Choose the Best Lenses for Your Glasses

Different types of lens materials 

Your personal lens material selection will depend on your level of activity, comfort, vision needs and the recommendation of your eye care provider. Explore the different options below:

• Glasses lenses- Although glass lenses offer exceptional optics, but they are heavy and can break easily. For these reasons, glass lenses are no longer widely used for eyeglasses.

• Plastic lenses- The lenses were made of a plastic polymer called CR-39. CR-39 plastic remains a popular material for eyeglass lenses even today, because of its lightweight (about half the weight of glass), and excellent optical qualities.

• Polycarbonate lenses- polycarbonate is lighter and significantly more impact-resistant than CR-39 plastic, making it a preferred material for children's eyewear, safety glasses, and sports eyewear.

• Trivex lenses- A newer plastic lens that similar to polycarbonate. It’s lightweight, thin, and impact-resistant.

*Note: Trivex or Polycarbonate lenses are work with half-frame, rimless or drilled frames.

What is a lens index?

It is the number that defines the thickness or thinness of the lens. The index number is also the measurement which defines how effectively the material bends the light. The higher the index, the thinner will be the lenses. Higher the prescription, thicker will be the lens, so high-index lenses are probably the best choice for stronger prescription as they are thin, light and comfortable.

Generally, the index number ranges from 1.50 to 1.74 where 1.74 index is considered to be the thinnest lens. Here are the lens indexes that you should know:

• 1.5 Index – Standard/Regular Lenses

It’s the thickest lens that is recommended for prescription with SPH +/-0.25 to +/-2.00. To prevent cracking of the lenses, go for full-rimmed frames. The CR 39 lenses are conventional plastic lenses.

• 1.56 Index – Mid Index Thin and Light Lenses

Convenient lenses for stronger prescription, they are 15% thinner than 1.5 index. They work for prescriptions with SPH +/-0.25 to +/-3.00. 1.56 index is a blend of superior optics, thin and light design.

• 1.59 Index – Polycarbonate Lenses

Polycarbonate lenses were initially used for safety glasses and now this material is actively used in making kids glasses, sports glasses and for almost every prescription. 1.59 index offers optical clarity and also 100% UV protection. It can be fitted in rimless glasses.

• 1.6 High-index – Super-thin Lenses

From this number starts the high-index lenses. It’s super, almost 20% thinner than 1.5 index. It’s ideal for stronger prescriptions with SPH +/-0.25 to +/-4.00. The lenses have thinner edges with overall reduced weight. Full rim or semi rim frames are recommended.

• 1.67 High-index – Ultra-thin Lenses

These ultra-thin lenses are 20% thinner than polycarbonate lenses and 30% thinner than the regular lenses. Higher prescriptions with SPH -3.00 to -7.00, 1.67 index lenses are highly recommended. The reduced weight and thickness make it an ideal choice.

• 1.74 High-index – Thinnest and Lightest Lenses

You will almost feel it’s invisible, the lenses are that thin. The stylish, lightweight high-index lenses with cosmetic benefits are suitable for strong prescription with SPH -7.00 and above. It is aspheric in design and reduces magnification of the eyes.

• 1.80 High-index – Glass Lenses

It’s for the strongest prescription and only suitable for full rimmed glasses. Since plastic is recommended only till 1.74, 1.80 high index glasses are available in glass material. It’s incredibly thin which offers superior aesthetic appeal. High-index glasses have the problem of glare, so it is recommended to add anti-reflective coating for enhanced clarity.

• 1.90 High-index – Thinnest Lenses Possible

It’s the thinnest high-index lens possible for the strongest prescription. It is made up of special glass material which makes the overall eyeglasses absolutely ultra-thin and ultra-light. These high-index lenses look and feel comfortable. Even they are glass lenses so they are clearly scratch resistant.

1.80 and 1.90 lens indexes are not easily available. However, you can easily get lens index ranges from 1.5 to 1.74.

Lens Thickness Also Depends On your prescription and maintain the aesthetic appeal. However, the thickness of the lens is also determined by the frames size – that is frame length and breadth, frame material and Pupillary Distance (PD). If the frame does not match your PD then it will be not as thin as you expect.

Lens Coating

To make your eyeglasses fully loaded and perfectly ready to use, we offer 3 Free coatings on ALL frames, even if you buy non-prescription glasses. 

• Anti-reflective can help with glare, reflections, halos around light, and make for a nicer look.

• scratch resistant coating - As mentioned above, polycarbonate lenses can be prone to scratches, so we apply an anti-scratch coating on both the sides to make them more scratch resistant. While no lenses are truly scratch-proof, it protects your frames against accidental drops and rubbing. 

• UV protection filters out 100% of UVA and UVB light. Blocks all light rays up to 400 nm. Provides optimum protection to eyes

• Blue light protection can reflect blue light and reduces strain on the eyes. Protect your eyes from your blue light emitted by digital devices. 

• Transition lenses rapidly adapting to changes in light conditions, Transitions lenses adapt from clear indoors to fully dark in the brightest sun. Transitions lenses provide optimal balance between outdoor darkness and indoor clarity.

• Tinted lenses offer fashionable look ang good protection from bright light.

• Polarised lenses reduce glare from shiny; suitable for sports and driving.

• Mirror lenses is purely for looks, but it does hide your eyes from view. You can find them in a range of colours like silver, gold, blue etc.

If you’re still insure, you can speak to an optometrist/optician, who can recommend options that suit your lifestyle, age and prescriptive needs.