Category Archives: Glossary

Multifocal lenses Multifocal lenses – Lenses with a seamless gradient of varying optical powers, allowing clear vision at different distances without the visible lines found in bifocal or trifocal lenses. Multifocal lenses are often used to correct presbyopia, providing a more natural visual experience for activities ranging from driving to reading.

Prism lenses Prism lenses – Specialised lenses used to correct double vision (diplopia) by altering the way light enters the eye, helping to align the images seen by each eye into a single, clear image. Prism lenses are often prescribed for people with certain eye alignment disorders, such as strabismus.

Phoropter Phoropter – An instrument used by eye care professionals during an eye exam to measure refractive error and determine the best prescription for glasses or contact lenses. The phoropter contains multiple lenses that can be adjusted to fine-tune your vision, helping to achieve the clearest and most comfortable correction possible.

Presbyopia Presbyopia – An age-related condition where the eye’s lens loses its flexibility, making it difficult to focus on close objects. Typically starting in your 40s, presbyopia is a natural part of aging and is commonly corrected with reading glasses, bifocals, or multifocal lenses.

Polarised lenses Polarised lenses – Sunglass lenses that filter out horizontal light waves, reducing glare from reflective surfaces like water, snow and roads. Polarised lenses improve visual comfort, reduce eye strain and enhance contrast, making them ideal for outdoor activities such as driving, fishing and skiing.

Photochromic lenses Photochromic lenses – Lenses that automatically darken when exposed to sunlight and return to clear when indoors. This technology provides convenience by eliminating the need to switch between prescription glasses and sunglasses. Photochromic lenses are available in a variety of lens materials and can also offer UV protection.

Optometrist Optometrist – A healthcare professional who provides primary vision care, including conducting eye exams and working out the refractive power of the eye, diagnosing vision problems, prescribing glasses and contact lenses and managing certain eye conditions. Optometrists typically have a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and are trained to detect signs of more serious …

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Ophthalmologist Ophthalmologist – A medical doctor specialising in eye care, capable of diagnosing and treating eye diseases, performing eye surgeries and prescribing glasses and contact lenses. Ophthalmologists undergo extensive training, including medical school, residency and often further specialisation in specific areas of eye care.

Ocular hypertension Ocular hypertension – A condition characterised by higher-than-normal pressure inside the eye, which can increase the risk of developing glaucoma. Unlike glaucoma, ocular hypertension does not cause damage to the optic nerve or vision loss by itself but requires monitoring and management to prevent potential complications.

Nose pads Nose pads – Small, soft pads attached to the glasses frame where they rest on the sides of the nose. Nose pads provide comfort and help keep the glasses in place, preventing them from slipping down the nose. They are usually adjustable and can be made from materials like silicone or rubber for …

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