Should I Get High Index Lenses?

High index lenses are more expensive than regular lenses… are they for me?

Should I Get High Index Lenses?

If you’re shopping for prescription glasses online, you may have come across high index and wondered whether this lens material is for you. There are quite a few good reasons to get high index lenses, but they’re not for everyone.

High index lenses are more efficient at bending light than regular index lenses. When considering the “index” (also called refractive index) of a lens, it’s helpful to compare water and diamond. If you shine light through water at an angle, it gets bent slightly. If you shine light through diamond at the same angle, it gets bent a lot more. The refractive index of diamond is much higher than water; it bends the light more efficiently.

All this means that you can make prescription lenses in high index with less lens material than if you made them in standard index. Less lens material means thinner, lighter, more attractive lenses.

If you’re wondering, “Should I get high index lenses?” here’s what you should consider:

• Do you have a high prescription? If your prescription is strong and you’re unhappy with the thickness of your lenses, you will benefit from high index lenses.
• Do your lenses feel to heavy? If your glasses are constantly sliding down your face or causing you discomfort after being worn for prolonged periods, high index is probably a good choice for you.
• If you would like your lens profile to be thinner so that they look more attractive, high index lenses will do that for you.
• If your glasses cause you eye distortion, where your eyes appear larger or smaller than they actually are, you should definitely consider getting high index lens material. High index greatly reduces eye distortion.
• If you have a mild prescription (can see fairly well without glasses) or if you are on a budget, you may want to steer clear of high index lenses.

One thing to consider about budgeting is that high index glasses are significantly less expensive online compared to at the store. You no longer need to break the bank to get a nice pair of high index lenses.

If you are shopping for high index lenses, you should check out some of our other articles to help you decide what index is right for you and to help you find the glasses that match both your price point and your desires for your glasses.

High index lenses are attractive, comfortable, scratch-resistant lenses that most people stick with once they’re worn them. If you have any questions about high index lenses, whether they’re right for you, or what type of high index lenses you should get, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below or read some of our other articles. Thanks for reading, and happy shopping!