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Thread: Which Essilor lens for me?

  1. #1
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    Which Essilor lens for me?

    I'm looking at possibly getting my first pair of glasses after using readers for the last five years. I finally had my eyes checked and was told I need a progressive no-line lens. I have to say that I'm amazed at the lack of professionalism that I've encountered so far. Many outfits look at you like you have two heads if you ask what brand lens they are selling you
    or what kind of anti-glare coating. Sure... I don't care... it's only money. :hammer:
    So much misinformation... but I guess this is true in everything nowadays.
    Thank goodness I've found this forum!

    Anyway, I've heard the two kinds of varilux lens Comfort and Panamic are the best no-line progressives. I'm wondering how it compares with the ovation or the natural. I see there are are others but I'm just going by what seems to be most commonly sold.

    Also when I ask about crizal most places say they don't know what anti-glare coating goes on the lenses and that it is done at the factory. Are the lenses ordered from essilor and would they put the coating on there or do the retailers order them and put their own anti-glare coating on? I've heard anything but Crizal will come off.

    I was told today that polycarbonate lenses scratch more easily than plastic. Is this true? Maybe I don't need/want polycarbonate then.


    At the very least I might ignore the 50% off sales and read this forum for a few months before making a decision. I might just stick with the two pairs of readers I've been carrying... not sure.


    I am: OD + 1.00 - 025 x 120
    OS + 1.00 - 025 x 180
    Add + 1.50

    Thanks for any input. :)

  2. #2
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    Anyway, I've heard the two kinds of varilux lens Comfort and Panamic are the best no-line progressives.
    It would be more accurate to say that the Panamic is one of the better designs.

    Are the lenses ordered from essilor and would they put the coating on there or do the retailers order them and put their own anti-glare coating on?
    Both are possible.

    I've heard anything but Crizal will come off.
    Not true.

    I was told today that polycarbonate lenses scratch more easily than plastic. Is this true?
    Nope.

    Find an experienced optician who get's it right the first time.

    Hope this helps
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  3. #3
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    Panamic vs Comfort

    Hi , Dd

    I agree with Robert for your choice at below ;

    1. The best quality and value : Varilux Panamic

    2. The value and the world choice : Varilux Comfort

    Varilux Panamic is total better than Varilux Comfort for all performance about 30% , please try to going for Varilux Panamic if you would like to have total visual freedom.

    Essilor Ovation and Essilor Natural is cheaper but the performance is lower more than 40% , and I am not recommended, because " Life is too short to limit your vision at all distance "
    " Life is too short to limit your vision"


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    Ratchaprasong , Bangkok , Thailand 10330
    isoptik@gmail.com
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    Fax. : +66 2 251-3770

    :cheers:

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    Thanks for the replies.

    Actually... the fella that told me that plastic is more scratch resistant than
    Poly seemed pretty experienced to me... until he said that. ;)

    Nobody is pushing the Panamic that's for sure. Are they a lot more money?
    If I can get them to talk about a Varilux lens they only want to sell the comfort. Most places look at me like I'm a trouble maker for bringing up the varilux at all. :finger:

    With my distance vision being not too bad I'm wondering about the possibility of some of those Online or Access lenses. My vision is not bad after about ten feet. Would I be a candidate for something like that? I read you can even drive with them. Aside from a lot of computer work I look at maps while driving a lot and this is where the readers are a real pain. This would knock me down to one pair of glasses instead of the two pairs of readers I carry now. They are like bifocals correct?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dd
    Thanks for the replies.

    Actually... the fella that told me that plastic is more scratch resistant than
    Poly seemed pretty experienced to me... until he said that. ;)
    that is strictly true, poly is quite soft compared to CR39

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dd
    Thanks for the replies.

    Actually... the fella that told me that plastic is more scratch resistant than
    Poly seemed pretty experienced to me... until he said that. ;)

    Nobody is pushing the Panamic that's for sure. Are they a lot more money?
    If I can get them to talk about a Varilux lens they only want to sell the comfort. Most places look at me like I'm a trouble maker for bringing up the varilux at all. :finger:

    With my distance vision being not too bad I'm wondering about the possibility of some of those Online or Access lenses. My vision is not bad after about ten feet. Would I be a candidate for something like that? I read you can even drive with them. Aside from a lot of computer work I look at maps while driving a lot and this is where the readers are a real pain. This would knock me down to one pair of glasses instead of the two pairs of readers I carry now. They are like bifocals correct?
    Poly IS softer then regular plastic in its uncoated state. Poly is always scratch coated(sc) because of this. Standard plastic is usually has sc but you can buy it without it. How scratch resistant poly is depends on how good the sc and the ar is.

    Crizal is an excellent ar and my choice for varilux lenses. There are other good ones though. However, there are many poor ar coatings out there.

    Computer/desk lenses are not like bifocals and you shouldn't drive in them. They will make your far distance correction worse. How far you can see into the distance depends on the lens and your prescription but none of them can be used for driving. If you need a lens that you can wear while driving to look at maps you need a progressive.

    I have a pair of Panamics and I like them a lot. Another progressive I like for people that need a decent intermediate and near area is the Sola One.

    Most chain opticals only sell a couple different progressives. Some of them can get Panamic but not always. I have even had several people come into my shop and tell me they were wearing the Comfort (that's what they were told they were buying) and they were wearing the Natural.

    If you go to independent opticals or private eye doctor's offices you will generally be able to buy the Panamic and many other progressives.

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    Okay, so then the reason people get polycarbonate lenses ,other than being more shatter resistant, is because they're lighter? I read poly is not as clear as plastic. Maybe I don't need Polycarbonate?

    I need to find out more about the computer/desk lenses.

    What is the name of the Sola progressive lens?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dd
    Okay, so then the reason people get polycarbonate lenses ,other than being more shatter resistant, is because they're lighter? I read poly is not as clear as plastic. Maybe I don't need Polycarbonate?

    I need to find out more about the computer/desk lenses.

    What is the name of the Sola progressive lens?
    Can you post your prescription? That would be helpful.

    There are several Sola progressives, I like the Sola One.

    Poly is both lighter and thinner then standard plastic but if your prescription is not strong it won't make much difference.

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    Hi--as a consumer, and not an optical professional-I found that at the chain retailers-I never could get a straight answer. I had to go through my phone book and call around to find out who uses Varilux lenses...
    Once I found opticians who use varilux, I found them to be very enthusiastic to work with me, and to share all of the info about their lenses that they could. Nobody treated me like I had two heads, or was an idiot...I only got that from the "mall chain stores" and could never get a straight answer from them about their products.
    In the end however-I went with the Shamir Piccolo lens with Crizal alize AR coating, and I absolutely love it. I work in Neonatal intensive care, so when looking into isolettes I find I am using the intermediate zone alot, and my vision is great, not only in the intermediate zone, but also in the distance, and in the reading. And with the Alize coating-I don't get reflections off the plastic of the isolette to impede my vision which makes for a very comfortable work lens. the piccolo is a short corridor lens. Shamir also makes a regular lens-the Genesis. I don't have any experience with that lens, as I wear a smaller fram with a B measurement of 30 mm. anyway--Just wanted to give you my experience as a consumer. You do need to call around to independant opticians and ask them if they carry varilux lenses. those who truly work with essilor will be very helpful and enthusiastic to work with you. Good Luck!!

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    The Shamir lenses are very nice and they make a good computer lens also.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Robert Martellaro
    It would be more accurate to say that the Panamic is one of the better designs.
    It may be even more accurate to say that the new Varilux Physio is better than both. According to a letter from Essilor Lenses 2 out of 3 wearers prefer Varilux Physio over either Varilux Panamic or Varilux Comfort.

    My 2 cents.

    Adam

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    Quote Originally Posted by Happylady
    Can you post your prescription? That would be helpful.

    There are several Sola progressives, I like the Sola One.

    Poly is both lighter and thinner then standard plastic but if your prescription is not strong it won't make much difference.
    My prescription is in my first post.

    Any particular sola progressive or is there just one?

    My prescription is not strong so plastic may be the way to go.
    What about UV protection, does plastic have it like Polycarbonate does?

    Why are you so Happy? :)

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    Quote Originally Posted by roxysmom
    Hi--as a consumer, and not an optical professional-I found that at the chain retailers-I never could get a straight answer. I had to go through my phone book and call around to find out who uses Varilux lenses...
    Once I found opticians who use varilux, I found them to be very enthusiastic to work with me, and to share all of the info about their lenses that they could. Nobody treated me like I had two heads, or was an idiot...I only got that from the "mall chain stores" and could never get a straight answer from them about their products.
    In the end however-I went with the Shamir Piccolo lens with Crizal alize AR coating, and I absolutely love it. I work in Neonatal intensive care, so when looking into isolettes I find I am using the intermediate zone alot, and my vision is great, not only in the intermediate zone, but also in the distance, and in the reading. And with the Alize coating-I don't get reflections off the plastic of the isolette to impede my vision which makes for a very comfortable work lens. the piccolo is a short corridor lens. Shamir also makes a regular lens-the Genesis. I don't have any experience with that lens, as I wear a smaller fram with a B measurement of 30 mm. anyway--Just wanted to give you my experience as a consumer. You do need to call around to independant opticians and ask them if they carry varilux lenses. those who truly work with essilor will be very helpful and enthusiastic to work with you. Good Luck!!

    It think you're right, it's mostly the chain retailers... but they have such good deals. :) There are a couple 50-60 % off sales on both frames and lenses. Some have better guarantees as well.
    I would possibly take a shot at the ovation lens at one of them but they
    can't tell me what anti-glare coating they use.
    It's done at the factory.

    It's my first pair of glasses if I go through with this, so I'd like to get something I'm more likely to use. I can think of other uses for this money so I'm trying to increase the likelihood that they won't end up in a drawer.
    Thanks.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cherry Optical
    It may be even more accurate to say that the new Varilux Physio is better than both. According to a letter from Essilor Lenses 2 out of 3 wearers prefer Varilux Physio over either Varilux Panamic or Varilux Comfort.

    My 2 cents.

    Adam
    Oh... there ya go throwing in another option. :hammer:

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dd
    Okay, so then the reason people get polycarbonate lenses ,other than being more shatter resistant, is because they're lighter?
    If you are looking for the lightest lens, then you are looking for Trivex. Hoya makes a great Trivex product called Phoenix and Younger makes an excellent product called Trilogy. Single Vision, Single Vision Trans Gray/Brown, Bifocals, Bifocal Transitions Gray, Trifocal 7x28, along with a bevy of progressive lenses such as the Hoya Summit ECP and CD, Hoya GP Wide and Younger Image.

    Hoya Super HiVision is also an excellent Super Hydrophobic AR coating that offers excellent scratch resistance.

    O yeah, BTW, Trivex meets the highest impact resistance standards set be the US FDA.

    Adam

    Adam

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    Hi Dd--Ok--I am thinking I went to the same chain store as you--with the 50% off deal--is all I can say is they stand behind their guarantee and will refund your money-100%...after I got my refund-i went to the independant dealer, and that is where I found my Shamir lenses which I love, love, LOVE!!
    With the Chain store glasses-they first got my astigmatism correction wrong in my left eye-so that was 3 redos right there before I noticed that the computer slip read 068 rather than 080. I asked the guy about it and he said no--it's supposed to be 068-we called your doctor and double checked-when in fact-they had not double checked-I called my doctor myself to find out--so they lied to me, then tried to tell me that it was still within "tolerance". It definitely was not in tolerance-I had alot of eye pain and headache. then after talking to my doctor-I went back and insisted they redo the lenses with the correct prescription-well by now they weren't being real nice to me-but I didn't care.After having them redone yet again-at least I was told they had been redone--I still did not have clear vision and still alot of eye pain. At that point-I asked for my money back which they gave me.
    So--I don't think the savings was worth it. It caused alot of unnecessary trips back and forth, and 3 1/2 weeks of pain trying to wear those glasses.
    At the independant optician I went with--I used a pair of frames that I already had, and my lenses were $450.00. My optician was more than willing to use my old frames--he said they were in great shape, and he felt confident having me use them. He never pressured me to purchase frames from his store--which were 400-500 dollars--way out of my budget. In fact, he told me if I wanted new frames-I could purchase them anywhere-online, ebay, another store, and then bring them in and order my lenses from him.
    So--to sum it all up--my lenses were 450.00. From the chain dealer-my complete pair of glasses had cost me $362.00 after the 50% off deal. So with out the 50% off they would have been $724.00-and I still would not have been able to wear them.
    Whatever brand of lenses you decide on-I think you will be so much happier with premium lenses, and a good optician will do what mine did regarding the frame. they will also be able to answer all of your questions, and will not mind you asking all sorts of questions. They will also give you straight answers and will be knowledgeable about the brand of lenses they sell.
    I also want to again recommend the Crizal alize AR coating. I have never been so happy with a pair of glasses!
    Good luck with whatever you decide!!

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    Quote Originally Posted by roxysmom
    Shamir Piccolo lens with Crizal alize AR coating, and I absolutely love it.
    As a distributor of Crizal and Crizal Alize' I am almost positive that this is not possable. I will check after I post, but I do not remember seeing the Shamir Office as an approved Crizal Alize' lens. Perhaps there is a rogue lab out there, or someone sold you a name. If they are selling you AR on that name. I can guarentee you they are not selling over 40% AR. Not that Crizal Alize' is a bad name, but the presentation of AR needs to be quick, conciese, and without words that a patient may have never heard. Glare/no glare, reflection/no reflection, easier night driving/harder night driving, easy to clean/hard to clean... LoL

    Branding is for manufacturers and laboratories. It is up to the Eye Care Professional to dispense the eyeglass that will best fit the patient's lifestyle and visual needs.

    Adam

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dd
    Oh... there ya go throwing in another option. :hammer:
    Sorry. I can only go on what the marketing department claims. Apparently there is no agreed upon way to test the 'quality' of a PAL....? Personally, I just look at what gets returned and what doesn't. That usually is the best judge.

    The quality of all nondisposable products is directly related to the need or lack of need for maitence and/or repair.


    Adam

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    hey Adam--I have the Shamir Piccolo lens--not the Office. It is a great coating--makes my job easier as I am a Neonatal Intensive care nurse. There is less reflection off the monitors and isolettes. and yes--it makes for much easier night driving.
    Quote Originally Posted by Cherry Optical
    As a distributor of Crizal and Crizal Alize' I am almost positive that this is not possable. I will check after I post, but I do not remember seeing the Shamir Office as an approved Crizal Alize' lens. Perhaps there is a rogue lab out there, or someone sold you a name. If they are selling you AR on that name. I can guarentee you they are not selling over 40% AR. Not that Crizal Alize' is a bad name, but the presentation of AR needs to be quick, conciese, and without words that a patient may have never heard. Glare/no glare, reflection/no reflection, easier night driving/harder night driving, easy to clean/hard to clean... LoL

    Branding is for manufacturers and laboratories. It is up to the Eye Care Professional to dispense the eyeglass that will best fit the patient's lifestyle and visual needs.

    Adam

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dd
    My prescription is in my first post.

    Any particular sola progressive or is there just one?

    My prescription is not strong so plastic may be the way to go.
    What about UV protection, does plastic have it like Polycarbonate does?

    Why are you so Happy? :)
    Sola One is the name of the progressive. Sola One....that is the name.

    Your prescription will be fine in standard plastic. It blocks over 90% of uv but not as much as poly does.

    If a place is selling lenses for 50% off all the time you gotta wonder if they are marking up their lenses to put them on sale. How many do they really sell at the "full price".

    Lenscrafter will refund your money if you aren't happy, but their warranty if your glasses break or scratch isn't so great. They charge you a copay for warranties.

    I work for an independent optomometrist. Our progressives start at $195.00 and Varilux Panamic is less then $250.00 We give a free warranty on them. We sell lots of frames for under $130.00 and all our frames have a free one year warranty. I think these prices are in line with most chains like Eyemasters and Lenscrafters. Not all independents are super expensive.

    I am happy cause I have a great life! :D

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    Quote Originally Posted by Happylady
    Sola One is the name of the progressive. Sola One....that is the name.

    Your prescription will be fine in standard plastic. It blocks over 90% of uv but not as much as poly does.

    If a place is selling lenses for 50% off all the time you gotta wonder if they are marking up their lenses to put them on sale. How many do they really sell at the "full price".

    Lenscrafter will refund your money if you aren't happy, but their warranty if your glasses break or scratch isn't so great. They charge you a copay for warranties.

    I work for an independent optomometrist. Our progressives start at $195.00 and Varilux Panamic is less then $250.00 We give a free warranty on them. We sell lots of frames for under $130.00 and all our frames have a free one year warranty. I think these prices are in line with most chains like Eyemasters and Lenscrafters. Not all independents are super expensive.

    I am happy cause I have a great life! :D
    I agree with you about the 50% off and the mark up of the lenses. I will always recommend independant optometrist to my friends and co workers from now on. I'm not sure what my lenses started at, but with the crizal alize and also transitions, my final cost was 450.00 which I did not think was bad at all. Especially for the fact that I can wear them with out any problems, and they spend more time on my face than they do in a drawer:)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Cherry Optical
    Sorry. I can only go on what the marketing department claims.
    in that case, every lens on the market is the best lens then

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    Quote Originally Posted by roxysmom
    hey Adam--I have the Shamir Piccolo lens--not the Office. It is a great coating--makes my job easier as I am a Neonatal Intensive care nurse. There is less reflection off the monitors and isolettes. and yes--it makes for much easier night driving.
    My bad. Shamir Piccolo... either way neither of them are available with Crizal Alize' AR coating. Check it out for yourself: http://www.crizalpro.com/Crizal_Availability_2005.pdf

    I often wonder if the branding of AR in the Indepedent clinics helps or hurts AR percentage sales?

    Adam

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    Adam,
    Most Shamir Products are available with Crizal SAR Coatings. Piccolo Hard Resin, Transitions and Polycarbonate are available.

    Availability Chart for Laboratories, Dated November 29, 2005

    Jerry

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Thornhill
    Adam,
    Most Shamir Products are available with Crizal SAR Coatings. Piccolo Hard Resin, Transitions and Polycarbonate are available.

    Availability Chart for Laboratories, Dated November 29, 2005

    Jerry
    Jerry,

    Help me out, what is Crizal SAR Coatings? Googled it and found nothing.. I'll keep looking, but please help. I am always looking to learn about new products.

    Adam

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