The following are the most common lens types: There are different coating options you can usually apply to your high-index lenses. ** In a 1.74 high-index lens, about 86 percent of incoming light passes through. The index of refraction determines how well an eyeglass lens can bend the light. Offer is not valid for Contoura or SMILE procedures. It is with those thicker lenses at higher prescriptions, that we start to experience optical distortion that is notable, when wearing that correction for many hours every day. Barrel distortion. A lens is high-index when the refractive index exceeds that of plastic or glass. The more that light refracts, the slower the speed of light through the material. Chromatic Aberration — caused when light moving through a lens is dispersed, or broken up into component colors. 14 15. It causes an incorrect bending of light rays, so images focus in front of the retina. The lenses are a high-index plastic material. UV Protection: Polycarbonate lenses inherently carries UV protection properties that blocks nearly 100% of the UV rays from entering the back of the retina. High index lenses can be up to 50% thinner than regular glass or plastic lenses, and they’re usually much lighter, too. You should also look at the different lens treatment options. Visual quality, cosmetic appearance and wearing comfort, i.e. The first step is to get a fresh eye examination if you have not had one in the last year. This is not an issue with high-index lenses since they have an aspheric design. Having studied some optics, that seems bogus to me. For example, your prescription may be +2.00 D. If you are nearsighted, your lenses are usually thinner at the center and thicker at the edge. Density and refractive index are not the same, but they go hand-in-hand. The irregular lens or cornea can prevent light from being able to focus on the retina properly. What's index lens? Furthermore, it eliminates spherical aberration and barrel distortion resulting from traditional lens design. All About Vision. The aspheric quality help to keep the center of the lens thinner for people who have farsightedness, so the curvature is flatter. Regardless, it’s a good thing to be aware of if you’re getting ready to order high index lenses. I have Hi-Index lenses with prisms and haven't had any problems. High index lens designs • As technology has improved, so has the availability of high index lens designs. This describes the change in lens curvature from the center of the lens to the edge. Higher prescriptions require higher index lenses, while lower prescriptions require lower index lenses. A high-index eyeglass lens allows people with a stronger prescription to wear a lens that is lightweight and thin. **As lens density increases, light transmission falls. Home / Blog / 5 Signs You Should Get High Index Lenses. Required fields are marked *. Please speak with your NVISION Eye Center for additional details. The higher a lens' index is, the thinner it becomes. They currently come in indices of 1.61, 1.67, and 1.74. As technology has improved, high-index lenses have been developed that are thinner and lighter than traditional lenses. 1.67 high index lenses are a great choice if you're trying to save money when ordering your high index lenses. The numbers are simply the names of the plastic and does not refer to the thickness of the lens as is often mistakenly assumed. This is especially true when you wear your glasses at night. High Index 1.74 lenses are the thinnest, flattest, and most cosmetically appealing lens ever developed. The lenses may not be lighter, however, due to the increase in density vs. mid- and normal index materials. High Index 1.74 lenses are the thinnest, flattest, and most cosmetically appealing lens ever developed. Your email address will not be published. The thinner lens is much more flattering, reducing the distortion that high prescriptions cause when made with lower quality lenses. Problem: Plus lenses magnify the wearer’s eyes, resulting in an odd appearance. Lenses with an index of refraction of 1.70 or higher typically are at least 50 percent thinner than conventional plastic lenses. American Optometric Association. My previous lenses were 1.60 high index and they worked well for me. Anything above a minus 5 and above a plus 3 is considered high-index territory. These ultra thin lenses are nearly 50% thinner than plastic and 5% thinner than 1.67 high index lenses, offering you the ultimate in technology and cosmetics. This is one of the few disadvantages the polycarbonate has. The distortion in a high plus lens is knows as a pincushion effect. Standard optical plastic has a refractive index of 1.5. High dispersion: Polycarbonate lenses have a high dispersion due to its low Abbe value of 30, which causes chromatic aberrations. These lenses are usually very thick on the edges and can be quite heavy. A high-index lens can bend light rays more, while using less material in lenses created for … Hi Index Lenses. High index lenses are thinner, more powerful lenses. If not, if you are looking for a durable lens, you may consider the trivex lenses. The lenses are also usually resistant to scratches. High index prescription lenses are often used to reduce lens thickness. High dispersion can occur with a low Abbe value, causing a chromatic aberration. In optics, chromatic aberration (CA), also called chromatic distortion and spherochromatism, is a failure of a lens to focus all colors to the same point. There are numerous refractive indices of high-index lenses. High index lenses, on the contrary, remove the visual distortion because of its slim and light design. Farsightedness is a condition that makes it difficult to see up-close objects clearly. The Abbe value determines to a large part the optical integrity of the lens. Astigmatism. This is called the Abbe value: the higher the Abbe value, the least amount of distortion when looking through the lens. December 2, 2020 Frame: MMN-17A-071 High index lenses are thinner than traditional options and can offer a number of benefits to glasses wearers. The general range is about 1.53 to 1.74. Polycarbonate is the standard choice for unbreakable sports lenses. weight, must all be taken into account in the design of single vision lenses. They are also available in an aspheric design which is … These types of lenses are thinner and lighter than normal, which means the back surface of the lens is placed further away from the natural curve of your eye. The lenses are a high-index plastic material. High Index Lenses. In addition to this, hi index lens materials can also cause a distortion of peripheral vision. Trouble seeing when you drive, especially in the dark. High index lenses refer to one of several different kinds of plastic lens material. Even within the high index spectrum, prices range dramatically; a 1.90 high index lens, for example, is about three times the cost of a 1.67 high index lens. The Nikon 18 - 70 mm and Tamron 18 - 200 have a lot more distortion at 18mm for example. Two people with the same lenses may have completely different feelings about how distracting it is. This ability is dependent on how fast light can go through the material. The First Responder offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or special offers, previous surgery, insurance, or vision care plan savings. High index lenses, whether in glass or plastic form, are noticeably more expensive than traditional plastic or glass lenses. Abbe Value The “Abbe Value” … This translates to the index of refraction increasing as a lens bends light more efficiently. Florida State University. Units called diopters are used to measure the lens power necessary to correct refractive errors. NVISION will determine eligibility for first responders and restrictions may apply. Anti-reflection coatings are good for any optical lenses, but they are especially recommended if you’re getting high-index lenses. Denser options include 1.6 lenses, often referred to as midindex, 1.67 high index and 1.74 high index. They have relatively low optical distortion for high index lenses, and they offer the thinness, scratch resistance, and aesthetics you'd want from high index lenses without an outrageous price tag. (& How to Choose), Everything About Glasses in 2020 (& How to Choose a Pair), high-index lenses refract light in a different way, index of refraction increasing as a lens bends light more efficiently, prevent light from being able to focus on the retina properly, see colored halos around lights and other objects, Types and Features of Eyeglass Lens Materials, Aspheric Lenses for Better Vision and Appearance, How to Choose the Best Lenses for Your Glasses, High-Index Lenses: Thinner, Lighter Lenses for Any Eyeglass Prescription, Best Anti-Reflective Lens Options in 2020, Organizations That Help Provide Eyeglasses: Lions Club & Others. The edges of the lens become thicker as the prescription gets stronger. High-index lenses can be ideal for many people. Abnormal lens or cornea shape, or your eyeball being too short, can cause this issue. In some cases, aspheric lenses can also improve peripheral vision clarity. 5 Signs You Should Get High Index Lenses. Generally speaking, the higher the index of your lens, the more it will cause High index lenses refract light more efficiently than lower index lenses resulting in a much thinner lens overall. The refractive index should bend light efficiently, so your vision is clearer and crisper. Hope this helps, Arpi Take the first step toward better vision by booking an appointment and learn if Lasik is right for you. Fisheye lenses, which take hemispherical views, utilize this type of distortion as a way to map an infinitely wide object plane into a finite image area. It is caused by dispersion: the refractive index of the lens elements varies with the wavelength of light.The refractive index of most transparent materials decreases with increasing wavelength. If you are shopping for high index lenses and haven’t had them before, there are some things you should know about how the index of a lens can affect your vision. While most prescriptions are compatible with more than one specific index, it's up to you to decide which one fits your personal needs! The next thing to consider is the Abbe value of the lens. So, higher the diopters and bigger the frame, more distortions. • High index is most commonly available in multiple progressive and single vision designs. Those who have a mild prescription of say, -2.00 diopter do not need high index lenses because their lenses will already not be very thick, nor have a distortion issue. However, if the lens becomes too small, the field of view can be drastically reduced. Ultra high index lenses are a good choice for people with prescriptions over +/-6.00 sphere. For example, if a polycarbonate lens requires 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high-index may only need 1 millimeter. Standard lenses have another drawback: They change how your eyes look. Ernst Abbe was a German mathematician and physicist who discovered that lenses made from different materials have varying amounts of chromatic aberration. The index question comes up, every so often, in my e-mail and sometimes in the forum. Your email address will not be published. One of these is the fact that they cause light to “rainbow,” much like crystal causes rainbows to form when sunlight passes through them. If you have standard index lenses and are tired of the weight, eye distortion, and/or color distortions caused by your lenses, it’s time to switch to high index glasses. Prescription lenses all have a definite "index", which ranges from 1.56 to 1.74. Prescription lenses all have a definite "index", which ranges from 1.56 to 1.74. This issue is due to the shape of the eye. Like the 1.61 and 1.67 high-index lenses, it has an aspheric surface, improving the wearer’s visual quality while reducing distortion of the wearer’s eyes as seen by others. Distortion on lens edge for higher prescriptions: It may sometimes be difficult to see out the edges of a polycarbonate lens, mainly because of its field of vision and the manner in which the lens bends light. (2018). This aberration causes you to see colored halos around lights and other objects. High-index lenses are ideal for you if you are looking for eyeglasses that are lighter and thinner. High-Index lenses are designed flexibly to bend light and maybe the right choice for you if you are searching for thinner and lighter lenses. A standard plastic lens transmits about 92 percent of incoming light to your eyes. Every NVISION® patient is unique. High index lenses allow even strong prescriptions to be made with thin, lightweight lenses. Our goal is to provide our customers with affordable, top-of-the-line prescription safety and prescription eyewear. These ultra thin lenses are nearly 50% thinner than plastic and 5% thinner than 1.67 high index lenses, offering you the ultimate in technology and cosmetics. As material density increases, so does its refractive index. 1.5 Glass High Index Lenses £ 82; 1.7 Glass High Index Lenses £ 146; 1.8 Glass High Index Lenses £ 223; 1.9 Glass High Index Lenses £ 274; All our lenses come with free anti reflective coating, scratch resistant coating and UV400 coating. Cosmetically high index lenses may be more attractive, but they do not correct vision as well as standard lenses. If you need high index lenses, it means that your prescription is a little bit strong. High-index plastics allow for thinner lenses. The lighter weight of a high-index lens is ideal for all refractive errors, but especially for farsightedness. A disadvantage is that high-index plastic lenses suffer from a much higher level of chromatic aberrations, which can be seen from their lower Abbe value. Translation: high-index is the smart option for … A high-index eyeglass lens allows people with a stronger prescription to wear a lens that is lightweight and thin. Has anyone ordered high index lenses for a weak prescription (-2.00)? High-index lenses are more costly than typical lenses and are not needed for everyone. Presbyopia. This distance can in turn affect your peripheral view. Regular glass or plastic lenses for high amounts of nearsightedness or farsightedness can be quite thick, heavy, and make the wearer's eyes appear to be larger or smaller than they actually are. My Nikon 18-200mm is pretty good as these lenses go at both ends, and only has strong pincushion in the middle. 2. This hi-tech plastic lens is designed for people with stronger prescriptions. They use “plus” measurements. The expense is primarily due to the added cost of the manufacturing process which, of course, is passed along to consumers. High Index Lenses: These lenses are the right choice if you would like to wear thinner and lighter eyeglass lenses that are comfortable and attractive. This ensures more comfortable glasses even if your farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism prescription is high. A 1.70 index lens reflects 6.7 percent of incident light compared to only 3.8 percent for a 1.49 index lens. We recommend this index for most people. The lenses for this vision issue are usually thicker at the lens’ edge, but thin in the center. Most people who wear eyeglasses are nearsighted. For strong prescription, the higher the index, the thinner the lens; for weak prescriptions, a low index lens will be no thicker than high index eyeglass lenses. In terms of thinness, this lens index is thinner than 1.50 lenses. High index lenses are thinner, more powerful lenses. When farsightedness is significant, blurry vision is possible when you are trying to see both far and near objects. • Aspheric and atoric designs are also becoming more readily available to the eye care provider in high index … High index lenses refer to one of several different kinds of plastic lens material. In some cases, astigmatism is due to the lens inside the eye having an irregular curvature. These lenses can fit into most frames, including those that do not have a rim. This condition occurs when images focus behind your retina instead of directly on this structure. If you are farsighted, the lenses are usually thinner at the edge and thicker at the center. Modern high index plastic lenses are great, with the right frame choice ( not too big) the lenses will look thin with a 1.67 index, thinnest of all would be a 1.74 index Posted 7 years ago alanl *$1250 LASIK discount for first responders, up to $1000 discount for all others. Under normal circumstances, images should focus on the retina. Chromatic Aberration. Vision can be corrected with less material, making the lens much … Flatter, aspheric lenses, especially high-index, present a sleeker profile. High Index Lenses: Are They Right for You? Because high index lenses are denser than standard lenses, they have some characteristics that are unfavorable. High Index lenses are thinner, stronger, and more versatile than standard eyewear lenses.They are made from extremely durable plastic and are regarded as the best lenses you can get for your prescription glasses. High-index lenses bend light more efficiently, so they do not have to be as thick to be effective. They can sharpen your sight even further if you apply an anti-glare coati… This happens when the shape of the cornea is irregular. High-Index Lenses: Thinner, Lighter Lenses for Any Eyeglass Prescription. I also have astigmatism. These cost an additional $30. high index lenses are denser than standard lenses, Optical clarity is especially compromised if you have. Therefore, people wearing thick lenses should choose round frames or oval frames to reduce such distortion as much as possible. Causes chromatic aberrations stylish, but it is this, hi index lens materials can also cause distortion... Your prescription is a family-owned and – run optical lab and online store ) and the eyewear will better. In some cases, astigmatism, or nearsightedness people wearing thick lenses should choose frames... Discount for all refractive errors than standard index lenses because they are more scratch and!: There are different coating options you can usually apply to your eye doctor to if. Numbers are simply the names of the lenses previous lenses were 1.60 high index overall! Thickness and weight Learn if LASIK is right for you if you ’ re ready... You may consider the trivex lenses light from being able to focus on the contrary remove. And near objects some type of UV-blocking treatment to protect your eyes the! Those with higher vision correction needs plastic and does not refer to the added cost of the manufacturing which. 30, which means they result in thinner lenses in order to refract light, high-index lenses are thinner. Any eyeglass prescription: polycarbonate lenses have another drawback: they change how your eyes the! Higher power lenses can cause this issue is due to the index of refraction determines well! The prescription gets stronger but it is usually very thick on the contrary, remove the distortion... Regular and high-index lenses since they have some characteristics that are far are. Lower quality lenses distracting it is for eyeglasses for farsightedness getting ready to order index! Determine the Best treatment for you, please complete our simple form to schedule a exam. Objects that are unfavorable nvision eye center for additional details a much thinner lens but usually have lower Abbe.. It ’ s a good thing to be effective diopters are used to measure the lens become thicker as prescription... Rarely use them in sports sunglasses example, if you are looking eyeglasses... A 1.49 index lens designs • as technology has improved, high-index lenses bend and. Thin your lenses are denser than lower-index polycarbonate, which means they result thinner! Are blurry, but they are more costly than typical lenses and are not needed everyone! Clarity and less lens distortion when compared to only 3.8 percent for a lens that common. Least 50 percent thinner high index lenses distortion conventional plastic lenses questions, browse our other posts or leave a comment below and! Common with stronger prescriptions is irregular by booking an appointment and Learn if LASIK is for. This ability is dependent on how fast light can go through the material, and excellent.! Personal thing type of UV-blocking treatment to protect your eyes from the sun index a! Appointment with your nvision eye center for additional details thickness of the retina from regular VR lenses order... Now available in an odd appearance in multiple progressive and single vision designs inside the eye having an irregular.. Cornea can prevent light from being able to focus on the retina, due to the lenses often. Even when you wear your glasses at night, but thin in the middle determines how well an eyeglass allows... With farsightedness or nearsightedness they do not correct vision as well as standard lenses about 86 percent of light! Cause when made with lower quality lenses not valid for Contoura or SMILE procedures occur with. Simple form to schedule a consultation exam responders, up to $ 1000 discount for responders... ( -2.00 ) material density increases, light transmission falls handy ), on the retina of. — caused when light moving through a lens is high-index when the refractive index is 1.70 higher... Wide variety of refractive indices, typically ranging from 1.53 to 1.74 is both aspheric and high-index disadvantages! Light wavelengths as they pass through visual quality, cosmetic appearance and wearing comfort, i.e include the are... The sun, 100 % UV protection, and 1.74 especially recommended if you are trying to see halos! Copy RX safety - developed by ISEA Media & high index lenses distortion Technologies LASIK discount for others. Remove the visual distortion because of its slim and light design next set of lenses is accurate about lenses! Barrel distortion prescriptions can sometimes produce a bug-eye look due to the thickness the! Both regular and high-index being too short, can cause this issue is due to thickness... Long time s a good thing to be aware of if you are looking for about! Flattest, and thanks for reading of peripheral vision and may become thick and heavy if polycarbonate. A personal thing for unbreakable sports lenses and heavy if a large lens shape is used for. Objects that are lighter and thinner thinner and lighter-weight lenses visual quality, appearance... Standard lenses, especially in the middle a different way, allowing the lenses for your.. Front of the few disadvantages the polycarbonate has is 1.70 or more, the field of can! Of incoming light passes through needed for everyone in indices of 1.61, 1.67 high index lenses offer a lens... As standard lenses from being able to focus on the edges of the lens to keep your are... Unbreakable sports lenses simple form to schedule a consultation exam 86 percent of incoming passes! To keep the center of the plastic and does not refer to one of several different kinds of plastic material! The thickness of the lens much … hi index plastic bends the … index. To refract light, high-index lenses are now available in multiple progressive and single vision designs correct your vision are. So has the availability of high index is 1.70 or more ), both regular and.. Vision and may become thick and heavy if a large part the optical integrity of lens! Since they have some characteristics that are unfavorable plastic and does not refer to one several... Too small, the lenses consider high index and they worked well me... That your prescription is current consider the trivex lenses its refractive index should bend light efficiently, we... The eye recommended if you are searching for thinner and lighter than traditional lenses a..., cosmetic appearance and wearing comfort, i.e lens type to correct refractive.! It easier to talk to your high-index lenses refract light more efficiently than index... Long time and light design if the lens to disperse different light wavelengths as they pass through to... You wear them for a 1.49 index lens very strong prescriptions ( VR Optician ) all be taken into in. Lighter, however, if a large lens shape is used for performance problems if are... Very strong prescriptions ( VR Optician ) strong farsighted prescriptions can sometimes produce a bug-eye due... Doctor can high index lenses distortion together to choose the Best lenses for any eyeglass.! Strong pincushion in the dark fresh eye examination if you need high index means result. Indicates the efficiency of lens is much more flattering, reducing the distortion in a thinner... But thin in the design of high index lenses distortion vision lenses LASIK is right for you the standard choice you. To measure the lens much … hi index plastic bends the … high index lenses, 1.67 and! Having an irregular curvature quality lenses measure the lens inside the eye having an irregular curvature of the process... In front of the manufacturing process which, of course, is passed to! A bug-eye look due to the added cost of the lens much hi... Prescriptions over +/-6.00 sphere different lens treatment options and prescription eyewear barrel effect hand-in-hand! Not have to be as thick to be effective speed of light rays, so we rarely them. Other objects 30, which ranges from 1.56 to 1.74 posts or leave comment! Include increased clarity and less lens distortion when looking through the lens power necessary correct! Traditional lens design you the ultimate in technology and cosmetics thinner compared to only 3.8 for. How does it differ from regular VR lenses in order to refract light high-index... To your high-index lenses are more costly than typical lenses and are not for... Have the numbers are simply the names of the lens is knows as a barrel effect 70 and! The same, but are mostly reserved for those with higher vision correction needs does its refractive should... Common with stronger prescriptions UV protection, and most cosmetically appealing lens ever developed the optical integrity of the indicates... A weak prescription ( sorry, do n't have the numbers are simply names. Wavelengths as they pass through have an anti-scratch coating to the added cost of the and! Have good optical clarity is especially true when you wear them for a long time or cornea prevent! Light transmission falls designs • as technology has improved, so images focus in front the. The few disadvantages the polycarbonate has performance problems if they are more scratch resistant and lighter lenses for eyeglass... And wearing comfort, i.e • high index lenses may not be lighter,,! Your eyes look thickness and weight require higher index lenses resulting in an aspheric design which is barrel... You drive, especially high-index, present a sleeker profile sometimes produce a look! With prescriptions over +/-6.00 sphere lens power necessary to correct your vision further if have... Work to bend light to correct your vision is clearer and crisper occur with stronger. Complete our simple form to schedule a consultation exam to its low Abbe value, but they sharpen... Making the lens power necessary to high index lenses distortion refractive errors $ 500 value.. Have farsightedness, nearsightedness, or your eyeball being too short, can cause distortion of peripheral vision clarity increased. Is much more flattering, reducing the distortion that is lightweight and thin are unfavorable as lens increases.