Materials, coatings, and special lens options explained in one place, with a link to the full guide for each.
The material your lenses are made from affects weight, impact resistance, and clarity. Polycarbonate and Trivex are the most common choices for durability, while standard plastic (CR-39) offers strong optical clarity at a lower cost.
Highly impact-resistant and lightweight -- the standard recommendation for kids, sports, and rimless frames. See our full lens materials guide.
Similar impact resistance to polycarbonate with slightly sharper optical clarity, at a modest cost increase.
Excellent optical clarity at the lowest cost, though less impact-resistant than polycarbonate or Trivex.
Thinner and lighter than standard lenses -- best for stronger prescriptions. See our high-index lenses guide.
| Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Single Vision | One consistent prescription across the entire lens -- most common design. |
| Bifocal | Two distinct zones (distance and near) with a visible line dividing them. |
| Progressive | A smooth gradient from distance to near vision, with no visible line. |
Reduces glare from screens and headlights, and makes your eyes more visible behind the lens. See our anti-reflective coating guide.
A hard protective layer that helps lenses resist everyday scratches. See our scratch-resistant coating guide.
Blocks harmful UV rays regardless of lens tint. See our UV protection guide.
Filters high-energy visible light from screens. See our blue light blocking lenses guide.
Automatically darkens outdoors and clears back up indoors. See our photochromic lenses page.
Cuts glare from reflective surfaces like water and roads -- available for prescription sunglasses. See polarized vs. photochromic vs. tinted.
What lens material is best for me? +
What's the difference between a lens design and a lens coating? +
Can I combine multiple lens options, like blue light blocking and progressive? +
Does Shade Gray include any coatings by default? +
Every frame at Shade Gray starts at $49 with anti-scratch and anti-reflective coating available -- add the lens options that fit your prescription and lifestyle.