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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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 Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean my glasses?

First of all, DO NOT USE AN ACID- BASED CLEANER!!! Some glass will react to an acid-based cleaner with an impossible to remove blue stain. This includes any vinegar-based window cleaner.

Clean your glasses with a mild liquid detergent and your finger tips. Wet the glasses first, then apply a small drop of detergent to the lens. Smear around until the lens is fully covered. Rinse well. Dry with a soft cloth.

We do not recommend the use of lens cleaner tissues. These tissues can scratch the softer glass materials, and can also leave a film on the lens that is difficult to remove.

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Why are my glasses so heavy?

The weight of your glasses is dependent on several factors:

1. The density of the glass. X-ray glass, which contains lead, is an extremely dense material. It has a density of 5.18. Crown glass has a density of 2.54.

2. The size of the lens. Given the above, the larger the lens, the heavier it will be.

3. Your prescription. If you have a high minus or high plus lens, or you have a lot of decentration (meaning that you wear a frame that is too large for your pupillary distance), you will have a lot of additional glass in the edges (high minus), in the center (high plus), or to one side (lots of decentration).

4. For glassworkers - the type of filter you selected. Certain of our filters, especially the AGW® series, are made of two separate filters laminated together. Center thickness of these lenses can exceed 4.0 mm.

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What is my P.D., and why do you care?

P.D., or pupillary distance, is the distance, in millimeters, between the pupils of your eyes. In some cases, you may have a Split P.D. - this can occur if one eye is closer to the bridge of your nose than the other.

We care because when we make a prescription for you, if the optical centers of the lenses are not in line with the pupils of your eyes, a condition know as prism is induced. The stronger the lens, the more prism is induced, as well as the larger the difference in lens vs. eye P.D., the larger the amount of induced prism.

Prism will affect your eyes by 'pulling' them towards the optical centers of the lenses. You will feel this as a distinct pulling sensation at the sides of your eyeballs as the muscles of your eyes try to force the eye to look through the optical center of the lens.

On a related subject, you should always try to pick a frame that measures within 5 to 7 millimeters of your P.D. Example: your P.D. is 65 mm. You should try to wear a frame that has 'box measurements' of 65 mm to 72 mm. The 'box measurement' is the sum of the two numbers printed on the frame (usually near the bridge). The larger number is the horizontal measurement of the lens opening. The smaller number is the horizontal measurement of the bridge of the frame. Example: the frame reads 50/20. This frame has a box measurement of 70 mm. Perfect for your P.D. of 65 mm.

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When is your next convention?

See show schedule page!

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Does Aura offer options on our frames?

Yes, we do. Aura Lens Products offers several different options to you. We realize that frame selection is very difficult, especially when you can only see a picture of the frame (either on the web or in our literature).

First of all, we have our 'package' frames. These are the frames you see pictured here on the web, or in our literature. These are standard ophthalmic frames, available at most dispensers and retailers. We have selected 'standard' sizes and neutral colors in order to be able to fit a wide variety of faces and personal preferences.

Next, we offer the option of fabricating our lenses into a frame that you supply. This option allows you to get your 'favorite' frame and have the same lenses as our 'package' frames. This option may be more expensive than our 'package' frames - we buy frames in large quantities and pass the savings on to you. There may also be some restrictions - we cannot put lenses into certain types of frames - either because of the way the frame is made, or because of size limitations of the filter lens blanks we have available. Please check with our sales department before pursuing this option.

Finally, we can special order a frame for you. For example, if you would like longer temples, or a different frame color, we may be able to special order what you need. We may have to substitute frame styles - but we will try to meet your special requirements. We will charge you the difference in price, if necessary.

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My frames don't seem to fit very well. What do I do now?

When we make glasses, we have no way of knowing what shape your face is. We take care to be sure that we have not bent or twisted the frame, but we cannot adjust the frame to fit your face unless you are here at our factory in person.

EVERY FRAME WE SELL SHOULD BE FITTED TO YOUR FACE BY AN EYECARE PROFESSIONAL.

Visit your local optical dispenser, most large cities have a Wal-Mart, a Pearle Vision Center, a Lenscrafters. Or even consider visiting your local independent dispenser. Some dispensers will not charge for fitting services, but don't be surprised if you are asked to pay a small fee.

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My frame broke. Why won't you send me a replacement frame?

First, we need to determine whether the breakage was caused by "normal wear and tear", product defect, or careless handling. The only way we can determine this is by 'hands on' examination of the frame. In the first two cases, we will certainly replace the frame at no charge, but in the last, please expect to pay for a new frame.

Also, especially in the case of the 9501 Standard Metal frame, we have had at least five different manufacturers supply us this frame in the past three years. While the frames all look pretty much the same, there are significant differences when it comes time to insert a lens. Again, this is something that can be determined only by 'hands on' examination.

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Why aren't your products CE or ISO 9000 certified?

At the present time, our products do not meet the requirements for either certification, and we have no plans to implement either certification process on our products.

Our reasoning:

1. Costs. The cost to Aura Lens to get CE and ISO 9000 certification would be approximately $ 55,000.00. It would take approximately 10 years to recover the costs of this certification (mostly through higher selling prices).

2. Standards. The CE and ISO 9000 certification are (in our opinion) a fad. The only thing that these certifications accomplish is the documentation of a company's processes. They do not address any quality standards at all. Essentially, if a company is making shoddy products, after the certification process, they will be making well documented shoddy products.

Aura Lens Products, Inc. is placing its time and energy into following the already in-place quality standards for protective eyewear. Any other type of standard (in our opinion) is a waste of resources. Our eyewear meets or exceeds the applicable ANSI standards: Z80 (dress eyewear), Z87 (safety eyewear), and Z136 (laser eyewear).

We realize that the decision we have made will most certainly cost us some business in the long run (mostly in Europe), but why should we spend money on a fad that in all likelihood will be replaced by something new in about five years?

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Can you please clarify your warranty policy?

Please visit the following page: Payment Policies and Warranty

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Can you please clarify your prescription ordering policies?

Please visit the following page: Warranty

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List of Questions

How do I clean my glasses?

Why are my glasses so heavy?

What is my P.D., and why do you care?

When is your next convention?

Does Aura offer options on our frames?

My frames don't seem to fit very well. What do I do now?

My frame broke. Why won't you send me a replacement frame?

Why aren't your products CE or ISO 9000 certified?

Can you please clarify your warranty policy?

Can you please clarify your prescription ordering policies?


Date of last update:07/17/2008