The thickness of your lenses is a key factor in the comfort and performance of your glasses. You might think you have no say over this; lenses just come with the glasses, right? Wrong! Depending on your prescription and frame style, you can choose the best lens thickness to match your requirements.
The perception of lens thickness is that the higher your prescription, the thicker your lenses need to be. However, by choosing a suitable lens material and refraction index, you can customise your glasses to a prescription lens thickness that matches your preferences whilst supporting your visual needs.
Why Is Glasses Lens Thickness Important?
Lens thickness is more than just a matter of aesthetics; it plays a crucial role in vision quality and comfort. The thickness of your lens will support your optical prescription, ensuring they perform effectively in your chosen style of glasses frame.
They also influence the weight of your frames and how they sit on the bridge of your nose. Thicker lenses are naturally heavier and can magnify the appearance of your eye. However, you could switch to a thinner lens, which is lighter and more comfortable to wear but may come with a higher price tag.
Lens Thickness Considerations
There are multiple factors that should be taken into consideration when it comes to purchasing new lenses.
Your Prescription Strength
Although the strength of your prescription may have previously affected the thickness of your lenses, there are some amazing solutions for people with strong prescriptions. We’re able to supply high-index lenses for people with stronger prescriptions so they can still feel all the benefits of their prescription and still use a lightweight lens. The 1.74 is the thinnest of the high-index lenses available and is the perfect fit for people with the strongest prescriptions.
Lens Material
The material of the lens plays an important role, too, as it influences how light bends to correct visual impairment. This is also known as the refractive index, which indicates the thickness of the lens. Thicker lenses require more material to bend the light.
Plastic Lenses (CR-39)
Plastic lenses are the go-to lens material as they can be used for almost all refraction indexes and prescription needs. Although lighter than glass lenses, CR-39, in particular, tends to be a thickener lens than other plastic materials, as they hold lower indexes.
Polycarbonate Lenses
With a refraction index of 1.5, polycarbonate lenses are a popular material for glasses and what we use as our basic lens at Lensology. This low index indicates a thinner, lighter lens while offering great visual quality. Polycarbonate lenses also have a high impact resistance, making them hardwearing and ideal for safety glasses, everyday glasses, and children’s glasses.
High-Index Lenses
High-index lenses are the lightest and thinnest glasses lens material. We use these for our ‘best’ varifocal lenses to provide clear clarity and comfort. As a thinner lens, they hold a higher refraction index and accommodate various prescriptions. They also minimise the ‘magnifying’ effect, making them more aesthetically pleasing.
Glass Lenses
Glass is a traditional lens material and is still used by many opticians for its visual clarity and incredible scratch resistance. However, glass is naturally heavy and, therefore, becomes heavier with stronger prescriptions. It can also be a more costly option.
Choosing The Right Lens Thickness For You
Picking the right lens thickness comes down to various factors: price, comfort, and preference. But, the most influential factor is the strength and complexity of your prescription, as there are multiple things to consider, depending on your optical needs.
Lens Thickness For Short-sightedness
With short-sighted prescriptions, the edge of your lens will be thicker and, therefore, more visible. By opting for a higher refraction index, you’ll benefit from a thinner, lighter lens that will sit neatly into most frames.
Lens Thickness for Far-sightedness
For far-sighted prescriptions, the centre of the lens will be thicker, often magnifying the eye. Again, wearers would benefit from a higher refraction index to minimise this appearance and provide lighter, slimmer lenses.
Low Prescriptions
If you have a prescription around -/+3 and only require single-vision glasses, you have a low prescription. And that means you’re in luck! Low prescriptions work with most lens materials, as they don’t need to bend as much light. The lens thickness won’t be too noticeable, and standard plastic lenses should be sufficient, allowing you to focus on frame style and fit.
Moderate Prescriptions
Middling prescriptions or where you have two requirements for short and long distances, your lenses will require more material to bend the light effectively. Polycarbonate lenses are an excellent choice for single-vision, bifocal or varifocal lenses as they balance thickness, weight, and durability. Plus, they are more impact-resistant, making them ideal if you lead an active lifestyle.
High Prescriptions
No longer do higher or complex prescriptions require milk-bottle lenses! High-index lenses are designed to bend more light through a thinner, lighter lens. Meaning whether you have a high single-vision prescription or multiple prescriptions requiring bifocals or varifocal lenses, they can support your needs. One thing to note is that they can be more expensive, but the comfort and improved appearance are often worth the investment.
Personal Preferences
Don’t forget that personal comfort and style matter, too. Some people might prefer slightly thicker lenses if they feel more durable, while others prioritise the sleek look of thinner lenses. Your choice of frames also plays a part; plastic frames are often slightly thicker than metal frames, helping to hide the thickness of your lenses. And, if you require a thicker lens, be mindful that rimless or half-rimmed frames might not be suitable to hold them in place.
Save Money on your lenses with Lensology
The good news is that if you’d prefer thinner lenses for your glasses, you can! Here at Lensology, we have a range of indexed lenses to support your prescription that fits securely into your existing glasses frames. Our thinnest, single-vision lenses start from £19.00 and provide crystal-clear clarity and ultimate comfort. If you’re unsure which lens thickness you go for, get in touch with our friendly team.
