High Index Lenses

Are 1.67 High Index Lenses worth It?

Questioning the value of a higher priced item over the lower priced one is only natural. The customer is rightfully interested in a purchase that delivers the best value. In fact, this questioning is necessary because automatically buying the most expensive or least expensive item guarantees that many of your purchases will deliver dissatisfaction rather than value. It all comes down to what “best value” means to you. For different people, this means different things, and at this point, little more can be said.

However, presenting various reasons for why you should and shouldn’t buy 1.67 high index lenses vs standard CR-39 plastic lenses should help those who are undecided:

When 1.67 High Index Lenses Make Little Difference

If CR-39 lenses for your prescription level aren’t excessively thick or heavy, then don’t get 1.67 high index lenses. That is, the differences in lens thickness and weight are minimal. While high index lenses also tend to block UV better than CR-39, this isn’t their primary selling point. Just buy CR-39 with a UV protective coating if that’s important to you.

When You Are Mostly Indifferent about Wearing Very Thick Lenses

Perhaps you wear contacts and only wear glasses at the end of the day when giving your eyes a rest. If the fit is good and the weight and appearance of thick CR-39 glasses aren’t a problem because perhaps they’re worn while doing some evening reading, then CR-39 is for you.

Another reason might be because you’re doing just fine in your relationships and career with your current thick pair of glasses. Or perhaps you’re a graduate student, or in an academic situation where survival is all about keeping pace with your studies. For now at least, appearances have little effect on your success, and you can put the saved money to better use.

When Your Success Depends on the First Impressions of Others

People judge others by appearance when little else is known. Those who attempt to suppress this natural tendency continue doing this on a subconscious level. Most people can’t or won’t suspend judgment until more is known. If you’re looking for work that you care about or dating new people, not placing your best foot forward places you at a competitive disadvantage.

Looking your best often matters when you already have the job or relationship you want. For example, sales people, consultants, and customer service people should project the professional appearance that maximizes success. If you work in an office environment, appearances heavily influence your promotion prospects. Likewise, physical attraction for one’s romantic partner can only help the relationship.

How Do Thick “Coke Bottle” Lenses Affect First Impressions?

Having poor eyesight and unworldliness are two impressions projected by overly thick eye-wear lenses. Unworldly in this sense means an impression that the person reads too much at the expense of direct experience with the world. This and similar stereotypes are further reinforced by Hollywood. People simply see the thick lenses and the associated optical eye distortions and make quick judgments.

Another problem with thick lenses is they obscure facial expressions made with the eyes. The eyes express your true emotional state. How can you tell the difference between a genuine and fake smile? By looking at the eyes. A genuine smile is accompanied by “smiling eyes.” Even the toothiest fake smile is betrayed by the eyes, while smiling eyes make the person with a neutral mouth expression appear happy. When expressive eyes match the spoken word, you come across as genuine.

What this means is that thick glasses will get in the way of attempts at influencing another’s initial impressions. During an interview for a job, your spoken word is less effective because the interviewer finds it more difficult to tune into your emotions as you express enthusiasm or laugh at the interviewer’s humor.

When you desire changes in your life that depend on the impressions of people who don’t know you well, high index lenses can help you achieve your goals. The same is true of professions where you deal with the public, or must sell products, services, or your own expertise to people.

In addition, unless you’re getting new lenses every couple of months, the cost difference between 1.67 high index lenses and CR-39 lenses is quite small when spread over the years of use and benefits that you get. Finally, 1.67 high index lenses open up a whole new world of fun stylistic eye-wear options. Go ahead and indulge. You deserve it.