AFFILIATED EYE SURGEONS | OPTICAL DISPENSARY
Optical Dispensary — Glasses & Contacts in Northern New Jersey
Full-service optical dispensaries at all three of our Northern New Jersey
locations. Fill your prescription the same day as your eye exam — with expert guidance from opticians who know your eyes.
The Convenience of On-Site Optical — With the Expertise of Ophthalmology
Having an on-site optical dispensary at every location means your eye care and eyewear are fully integrated. You can leave your comprehensive eye exam with new frames and lenses selected by opticians who have immediate access to your prescription details, your doctor's notes, and an understanding of your specific visual needs — all in a single visit.
Our dispensaries carry a thoughtfully curated selection of frames across a range of styles and price points, complemented by the full spectrum of lens options — from everyday single-vision lenses to premium progressive designs, high-index lenses for strong prescriptions, and specialty coatings for digital screens and outdoor use.
For patients with complex prescriptions,
keratoconus, or other
specialty lens needs, our dispensary works in close coordination with our ophthalmology team to ensure your eyewear is precisely suited to your condition.
Frames
Our frame collections span a wide range of styles — from classic and professional to bold and contemporary — and are selected with quality, durability, and prescription suitability in mind. We carry both independent designers and trusted brands, with options across price points to suit every budget.
What to expect when choosing frames:
- Our opticians will advise on frame shapes and sizes that work well with your prescription, face shape, and lifestyle
- Patients with higher prescriptions will be guided toward frames suited to thinner high-index lenses — smaller frames and certain shapes minimize lens thickness
- Progressive lens wearers need frames with adequate vertical depth to accommodate the reading and distance zones — our team will help you navigate this
- We stock frames suited for children and adults
Prescription Lenses
The frame is what people see — the lenses are what you see through. Our optical team will guide you through the lens options that best match your prescription, visual demands, and budget:
Lens Types
Lens Materials
Lens Coatings and Enhancements
- Single vision — corrects vision at one distance (either distance or near). The most straightforward lens option for patients who need correction at only one focal point.
- Bifocal — two distinct optical zones (distance on top, near on the bottom) with a visible line between them. Less common today as progressives have become the preferred alternative.
- Progressive (no-line bifocal) — the most popular premium lens. Provides a smooth, seamless transition from distance vision at the top through intermediate (computer distance) to near (reading) at the bottom — no visible line, more natural vision. Essential for patients over 40 who need both distance and reading correction.
- Reading glasses / office lenses — single vision near or intermediate lenses for dedicated tasks. Useful for patients who spend extended hours at a computer and want a lens optimized for that specific distance.
- Standard plastic (CR-39) — lightweight, excellent optical quality, cost-effective for lower prescriptions.
- Polycarbonate — impact-resistant and lightweight; required for children's eyewear and recommended for active lifestyles and safety applications.
- Trivex — similar impact resistance to polycarbonate with superior optical clarity; a good choice for rimless frames.
- High-index (1.67, 1.74) — significantly thinner and lighter than standard plastic for stronger prescriptions. Patients with prescriptions above approximately +/-4.00 benefit noticeably from high-index lenses..
- Anti-reflective (AR) coating — eliminates glare and reflections from the lens surface, improving visual clarity in artificial lighting and when driving at night. Highly recommended for virtually all patients.
- Blue light filtering — reduces the amount of high-energy blue light from digital screens reaching the eye. Recommended for patients who spend significant time on computers, phones, or tablets.
- Photochromic lenses (Transitions) — darken automatically outdoors in UV light and clear indoors. An excellent all-in-one solution for patients who prefer not to carry separate sunglasses.
- Polarized sunglass lenses — eliminate glare from horizontal reflective surfaces (water, road, snow). Superior choice for driving, water sports, and outdoor activities.
- UV protection — all of our lenses include UV400 protection as standard.
Sunglasses
We carry prescription and non-prescription sunglasses in a range of styles. All sunglass lenses in our dispensary offer 100% UV400 protection. Polarized options are available for maximum glare reduction outdoors. Prescription sunglasses — including high-index and progressive sunglass lenses — are an excellent investment for patients with significant prescriptions who need reliable vision correction outdoors.
Contact Lenses
Our dispensaries carry a comprehensive range of contact lens options and can order most brands and parameters quickly. Contact lenses are available to patients with a current, valid contact lens prescription from our practice or another licensed provider.
Soft Contact Lenses
- Daily disposables — the most hygienic and convenient option; a fresh lens each day eliminates cleaning and reduces deposit buildup. Available in sphere, toric, and multifocal designs.
- Bi-weekly and monthly disposables — worn for their designated period and replaced. Require cleaning and storage each night.
- Toric lenses — correct astigmatism in standard soft contact lens material. Not all astigmatism prescriptions can be adequately corrected with standard soft toric lenses; specialty lenses may be needed.
- Multifocal contact lenses — provide correction for both distance and near vision, reducing the need for reading glasses in contact lens wearers over 40.
For patients with keratoconus, irregular corneas, post-corneal transplant eyes, severe dry eye, or other complex fitting needs, we dispense the full range of specialty contact lenses in close coordination with our ophthalmology team:
- Scleral lenses — large-diameter lenses vaulting over the cornea; the gold standard for keratoconus and irregular corneal surfaces
- Rigid gas-permeable (RGP) corneal lenses
- Hybrid lenses — rigid center with soft skirt.
Insurance and Payment
The only vision insurance we accept is VSP. Our optical team will verify your specific benefits before your visit and apply them directly at the time of purchase — no reimbursement paperwork required.
Payment options we accept:
- VSP vision insurance
- Medical insurance — for contact lenses or eyewear that are medically necessary (post-cataract surgery, keratoconus, etc.)
- FSA and HSA — flexible spending and health savings account funds are accepted for prescription eyewear
- Cash, check, and all major credit cards
Why Shop Our Optical Dispensary?
Same-Day Convenience
Fill your prescription immediately after your eye exam — no second trip, no waiting for a mailed prescription. Our opticians are ready to help you select frames and lenses the same day as your appointment.
Opticians Who Know Your Prescription
Our opticians work in the same building as your ophthalmologist and have direct access to your prescription and exam notes. When your doctor recommends a specific lens type based on your eye health or diagnosis — anti-reflective coating after cataract surgery, blue-light filtering after extended LASIK recovery, high-index for your strong prescription — our dispensary team knows exactly what is needed and why.
Specialty Lens Expertise
Patients with
keratoconus,
corneal transplants, or other complex conditions who have been fitted for
specialty lenses by our ophthalmology team can have those lenses dispensed directly through our optical department — with full coordination between the fitting physician and the dispensing optician.
Curated Frame Selection
We select our frame inventory with your prescription in mind — not just fashion. Every frame in our dispensary has been chosen with consideration for how it will work with the lenses most commonly prescribed by our physicians.
Three Convenient Locations
Each of our three offices —
Morristown,
West Orange, and
Denville — has a fully stocked optical dispensary. No matter which location you choose for your exam, you can shop for eyewear the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to buy my glasses at Affiliated Eye Surgeons after my exam?
No — you are never obligated to purchase glasses or contacts at our optical dispensary. After your exam you will receive a copy of your prescription to use anywhere. That said, filling your prescription in our on-site dispensary has real advantages: our opticians know your prescription, understand your exam findings, and can make informed recommendations about lens type, material, and coatings suited to your specific needs and lifestyle. Same-day convenience, seamless coordination with your physician, and expert guidance are what we offer.
What types of lenses do you offer?
We offer the full range of prescription lens options including single vision, bifocal, and progressive (no-line bifocal) lenses. Lens materials include standard plastic, polycarbonate, trivex, and high-index lenses for stronger prescriptions. Available coatings include anti-reflective coating, blue light filtering, photochromic (Transitions), polarized sunglass lenses, and UV protection. Our opticians will help you determine which combination best matches your prescription and how you use your eyes.
Do you carry contact lenses?
Yes. We carry a full range of contact lenses including daily disposable, bi-weekly, and monthly soft lenses in standard, toric, and multifocal designs. We also dispense specialty contact lenses for patients with keratoconus, irregular corneas, and other complex fitting needs — including scleral lenses, RGP lenses, and hybrid lenses — in close coordination with our ophthalmology team.
What insurance and payment do you accept?
The only vision insurance we accept is VSP, which typically covers a portion of frames and lenses on an annual or biennial basis. Our optical team will verify your vision insurance benefits before your visit and apply them directly to your purchase. FSA and HSA funds can also be used for prescription eyewear. We also accept cash and all major credit cards.
How long does it take to get glasses?
Turnaround time varies by lens type and prescription complexity. Standard single vision lenses may be ready in 1 to 3 business days. Progressive lenses or specialty coatings typically take 5 to 10 business days. Very high or unusual prescriptions may take up to 2 weeks. Our opticians will give you an accurate estimate at the time of your order.
Can I use my glasses prescription from another doctor?
Yes. Our optical dispensary can fill a valid glasses prescription from any licensed provider — you do not need to have had your exam at Affiliated Eye Surgeons to purchase glasses at our dispensary. Bring your written prescription and our opticians will help you select frames and lenses. Note that contact lens prescriptions are different from glasses prescriptions and require a separate fitting and prescription.
