High Index Replacement Lenses

High Index lens were invented in 1990 to help those with a higher prescription achieve a thinner lens, thereby improving the aesthetic look of the lens, as well as the individual.  High Index lens help bend light more efficiently than regular lens, so it enables the lab to make the lens thinner.

If you have a high prescription (starts at +/- 3.00) you may want to start considering High Index lens which have been designed for those of us with a stronger prescription. Higher prescriptions made lens thicker, heavier and can make the wearers eye look like they are wearing coke bottles and have bug eyes. High Index lens will help correct this visual anomaly.

If you find you are in that high prescription range, do yourself a favor and give High Index lens a try.  They start at 1.67 index and depending on the lens material can go up to 1.80 index.  The higher the index the thinner the lens. If your prescription is +/-3.00 through +/-6.00 consider High Index 1.67.  If your prescription is +/-6.25 and up, consider High Index 1.74.  We carry High Index 1.80 only in Single Vision Glass.

If your prescription is LESS than +/-3.00 do your self a favor and do not select High Index lens thinking that they will make your lens thinner.  You will experience no benefit and spend more money for your lens than you need too.

Keep in mind once you fall into a high prescription category your frame becomes more and more important to consider.  The smaller your frame the thinner the lens will be.  We recommend a full plastic frame for the best look and to hide protrusions; an aviator frame aka pilot glasses will create thicker lens no matter what index you use, however high index material will make them look thinner.

There are pros and cons to each material used for creating lens.  You need to find a balance between your lifestyle and vision needs to get the best lens created for you.

Advantages of High Index lens material:

• Thinner lens that fit better in your frame. Helps eliminate the edges that can protrude once you are in a higher prescription range.
• They can be lighter than regular lens.
• LensFactory includes anti-reflective coating in the cost of our lens

Disadvantages of High Index lens material:

• They typically cost more than a regular lens. The increase in cost is due to the work product require more precise craftmanship.  Lens can break easily during the creation process and jobs must start over.
• They are brittle and people who are prone to drop or are hard on glasses may find themselves replacing them frequently.
• They are very reflective and that is why they come with anti-reflective coating.
• They are a softer material and can scratch easily.
• As your eyes moves away from the optical center of the lens toward the edges, you may experience halos or chromic aberrations when you are in bright light.