High Index Glasses

Here are all the reasons why high index glasses are great:

Thin profile. High index lenses are thinner than standard lenses, making them more aesthetically pleasing and making your prescription seem weaker than it is. A thinner profile means a weaker prescription in general.
Lightweight. High index glasses are lightweight because of their thin lens profile.
Less lens material means less weight on your nose all day.
Scratch resistance. High index lenses are denser than standard plastic or polycarbonate lenses, making them more scratch resistant. This is extremely useful for everyday glasses as it increases their lifespan and saves you money on a new pair in the long run.
Less eye distortion. Many people with strong prescriptions have to deal with the “bug-eyes” or “tiny eyes” distortion that comes from thick lenses. Thick, strong lenses can distort the way your eyes look to others, making them seem smaller or larger than they are. This is embarrassing and unattractive. High index lenses remove much of the eye distortion associated with high prescriptions.
More prescription options. In curved frames and some frames with special lens pockets, there is a limit to how thick a lens can be. High index lenses allow higher prescriptions to be inserted into many of these frames, broadening your frame options when you’re on the cusp.

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1.67 High Index Plastic

1.67 high index lenses are a great choice if you're trying to save money when ordering your high index lenses. They have relatively low optical distortion for high index lenses, and they offer the thinness, scratch resistance, and aesthetics you'd want from high index lenses without an outrageous price tag. They are not as thin or lightweight as higher index lenses, but they are a good choice for high index lenses for medium-strong prescriptions for a lower price.

1.70 High Index Plastic

1.70 high index lenses are our most popular high index lenses. with low optical distortion, nearly identical thinness to 1.74, high scratch resistance, low weight, and workability with all prescriptions, they are the most well-rounded high index lenses we carry. They are also the lightest. In extremely high prescriptions, 1.74 high index is slightly thinner, but 1.70 is almost always lighter due to its relatively low density. At a reasonable price point, it's a good choice for most people.

1.74 High Index Plastic

1.74 high index is the thinnest high index lens in plastic. It has a medium distortion rate but is incredibly thin and light. It is extremely scratch resistant, and at the thinnest profile of any high index plastic, it is the most attractive. It is also available in more color and prescription options than many other high index lens materials. This is also the most effective plastic lens material at getting rid of the "bug eyes" and "tiny eyes" looks that strong prescription wearers face.

1.80 High Index Glass

1.80 high index glass is extremely thin and attractive-looking, especially for those with very high prescriptions. High index glass is a lens material of extremes. It is extremely scratch resistant, thin, and aesthetically-pleasing. Provided you don't drop the glasses, 1.80 high index glass lenses are extremely long-lived because they are very difficult to scratch. They also have very high optical distortion and brittleness, and they are much heavier than plastic lenses. These are a great choice for extremely high prescription wearers who want the absolute thinnest lenses possible.

1.90 High Index Glass

Like 1.80, 1.90 high index glass is very thin and attractive when made with extremely high prescriptions. As with other high index glass materials, this glass has its perks and trade-offs. 1.90 high index glass is the thinnest lens material in existence, giving you the sleekest profile on your glasses and eliminating virtually all eye distortion (bug-eyes, shrunk eyes) associated with high prescriptions. It is very scratch-resistant, so the glasses will last a long time with virtually no signs of wear. The material is also extremely brittle, heavier than plastic, and prone to optical distortion. Those with the highest prescriptions who want the thinnest lenses possible should consider 1.90 high index glass.

High Index Glasses FAQ

What exactly is high index lens material?

“High index” is essentially describing a lens that is better at bending light (i.e. making a prescription with a thinner lens) than other lenses made of a similar material. Because they are more efficient at bending light, high index lenses require less material than standard index lenses to make a prescription, resulting in a thinner lens.

Why is high index better than standard index lenses?

High index is better because it is thinner, lighter, and more scratch resistant than standard index lenses.

What’s so great about high index lenses?

High index lenses are the thinnest, lightest, and most aesthetically pleasing lenses around. They have a much thinner profile, making your prescription look considerably weaker and your lenses less thick and heavy. They are more scratch-proof than other lens materials, and they reduce the eye distortion that strong prescription wearers deal with, which causes their eyes to appear larger or smaller than they are through their prescription lenses.

Is there anything about high index that isn’t good?

High index lenses are denser than standard lenses, which has a few negative consequences. High index lenses are more reflective than standard lenses, so they cause glare. This can be easily solved with an anti-reflective coating. High index lenses also cause some aberration, or slight blurring, with very strong prescriptions. This is more noticeable with extremely high indexes, such as high index glass. Most people do not notice aberration with high index plastic.

Which high index lens material should I get?

There are many high index materials available. Your choice should depend upon your budget, the strength of your prescription, and your tolerance for aberration. The higher the index, the more the lenses will cost. The stronger your prescription, the thicker your lens is and therefore the higher your index will need to be to make your lenses not look “strong.” The lower your tolerance for aberration (blurriness), the lower the index you should choose. Most people prefer high index plastic, which has less aberration than glass, and the most popular “middle ground” material is 1.70 High Index Plastic. Your choice of material will also depend upon the lens color you want, as different colors are only available in certain high index materials.

Is high index really worth the money?

Most people who get high index plastic lenses never go back to standard index lenses. The main attraction of high index for most people is the slim profile that high index lenses offer. If you like the idea of having glasses that make your prescription look much weaker than it is, and if you want glasses that don’t distort your eyes by making them seem smaller or larger than they are, then high index is worth the money.