Lens Extras: Are They Worth It? A Guide for Glasses Wearers in Penrith
When choosing new glasses, your frame style is only part of the equation. What goes on your lenses, from coatings to tints, can significantly impact your comfort, vision quality, and how long your glasses last.
At City Optics Penrith, we offer a wide range of lens extras to suit everyday wear and specific lifestyle needs. In this guide, we will explain the most popular lens upgrades, which options are available same day, and help you decide which ones are worth considering.
What Are Lens Extras?
Lens extras (also called lens coatings or enhancements) are optional features added to your lenses to improve performance, protect your eyes, and extend lens life. They are especially useful for people who spend a lot of time on screens, outdoors, or driving.
At City Optics Penrith, we cut and edge lenses in-house using professional equipment. This means:
- No middleman delays, resulting in better value
- Faster turnaround, often same day for eligible prescriptions
- Tighter quality control with every pair made on-site
Popular Lens Extras Explained
Here is a closer look at the most in-demand lens extras and their benefits.
Hard Coat (Standard Scratch Resistance)
- Every lens at City Optics comes with a hard coat by default.
- This adds basic scratch resistance and helps protect the lens surface.
- ✅ Included on all lenses, available same day.
Anti-Reflective (AR) Coating
- Reduces glare from screens, headlights, and overhead lighting.
- Enhances visual clarity and reduces eye fatigue.
- Improves lens appearance by minimising reflections, ideal for photos and video calls.
- Can also be added to sunglass lenses to reduce reflections from behind.
- ✅ Available same day for most prescriptions.
Blue Light Filter Lenses
- Filters out high-energy blue light from screens and digital devices.
- Helps reduce digital eye strain and may support better sleep.
- Useful for reducing glare from bright LED headlights at night.
- ✅ Plano (non-prescription) blue light lenses are available in-store. Prescription versions need to be ordered.
Super Diamond Coating (Premium Upgrade)
- Offers enhanced scratch resistance with an easy-to-clean, smudge-resistant surface.
- Great for active lifestyles or anyone wanting more durable lenses.
- ⏳ Requires ordering, not available same day.
Tinted Lenses
- Fixed-colour tints like grey, brown, and green to reduce brightness and glare.
- Fashion tints are available in lighter shades such as pink, blue, or yellow.
- All tints come with 100% UV protection.
- ⏳ Requires ordering, not available same day.
Polarised Lenses
- Blocks harsh glare from water, roads, and glass surfaces.
- Improves contrast and reduces eye fatigue for outdoor activities.
- Includes full UV protection.
- ⏳ Requires ordering, not available same day.
Photochromic (Transition) Lenses
- Clear indoors and darken automatically in sunlight.
- Convenient alternative to switching between glasses and sunglasses.
- Available in grey, brown, or green when activated outdoors.
- Transition options at City Optics include Standard, Premium, and Xtractive types.
- ⏳ Requires ordering, not available same day.
High Index Lenses
- Thinner and lighter than standard lenses, ideal for higher prescriptions.
- Improves comfort and aesthetic appearance, especially in larger or rimless frames.
- 1.56 and 1.60 index lenses are kept in stock and may be available same day.
- Higher index lenses, such as 1.67 and 1.74, as well as polycarbonate lenses, need to be ordered.
Are Lens Extras Worth It?
Lens extras can make a real difference to your visual comfort, clarity, and the longevity of your glasses, depending on your lifestyle.
If you are on screens all day
- Blue light filter lenses help reduce eye strain.
- Anti-reflective coating cuts glare and improves clarity, making your glasses look better on camera and in person.
If you spend time outdoors
- UV protection is essential for eye health.
- Tinted lenses and polarised lenses help manage brightness and glare.
- Transition lenses offer versatility by darkening outdoors without needing a separate pair of sunglasses.
If you have a stronger prescription
- High-index lenses make glasses lighter and slimmer, improving both comfort and appearance.
If you are hard on your glasses
- A hard coat is standard, but a Super Diamond coating provides even better scratch resistance and easier maintenance.
If you are buying sunglasses
- Adding an anti-reflective coating to the back surface reduces distracting reflections, especially useful for driving and outdoor use.
At City Optics Penrith, our team will only recommend lens extras that genuinely suit your needs, with no pressure and practical advice.
Why Choose City Optics Penrith?
We are more than just a sunglasses shop in Penrith. At City Optics, we offer:
- In-house lens cutting and edging for faster service
- Same-day glasses for eligible prescriptions
- A large selection of quality frames
- Honest advice from experienced professionals
- Competitive prices, backed by our price-beat guarantee
Book Your Eye Test or Visit Us Today
Want to learn more about lens extras or need help finding the right options for your lifestyle? Visit us at City Optics Penrith, or book an eye test online today.