Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Below is a compilation of some of the more common questions. If you cannot find an answer to your question below, do not hesitate to contact our customer service for further assistance
Q.
Do transition Lenses get completely dark when used on a sunny day? Can they completely replace my sunglasses?
A.
Regular transition lenses do not work while driving. This is because transition lenses activate when there is UV light around. However the windshield of a car has a UV protection layer which prevents the transition lenses from activating. There is another type of transition lenses, called Extra Active transitions. These lenses which are about 15% more sensitive to UV radiation compared to regular transition lenses, do get activated while driving.
However, there is a downside to the Extra Active lenses: due to their extra sensitivity, they can get slightly activated even when there is no direct UV radiation, such as when you are indoors. This makes them slightly dark when you are using them in the office or while at home. So if you are planning to use your lenses only while driving, you would be better off if you get polarized prescription lenses, aka prescription sunglasses. But if you also need to use them indoors, best approach would be to have two separated glasses: one pair of polarized eyeglasses to be used outdoors and in the car, and another pair of transitional lenses for indoor use.
See the Optics 101 section of our website for more educational material on this, and many other related topics.
Q.
I have a frame that I’m not sure if I can use as my prescription glasses. Would my prescription lenses even fit in them?
A.
If there are already some kind of prescription glasses in them, that would mean that the frame is in general Rx-able, i.e. it can be used to fit prescription lenses in them. However, since the accurate answer also depends on the type of prescription you have, you can send us a picture and/or model number of the frame along with your prescription and we will be able to determine that definitively.
Q.
I cracked one of my lenses on my prescription sunglasses. Is there any way I could get them replaced? I purchased them years back and do not have my receipt and don’t know the exact brand or model.
A.
If you have your prescription, that would be great. But if you don’t, it’s not a problem, we are most likely still able to extract your prescription from your existing lenses even if they’re cracked. If you can send us an image of the cracked lens, we can tell you for certain whether we can get the prescription from the len
Q.
How can I choose the appropriate material for my lenses?
A.
Here is a very general rule of thumb when selecting lens material: If your prescription power is greater than +4 or smaller than -4, you might want to consider Hi-index plastics if you want your glasses not to be overly thick. Otherwise, if your prescription is within the -4 to +4 range, you can go with both plastic and Polycarbonate lens. While plastic lenses are less expensive, they are not scratch or shatter resistant. Conversely, poly lenses are always a greater choice due to their superior quality.
Q.
I have a prescription that has an ADD power, but I want only single vision lenses. Is that an option?
A.
Yes! it indeed is, but we have to know what your goal exactly is, i.e. what is your use case in mind and what do you expect your new glasses to accommodate for. More specifically are you trying to accommodate for distance, or near vision? Or is it something in the middle.
Check out our Optics 101 section on the different fields of vision.
Q.
Do you do mirror coating?
A.
With polarized we indeed can. However, that options does not seem to be available in our ordering system since we aimed for simplicity. But if you are looking for mirror coating, contact our customer support and let us know what color you are interested in. Also visit www.kbco.net for a wide selection of colors. Check out the section under Mirror Colors. It must be noted, however, that mirror coating would be an extra $80 on top of polarized lenses
Q.
Why can't I order Anti Reflection (AR) for my polarized lenses?
A.
You do not need AR coating for the front surface of your polarized lenses, since they already block glare due to their internal structure. Anti-reflection coating, however, may be applied to the rear surface of the polarized lenses (the side that faces your eyes) in order to prevent light coming from behind you to reflect and bounce back into your eye upon hitting this rear surface.
