The Art And Science Of Choosing The Right Eyeglass Lenses

When people buy eyeglasses, they typically spend their time picking out frames that look good on their face. But what many don’t realize is that the real story—and a big chunk of the price tag—is the lenses. Lenses aren’t just an afterthought; they’re the part of your glasses that work the hardest and make or break whether you like wearing the frames.

Curious about what sets great lenses apart from the merely meh, I spoke to someone from Zeiss Vision Care, which is pretty much the gold standard for lens technology. Marketing director Robert T. Spirito, a 34-year industry veteran, filled me in on why Zeiss lenses are a cut above and how to keep them in tip-top shape (hint: it’s certainly not by wiping them with your CVS receipt). Zeiss is known for making lenses that don’t just help you see clearly but also hold up better over time. Spirito’s advice and insights go to show that taking care of your lenses—and choosing them wisely in the first place—is key to getting the most out of your glasses.

David Hochman: Zeiss has a reputation for making the best prescription lenses. But they’re definitely not cheap. If I was explaining to my mother why I just paid so much for Zeiss lenses, what should I say? What’s the real difference between Zeiss and other options on the market?

Robert T. Spirito: You could tell your mom that Zeiss doesn’t just fill the prescription. We take a bigger-picture view of how the frame fits the shape of your face and how it fits with your lifestyle. So, yes, what’s your vision like, but also what are your everyday tasks, habits, interests, activities, sports? What kind of job do you do? What’s your age? Those things are important because our pupil size and the way our eyes react to different scenarios changes with situation and with age. When we create a profile, we ask a lot of questions about usage in addition to taking different measurements to make these lenses truly customized for you.

The lenses are also built to higher standards than other brands. In 2018 we launched Zeiss UVProtect Technology, which made Zeiss the first brand to upgrade UV protection to the full spectrum, up to 400nm, in clear lenses. The eyeglass industry, which manages the ANSI standards, had agreed that 380nm was “good enough” for regular clear eyeglass lenses. I realize we’re getting a little technical here, but the point is, we really do go further to meet the needs of vision care consumers.

David Hochman: How does all that translate in the user experience with Zeiss?

Robert T. Spirito: People describe the Zeiss experience as the wow vs. the whoa. The wow is what we want. When you put on a pair of prescription lenses for the first time, you want to say, “Wow, my doctor did a bang-up job. The prescription is just right.” Whether you’re reading or driving or looking into the distance, you want a crisp, clear view that does not strain your eyes in any way. That’s different than the experience many people get when they do an online option or a one-hour type place because of price. That’s when you put a pair on, go, “Whoa, wait, something’s not quite right.” That translates as eye fatigue or worse. You might actually get a little nauseated when as you’re adjusting to a pair of “whoa” lenses.

David Hochman: You mentioned that people in different jobs might require different lenses. What kind of lenses might an accountant need versus, say, a truck driver?

Robert T. Spirito: No matter who’s wearing the lenses, the optician’s goal is to design the best set of all day lenses for the user, right? So an accountant would probably want to favor the near or the intermediate zones, because those are the areas you would use typically for a computer or for reading up close, whereas a truck driver would probably want to favor the distance vision but still have good intermediate vision to be able to see their dashboard or to read directions, that kind of thing. Those details matter so it’s very important to have these types of conversations with your optician. It might seem like a lot of information to share but the more details they have about how you use your eyes during the day, the better they can help serve your vision needs.

David Hochman: I will admit that I sometimes wipe my lenses with my shirt to clean them.

Robert T. Spirito: Oh, don’t tell me!

David Hochman: Or possibly with a napkin…

Robert T. Spirito: Oh, my g….

David Hochman: …or a random scrap of paper. This isn’t great, right?

Robert T. Spirito: Um, no. Even if you’re desperate you shouldn’t use those things. Once you scratch lenses, you can’t remove the scratches.

David Hochman: Okay, I hear you, I hear you. Tell me then: what’s the legit best way to care for lenses to ensure longevity and optimal performance?

Robert T. Spirito: Aside from never using your shirt or sleeve or some other potentially abrasive material, probably the most important tip is that the lenses need to be wet when you clean them. So, whether you use a Zeiss lens wipe, which is a premoistened wipe that comes in a packet or a soft microfiber cleaner, just be sure you use water first or a spray cleaner to moisten the lenses. That is your best protection against scratches. And while many people do carry lens cloths with them, just a reminder that you need to clean that cloth sometimes. Otherwise, debris from the cloth gets back on the lenses. If the lens is dry, the little particles from a cloth can be like sandpaper on the lenses. And, no, let’s not even talk about cleaning lenses with your shirt. That’s not a great idea.

David Hochman: What’s the future of prescription lenses? Anything you’re seeing out there that is like the holy grain for vision technology?

Robert T. Spirito: There’s lots of speculation on where the industry could go. The buzzwords lately are all about spatial computing, augmented reality and virtual reality. People in the industry are asking, how do you make smart glasses that are truly smart? I think at some point you will have lenses that that can adjust for your vision either automatically or that you could signal to change. In other words, based on whatever task you’re about to do—let’s say it’s playing tennis or doing intense computer work or watching a movie—you could tell your lenses to make an adjustment. At the same time, everybody wants something thinner, lighter, and lasts for the life or your prescription with breaking or scratching. We’re constantly making small innovations but I think we’ll see some exciting technology just down the road.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.