Optical Department 256-718-6002 Appointments & Contacts 256-767-2344
178 Ana Dr • Florence, AL 35630

How They're Made

What type of eyeglasses do I need?

There are two main types of eyeglasses. Single-vision glasses have an all-purpose lens designed to help you see either close up or far away. Multifocal glasses correct both near and distance vision  — all in the same lens. One portion is focused for distance vision, while the other portion is used for up close activities such as reading.

Single-Vision Lenses

Single-vision lenses are worn by people with various types of focusing problems.

  • They are sometimes prescribed for children or adults who have trouble seeing far-away objects, a condition known as myopia. They can also be prescribed for people who have a condition called hyperopia, meaning they have trouble seeing close and sometimes far away as well.

These lenses also take the form of reading glasses for people who have good distance vision but experience a loss of near vision with age, known as presbyopia.. You can get a prescription for reading glasses from your eye care provider. Some people worry that reading glasses might cause their sight to deteriorate more quickly with age. That’s not the case! No exercise or medication can reverse presbyopia. Delaying the use of reading glasses is of no benefit. You will probably need to change your eyeglass prescription from time to time between the ages of 40 and 60 because your eye’s natural lens will continue to lose flexibility and, therefore, focusing ability.

Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal lenses are commonly used to correct distance vision along with presbyopia.

  • Bifocal lenses have a correction on the bottom half for reading and a different correction on the top half for seeing at a distance. Some specialized lenses also have segments at the top for glancing up at objects in the intermediate or near range. These are called double-D bifocals.
  • Trifocals are lenses with three different lens corrections — distance vision, intermediate vision and near vision — in one pair of eyeglasses.
  • Progressive lenses function generally the same way as bifocals or trifocals, but they have a smooth transition instead of visible dividing lines between distance and near focal areas. While the invisible transition of progressive lenses may be more aesthetically pleasing, the focal areas are relatively small because more lens space is used for the transitional areas. Progressive lenses can cause more distortion than other types of lenses, making them difficult to wear for approximately 10% of the population.
  • Computer glasses have multifocal lenses with a correction specifically designed for focusing on computer screens, which are usually positioned about 20 to 26 inches away from the face. These glasses help avoid eye strain and allow office workers to easily switch their focus between conference room whiteboards, printed pages and computer screens.

Lens Materials Make a Big Difference

Eyeglass lenses used to be made only of glass, but today most lenses are plastic.

  • Plastic lenses are lighter, more flexible and safer than glass lenses because they are less likely to shatter. They also have inherent UV light-blocking ability.
  • Trivex is a newer plastic material that meets the same safety standards as polycarbonate, but it is less distorting.
  • A thin, lightweight, plastic lens called a “high index” lens is another option. These are recommended for people who need high visual correction. Because they have a thin profile, they can reduce the “coke bottle” appearance that often comes with thick-lens glasses.

Protective Coatings

Protective coatings for eyeglasses are available to help you keep your eyes healthy.

  • Anti-reflective coatings reduce glare. This makes for easier eye contact, prevents eyestrain and improves your appearance. Coated lenses also allow more light to pass through. This improves your ability to see small patterns and letters. These coatings are especially helpful for people bothered by the glare of headlights and other lights while driving at night.
  • An ultraviolet (UV) coating helps to protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful radiation. This type of coating may not be needed on some types of plastic lenses because they inherently block UV light.
  • Blublock coatings filter out the higher end of the blue light spectrum, so the lens does not look yellow. They also add an antiglare coating on top to cut down on digital eye strain.
  • Prescription sunglasses also offer UV protection. People who prefer one set of eyeglasses for both inside and outdoors may benefit from photochromatic lenses. These lenses automatically adjust based on light exposure, with a darker tint in sunlight and a lighter tint indoors. A disadvantage is that photochromatic lenses do not work well in cars or airplanes, because the windows block the light rays that trigger the change in lens tint. In some environments, it may take several minutes for the lens tint to change from dark to light.
  • Extra Drivewear lens offer another photochromatic (transition lens) that will darken in a vehicle. This lens will darken more than an original photchromatic lens

We also offer a wide variety of specialty lens. Please ask our staff.

Brands

The experienced staff at Jody’s Optical will help you pick out  your new glasses! With thousands of frames to choose from, from all the top designers, we are sure to find you the best fit for your personal style, and of course to get the world looking  crisp again!

We offer frameless styles, frames for children, sunglasses and magnetic clip-ons.

If you don’t see what you want, or if you want a frame that we do not normally carry, we will order any frame just for you at no extra charge!

Ray Ban

RAYBAN AD PHOTO

Ray Ban eyeglasses have a rich history from serving their country to representing an iconic fashion trend. There’s a reason why they’re one of the most sought-after brands for glasses. Aside from being famous for Ray Ban sunglasses, the recently released line of stylish Ray Ban eyeglasses follows the same classic design with various colors, shapes, and materials. This line features their authentic, contemporary, timeless frames that have been in use for over 80 years.

Coach

coach brand photo

Coach glasses are the next creation from the Coach brand, which is synonymous with exceptional textiles, design, and fabrication—a true icon in the fashion world and now in eyeglasses frames.  The Coach glasses collection awakens the Coach woman and man to a wardrobe full of color and innovative fabrics.  The feel is casual with a subtle flair of sophistication. Coach glasses and Coach sunglasses can all be customized with prescription lenses, just like all of our glasses.

Oakley

OAKLEY

Oakley eyeglasses—made from durable performance materials and fitted with top-quality lenses in your prescription—are ready to tackle the day ahead. Discover sporty and refined frames for men and women, in standard and alternate fit sizes.

Flexon

FLEXON

Flexon Eyewear is a lightweight and durable memory metal, allowing them to be flexed, bent or twisted and return to their original shape.

Vera Bradley

vera-bradley-frames

Seeking out the sun or diving into your new favorite paperback? From fashion-forward styles to timeless classics, our collection of sunglasses and readers come in most-loved patterns and hues to complement any outfit. Complete your eye-catching look with coordinating eyewear accessories.

Life is Good

Life-Is-Good-Glasses

Life Is Good sunglasses come from the brand that was founded by “One van, two brothers, and three simple words: Life Is Good.”  In 1994, after five years of struggle, Bert and John Jacobs designed their first Life is Good t-shirt, and discovered how those three simple words could help people to focus on the good.  Life Is Good sunglasses are founded on the same principle.  The collection includes the same fashionable shapes and stylish colors that you might find in much more expensive, Italian-made eyewear.  But with this difference: the effect is happy, not somber, joyful and playful.  The popular sunglasses collection takes advantage of its heritage with some classic frame styles but it also winks at a new contemporary dynamism.

Get In Touch

Jody’s Optical |
178 Ana Dr • Florence, AL 35630
| 256-718-6002 |