Want to wear eyeglass frames with dummy clear lenses--okay?

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arvo@goggo.com.au - 21 Mar 2005 12:35 GMT

I would like to buy frames with clear non-prescription lenses just
because I think I look better with glasses, and to protect my eyes from
dust and other things.

Are the plastic dummy lenses that are in the frames you see on display
in the Optical store sufficient for this? Do they allow clear
undistorted vision? Are they shatterproof, in case somebody aimed a
slingshot at my eye? Are they scratchproof?

In other words, can I just walk into a store and buy a frame with the
plastic lenses that are already in it? Or do I have to have them order
special clear lenses that have these qualities?

Thanks for any information.

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Robert Martellaro - 21 Mar 2005 21:53 GMT

>I would like to buy frames with clear non-prescription lenses just
>because I think I look better with glasses, and to protect my eyes from
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>plastic lenses that are already in it? Or do I have to have them order
>special clear lenses that have these qualities?

The latter. Consider coated (anti-reflection) lenses. If you need sunglasses
look for a frame that has a polarized clip available.

Hope this helps

Robert Martellaro
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Optician/Owner
Roberts Optical
robopt@execpc.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field."
- Niels Bohr

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arvo@goggo.com.au - 22 Mar 2005 16:36 GMT

Thanks for your replies. Why are the dummy lenses unsuitable? Is it
because they aren't clear enough, and distort your view? Also, are they
not shatterproof? I'm not looking for sunglasses, just want some clear
nonprescription glasses.

Thanks again.

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Mark A - 22 Mar 2005 18:07 GMT

> Thanks for your replies. Why are the dummy lenses unsuitable? Is it
> because they aren't clear enough, and distort your view? Also, are they
> not shatterproof? I'm not looking for sunglasses, just want some clear
> nonprescription glasses.
>
> Thanks again.

The main purpose of the dummy lens is so that the optician can mark the
fitting height on the plastic with a marking pen in order for the real lens
to be cut properly. The dummy lens also holds the frame together and keeps
it from bending out of shape.

These dummy lenses are very thin and will scratch easily. I suspect (but
don't know) that the dummy lenses are very susceptible to shattering into
very sharp pieces, and maybe more dangerous than having no lens. But it is
also possible that not all dummy lenses are the same material.

If you want to know whether they are clear and distortion free enough, try
them out yourself.

If you want a true shatterproof lenses (or highly resistant to shattering),
you will need polycarbonate or Trivex lenses.

I think most people would be able to notice that the dummy lens is not real,
so that might another problem (but I don't really know why you want them).

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Kay Lancaster - 22 Mar 2005 23:42 GMT

Are you looking for safety glasses?
e.g.: http://safetyglasses.com/ao_safetyglasses/metaliks.php#f

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drfrank21@gmail.com - 21 Mar 2005 22:42 GMT

> I would like to buy frames with clear non-prescription lenses just
> because I think I look better with glasses, and to protect my eyes from
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Thanks for any information.

Those dummy lenses in frames sold in opticals are not for wear. It's
only for demo purposes. You do need an actual spectacle prescription
even if you are emmetropic (ie without any refractive error).

If you're going to use them as sunglasses, of course there are many
good otc (over the counter) sunglasses available. But again, if
as you stated, you want clear untinted lenses you can't get them
without prescription lenses.

frank

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Dan Abel - 22 Mar 2005 18:18 GMT

> I would like to buy frames with clear non-prescription lenses just
> because I think I look better with glasses, and to protect my eyes from
> dust and other things.

As someone who wore glasses for 35 years, I can tell you that they aren't
a lot of help against dust. Sand maybe, but not dust.

After my first cataract surgery, my doctor told me that I needed to wear
eye protection (glasses) for some period of time. I found
non-prescription bifocals at the drugstore. They had no correction in the
top, which was most of the lens area, and a minor reading correction in
the small segment on the bottom. This was exactly what I needed. These
glasses were probably less than US$20.00. Be aware that a plain frame
that you buy at an optical place will set you back anywhere from US$75.00
on up. Blank lenses will run you another US$50.00.

I investigated getting a blank lens put in my existing glasses (your
vision changes as your eye heals from the surgery, so you can't just get
correct lenses right away). They said that it would be US$42.00! (I had
a high index lens for the other eye).

Signature

Dan Abel
Sonoma State University
AIS
dabel@sonic.net

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