Find the best Lenses at Erkers

Thinner and lighter high-index lens materials have impacted eyeglasses in a very significant way. Thin eyeglasses are attractive; thick ones aren't. Light eyeglasses are comfortable; heavy ones aren't. So it's no surprise that most of us want the thinnest, lightest eyeglasses possible.

Most eyeglass wearers are nearsighted, and require the basic physical property of lenses with edges that are thicker than their centers. The stronger the prescription, the thicker the edges (see lens drawings below).

Most of today's fashionable frames are made of plastic or metal with rims thinner than the lens itself. Also, popular rimless mountings mean that the lens edges are completely exposed. In either case, the lens edges are highly visible, and thicker edges can detract from the appearance of your eyewear.

How High-Index Lenses Differ From Regular Lenses
Eyeglass lenses are able to correct vision because they bend light as it passes through the lens. The amount of light-bending (or refraction) that's needed to provide good vision is determined by the eyeglass prescription provided by your eye doctor.

For weaker eyes, the number in the prescription is higher, and the lenses must bend the light more to provide clear vision. Prescriptions for nearsighted people begin with a minus symbol (-). If your prescription is -5.00 diopters, for example, you are very nearsighted and need a stronger lens than someone with a -2.00 prescription.

To bend light more, stronger minus lenses require thicker edges than weaker minus lenses. It's not unusual for a nearsighted prescription to worsen over time, which means the edges of your lenses will grow increasingly thicker with each prescription change.

Fortunately, chemists have created a variety of new plastic lens materials that bend light more efficiently than the conventional plastic lenses used for eyeglasses. This means less material can be used in high-index lenses to correct the same amount of nearsightedness.

Advantages of High-Index Lenses
Thinner. Because of the ability to bend light more efficiently, nearsighted lenses made of high-index materials have thinner edges than the same prescription made from conventional plastic materials of the same prescription power.

Lighter. Thinner edges require less lens material, which reduces the overall weight of the lenses. Lenses made of high-index plastic are lighter than the same lenses made in conventional plastic, so they're more comfortable to wear. High-index glass lenses also have thinner edges, but high-index glass is heavier than conventional glass, so there is not as much weight savings with glass as there is with plastic lenses.

Lightweight lenses are even more of a benefit for farsighted prescriptions, which can make conventional lenses very heavy. And most high-index lenses also have an aspheric design, which makes them flatter and reduces the magnified "bug-eye" look that conventional lenses cause in strong farsighted prescriptions.

Many High-Index Lens Choices
Different varieties of thinner, lighter high-index lenses are classified by how well they bend light. The ability to bend light is controlled by the material's "index of refraction," a ratio that compares the speed of light when it travels through air with the speed of light when it passes through a clear material. If a material bends light more, speed is slowed as well. So the higher the refractive index of a lens material, the thinner the lens.


Left: High-index lenses can be much thinner and lighter, even in a strong prescription. Right: The three basic types of eyeglass lenses: no correction (such as non-prescription sunglasses); farsighted lenses; and nearsighted lenses. (Photo: Vision Consultants, Inc.)For conventional plastic, the ratio (or "index") is 1.50. For glass, it's 1.52. Any lens material with a refractive index that's higher than that of glass or plastic is considered to be high-index. High-index plastic lenses are now available in a wide variety of refractive indices, typically ranging from 1.53 to 1.74.

All other things being equal, a lens made from a 1.66 index material has thinner edges than a lens made from a 1.56 material. Lenses with an index of refraction of 1.70 or higher are typically at least 50 percent thinner than conventional plastic lenses. Also, generally speaking, the higher the index, the higher the cost of the lenses.

Your eyeglass prescription also determines what kind of high-index material you want for your lens. The highest index materials are used primarily for the strongest prescriptions.

If you want high-index lenses, be sure to ask for them. But rely on your eye doctor's or optician's advice regarding which index to use. Your eye care practitioner can explain which index makes the most sense for your exact prescription. Most popular lens designs and features (single vision, bifocal, progressive, photochromic, etc.) are available in high-index material. But there are exceptions, and your eye doctor or optician will know which high-index lens options are available in your prescription.

AR Coating: A Perfect Companion for High-Index Lenses
All lens materials block some light from passing through the lens. This light reflects back from the lens surface, causing distractions and reducing the clarity of night vision.

Conventional glass or plastic lenses reflect about 8 percent of the light that otherwise would reach the eye. High-index lenses reflect up to 50 percent more light than conventional glass or plastic lenses. However, when an anti-reflective lens coating (AR coating) is applied, high-index lenses transmit 99.5 percent of the light. And by allowing more light to enter the eye, AR coatings provide sharper night vision with less glare — a real advantage for night drivers.

Because AR coatings also eliminate lens reflections, they make high-index lenses appear even thinner. This is a big plus if you want to improve your appearance in eyeglasses.

Barton Perriera Exclusively at Erkers in Saint Louis

The Newest name in highend eyewear has finally arrived and its Exclusively in St. Louis at Erkers Fine Eyewear. Barton Perriera is dedicated to pure luxury, their approach to fashion redefines style and elegance. Come see this incredible collection Exclusively at Erker's. Not only does Erker's carry the latest and the greatest in eyewear but we offer the clearest, thinnest and lightest lenses on the planet. We guarantee that you will find a frame that fits you and your personality. Come on in and check us out. Find us online at www.erkers.com.

Tornado eyewear by DERAPAGE

DERAPAGE EYEWEAR TRUNK SHOW IN JUNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are umpteen ways, materials, techniques of making a pair of glasses. One has but to choose. Derapage has always entailed a choice, an ambitious one, the same today as twenty years ago: to create hi-tech eyewear to an exclusive design. A slice of future glimpsed at a preview.

We are having a Derapage trunk show at the end of June. Stay tuned for some fantastic details. This is going to be one of the coolest trunk shows we have ever d0ne. Derapage Eyewear is by far the coolest and most different eyewear we have seen in 2010. All of these frames are made in Italy using a patented design. Come on in to check it out. The specific dates will be up shortly. We are super excited about this fantastic line. Simply Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!

Erkers Fine Eyewear The Most Trusted Optical Company in St. Louis for over 131 Years!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you ever worry about stores that open and close shortly afterward? Do you invest in your eyewear needs with an optical company only to find out the staff has changed or the company has disappeared? Do you feel that poor customer service and poor quality do not justify a cheap pair of prescription eyewear?

If this is happened to you or if you are looking for a a company where you can get all of your optical questions answered and purchase the best eyewear and lenses on earth, then stop by Erker's Fine Eyewear. Located in St. Louis for 131 years Erkers strives to offer the most unique, and fashion forward eyewear on the planet. No one has the optical experience, knowledge or quality that Erkers has continued to offer for over 131 years. Do not trust "snake oil salesmen" here today and gone tomorrow. For 5 generations the Erker family has offered only the best in lenses and eyewear at every price point. Come on by to see what everyone is talking about. Feel comfortable purchasing your eyewear from a family company that has been around for 131 years. Come see us in Ladue or Downtown St. Louis or find us online at http://www.erkers.com/.

Don't wait, come on in to Erkers biggest sale of the Year!!!

This sale is on a first come first serve basis, do not miss out on some great frames that were originally between $200-$500. This is our biggest sale of the year and each frame is of the greatest quality you know you can find at Erkers. Brands from Gucci, Bevel, Eye DC, Waza, Kame Manen, Oliver Poeples, Martin and Martin, Coach, and Kawasaki all are marked at $99.00 with the purchase of digital lenses!!!! Great frames at an ubelievable discounts!!!! Check us out at www.erkers.com or come on in to any of our locations and any of our fantastic staff are sure to help you choose the frame that is right for you.

ERKERS BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR

Erker Customers Looking Great In Their JF Rey Eyewear!!!!

At Erker's Fine Eyewear we believe that eyewear changes the way you look and feel, and that it is a direct representation of who you are as a person. We sell only tbest looking and best quality eyewear in the world and do everything to make sure your eyewear always looks great on you. We would like to thank Mary, Claire, Tony L. , Matt, and Tony T. for sending in this picture of them looking great in their J.F. Rey Eyewear they purchased at Erkers. Everyone looks fantastic, and we are really excited about putting them on our blog.

If you want to be on our blog send a picture of yourself wearing your eyewear you got at Erker's to erkers@prodigy.net and we will be sure to put you on. We love hearing from our customers and everything they have to say about their glasses!! Find us online at http://www.erkers.com/ or give us a call at 314-997-0002, or 314-241-9410.

Introducing Chrome Hearts Eyewear exclusively in St. Louis at Erkers in Ladue!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Established in 1988 Chrome Hearts began by producing leather riding grear for friends and their extended families. The company is an international luxury lifestyle company, integrating classic design with the highest standards for quality and craftsmanship. Products range from distincitive handmade jewelry in sterling silver, gemstones, platinum, and 22k gold; furniture made from exotic woods; and clothing made from the fines leathers and fabrics.

Chrome Hearts is appreciated by those who can recognize and appreciate the exquisite details incorporated in each unique piece. This quality craftsmanship has not gone unnoticed-the company received the prestigious CFDA award to Accessories Designer of the Year in 1992.

In keeping with the Chrome Hearts tradition, the eyewear collection is, without a doubt, one of the most innovative collections in fashion eyewear ever released. Utilizing a diverse range of materials and inspired designs, this luxury eyewear collection-exclusively sold in St. Louis by Erker's Fine Eyewear-has earned the reputation as a leader in offering cutting edge fashion eyewear for over 131 years.

The standard process for developing a new eyewear collection typicaly requires six to seven months. The first Chrome Hearts eyewear collection released in 2002 after 19 months of intensive design and research. No detail or cost was spared in the development of the collection. The acutely detailed tooling required to produce each piece, in addition to the use of luzurious and rare material, makes Chrome Hearts colleciton one of them most expensive eyewear collections ever produced.

Nothing but the greatest care is taken when selecting materials to ensure that the eyewear is a clearly defined extension of Chrome Hearts design/brand philosophy Exotic woods , fine leathers, precious stones, and sterling silver decorations are combined with the latest innovations in optical technoogy, metallurgy and laser engraving to produce a product worthy of Chrome Hearts name.

Combining these exotic elements with the finest optical materials posed a tremendous challenge for the manufacturers. Even Japanese factories, long considered the masters of luxury optical products, were compelled to utilize the worldwide network of specialty sub-contractors to achieve desired results. Parts are made in countries around the world including, France, Italy, and Switzerland.

Not only is Chrome Hearts eyewear noted for its exceptional materials; the cutting edge design behind the collection is critically acclaimed. In 2004, OSI was honored with the IOFT "frame of the year award" for the Chrome Hearts "Red Riot" frame, ad in 2007 the "Hot Tool" opthalmic style was nominated for a Silmo d'Or award. For eyewear of this caliber, it is only appropriate that each case is constructed of the same high quality leather used in all Chrome Hearts leather products. Optical Shop International as well as Erkers Fine Eyewear remain independently owned and operated which enables the companies to maintain this type of dedication to true luxury and innovation.

Chrome Hearts eyewear is available exclusively in St. Louis at Erker's Fine Eyewear in Ladue at 9717 Clayton Rd. Find us Erkers online at http://www.erkers.com/, or call us at 314-997-0002.

Exclusively in St. Louis, Derapage Eyewear in Color

Introducing Derapage Colors excusively at Erker's!!!!!!!!!!!!

Derapage Eyewear continues to be at the forefront of the optical industry. Introducing Derapage Eyewear in Color, with six new styles and 4 color combinations, derapage has created one of the most beautiful eyewear collections the world has ever seen. With the trademarked architectural design and italian workmanship these are sure to be talked about all over the world. Come on in and check out these incredible frames. Excusively in St. Louis at Erkers Fine Eyewear. Check us out at www.erkers.com.