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68 Whitby Rd, Ellesmere Port, CH65 0AA
Spectacle Lenses
Based on your individual needs, budget and lifestyle, we will help you select your perfect pair of lenses.
We’ll also explain the extra options available with available treatments and coatings.
After that, you'll learn how we can protect your glasses or further enhance your vision, so you can truly maximize your sight for all life throws at you.
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Single Vision
Single vision lenses have one prescription that is the same all the way across the lens, so they correct vision for one distance only.
They will give you clear vision for up close, or far away.
For younger folks (around 40 years or less), then this could be all you need, since there is usually only one prescription to consider.
Are single vision lenses right for me?
If you only need glasses for one type of viewing distance, this could be the best option.
However, if you are over 40 years of age, you may need to have separate glasses for separate things; like one pair for driving and one pair for reading.
After your sight test, we will be able to decide together if single vision is the best lens for you.
Varifocals
Varifocals combine your distance and your near prescriptions, which gives you natural vision in one pair of glasses - whether you’re focusing on objects which are close-up, in the middle, or far away.
They bring you much convenience, by stopping you having to swap glasses, or taking your glasses on and off.
You can usually say goodbye to carrying multiple pairs of glasses too.
The more advanced a varifocal lens, the better it replicates natural vision.
So whether you are driving, using a device, cooking or reading, you can wear one pair of spectacles to accommodate all your vision needs. Handy, eh?
How do varifocals work?
Varifocal lenses work by changing power from the top to the bottom of the lens.
Moving your eyes up and down the lens will give you clear vision at every distance.
This means you can drive, then glance down at the dashboard to clearly check your speed.
Once you stopped driving [obviously], you can then read that pesky text message.
Being independent opticians, we have access to the whole of the varifocal market, so we can access any varifocal brand we need, such as Varilux or Zeiss for example.
At Orrell Opticians, we often recommend the trusted Hoya brand for your varifocals. Hoya are locally produced in Wrexham.
Our expert dispensers will help you select the perfect varifocals to match the frame you have selected.
Not all varifocals work with every frame, so it's important we look at every individual aspect of your spectacles to get them just so.
Types of varifocal lenses
With varifocals, simply put, you get what you pay for.
We use cutting edge manufacturers, because they produce a superior lens finish.
They might cost a little extra compared to the big brand opticians, but all of our glasses are backed up with our 30 day Love Your Look guarantee, and our 2 year scratch guarantee on selected lenses.
At Orrell Opticians, making sure that you are 100% satisfied with your purchase is a huge priority for us.
How long does it take to get used to varifocal lenses?
Getting used to varifocals can take from no time (for the lucky ones), to a few weeks.
For most people, your brain takes time to adjust to your new (clearer) view of the world at each distance.
This can take a bit longer if it is your first time having varifocals.
By far and away the best way to get used to them is to wear your varifocals continuously, so that both your brain and your eyes can adjust to the way the world should look.
Our dispensers go through our extensive checklist to make sure your varifocals fit perfectly, so most people adjust quickly.
Sometimes though, others may experience a slight 'swimming effect' when transitioning from different viewing areas. Not to worry though, these optical effects don’t last long and we’re always available for follow up advice if you are having any issues.
Top Tip - Remember, your alternative to varifocals is usually having separate pairs of glasses, which is really inconvenient for most people. With that in mind, perseverance will get you to that ‘breakthrough’ aha moment – success with varifocals!
Smart Lenses
Smart lenses refer to lenses specifically designed for use in mid-range to near workspaces.
They provide larger visual fields compared with traditional varifocal lenses, but the compromise is that clear vision is up to 4 meters at most.
Therefore, they are not suitable for driving or going to the cinema, but they provide unparalleled comfort and clarity at a computer screen and slightly beyond.
The smooth transitions between your prescriptions mean that the lenses require virtually no ‘getting used to' or adaptation.
With increasing computer usage in the general population, these lenses are becoming the ‘first choice’ in delivering anenhanced visual experience.
Are Smart lenses right for varifocal wearers?
The majority of patients find that they love the comfort of their varifocal lenses for their day-to-day living.
They give them immense comfort and clarity in all their viewing distances without having to alternate between pairs.
However, as working demands have evolved in society, with increasing screen time, smart lenses are often recommended alongside varifocal lenses to enhance visual performance at work.
At Orrell Opticians, we aim to minimise ocular fatigue and maximise visual performance.
**TOP TIP** Using our ‘Perfect Pair’ half-price offer, many traditional varifocal wearers who use screens or have certain hobbies, opt to have a smart lens on their second pair of spectacles. The reason for this is that vision is optimised at the intermediate distance, and therefore much more comfortable and clearer for longer viewing times.
Bifocals
Bifocal lenses - sometimes referred to as a 'split lens' - incorporate a different prescription at the top of the lens, usually distance, while the bottom of the lens is usually for reading.
They are convenient and easy to get used to. For most people, they beat having two separate pairs of glasses.
Bifocal lenses come in different styles depending on your needs.
Examples of bifocals in action
For example, if you work in an office you may want to have intermediate vision in the top of the lens for meetings or PC work, and near vision in the segment for reading.
Or, you may decide that it would be best to have your distance prescription in the top part of the lens, and your reading prescription on the bottom part.
Do you need bifocals?
As we get older, we’ll start to find it tricky to change focus and see things up close.
This is called presbyopia and is a normal part of aging, starting around 40 years old.
Most people become aware of presbyopia when they start holding their phone or books further away in order to see it clearly.
They moan about printing becoming ever smaller print year after year. Sometimes, people put off their eye test until their arms just aren't long enough anymore!
If this sounds familiar, and you already wear glasses, it might be time for a new eye test at Orrell Opticians and to maybe give bifocal spectacles a try.
If you don’t already wear glasses for distance vision, perhaps single-vision lenses would be best.
And there's more...
Further customise your lenses with our anti-reflection coatings, transitions lenses, polarised lenses and thinner lenses. This way, you can get the most out of your glasses and go another step further to enhance your sight.
That may be for UV protection, long periods of computer use or driving (especially at night).
Or perhaps you want a more comfortable and lighter feel from your glasses or simply just want the clearest possible vision with no more glare!
Let us help you maximise your vision.
