Products and Services
Bronze Optical is about excellent eyewear, superior service, and competitive pricing that is straightforward and fair.
Your vision is too important to trust to a novice, and no one should be rushed through purchasing decisions. Our services include a scheduled fitting consultation, at no additional charge, during which you will be the focus of our attention. Bring your current prescription, or call for our referral to an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
Lenses
Bronze Optical has access to the full range of lens materials, and the knowledge to determine which lens material best suits your prescription.
Standard lenses
May be CR 39 plastic or glass, a fine choice for low to moderate prescriptions and for adult wearers. Stronger prescriptions or prescriptions with prisms, or when selecting larger frames, do not do as well in these materials because they are heavier and thicker. Glass lenses are not recommended for lenses worn during contact sports. Even heat-treated or chemically hardened lenses can break under certain conditions. However, there are industrial settings in which glass is the best lens material. Consultation questions enable us to identify the best material for you.
Thin lenses
Polycarbonate is a thin lens most advised for children and persons who engage in contact sports. This material is of exceptional impact resistance. It's not unbreakable, but breakage is rare. (A nail can be driven through some polycarbonate lenses without their shattering.) Moderate to somewhat-strong prescriptions are best in this material. It is lightweight, thin, and in moderate powers has good optics across the lens. Trivex, similar in many ways to polycarbonate, is the latest material for thin lenses in drilled rimless frames, to ensure minimal risk of "spider" cracking around the drill holes.
Thinner lenses
High-index material is best for strong prescriptions and is really crucial for prescriptions in power ranges of - 6.00 or + 5.00 and stronger, in order to achieve a thinner lens and still maintain optimal optics across the vision field. Prescriptions with high cylinder for astigmatism correction are best served with this lens. The cost difference of a few dollars is well worth the improved vision and aesthetics of the lens.
Thinnest lenses
Polycarbonate aspheric material performs very well in low to moderately high prescriptions with low cylinder power. In the appropriate prescription it essentially combines the benefits of high-index and polycarbonate to produce very agreeable lenses.
Lens treatments
We will suggest and explain the benefits of specific lens treatments that we believe would contribute to meeting your vision needs. We will never try to sell you lens treatments that you don't need.
Tints
Can serve both cosmetic and practical functions. Maybe you want tinting to provide a certain light protection or perhaps there is a color you think is simply cool. Or maybe your job situation requires tinting rather than polarization, such as the pilot in the cockpit. We'll discuss your considerations and get what is right for you.
Transitions
Lens tinting darkens and lightens depending on light intensity. A great choice for the moderately light-sensitive eye outdoors. Not so great for light sensitivity when driving. Our consultation will determine if it's the right choice for you.
Polarization
This treatment acts somewhat like mini-blinds on a window. Its "angling" function blocks the light that makes glare so problematic. Great for outdoor activities, beside the pool, fishing. With some exceptions, it is the all-around best choice for sun lenses.
Non-glare or anti-reflective
This vision-enhancing lens treatment works wonders in improving clarity of vision, reducing eye-strain, and virtually eliminating those disorienting halos around headlights and taillights at night. Non-glare treatment is available at various quality levels. The highest quality product is embedded in the outer surface of the lens, with a protective hydrophobic, easy-to-clean surface. It is not easily scratched. Lower quality non-glare treatment is essentially a coating on the outside of the lens. Because it is not embedded in the lens material, it is more prone to scratching, peeling, flaking, cracking, and crazing. Non-glare treatments range from $40 at the low end to $120 for the best product. If your budget won't permit you to choose one of the better non-glare products, we suggest not wasting your money on the cheaper versions.
Frames
We look forward to helping you choose from the hundreds of frames, contemporary and retro, that we have personally selected. Our inventory includes name brands in many styles and colors, in metal, titanium, plastic, and rimless. We can help you choose eyeglasses for primary or back-up use, sunglasses, or glasses for sports, safety, recreation, hobby, TV, or computer use. We also have polarized sun clips in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
Aspex . Banana Republic . Best Image . Bollé . Brendel . Carrera . Dolabany . Easy Clip . Easy Twist . Elasta . Elizabeth Arden . Emozioni . Eye Think Eyewear . Fiction . Gant . Genevieve . Geoffrey Beene . Guess . Humphrey's . I.Frame . Jill Stuart . Jones New York . Koali . L.A. Eyeworks . LT Lightec . Lucky Brand . Manhattan Design . Mario Galbatti . Mexx . Mod Eyez . Modz . Neostyle . Oscar Magnuson . O&X New York by Kio Yamato . OGA . OGI . Perry Ellis . Plumé . REM Eyewear . Sàfilo . Scandinavian Eyewear . Shuron . Silhouette . Sophia Loren . Stratus . Takumi . Titanflex . Trillium . ¡uy! . Valentino . Van Heusen . Wildflower
Eyewear maintenance
Eyeglasses require regular maintenance to ensure optimal vision and comfort. Eyeglasses that are neglected often do unpleasant things at inconvenient times: Screws and eye wires become loose. Temples and nose pad arms get out of alignment. Lenses become loose in the frame and fall out. Nose pads become discolored.
Regular maintenance of your eyeglasses is one of the fabulous benefits of being a client of Bronze Optical. Call 414-221-7055 to schedule your maintenance visit. Every six months or so is a good idea.