At Shasta Vision Group we are here to help you with the most avanced lenses and materials available to meet all of your vision needs.  We are skilled at converting challenging glasses prescriptions into comfortable and attractive eyewear. 

In addition to the extensive selection of economical and designer frames on display in our Optical Dispensary, we can special order almost any frame.  Our frame selection includes both classic and modern styles for every taste or preference.

Our highly skilled staff are able to adjust and fit your glasses for extended comfort while providing excellent vision.  We are also experienced in frame repair should accidents or emergencies arise.

Lens Materials:

• Plastic: Conventional hard resin lenses are half the weight of glass lenses and can be either clear or tinted to almost any color.
• Lighter thinner lenses:  Modern technology has created lenses that bend light differently so that stronger corrections are thinner than when made in conventional plastic materials.  Such materials are known as "Hi-Index" lenses.
• Polycarbonate: This is the lens of choice for young people, anyone concerned with safety and sports eyewear because it is the most impact resistant lens available.
• Sun darkening lenses:  Lenses that darken as you go from indoors to outdoor sunlight are available in glass, plastic and Hi-Index.  Such lenses are known as "photochromatic".
• Glass: Conventional crown glass has improved scratch resistance, but it is the heaviest lens material and the least safe regarding impact resistance and breakage.

Lens Designs:

• Single Vision Lenses:  Most appropriate when correction is needed for only one distance or only one power is needed to see clearly at all distances.
• Progressive Lenses: Most benefitial when you need a different prescription for reading than for distance.  These lenses provide more natural vision by allowing clear sight at all distances (distance, near and everywhere in between) by removing the lines of a conventional multifocal.
• Bifocal Lenses: Bifocals provide correction in 2 powers - distance & near.  Bifocals are necessary when a single vision lens no longer provides the best vision at all distances. 
• Trifocal Lenses:  Trifocals provide correction for 3 powers - distance, arms length & near.  As the need for stronger reading lenses progresses, a gap develops between the distance and near clear zones of a bifocal causing blurred vision at arms length.  A trifocal can provide correction for reading and an intermediate zone.  While not as continuous as a progressive lens design, a trifocal does provide clarity beyond the reading distance out to approximately 3 feet.
• Computer Lenses:  Extensive computer use requires correction for the computer distance in the straight ahead position of the lens (so you do not have to tilt back and strain your neck in order to see clearly at that working distance).  Computer lenses are designed to provide computer correction in the middle of the lens with reading below and distance correction in the upper portion of the lens so you can look up and see clearly across the room.
• Occupational Lenses:  Occupational lens designs are available to meet the special needs created by certain work environments.  Many occupations require near work both below and above eye level (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, mechanics, etc.).  Specially designed lenses can provide near correction in both the top and bottom portion of the lens.
• Sports Glasses:  Many lens designs and lens treatments are available for the special needs of sports enthusiasts.  From swim goggles to ski goggles, fishing lenses to shooting and biking lenses, they are designed to hlep you get the most out of your endeavors with visual efficiency, comfort and safety.  Polycarbonate is the material of choice for active sports.

Lens Treatments:

• Scratch Resistant Coating:  Hard resin lenses can scratch more easily than glass.  Special coatings can help protect your lenses from scratching with normal everyday use.
• Anti-Reflection Coating:  Anti-reflective coating is particularly effective for reducing eye fatigue from computers, night driving and fluorescent lights that cause glare.  This also enhances the appearance of the lens and glasses by removing all distracting reflections from the lens surface.
• Polarized Sun Lenses:  Polarized lenses eliminate reflected glare from surfaces illuminated by bright sunlight.  They are great for driving, fishing, hunting, and all types of outdoor activities.  They are available in many differnt colors.

These are by no means the only lens materials, designs, or treatments available.  Please tell us your work or leisure visual interests and we can tailor exactly the right lenses for all your visual needs.