Enlistment Guide: How to Pick Your NS Spectacles

Enlistment day is a pivotal moment for every Singaporean or Permanent Resident male as they step into the realm of National Service (NS). Among the many preparations to consider, ensuring your optical needs are met is crucial, especially if you require glasses for visual clarity.

Here’s a guide on selecting new glasses for NS and what to take note of when you embark on your training journey.

Preparation Checklist:

1. Understanding Your Optical Needs: Ensure your prescription is up-to-date and understand your optical requirements before enlistment day.

2. Eyewear & Lens Selection: Choose from a variety of frames, keeping in mind that for NS purposes, they must be black and plastic full frame. Various lens options such as blue light filter and polycarbonate lenses are available too. 

3. No Contact Lenses During Training: Plan to switch to glasses if you typically wear contact lenses, as they are not permitted during training.

Important note: Prior to the purchase of your new glasses, do inform our lens consultants in-store so that they can advise you on the type of eyewear that is suitable for NS.

Visit our store for an eye check and to understand your visual requirements ahead of time! Do enquire with our team about the current promotion for NSFs at our retail store. 

In addition to our standard lenses, we also recommend considering polycarbonate lenses for NSFs.

Benefits of Polycarbonate Lenses:

1. Enhanced Durability: Polycarbonate lenses are highly impact-resistant, making them ideal for active individuals undergoing rigorous training. They are less likely to shatter or break, providing added safety and peace of mind during military activities.

2. Improved Clarity and Comfort: These lenses offer exceptional optical clarity, reducing distortion and providing a clear view of your surroundings. Their lightweight nature also enhances comfort, ensuring you can focus on your tasks without discomfort or distractions.

3. Reduced Thickness*: Despite their robustness, polycarbonate lenses are thinner (at 1.59 refractive index) and lighter than traditional lens materials (*when compared to 1.56 index). This not only enhances aesthetics but also reduces lens weight, minimising strain on your nose and ears during extended wear.

By opting for polycarbonate lenses as an upgrade for your NS glasses, you not only invest in quality vision but also prioritise safety and comfort throughout your training journey. 

Urgent Orders:

At our retail stores, we offer express 30-min services* for customers who are pressed for time. Our lens consultants can edge your new lenses on your new frame on the spot. * Note this is only available for standard 1.56 single vision lenses that are within our stock range prescription. 

Frame Replacement:

If your existing spectacle frame is broken but your lenses are still in usable condition, we may be able to help transfer your existing lenses to a new frame*.

*Note: Frame replacement can only be done if we can find a suitable frame that is smaller, where we are still able to retain the focal point of the lens at an optimal position in front of your eyes.

Why does the lens size of the new frame need to be smaller? It's because we have to edge / cut the lens smaller to make it fit into the new frame. 

Lens Replacement:

Conversely, if your lens is spoiled or if the prescription is no longer up-to-date, you can also bring down your glasses for a lens replacement. After determining your new prescription, we can replace the lenses of your existing frame to brand new lenses with your updated prescription.

Visit our retail stores: 

Embark on your NS journey with clarity and confidence.

If you need further advice on the type of frames and lenses that will fit your needs for NS, do make an appointment with our lens consultants who will be happy to assist you. 

Visit our retail stores conveniently located in Tampines East & Orchard Point (Taste Orchard Mall)!

Raylite Orchard
📍 Address: Taste Orchard, 160 Orchard Road #03-02 Singapore 238842

Raylite Tampines
📍 Address: 201-D Tampines St 21 #01-1133, Singapore 524201