20/20 Vision Center

We feature a number of high quality sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun and physical trauma, but that also make a statement about you. Stop by and see our great selection. Any frame in our office can be made into sunglasses, so the possibilities are endless. We have many sport-specific sunglasses as well for those of you who have an active lifestyle. We especially prefer Oakley sunglasses (see Oakley section) and Bolle sports systems.

Ultraviolet light (UV) is that portion of the spectrum of invisible light that is below 286 nm to 400 nm. While the primary source of UV is the sun, other sources include welder's flash, video display terminals (computer screens), fluorescent lighting, and other lighting.

UV is divided into 3 segments designated as A, B, and C. UVC (below 286 nm) is effectively filtered by the earth's ozone layer; UVB (286-320 nm) is that solar energy which is the cause of sunburn and snow blindness, which is absorbed by the cornea. UVA is that part of the invisible spectrum (320-400 nm) of particular concern to eyecare professionals as it is the most damaging of UV radiation, and is the radiation transmitted to the lens and retina in the eye.

More and more research is connecting UV exposure to earlier cataracts and the development of age-related macular degeneration. Other conditions are also thought to be UV related. Pinguecula or pterygiums are one such example. These are the yellowish bumps many people have on the white parts of their eyes (called the sclera) who spent a lot of time outside without good protection.Of course, a number of skin cancers are also UV related.

Bombardment of the eye by near UV (300-400 nm) results in photochemical eye damage, and as the human eye ages, penetration of the UV increases. Even some medications may cause eyes to become more sensitive to UV radiation. Caution: sunglasses themselves may not provide UV protection at all. Just because a lens is dark, doesn't mean it's protecting your eyes. In fact, by just darkening a lens to eliminate glare, the pupil actually dilates and more harmful UV radiation can penetrate. What's most important is not how dark a sunglass is, but whether it has the UV protection put into the lens, which is actually a clear treatment and is recommended even on non-sunglass lenses. Good sunglasses with good UV protection insure minimal exposure to UV radiation and minimize the risks of these problems.

Oakley has built a legacy of seeking out problems and solving them in ways that redefine product categories. This discipline requires an unyielding drive to defy convention and invent a better solution. Today, that passion generates prototypes in SLA liquid laser tanks. It sculpts in the virtual world of CAD/CAM engineering and renders innovations with 3-D digital mastering.

FRAMES: The digital precision of CAD/CAM engineering ensures that each Oakley frame is designed to maximize durability, minimize weight, and maintain comfort with Oakley's three-point fit and patented Unobtainium® earsocks.

LENSES: Oakley prescription lenses are made of pure Plutonite®. This proprietary innovation blocks 100% of all UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light. Lenses are custom ground beyond industry standards and feature Oakley Rx, an adaptive geometry that extends critical focus by mapping light rays in a 3-D grid. Look for the RX logo, etched into the periphery. It is your guarantee that the lenses provide the widest possible field of clarity and protection in corrective eyewear. A full spectrum of hues allows you to tune transmission for any light condition.

Options include Iridium® coatings, Polarized lenses and Clear Lenses with anti-reflective coating.

Oakley RX is an adaptive geometry that allows prescription lenses to take advantage of the wrapped, raked-back architecture of Oakley frames. Corrective optics have been adapted to Oakley's patented "POLARIC ELLIPSOID" lens geometry. Designed for critical clarity in the most demanding sports applications, Oakey performance eyewear also offers superior protection against high-velocity and high-mass impact. Vital equipment for competition, the lenses maximize peripheral clarity and protection.