What is your base lens?

Jo · 07-30-2006, 08:35 AM

Scratch Resistant CR-39 is still our base lens. However, we have noticed that most of our patients are naturally getting better lenses either because of frame choice (we do fit a large number of rimless frames) or the increased popularity of AR. Also, a number of our area chains are proprietary poly.

Is the industry phasing CR-39 out just as it did glass years ago? What is your base product?

**GOS_Queen** · 07-30-2006, 11:06 AM

Our optical manager prefers that the opticians feature phoenix as the lens of choice - but he's not opposed to selling cr 39, hi index 1.67 +, glass, poly, whatever suits the needs best. The percentage of a/r is quite high, too.

**For-Life** · 07-30-2006, 11:22 AM

right now it is CR-39 with SRC. We do about 60 percent AR overall.

In the future I would consider moving towards more UV blocking materials and going only AR.

**chip anderson** · 07-30-2006, 01:20 PM

Depends a little on frame size, decentration, etc.
Children: Poly
Adults to +or- 3.00 = CR-39
Adults beyond + or - 4.50 1.58 to 1.61 index
Adults beyond + or -4.50 1.67
Low power rimless= Trivex or Phoenix.

**Jedi** · 07-30-2006, 06:51 PM

Lots of Phoenix with Hi-vision.

**Andrew Weiss** · 07-31-2006, 10:44 AM

Scratch-resistant CR39 is still our base lens, although our poly percentage is creeping up there -- probably around 30-35% poly. AR is still lower than I'd like, probably only 25-30%.

**RGV Optical Lab** · 08-01-2006, 05:03 PM

Although most of the Opticals I outsource my lab to use CR-39, at the retail level we use Hi-In and Poly (both w/AR) stock lenses. I personally think poly is a crappy material and we push Hi-In plastic.

**Fezz** · 08-01-2006, 05:41 PM

More and more Phoenix / Trivex. I really like the Phoenix with Super Hi-Vision. I am hating Poly more and more everyday.

Fezz
:cheers:

**Cherry Optical** · 08-01-2006, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by GOS_Queen

Our optical manager prefers that the opticians feature phoenix as the lens of choice - but he's not opposed to selling cr 39, hi index 1.67 +, glass, poly, whatever suits the needs best. The percentage of a/r is quite high, too.

I agree with this. HOYA Phoenix is a perfect base lens and comes standard with Clarity Shield, includes 100% UVA and UVB protection, AOA Certified, lightest weight, 1.1 specific gravity, high tensile strength, chemical resistant ISO 175 certified, comes standard with 1.0 CT, high ABBE value, impact resitant ANZI Z87.1 certified, and most deffinately not be strongly promoted at 'big box' opticals across the country.

Adam

**optigrrl** · 08-08-2006, 03:46 PM

Over the last 2 quarters:

CR39 - 37%
poly - 22%
phoenix - 28%

**Grubendol** · 08-08-2006, 04:07 PM

We do predominantly poly ar and high index. And we almost never do a base AR, it's always Crizal, Teflon or equivalent.

**Bezza** · 08-11-2006, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

Depends a little on frame size, decentration, etc.
Children: Poly
Adults to +or- 3.00 = CR-39
Adults beyond + or - 4.50 1.58 to 1.61 index
Adults beyond + or -4.50 1.67
Low power rimless= Trivex or Phoenix.

Yeah this is pretty much what we use too, it entirely depends on the Rx and what the patient is willing to pay for. Personally I dislike poly because of the high constringence but it is without a doubt the best choice for kids due to its impact resistance and UV cut off (we sell it as an upgrade to the voucher value but when told of the benfits parents are usually willing to opt for it).

I just wish it was a bit easier to convince some of the oldies who have had AR coats fail on them in the past that they really are worth the extra, it seems some other opticians in our area fail to let their patients know that the coatings are guaranteed for 2 years and they end up distrusting AR coats forever.:angry: