Choosing the Right Lenses for the Right Frame for the Right Patient

At Calgary Vision Centre, we believe that precision eyewear starts with personalized attention. Selecting the right lenses isn’t just about matching a prescription, it’s about matching the lenses to the patient’s lifestyle, frame choice, and unique visual needs. Our opticians work closely with our doctors to ensure every set of glasses is not only visually precise but also comfortable and functionally perfect for everyday life.

Why Lens Selection Matters

Not all lenses are created equal and even the right prescription can feel wrong if the lenses aren't chosen and fitted with care. Certain decisions, such as lens index, curvature, optical center placement, and even coatings, can make or break a prescription. We take time to understand:

  • Your occupation and how you use your eyes at work

  • Your daily routines, screen use, and outdoor activity

  • Your facial structure and how the frame sits on your face

  • Your comfort with multifocal lenses or specific vision corrections

Our Industry-Leading Redo Rate

While many opticals have redo rates of 10–15% or more, meaning patients return because their glasses aren't working , our redo rate is consistently below 3%. This isn’t luck. It’s the result of:

  • Detailed patient interviews

  • Exact lens fitting measurements

  • Proper frame alignment

  • Collaboration between doctor and optician

  • Using only top-tier lens manufacturers

Premium Lenses, Tailored to You

We are not tied to just one brand, because no single lens works for every patient. Instead, we draw from a full spectrum of leading-edge lenses to find the perfect match. Our most trusted partners include:

  • Nikon Lenses – Known for their optical clarity, precision engineering, and advanced coatings

  • Hoya Lenses – Renowned for lightweight comfort, digital lens technology, and excellent progressive performance

We also have access to many other global lens labs — so you get exactly what you need, without compromise.

The Fit Between Lens and Frame

Lenses don’t exist in isolation. A prescription that works in one frame may underperform in another if the shape, size, or wrap of the frame isn’t compatible. That’s why we:

  • Analyze frame geometry before selecting lenses

  • Measure optical centers and pupillary distance with precision tools

  • Adjust frames to your facial features for the ideal fit

This holistic, detail-oriented approach ensures exceptional vision and comfort from day one — with no need to “get used to your glasses.”

Experience the Difference at Calgary Vision Centre

If you’ve ever felt like “something’s off” with your new glasses , we hear you. Come see why professionals across downtown Calgary trust our team with their vision. At Calgary Vision Centre, you’re not just getting glasses, you’re getting a tailored visual solution backed by data, experience, and care.

Ready to experience perfect clarity?
Book an Eye Exam or visit us to speak with an experienced optician.

Why can’t I just buy my glasses online? Aren’t all lenses the same?
— Anonymous

Lens thickness in a low-index lens

Press on the above image and drag sideways to change the prescription. Note how as the prescritption increases the lenses increase in thickness at steady rate

Lens thickness in a hi-index lens

Press on the above image and drag sideways to change the prescription. Note how as the prescritption increases the lenses stay substantially thinner than the equivalent prescription in a low index lens

Consumers should have the freedom to make their purchases where they want.  However, we do believe that these decisions should be educated decisions.  On this page are two experiments highlighting the significant differences between lens types, even in the same prescription.  The demonstration above shows the significant lens thickness differences seen between different prescriptions and between different lens densities (index). The demonstration below show the distortion and abberation differences found between two lenses of the same prescription (but different design). In each case, one lenses is approximately 50% more expensive than the other. Is the price difference justified?

Low index generic lens

As your rotate the lens, notice the distortion of the words, especially in the periphery of the lens, even when its perpendicular to line of sight

Hi-Index Hoya® Aspheric Lens

Notice how when this lens rotates there is less peripheral distortion, especially when the lens is perpendicular to line of sight


lens companies we work with