What does "made to measurement" mean for Shamir Opulens Exact?

Shamir Opulens Exact is a single vision lens on the Starter tier of our menu. It is made in Israel and takes 7 to 9 days to arrive. The phrase that follows it around the store is "made to measurement." Here is what that means and when it is worth the wait.

What does made to measurement mean?

Your prescription has three main numbers: sphere, cylinder and axis. Sphere is your overall power for nearsightedness or farsightedness. Cylinder and axis describe astigmatism, where the front of the eye is shaped more like a rugby ball than a basketball. A lens that is made to measurement is produced for your specific numbers, rather than picked from a shelf of stock lenses.

That is the reason for the lead time. A stock lens like Basic 1.50 is in the store and ready in 20 minutes. Shamir Opulens Exact is made for you, so it arrives after 7 to 9 days.

When is it a good choice?

Our menu points to Shamir Opulens Exact in three situations:

• Your prescription just changed. After an update, precision matters most, because your eyes are adjusting to new numbers.
• You have astigmatism. The lens is cut with your cylinder and axis in mind, which is where an off-the-shelf lens is most likely to fall short.
• You want polarized single vision. Shamir Opulens Exact is the lens we order polarized, useful for glare off wet roads if you drive or ride.

When is it not necessary?

Not everyone needs it. If your prescription is mild and stable, a stock lens does the job. Opulens Advanced 1.60 and Opulens Ultra 1.60 are both in stock and ready in 20 minutes. A good pair of glasses today can beat a perfect pair next week, especially when your old ones are broken.

Why the wait feels worth it for some people

People with astigmatism tend to notice the difference first, because a small error in axis shows up as blur or eye strain. We will not quote you a percentage improvement, because nobody can promise one. What we can say is that a lens made for your numbers removes one source of error, and your optometrist can tell you whether your prescription is likely to benefit.

Planning your week

A 7 to 9 day lead time means you should order before your current glasses become a problem. If your old pair still works, wear it until the new one arrives. If it does not, ask about a temporary pair from the Express Service list. Opulens Advanced 1.60 is a sensible bridge because it is ready in 20 minutes.

What to bring to the exam

Bring your current glasses and any earlier prescription, even an old one. The optometrist compares your new numbers against the old ones, and a large jump is worth discussing. Also mention how the current pair feels: blur at night, strain at the end of the day, or a pull when you look sideways. Those details help decide whether a made-to-order lens is worth the wait.

A note on children

Children's prescriptions change faster than adults', so a made-to-order lens is not always the right call for a child. If your child's grade is climbing, the conversation is about myopia control, and that starts with the optometrist. Do not choose a lens for a child from a menu.

What to do next

Book a Vision7 eye test at your nearest Vision Express store. Steps three and four of the seven-step exam, objective and subjective refraction, produce the sphere, cylinder and axis numbers that Shamir Opulens Exact is made from.

Ask for Shamir Opulens Exact at the counter. It is the lens we name for a changed prescription and for astigmatism. If you need a pair sooner, ask about Opulens Advanced 1.60, which is ready in 20 minutes. Every Vision Express pair also comes with free lifetime ultrasonic cleaning, free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment, and a 1-year warranty.