenses used for dress eyewear are not required to meet as rigorous an impact resistance standard as lenses used in industrial or sports spectacles. Of all the materials that lenses can be made from, polycarbonate is the most impact resistant.
No lenses are unbreakable or shatterproof. They can break into pieces that can cause serious injury to the eyes. Even if the lenses do not break, the frame can break or distort and result in serious eye injury.
The continued impact resistance of your lenses depends on how well you protect from physical shocks and abuse. For your own protection and visual comfort, scratched or pitted lenses should be replaced immediately.
If your occupational or recreational activities expose you to severe risk of flying objects or physical impacts, eye safety may require special safety spectacles with safety lenses, side shields, goggles, and/or full face