Question: Tell us about your optical section: What do you carry at Luxe Vision and Optical?
Dr. Papp: In our optical, we carry a lot of independent lines. I believe in carrying only the best products for our patients, as well as supporting smaller businesses. The three independent lines which I get most excited about are:1) State Optical, our newest line. State Optical is the only luxury frame line made in the U.S. They are created in Chicago and released their first line about nine months ago. We are one of four offices in central Ohio that have it. We really love the line.2) Lindberg, which is produced in Denmark. They are 100% handmade and customized. With the Lindberg line, you can actually design your own glasses! The customer comes in, says they like a particular shape, size, certain type of temples, etc. You can really mix and match and select whichever you prefer.3) Etnia Barcelona, which is manufactured in Spain, is another independent luxury line we carry. This special line has some amazing colors. They tend to come up with color combinations which no other frame has. These are very unique and awesome frames.We have a few more standard frames which most optical stores carry so that we can make sure everyone will find something they love.
Question: What can you tell us about your different lens coatings?
Dr. Papp: We work with a Hoya lab which is right here in Columbus, OH. We carry their Hoya – Super HiVision EX3 coating, which is nearly indestructible. In addition, there isn’t any more of the peeling of the coatings either. We also use a lot of Hoya’s Recharge, which is their blue-filtering anti-reflective coating. This is a blue-filtering non-glare coating which is great for computer use, digital eyestrain, eye fatigue, and to just make life easier.The difference in the quality of the coatings today vs. in the past is the reason we pick the above two coatings as our go-to coatings is because they are no longer chemically applied. They are now based on. They are much better than years past where coatings seemed to peel or chip off. They hold up and are almost indestructible. With the Hoya – Super HiVision EX3 coating, it just can’t be taken off. It really is indestructible. These two new coatings withstand all kinds of cleaning products, whereas the older anti-reflective coatings would peel.
Question: Do you carry children’s lines?
Dr. Papp: We actually do carry an independent line, called Scott Harris for Kids. This children’s line is very well made. They hold up extremely well with rough and tumble kids. These are much less likely to break than other children’s lines on the market.
Question: Can I put an anti-reflective coating on my current pair of glasses?
Dr. Papp: No. Unfortunately, the technology is not there yet to be able to add on an anti-reflective coating onto lenses which already exist. Often these lenses have small scratches in them and it just won’t hold up. We will have to make new lenses for you, but you get to keep your frames. We have an in-house tracer so we are able to trace your frame, send out the pattern and have the lab make the pattern without you having to go without your glasses!
Question: What is the difference between polarized and non-glare?
Dr. Papp: A non-glare coating allows light to pass cleanly through your lens. If you have ever seen somebody in a bright room where it just seems like all you can see is the front of their glasses, that’s what a non-glare does. It allows light through, so you can see their eyes and they can see out and see you better. A polarized lens is a filter, which is designed to block light reflected off of horizontal surfaces. These are designed more to block glare off of snow, water, the wet road, or anything that is flat and causes reflection. This is why polarized coatings are more for sunglasses and non-glare coatings are used on regular glasses.
Question: Do you carry transitions lenses?
Dr. Papp: Yes, we do, as well as other photochromic lenses. Transitions are the brand name for a type of photochromic lens. Photochromic lenses are the lenses that turn dark when you go outside. We do carry Transitions, as well as Sensity, which is made by Hoya. What makes Sensity special is that they’re a lot more reactive to light when you step outside than Transitions. This means they get darker faster and also become clear a lot faster when you return indoors. The other great thing about Sensity, over some of the older designs of photochromic lenses, is that they are less susceptible to heat and cold. On the older designs, if it was really cold out, the glasses would get really dark, and if it was hot out, they wouldn’t get as dark as you would need them to. Sensity does not do that.
Question: If I have photochromic lenses does that mean I won’t need sunglasses?
Dr. Papp: It depends on what you are using them for. The one drawback with all photochromic lenses is that they don’t change behind a windshield. Windshields have a UV blocker and the UV rays are what activates that lens. A lot of people love them because they can go in and out without having to grab another pair of glasses, but if you are looking for something to use while you are driving, having a second pair of true sunglasses with a polarized coating is definitely the way to go – it will meet your needs a lot better than having one pair of photochromic lenses. Many people get both.Sports glasses, Protective eyewear, SCUBA diving… we can help you with specialty eyewear for your specific needs.