Surgery Center

Optical Boutique

Trained, expert staff
Our optical boutiques are staffed by certified opticians, specially trained to assist you with all lens prescriptions and frame selection.

A full optical selection
Our optical boutiques offer all lenses available and display frames in every price range - from "budget" to "designer fashion" frames. We continually preview products and update our styles so you find exactly the eyewear you're looking for. Our caring opticians take whatever time is necessary to determine the lens/frame combination right for you. We also carry a wide variety of fashion sunglasses.

Optical services location and hours
At Andersen Eye Associates' two convenient locations, your ophthalmic needs - from eye examinations to selecting the correct eyewear - are met at one stop. Optical services are always available to you with no appointment. We will gladly adjust your eyewear and answer any questions.

Our pledge
We stand behind our products. If you are not 100% satisfied, we will do everything possible to make it right.   

View our Extended Warranty

Buying Great Glasses at Andersen Eye Associates

You can use this guide as a resourceful tool to help you choose which types of eyewear are appropriate for you.

Download The Smart Buyer's Guide to Buying Great Glasses PDF

Lens Types
Single vision lenses: correct one of the two common types of vision errors, nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia) and may also correct for astigmatism.

Multifocal lenses: correct for more than one vision error. The most common multifocal lens is the bifocal lens, where the upper portion of the lens is corrected for distance viewing and the lower portion of the lens is corrected for near viewing (14-20 inches).

Trifocals: add a third segment in the lens for intermediate viewing (20-36 inches). With traditional bifocals and trifocals, the near and intermediate segments are distinct, so they are often referred to as lined bifocals or lined trifocals.

Progressive lenses: were developed in 1958 to eliminate the lines on bifocals and trifocals that many patients find bothersome. Progressive lenses also allow both distance, intermediate and near vision, but provide a gradual transition between the different segments.

Lens Materials
Glass lenses: are available today although they are heavier, thicker, less protective and less cosmetically appealing than other types of lenses.

Plastic lenses: were introduced in in 1962 and became more popular than glass lenses in the 1980s. Traditional plastic lenses are as thick as glass lenses, but they are much lighter.

Polycarbonate lenses: lighter, thinner and more impact-resistant than glass or plastic lenses, but the clarity is not as sharp. These lenses are commonly used and recommended for children as well as for safety glasses.

High-index plastic lenses: tend to be more expensive than regular plastic lenses, but they are the best option for over half of all patients when considering weight, thickness and cosmetic appearance.

Photochromatic lenses: darken when exposed to sunlight and become transparent when in dim light.

Polarized lenses: available in non-prescription and prescription sunglasses as well as sunglass clips. These lenses reduce the glare coming from objects you are viewing, such as a wet street, windshield, oncoming cars and snow. They are naturally UV protective and available with scratch resistant coatings.

Lens Options
Once you select a lens material, you can also select whether to add the following options:

Scratch-resistant coating: can be applied to plastic lenses and is generally a standard feature on progressive, high-index, photochromatic and polycarbonate lenses.

Anti-reflective coating: is a multi-layered coating that reduces lens surface reflection and improves vision by allowing more light to pass through the lens.

Ultraviolet coating: an additional lens application that blocks the transmission of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) emissions from the sun.

Tinted lenses: are an option for patients who are particularly sensitive to bright lights and sunlight.

Frame Options
Selecting the right eyeglass frame for you can be exciting, particularly if you want a new "look". Your optician can help you find the frame material, size, shape and color that best suits you.

Size: While smaller frames are still the norm for prescription eyeglasses, bifocals and progressive lenses do require a minimum frame size in order for the lens to function properly. Larger frames provide a wider field of vision, but dramatically increase the weight and edge thickness of the lenses.

Shape: Eyeglass frames are quite varied, so lens shapes may be round, oval, rectangular or any combination of shapes.

Material: Frames can be constructed from plastic, stainless steel, titanium, metal alloy and other derivatives of plastics and metals. Each material varies in terms of weight, flexibility, durability and cost.

Hinges: In addition to the traditional hinges on eyeglass frames, many frames have spring hinges that bend in both directions. This feature is particularly important for children and active adults who are more likely to have their glasses hit by balls, toys and other people.

Nosepieces: Virtually all metal and titanium frames rest on the nose using "floating" nose pads, while plastic frames often rest directly on the nose. It is important to be sure that nose pads or frames rest properly on your nose.

Specialty Glasses
While less commonly sold than general purpose eyeglasses, the following types of specialty eyeglasses are available at Andersen Eye Associates:

Computer glasses: generally have single-vision lenses corrected to crisply see objects 18-30 inches away.

Reading glasses: are similar to computer glasses but are corrected to see objects 14-16 inches away. These glasses are ideal for reading books and newspapers, or for hobbies that require fine near vision.

Hunting glasses: are made with sturdy frames and polycarbonate lenses that can withstand the rigors of hunting and provide needed eye protection. In addition, the lenses are often corrected to specifically enhance distance vision, and a yellow tint may be utilized to increase vision in dimly lit environments.

Designer Eyewear
At Andersen Eye, we offer a variety of designer eyewear brands for our patients, and at affordable prices. Click here to see our selection of designer eyewear.

Please email us at optical@anderseneye.com for more information.