HIGH-INDEX LENSES: THIN & LIGHT, PERFECT FOR DAILY USE
SHOULD YOU CHOOSE HIGH-INDEX LENSES?
If you have to wear eyeglasses on a daily basis, then you’ll obviously want to invest in a pair that have comfortable and stylish frames – and support high-performing lenses. With their thin and light design, high-index lenses would probably be your best choice.
WHAT ARE HIGH-INDEX LENSES?
High-index lenses are lenses specially designed to be flexible when bending light – in order to correct the vision of those of us who need to wear prescription eyeglasses. Therefore the lenses are thin and light, making them more comfortable for daily use.
Typical prescription lenses designed to correct vision for those who suffer with near or far-sightedness or astigmatism are thick and bulky and can make the individual wearer self-conscious of their appearance. High-index lenses remedy this by providing versatility in the style of fitted frames for those with powerful prescription lenses.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIGH-INDEX AND REGULAR LENSES
There are three primary differences between the high index and regular lenses:
- Weight
- Price
- Thickness
Since high-index lenses require less material to design, they are much lighter in weight than regular lenses, which are made from heavier materials such as glass or plastic. Furthermore, the stronger the necessary prescription of corrective lens, the thicker (and heavier) the lens will be. Conversely, a weaker prescription lens, which can be derived from materials that are already light (or thin), wouldn’t offer much of a benefit if used with high-index materials.
High-index lenses can be considered expensive considering the technological advancements invested in them. By default, the higher the index, the higher the price. Here’s the breakdown: the stronger the corrective prescription for lenses, the greater the discount in both the lens thickness and weight of high-index materials utilised. This directly affects the overall price of the high-index lenses selected. The benefits that high-index lenses offer, however, can make the cost a genuine matter of perspective.
The thickness of a lens not only plays to style and comfort, but to frame compatibility as well. Lenses that are thick can distort appearances and may be problematic when being fitted to the chosen frame style. The thickest section of the lens is the outer edge and more often than not, the frame must be fitted to disguise the majority of this outer edge. Conversely, if thin frames are chosen to compliment thicker lenses, they may not be able to support each lens correctly, making the overall appearance of the eyeglasses odd.
