A Comprehensive Glossary of Sunglass and Eyewear Terms.

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Designer Sunglasses > Sunglass Terms > Glossary of Eyewear Terms

	Sunglass-adsense
	Sunglass Eyewear Glossary and Terms Defined! Click each topic to expand and read then click again to close! Thanks to all the people who have contributed to this growing collection of sunglass and eyewear related terms and words. If you would like to see somthing added or corrected please email us with your comments.
	Sunglass Terms In this section we provided a comprehensive glossary of Sunglass and Eyewear-Terms, as well as some of the products used in the profession, listed in alphabetical order. Click on the Word(s) to get more detailled informations on this term.
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	3040 - Arnette Sunglass Model The Arnette model 3040 by Arnette Optics is a high quality optical sunglass with multi-coated, polycarbonate lenses that are scratch and impact-resistant and provide 100% UV protection. The Arnette 3040 eyewear model is a plastic frame around large cat eye oval lenses with full wrap arms. These Arnette sunnies look a lot like the Dirty Harry Arnette model with more style and curves!
	4039 - Arnette Sunglass Model The Arnette 4039 Designer Sunglass model is a unique sunglass in Arnette optics line up! It is one of the only Arnette shades that has interchangeable lenses. This cool looking frame can go from a polarized grey lens to a brown faded mirror gold lens with a snap! Change lens colors to match your lighting conditions or match your mood! The ability to quickly change lenses also lets you mix up the colors and look of this sunglass to really customize these shades! Make sure you get an extra lenses with your purchase. Arnette 4039!
	3038 - Arnette Sunglass Model The Arnette model 3038 by Arnette Optics is a high quality optical sunglass with multi-coated, polycarbonate lenses. The polycarbonate lenses are scratch & impact-resistant & provide 100% UV protection. The Arnette 3038 eyewear model is a combination plastic and rubber wrapped frame around large oval lenses with curved plastic arms ending in warm rubberized tips. These Arnette sunnies are one of the highest quality production sunglasses from Arnette optics including the full wrap frame, contoured arms and 3D Arnette wings logos! WOW!
	A - Alpha
	Absorption Factor The transformation of radiant energy into a different form of energy, usually heat, as it passes through a medium. Light which is absorbed is neither transmitted nor reflected. It may however be re-emitted as a light of another wavelength as, for example, ultraviolet radiation is converted in visible radiation on absorption by a luminescent material.
	Acetate Type of plastic often used in eyeglass frames and lenses.
	Acrylic Plastic Lenses made of this will weight less and are the least expensive. They are soft and wills scratch very easily and must be specially treated to block UV rays.
	Antireflection Coating AR coating goes on both sides of an eyeglass lens, and on the backside of a sunglass lens, and it allows light to pass more freely through the lens. AR lenses help to reduce eye fatigue in many situations, particularly while viewing computer screens and driving at night. Normally, approximately 8% to 10% of light is reflected away from the lens, "robbing" you of valuable detail for the eye. Also, as this light is reflected off the lens surface, it creates more glare that further impairs your vision. Anti-reflective coating allows approximately 99% of available light to pass through the lens without interruption, thereby reducing glare considerably. Actors and newscasters like AR coating because it greatly reduces the glare reflected from camera lighting and flashes. AR coating makes it easier for other people to see the wearer’s eyes, and it makes it easier for the wearer to see through the lens. However, AR coating is more difficult to clean, and more difficult to keep clean. When anti-reflective coating was first available, the new and imperfect technology caused the coating to flake off, and AR coating developed a bad reputation. Now, however, application methods are far more sophisticated and AR rarely flakes off. However, when exposed to extreme heat (for example, if the glasses are left on the dashboard of a car in hot sunlight), the AR coating can “craze”, developing unsightly cracks. If this occurs, the coating may need to be reapplied.
	ANSI The American National Standards Institute has served in its capacity as administrator and coordinator of the United States private sector voluntary standardization system for more than 80 years. Founded in 1918 by five engineering societies and three government agencies, the Institute remains a private, nonprofit membership organization supported by a diverse constituency of private and public sector organizations.
	ANSI Standard Z87.1 The new standard is now called the ANSI Z87.1-2003 standard, and is performance driven with two levels of performance for non-plano (prescription) lenses. - Basic Impact - High Impact The new standard requires that prescription safety frames must meet the lens retention (High Velocity and High Mass) test requirement with 2.0mm lenses. Please be aware that an employee subjected to High Impact may not be adequately protected if wearing lenses tested only for Basic Impact. Description of the new ANSI testing requirements: High Impact Level Prescription Lenses. Must not be less than 2.0mm thick. The lenses shall be capable of resisting impact from a 6.35mm (1/4 in.) steel ball traveling at 45.7 m/s (150 ft/s). Marking by manufacturer with "W" as a trademark would look like this: W+ Basic Impact Level Prescription Lenses. Basic Impact lenses shall be a minimum 3.0mm thick except those lenses having a plus power of 3.00D or greater shall have a minimum thickness of 2.5mm (no change from the 1989 standard). Basic Impact lenses are not tested to stringent High Impact requirements. They will NOT be marked with a "+". Protectors with Basic Impact lenses will be delivered to the wearer bearing a Warning Label indicating that the protector only meets the Basic Impact Standard. ANZI Prescription Frames: All prescription safety frames must meet High Velocity and High Mass impact resistance tests while retaining the lenses. The frame will be marked with Z87-2. All frames marked with Z87-2 can be used for Basic Impact and High Impact protection. ANZI Side shields: Lateral protection shall be assessed using a rotation point 10mm behind the corneal vertex, which means that shields must now provide more coverage.
	Anti-Scratch Coating This is applied to the outside of the lens to minimize the likelihood of accidental scratching. This does not make the lens scratch proof, but helps tremendously in reducing fine hair line scratches. All polycarbonate lenses come with an anti-scratch coating.
	Anti-reflective (AR) Coating Thin layer(s) applied to a lens to reduce the amount of reflected light and glare that reaches the eye.
	Astigmatism Astigmatism is one of a group of eye conditions known as refractive errors. Refractive errors cause a disturbance in the way that light rays are focused within the eye. Astigmatism often occurs with nearsightedness and farsightedness, conditions also resulting from refractive errors. Astigmatism is not a disease nor does it mean that you have "bad eyes." It simply means that you have a variation or disturbance in the shape of your cornea. What causes astigmatism? Astigmatism usually occurs when the front surface of the eye, the cornea, has an irregular curvature. Normally the cornea is smooth and equally curved in all directions and light entering the cornea is focused equally on all planes, or in all directions. In astigmatism, the front surface of the cornea is curved more in one direction than in the other. This abnormality may result in vision that is much like looking into a distorted, wavy mirror. The distortion results because of an inability of the eye to focus light rays to a point. If the corneal surface has a high degree of variation in its curvature, light refraction may be impaired to the degree that corrective lenses are needed to help focus light rays better. At any time, only a small proportion of the rays are focused and the remainder are not, so that the image formed is always blurred. Usually, astigmatism causes blurred vision at all distances. Some people with very high degrees of astigmatism may have cornea problems such as keratoconus. Astigmatism is very common. Some experts believe that almost everyone has a degree of astigmatism, often from birth, which may remain the same throughout life. The exact reason for differences in corneal shape remains unknown, but the tendency to develop astigmatism is inherited. For that reason, some people are more prone to develop astigmatism than others.
	Authentic Rx Lens Comes directly from the frame manufacturer, thereby giving you all the features of that manufacturer's specialty lens with your custom prescription. Often, the manufacturer's logo is etched onto the lens as a symbol of authenticity. Please note these are custom orders and are NON-REFUNDABLE.
	Aviator Glasses Eyewear like those that aviators used to wear; they usually have a metal frame and large, tinted lenses.
	Axis As mentioned above, a special cylindrical lens is needed in order to correct astigmatism. Not only does the strength of the cylindrical lens need to be specified, but the lens itself must be rotated into a specific position in order to provide the proper vision correction. The axis represents the amount of rotation of the cylindrical lens in degrees ranging from 1 to 180.
	B - Bravo
	Backside Anti-reflective (AR) Coating Light that comes from behind you can cause you additional glare. Sunlight will hit the back of the lenses and bounces into the eyes. The purpose of a backside (AR) coating is to reduce the reflection off the lenses. Sometimes, you can actually see the reflection of your eye in the lens. If you are on the water or if you sunglasses do not fit snugly against your face the light will reflect off your lenses and back into your eye. We highly recommend backside AR in these circumstances.
	Ballistic Ballistic is any projectile in a high velocity. Our ballistic series far exceed ANSI Z87.1 safety standards as well military fragmentation standard MIL-STD-662.
	Base The base is to the prism what the axis is to the cylinder. As you know, a prism is shaped like a triangle. The thicker the triangle at its base, the stronger the power. Much like the axis specifies the direction of rotation of the cylindrical lens for astigmatism, the prism must also be rotated into a specific position. But the rotation of the prism is simply specified as 'base in' or 'base out' (where 'in' means towards the nose) or 'base up' or 'base down'. Only these four positions exist as opposed to the 180 positions that can be specified for a cylindrical lens. However, orientations between these four positions can be specified by using combinations of horizontal and vertical prisms in the same lens.
	Base Curve The base curve is the front curve of any lens. The higher the base curve (8-12 base) the more curved the lenses is thus making the frame more curved.
	Blue Light A portion of sunlight which is blocked by yellow or amber lenses. Some people feel that filtering out blue light increases contrast, and makes distant objects appear more distinct.
	Bridge Size The distance between lenses on the nose side of each eye normally expressed in (mm).
	Bridge The part of a frame that connects the two lenses and goes over your nose. The bridge can be very decorative or very simple.
	C - Charlie test
	Cable Temple Style of eyeglasses that wraps around the ear, to keep them well-fastened.
	Cataracts Are the leading cause of blindness worldwide Approximately 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts. Cataracts are the clouding of the eye's clear lens-similar to a window that is "fogged" with steam. When the lens becomes cloudy, light rays cannot pass through it easily and vision becomes blurry. Cataracts are not a growth or a film over the eye. Cataracts start out small (mild) and have little effect on vision at first. But as the cataract grows (becomes denser), so does the impact on vision. How quickly the cataract develops varies among individuals, and may even be different between the two eyes. Most age-related cataracts progress gradually over a period of years. Other cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes, may progress rapidly over a short time. It is not possible to predict exactly how fast cataracts will develop in any given person.
	Cellulose Acetate Zyl This plastic is medium-weight, flexible, and strong. It's adjustable with heat and most zyl frame temples have metal reinforcements that will make them stronger.
	Clip-on Type of glasses that attaches to your regular glasses, such as clip-on sunglasses.
	CR-39 Optical quality plastic, made of hard resin, is considered the best plastic for lenses. It weights half as much as glass and exceeds FDA requirements for impact-resistance.
	Contrast Contrast is the difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture, such as a photograph or video image. A high contrast lens gives you great visual acuity between light and dark areas in your view.
	Cylinder If there is no value under the cylinder heading, then you have a very simple prescription. If there is a value under this heading, then you have astigmatism. The majority of optometrists write the cylinder value with a minus sign in front while the majority of ophthalmologists (physicians who specialize in the eye) write the cylinder value with a plus sign in front. Regardless of which way this is written, your glasses will be made the exact same way -- these are just two different ways to write the same spectacle prescription. Like sphere power, the cylinder power is also measured in diopters.
	Cylinders Some patients have eyes shaped like rugby balls and therefore need a lens with two different curves. A cylinder is required to correct a refractive error where the image of a point object is not a single point but 2 focal points at different distances.
	D- Delta
	Diopter A unit of measurement of the optical power of lenses. For example; if a person has a prescription of -4.00, that person has 4 diopters of power in their lens. Diopters generally are measured in quarter steps like -4.00, -4.25, -4.50. Some doctors refine their measurements down to twelfth steps like -4.00, -4.12, -4.62. Diopters are also used to measure prism.
	Dirty Harry 215 - Arnette Sunglass Model Do you feel lucky...well do ya? Then the Dirty Harry sunglasses from Arnette might provide the protection you need. This arnette sunglass model is designed for sport and features an extra-thick frame side to offer you added protection. The model 215's lenses are impact-resistant for durability with an anti-reflective coating. Throw in Polycarbonate in the lenses for visual comfort, protection and optical clarity and this is the one pair that can make your day...Punk!
	E - Echo
	Eye Size Is the horizontal measurement of the lens on any frame. Larger eye size fits bigger heads.
	F - Foxtrot
	Flash Coating A highly reflective coating, which greatly reduces the amount of light that reaches your eyes. Generally applied over a dark sunglasses lens, but can be applied over any base color. Mirror coated lenses absorb anywhere from 10% to 60% more light than uncoated lenses. These are good for higher altitudes, sand, water and snow. Although the most common are the silver, gold and copper metallic coatings, you will find many colors available nowadays. *Also called Mirror Coating
	Flat Light When light is "flat," the slope looks like a white, empty canvas, and it's impossible to read the snow surface clearly. Ruts, bumps, ice, even rocks and thin patches disappear. And if you're out in an open expanse, it's hard to determine the pitch of the slope as your depth perception shrinks to nil.
	Frame Measurements What do the numbers located on the bridge and temples of the frames mean? Example: A B ED DBL TEMPLE 54 / 38 / 59 / 18 / 140 The numbers on the frame reflect the SIZE MEASUREMENTS in millimeters (mm). 1st Number (ex.54) = the width of the lenses 2nd Number (ex.38) = the distance between the Top of the lenses to the bottom. 3rd Number (ex.59) = the diagonal distance of the lens 4th Number (ex.18) = the distance of the bridge between the lenses 5th Number (ex.140) = the length of the temple arm including the portion going behind the ear.
	Frame The part that holds the lens. The frame can be made out of metal, plastic or memory retention nylon.
	G - Golf
	G-15 Green-Gray lenses are the most popular general purpose lenses. Uniform absorption of colors throughout the spectrum allows colors to be seen exactly as they are with approximately 85% light absorption.
	Gritty 4007 - Arnette Sunglass Model The Arnette Slide model 4007 by Arnette Optics is a high quality optical sunglass with multi-coated, polycarbonate lenses that are scratch and impact-resistant and provide 100% UV protection. The Arnette Gritty, 4008 model, sunglass is a large curvy cat eye lens designer sunglass. The Gritty provides great coverage with its wide wings and seeping arms. Small Arnette logo on the lens. The Gritty is a great addition to your Arnette designer sunglass collection.
	Glare Caused by a direct light source (the sun) or is reflected from a surface (roadway, water). Your eyes can be subjected to more than 10 times the level of light you need to see. When it reaches these levels it will become physically painful.
	Glass lenses One major advantage is that it is very scratch resistant. However it is double the weight of conventional plastic. Also it is not as shatter resistant or safe as plastic. Can easily be tinted.
	Gradient A tint that is applied to lenses, making the top portion of the lens darker than the bottom. Lenses with this feature have a gradient, which provides greater clarity and enhanced vision.
	Grilamid In theory, a rugged, resilient frame material that's specially formulated for flex, impact strength and dimensional stability. In practice, it's tough enough to withstand the most aggressive physical punishment your body is willing to endure.
	Grilamid Nylon Frames No other material has the flexibility, remarkable toughness, and exceptional resistance to sun lotions. These elements allow our design team to combine the frame material's light weight, impact resistance, flexibility in variable temperature and overall comfort to create models that are durable and surpass all expectations.
	Gradient Coating Permanently shaded from top to bottom. A double-gradient lens is dark at the top and bottom and lighter in the middle.
	Graphite Combines carbon and fiberglass materials, it is extremely lightweight and strong.
	Ground and Polished Some non-prescription glasses are ground and polished when they are manufactured to improve the quality of the lenses. If glasses are not ground and polished it will not hurt your eyes.
	H - Hotel
	Hard Coating CR39 lenses are chemically treated with a hard scratch-resistant coating which provides extra protection during the lifetime of the lens. Please note that no chemical coating on a lens can be 100% scratchproof so be aware of any products that advertise the same.
	High Index Type of lens with a higher index of refraction, meaning that light travels faster through the lens to reach the eye than with traditional glass or plastic. It is denser, so the same amount of visual correction occurs with less material (whether glass or plastic) -- so the lens can be thinner.
	High index 1.56 Thinner and lighter than regular plastic good for higher prescriptions. Can easily tinted into sunglasses.
	High index 1.60 Thinner and lighter than 1.56 high index. These lenses already come with a scratch coat. Great choice for higher prescriptions.
	High index 1.66 Thinner and lighter than 1.60. These lenses already come with scratch coating. Also a great choice for high prescriptions.
	Hinges The part of the frame that connect the temples to the frame. Hinges can consist of a simple pin hinge or an optical hinge with a small screen. As an eyepiece is placed and removed from your face under normal conditions, the stress points of the frame tend to occur at the hinges. As a spectacle wearer, you will know how easy it is to damage a frame at the hinge. Hinges with screws are standard joints where a screw is placed to hold the arm and frame perpendicularly. Hinges without screws are where the arm and frame are made from one complete moulding. As such, it allows the arm of a frame to be extremely thin as there is no screw at the joint. Spring Joints are specially designed hinges (with or without a screw?) that allow a frame to open at a greater angle then normal. The stress points of a frame are thus reduced during daily wear.
	Hyperopia Also known as farsightedness, is usually inherited. Children are often hyperopic which may lessen as an adult. Hyperopia is a refractive error, which results from a disorder rather than from disease. A refractive error means that the shape of your eye does not bend light correctly, resulting in a blurred image.
	Hydrophilic Used in frame temples and nose pads, giving them more adhesion with high moisture. This means the more you sweat the more adhesion it delivers.
	Hydrated Nylon The industry's most durable material, virtually unbreakable with memory that returns to its original shape. Providing a lightweight fit for unmatched comfort during any activity.
	I - India
	Impact Resistant Polycarbonate used in lenses and frames are safer than traditional materials because they aren't brittle and hold up better under impact. They tend to absorb the impact rather than shattering, but this is not a guarantee of non-breakage.
	Infrared (IR) Radiation (760 - 3000nm) Long wavelength rays, sometimes called "heat waves". Half of the sun's energy is infrared, IR is stronger at high altitudes. Electric heaters, house radiators, and ordinary light bulbs also emit infrared energy. The rays cause the skin to feel hot and may contribute to the discomfort caused by exposure to bright light. Infrared Rays are radiant energy, or heat waves, not considered harmful under normal conditions. These heat rays cannot be seen but can be felt. If you are exposed to intense sunlight for a lengthy period of time (a day at the beach, for example) without infrared protection, you may experience a burning or stinging sensation in your eyes and a sense of fatigue. Infrared rays can be especially discomforting if you wear contact lenses. If your sunglasses fail to stop infrared light, it can be absorbed by your contacts, causing them to "warm up".
	Interchangeable Lenses Many brands supply their frames with an option to interchange lenses in order to provide the best view for immediate environment. For example, skiiers could carry 3 different lenses that simply slot out / slot in to ensure a sudden change in weather condition does not impair vision. Golfers are Please note that interchangeable lenses require the existing lens to be removed where as sunglass clip on's attach over the existing eyepiece.
	J - Juliet
	K - Kilo
	L - Lima
	Lens Colors and Tints The color of the lens is usually a personal decision, but here are some facts to keep in mind: Mirrored: Reduces the amount of light that reaches the eyes; good at high altitudes. Gradient: Shaded from top to bottom. (A double-gradient lens is dark at the top and bottom, and lighter in the middle.) Driving glasses are often gradated so that you can see the dashboard clearly. Photochromic: Automatically darkens and lightens as light conditions change. Photochromic (transitional) lenses will not get as dark as a standard sunglass - Grey 3, it will be closer to a Grey 2. They are not instantaneous like they elude to on the television commercials, they take sometime to adjust to changes in light. Heat also hinders the photochromic (transitional) lenses from getting dark. Your glasses in the winter when it is cold, will get very dark, the same pair in the hot summer will seam like they are not working as well. Tip: Darker doesn't necessarily mean better. The darker the lenses, the more visible light they block. Brighter conditions demand darker lenses. It's important to keep in mind where you'll be wearing them most. Sunglasses designed for mountain climbing, for example, generally have lenses too dark for everyday wear.
	Lens Size Manufacturers make frames in a variety of sizes in order to cater for the consumer. Our range of designer sunglasses are available in large lens sizes where an oversized or wrap around design is desired.
	M - Mike
	Macular Degeneration Is a degenerative disease that robs young and old of central vision. As a result, children face a lifetime of uncertainty and elders risk the early loss of an independent life. In addition to the support of long-term efforts in the fields of Stem Cell and Genetic research for an ultimate cure, we are particularly interested in promising near-term, scientific studies designed to inhibit the progression of macular degeneration and restore a measurable amount of vision to all.
	Malenium® Polycarbonate very durable material from which some lenses are made. Malenium® Polycarbonate adds a higher degree of safety to lenses by making them shatter-resistant.
	Megol Soft and pliable rubber, Megol gives a comfortable and slip-resistant fit.
	Metal Frames Frame metals usually start with base metals that are copper or nickel alloys. They are then plated with fine metals, such as gold, to give them a rich finish.
	Melanin Polarized Lenses "The three main concerns eyecare professionals have with sunlight are UV radiation, Blue light, and Glare. This trio of challenges is often not addressed by most sun lenses, and those that do address them don't necessarily address them well. Polarized Melanin Lens gives ultimate protection against all three. Ultra-violet light is the high-energy, invisible light ranging from approximately 190nm to 380nm. The UVA portion (315nm to 380nm) is considered harmful to the eye-causing problems such as sunshine or brown cataracts, increased pterygium, and photokeratitis. Sources of UV include direct exposure from the sun and computer monitor as well as reflective surfaces such as water, sand, and snow. Blue light, or more accurately the blue and violet portion of the visible light spectrum, is the high-energy visible light (HEV), which research is beginning to indicate is a contributing factor to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Visible glare is caused by sunlight reflected off surfaces such as water, roads, car windshields, snow, and sand. Polarized Melanin Lenses will be well suited to your active outdoor patients who are looking for a comfortable sun lens that is impact-protective and absorbs harmful light radiations. Consider it for boaters, hunters, skiers, hikers, forest rangers, police officers, or anyone who spends a good deal of time out-doors." * * Source - Drake, Diane. "SunRX Polarized Melanin Lenses Provide Ultimate Protection." Vision Care Product News. June 2004
	Memory Retention Nylon A special form of nylon that gives frames more flexibility and thus frames can fit practically any size face.
	Mirror Coating A lens with a high reflective coating will prevent the eyes of the wearer from being seen. The shiny mirror appearance reflects the rays from surfaces such as water, snow and ice. A highly reflective coating, which greatly reduces the amount of light that reaches your eyes. Generally applied over a dark sunglasses lens, but can be applied over any base color. Mirror coated lenses absorb anywhere from 10% to 60% more light than uncoated lenses. These are good for higher altitudes, sand, water and snow. Although the most common are the silver, gold and copper metallic coatings, you will find many colors available nowadays. *Also called Flash Coating See also Flash Coating...
	Mirrored Coating ( SUPER ) Mirror coatings on eyeglass lenses serve the dual purposes of fashion and function. The fashion aspect is easy to understand. Simply look at entertainment and sports celebrities that wear the “cool” look of mirrored lenses. Function is a bit more complicated because of the wide variety of mirror colors and densities. The best selling colors of silver, gold and blue have different properties and manage different needs, and other colors serve niche needs. These fashionable and functional coatings however, have had limited appeal because of four major drawbacks: · Mirrored lenses scratch easily · Repeated cleaning of mirrors will eventually wear the coating off the lenses · Mirrors are difficult to keep clean · Backside reflections cause visual discomfort The deep, rich hues of the new SUPER MIRROR solve the traditional problems of mirrored lenses. · SUPER MIRROR lenses have a diamond-like hard-coating that makes them extremely durable and resistant to virtually any kind of abuse · The SUPER MIRROR will not wear off · The SUPER MIRROR has a wax-like protection over the hard-coating that makes the lenses incredibly easy to clean and keep clean · An anti-reflective coating on the backside of the SUPER MIRROR lens reduces reflections to virtually zero Available in SILVER, GOLD, BLUE. Available on single vision polarized only.
	Monel Durable memory nylon material, virtually unbreakable with memory that returns to its original shape.
	Myopia Also known as nearsightedness, is inherited and is often discovered in childhood. Myopia is a refractive error, which results from a disorder rather than from disease. A refractive error means that the shape of your eye does not bend light correctly, resulting in a blurred image. Myopia often progresses throughout the teenage years, when the body is growing rapidly. People with high myopia have a higher risk of detached retina,which can be repaired with surgery, and glaucoma.
	N - November
	Nanometers The measure of the length of a wave of light. One billionth (10-9) of a meter.
	Nosepads Usually made of rubber or silicone, nosepads rest on your nose. They create distance between your face and the frame itself and are ideal for those with a flat or small nose.
	Nylon Lightweight and durable synthetic material, derived from coal, water, and air which is very flexible.
	O - Oscar
	O. D. O. D. simply means 'right eye'. It is the short form of the latin term 'oculus dextrous'.
	O. S. O. S. simply means 'left eye'. It is the short form of the latin term 'oculus sinister'.
	Ocular Ocular is anything of or relating to the eye.
	Optically Correct Lens When looking through a non-optically correct lens, you will continually refocus due to distortion. This leads to eye strain/fatigue, causing headaches, nausea and dizziness.
	Optyl A plastic material made especially for eyeglass frames. Optyl is 25% lighter than other plastics. It is hypoallergenic and has a memory, that is, it returns to its original shape if pulled out of adjustment.
	P - Papa
	Peripheral Vision The edges of your visual field. Most commonly refers to the left and right sides of your eyes.
	Photochromic Coating Will automatically darken and lighten when the light changes, although the cheaper photochromic lenses wont' get very dark and take some time to adjust to different conditions. It will require conditioning the lens first, through several exposures to the sun in order to darken fully.
	Photochromic A photochromic lens reacts to changes in sunlight or UV exposure conditions by automatically darkening in bright sunlight and automatically lightening when overcast. Glass Photochromic Lenses Glass photochromic lenses are solid-tinted, i.e. the degree of darkening can vary slightly depending on the thickness of the lens, as the photochromic substances are evenly deposited over the entire thickness of the lens. Plastic Photochromic Lenses The photochromic molecules in plastic lenses are primarily indolino-spironaphthoxacins. These change their chemical structure when they are irradiated with UV and short-wave blue light. Much like a flower when exposed to sunlight, they unfold and cause the lens to change colour. If the energy level of the UV radiation decreases or, as is the case when the wearer goes indoors, no UV is present at all, the molecules close again. The lens clears and adopts an attractive filter tint. As the molecules are only found on the lens surface, the darkening process takes place evenly over the entire surface, irrespective of the dioptric power.
	Polarized Lenses A filter sandwiched between the front and back surface of the lens which filters out horizontally reflected glare and allows you to see through reflected glare on the surface of water, snow, ice, glass etc. Ideal for water sports or winter sports where the water and snow increase the reflected glare. Absorbs 98% of the reflected glare.
	Polarization The ability of a lens to remove scattered or spurious light waves. Polarization eliminates annoying reflections off water, car windshields, and metal objects. Random light waves are created when normal rays of light reflect of surfaces such as smooth roads or still water. Lenses which are polarized reduce the glare effect produced by these random light waves which provide enhanced visual acuity and reduced eye fatigue.
	Polycarbonate Remarkable strong plastic. It weighs the least and is the most impact-resistant making it a perfect choice for rugged sunglass frames and lenses. The lens will also offer built-in ultraviolet protection.
	Presbyopia Inability of the eye lens to focus incoming light, resulting in blurred vision at a reading distance and eyestrain. Most people develop presbyopia in their 40s.
	Prism This is a box on the prescription form that is rarely filled in. Occasionally, when the two eyes are not properly aligned and looking directly at the same thing, prism can be ground into the lenses in order to re-align them. This can occur with strabismus (i.e. - an eye turn) or in situations where the eyes are properly aligned but are under a tremendous amount of strain in order to keep them aligned. The value under the 'prism' heading denotes the strength of the prism.
	Progressive lenses (also, progressive addition lenses or PALs) Multifocal lenses whose corrective powers change progressively throughout the lens. A wearer looks through one portion of the lens for distance vision, another for intermediate vision, and a third portion for reading or close work. Each area is blended invisibly into the next, without the lines that traditional bifocals or trifocals have.
	Protective Glasses Eyewear made with impact-resistant lenses, usually polycarbonate, that protects the eyes, especially in working situations or sports.
	Pupillary Distance or PD The Pupillary Distance (PD) is the measurement (mm) between the centre of each pupil. The Monocular Pupillary Distance is the measurement (mm) between the centre of your pupil to a virtual vertical symmetrical line on your face. The sum of the Monocular PD is equal to the Puillary Distance (PD) A typical Pupillary Distance (PD) is between 58m and 68mm and this number is essential to ensure your lenses havce the correct optical centres on simple prescriptions.
	Q - Quebec
	R - Romeo
	Rim Type The frame rim of all eyewear can be categorised into 3 types as below. Traditionally, an eyepiece has always been full rim, but technological advances and fashion trends have seen a greater number of semi-rimless and rimless frames enter the market. When purchasing a rimless frame, the lenses should have a minimum refractive index of 1.6 in order to give it extra strength and durability required when the lenses are drilled. Full Rim The lens is completely encased in the rim of the frame. Semi Rim The lens is encased in the top part (across the brow) of the frame. Rimless Frames Each lens is drilled at two points and held by the temples and nose piece.
	S - Seirra
	Safety Glasses Both the frame and lenses must pass ANSI standards. The frames are more durable than fashion frames and the lenses must be able to pass a "drop ball" test. This involves dropping a hard ball onto the lens from a certain height. If the lens cracks or shatters, it fails.
	Selective Light Filtration The act of filtering a certain wave of light. An amber or yellow lens often filters the blue wave of light giving a sharper high contrast view of the world.
	Serilium A combination of polycarbonate plastic and nylon that has the same durability as nylon, but is sturdier.
	Shield A pair of sunglasses that have one continuous lens which covers both eyes.
	Silicon Type of flexible and comfortable plastic. because it is commonly used in nose pads in eyeglasses, people who are allergic to silicone should be aware and seek a different type of nose pad.
	Side Pieces The type of side piece that accompanies a frame is crucial to the way it site over the ear. Straight sides are commonly found in sunglasses where the frame grips you just above the ear. Curl behind the ear are typically given to young children who are not used to wearing glasses as the curl reduces the chance of the frame slipping off. Hockey ends are the traditional side piece where the bend occurs just over the ear.
	Slide 4007 - Arnette Sunglass Model The Arnette Slide model 4007 by Arnette Optics is a high quality optical sunglass with multi-coated, polycarbonate lenses that are scratch and impact-resistant and provide 100% UV protection. The Arnette Slide model is the big brother to the Arnette Swinger designer sunglasses with the same cool styling but providing more coverage with its wider lens shape and full wrap design. The Slide is great for anyone who loves the Swinger but is looking to step up to the slighlty bigger frames that are in style today! What are you waiting for, Slide into your own pair today! No Slide is made with Polarized Lenses!
	Sphere The number under the heading 'sphere' is the main part of your prescription. The number itself denotes the strength of the lens as measured in diopters. A diopter is a unit of measurement that is simply the inverse of the focal distance of the lens as measured in meters. For example, if a lens has a strength of 2 diopters, then parallel light rays that pass through this lens will focus together at a distance of 1/2 meter (50 cm) away from the lens. If you are near-sighted (i.e. - you have trouble seeing far away but can see fine up close), then you can make a rough calculation of the strength of your glasses.
	Spring Hinge Type of hinge on eyeglass frames that is more flexible than a regular hinge, making the frames more durable and better fitting.
	Sunglass Clip Many leading brands of ophthalmic frames offer a sunglass clip on that connects over the frame which prevents the need to carry a completely seperate pair of sunglasses.
	T - Tango
	Temples The arms that run alongside your temples and over your ears. Temples are usually made of metal, plastic or memory retention nylon. Some temples are rubberized for greater slip resistance.
	Temple Size The correct temple size will ensure that the frame sits correctly and comfortably on your face. Manufacturers offer slightly different temple sizes on selected models. A symptom of an incorrect temple size could be as follows: 1. Your eyepiece slides down your nose. 2. Your eyepiece causes discomfort or rubbing behind your ear.
	Temple Length Is the length of the "arm" of a pair of glasses, running from the ear to the lens area in Millimeters.
	Temple Tips The part of the temple that normally curls around the ear. Some temple tips are rubberized to avoid slippage. Others are straight rather than curved.
	Titan 4006 - Arnette Sunglass Model The Arnette model Titan 4006 by Arnette Optics is a high quality optical sunglass with multi-coated, polycarbonate lenses that are scratch and impact-resistant and provide 100% UV protection. The Arnette Titan 4006 eyewear model is a full face plastic wrap frame around large oval cat eye lenses tapering to narrow arms. Small Arnette logo on lens and embossed 3D logo on the arms. With all these huge features they don't call it the Titan for nothing!
	Titanium A type of metal alloy that is very strong. Eyeglasses made of titanium are lightweight, durable and often hypoallergenic.
	Transmission Factor The transmittance of a lens is the ratio of emergent light to incident light. Transmittance in a lens with an antireflection coating is higher than in an identical, uncoated lens.
	Trivex offers strength and impact-resistance, light weight and thinness, and quality optics. TRIVEX lens material lets you prescribe a single lens with the qualities of many. This revolutionary lens material combines the key lens attributes your patients are looking for while offering the superior optics you demand. Only the finest lenses provide tri-performance. What is TRIVEX lens material? TRIVEX is the world's first tri-performance lens material; meaning it offers a triple combination of features never before found in a single material. Superior Optics. Impact Resistance. Ultra light Weight. This breakthrough in technology is specifically designed to deliver the most comprehensive performance of any lens material, anywhere.
	U - Uniform
	Ultraviolet (UV) Rays The invisible part of the light spectrum whose rays have wavelengths shorter than the violet end of the visible spectrum and longer than X-rays. UVA and UVB light are harmful to your eyes and skin. UVC are blocked in the upper atmosphere and almost never reach the earth.
	V - Victor
	Visible Light That part of the sun's energy that you can see. it is made up of a spectrum of colors; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The eye is not equally sensitive to all of these colors. It is most sensitive to yellows and greens which it can see the best. The eye is less sensitive to reds and blues.
	W - Whisky
	Windless Eyewear Will enclose and seal your eyes from the elements. Venting of the lenses allows slight airflow to keep the lenses from fogging and keeping your eyes from excessive wind irritation (great if you wear contacts). These glasses come with 100% UV protection along with diverting wind, dirt or snow.
	Wrap-Around (wrap) Type of eyeglass frame that curves around the head, from the front to the side. Wrap-around sunglasses tend to offer extra sun protection because the lenses usually wrap as well.
	X - Xray
	Y - Yankie
	Z- Zulu

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