What Is an Ophthalmic Lens?

Whether you are an individual who needs eyeglasses, an optical lab professional or the owner of an eye care store, you should learn about ophthalmic lenses from the best. Which is why we have come up with a comprehensive description of ophthalmic lenses, what they are and what they do.

What Is an Ophthalmic Lens?

An ophthalmic lens is simply a lens made to correct visual impairments in individuals whose focal points inside eyes do not let light hit their retina correctly. The light either hits the front of the retina, or it hits behind the retina, causing near and farsighted visual impairments.

This can cause them to have blurry vision when looking at things in the distance or things up close. Some individuals suffer from both, near and farsightedness, while some may suffer from astigmatism. Astigmatism is the deformation of the cornea that results in similar visual impairments.

An ophthalmic lens can correct all these visual impairments.

How Do Ophthalmic Lenses Work?

The purpose of ophthalmic lenses is to correct the focal point, allowing light to correctly hit the retina. These lenses achieve this through their curved design. The curved design on ophthalmic lenses adjusts and positions the focal point to let the light hit the retina at precisely the correct spot.

This makes it much easier for individuals with near and farsighted visual impairments to focus on their desired view. While this is the basic function of ophthalmic lenses, there are also other additional features that can be tailored to someone's individual needs.

What Is an Ophthalmic Lens Made of?

Typically, an ophthalmic lens is made of either of the four materials mentioned below.

· Plastic

A plastic ophthalmic lens is the most economical option out of all the mentioned materials. It features optimal visual correction and offers superior optics to the user. They are widely used because of their cost-effective nature but since they are made of plastic, they are prone to scratches and scuffs.

These are best for people with minor visual impairments, who may not actively be using them all the time.

· Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate ophthalmic lenses are an excellent option because they are thinner, lighter and far more durable than plastic variants. This makes them great for individuals with strong visual impairments because they provide optimal visual correctness without added thickness and weight.

The fact that polycarbonate ophthalmic lenses are practically unbreakable makes them the best choice for kids and adults with an active lifestyle.

· High Index

This is a new material for ophthalmic lenses that is revolutionizing the industry. This is because they are exceptionally thin and durable, which makes them lightweight, comfortable and long lasting. Most importantly, however, they offer great clarity to the user.

Which is why they are recommended for individuals with severe visual impairments. The only drawback is that high index ophthalmic lenses are relatively more expensive than the rest, which is expected given their superior nature.

· Other Materials

There are other materials used to make ophthalmic lenses as well such as Trivex - a urethane-based pre-polymer. These materials produce superior quality ophthalmic lenses because they are strong alternatives that provide effective, lightweight and clearer solutions.

Conclusion

Ophthalmic lenses are the best wearable solution for individuals with astigmatism or near and farsightedness, which is why they are highly recommended by optometrists and eye specialists. Always consult an osteopathic or medical professional before opting for any type of lenses.

If you want to learn more about what is an ophthalmic lens, or you want the best ophthalmic lens solutions for yourself or your business, please visit our website today.