High Index Lenses

Should I Get High Index Lenses?

Purchasing prescription lenses—especially for those who are wearing glasses for the first time—can be unnecessarily complex and confusing. While it is nice to have extensive customization at your fingertips, the simple fact remains that too many options can be intimidating. It is easy to simply resort to lenses that are “good enough” and move on with your day. At Rx-Safety, we understand this reality. Because of this, we wanted to take the time to demystify one key decision that you will need to make when purchasing your new prescription lenses. That decision is whether you should purchase high index lenses.

High index lenses offer a wealth of benefits to purchasers. From increased comfort to aesthetic benefits, there are many things to like. As with everything, however, there are costs and you will need to measure both the advantages and disadvantages before making your final choice.

With this guide, we are confident that you will be able to make the best decision. Should you have any questions, however, we invite you to contact us at Rx-Safety. We would be happy to help address any inquiries or concerns that you have.

High Index Lenses: The Basics

Before going into the pros and cons of high index lenses, it is first helpful to spend some time discussing what they actually are.

High index lenses are thin, light lenses that can make your glasses more comfortable—all while preserving your sight. There are several different types of high index materials. Some of these lens types include aspheric, photochromic, polycarbonate, polarized, and progressive. As for coating options, you can take advantage of coatings like blue light reduction, UV protection, anti-reflective coating, and scratch-resistant coating. Even if you wear high index lenses for a long period, you will find that they provide the clearest sight and maximum comfort.

You may be asking yourself: why do high index lenses provide the best of both worlds?

It all comes down to their quality and the way that they refract light. Ultimately, compared to other “traditional” lenses, high index lenses bend light differently. Because of this, with high index lenses, your vision can be corrected with much less material compared to these other types of lenses.

This can provide a wealth of benefits to you. Most significantly, the efficient nature of high index lenses means that your lenses will be lighter and more comfortable. You will see the most benefits if you are farsighted. Because strong farsightedness prescriptions often result in quite heavy, thick lenses, high index lenses allow you to still see clearly while using much lighter lenses. But having said this, high index lenses will create a discernible, noticeable lightweight effect—regardless of your prescription.

Factors to Consider

As you can tell, high index lenses are a game-changing type of lens that you can certainly use in your next pair of prescription glasses. But should you? Before making your purchase, it is helpful to further dive into the pros and cons of high index lenses.

Ultimately, high index lenses are a compelling option for some people who have nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Their inherent makeup and the way that they refract light ensures that you will be able to see as clearly as possible.

But having said that, the main benefits go beyond pure sight. First, as we described above, high index lenses are more comfortable than the alternatives. Because they are thinner and lighter, your glasses will feel lighter on your face. If you ever get the feeling that your glasses feel clunky or heavy, it may have to do with the lenses you’re using rather than the frames themselves. Therefore, by purchasing high index lenses, you may be able to prevent squinting or any other adjustments that you make when wearing heavy glasses.

High index lenses are also more aesthetically pleasing than other types of prescription lenses. Critically, they may be especially appealing if you have a high prescription. With traditional lenses, your eyes may have a so-called “bug-eyed” look because of the thickness of these lenses. Your eyes may appear bigger and more magnified, which may not be the precise look that suits you. Also, if you wear regular lenses for nearsightedness, you may notice that your lenses tend to be thicker at the edges. With these lenses, you will also notice that they will protrude from the frames, showing off their thickness to people that you encounter throughout your day.

By contrast, high index lenses simply look better. You do not have to worry about having a bug-eyed look when wearing these lenses. Along with this, they are less exposed and fit entirely within your frames. Due to their light and thin nature, your glasses will appear more attractive and appealing. Even though aesthetics may not be as critical as being able to see clearly with high index lenses, this is a significant benefit that you will definitely want to leverage. 

While these are just some of the many benefits that you can obtain with these lenses, there are some disadvantages.

One of the most obvious disadvantages is the fact that high index lenses tend to cost more than other types of lenses. The added costs are because high index lenses simply cost more to produce. The manufacturing process is more complicated and requires more precision as compared to other types of lenses. But having said this, high index lenses are of higher quality. The bottom line? You get what you pay for. Nevertheless, at Rx-Safety, we offer extremely competitive rates for these lenses. Combined with our competitive pricing for frames, you are sure to save money in the long run.

Besides price, high index lenses tend to be more reflective than other types of prescription lenses. Again, this is because of their inherent nature. The news isn’t entirely bad, however, as wearers can apply an anti-glare coating to their lenses to mitigate the issue. By doing this, you will be able to see clearly—even in the sunniest conditions.

With all of this said, we at Rx-Safety believe that the advantages outnumber the disadvantages for the vast majority of customers. These lenses can help you see clearly, all while offering significant comfort and style benefits. With these lenses, you can be certain that your glasses are simultaneously functional and stylish. When you really think about it, what more can you ask for?

An Extremely Compelling Option

Even though you will need to evaluate whether high index lenses are right for you, we believe that they are an extremely compelling option for a wide range of customers. Whether you are purchasing prescription lenses for the first time or have been doing so for decades, we highly encourage you to further look into purchasing these lenses. No matter your decision, complete your due diligence, analyze your option, and make the best possible choice for you.

If you need help making this decision or have further questions about high index lenses, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Rx-Safety, we are experts in prescription lenses and would love to share our expertise with you. You can email us questions by clicking on this link or by calling us at (888) 245-6638 (within the United States) and (732) 356-1493 (outside the United States).