A high-index eyeglass lens allows people with a stronger prescription to wear a lens that is lightweight and thin. Farsightedness is a condition that makes it difficult to see up-close objects clearly. Help. This condition can occur along with farsightedness or nearsightedness. The aspheric quality help to keep the center of the lens thinner for people who have farsightedness, so the curvature is flatter. 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. High index lenses are a good option for people who have strong prescriptions for myopia—commonly called “nearsightedness” due to a difficulty in focusing on far objects. When someone is nearsighted, objects that are far away are blurry, but they can see close items clearly. Distortion is great for a lens like this, but awful compared to a 50mm f/1.8. Florida State University. High index lenses refer to one of several different kinds of plastic lens material. Higher prescriptions require higher index lenses, while lower prescriptions require lower index lenses. 1.67 high-index Recommended for anyone with a strong prescription (+/-4.0 or higher total power), 1.67 high-index lenses are up to 20% thinner than polycarbonate lenses. (& How to Choose). 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 High-index lenses are ideal for you if you are looking for eyeglasses that are lighter and thinner. Chromatic Aberration. Density and refractive index are not the same, but they go hand-in-hand. The first step is confirming your prescription is current. Tip: Use a lens that is both aspheric and high-index. 14 15. Fortunately, we have a variety of new "high-index" plastic lens … All high-index lenses will have an anti-scratch coating to improve lens durability. A 1.70 index lens reflects 6.7 percent of incident light compared to only 3.8 percent for a 1.49 index lens. 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. Vision blurs when looking at distant objects. The higher the number, the more the light is bent, and therefore the less material needed to correct for a high prescription. Most 18 - 200 lenses are worse. 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. Lens index is a number that describes how thick or thin your lenses are. Every NVISION® patient is unique. I recently got a new set of lenses, 1.67 high index with Crizal coating. How to Choose the Best Lenses for Your Glasses. They currently come in indices of 1.61, 1.67, and 1.74. 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. While most prescriptions are compatible with more than one specific index, it's up to you to decide which one fits your personal needs! From there, if you have a prescription over -6.00 diopters, a 1.67 high index lens is a worthwhile upgrade. A standard plastic lens transmits about 92 percent of incoming light to your eyes. Almost all high-index lenses have some type of UV-blocking treatment to protect your eyes from the sun. This happens when the shape of the cornea is irregular. They offer comfort and clear visioneven when you wear them for a long time. My previous lenses were 1.60 high index and they worked well for me. See 5 signs showing why you should consider high index lenses & the benefits. A high-index lens can bend light rays more, while using less material in lenses created for … Make an appointment with your eye doctor to ensure your next set of lenses is accurate. Heavy prescription lenses make your eyes look smaller but with high-index lenses, your eyes appear bigger and clear as the size of the lens is completely thin and lighter. View Specsavers Help and FAQs to find out more today. Prescription lenses all have a definite "index", which ranges from 1.56 to 1.74. High-index lenses have good optical clarity, 100% UV protection, and excellent durability. 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. (Learn More), Both regular and high-index lenses work to bend light to correct refractive errors. If you are very farsighted or nearsighted, your regular lenses will usually be quite heavy and thick. Astigmatism. Most people get used to or never notice aberration, but it is a personal thing. If you need high index lenses, it means that your prescription is a little bit strong. Look at the aspheric design of the lens. High Index Lenses. I have Hi-Index lenses with prisms and haven't had any problems. Most modern lens types come in high-index materials. High index lenses have a higher Abbe value than prescriptions made from standard plastic or glass, which means that there's a greater potential for distortion, particularly in your peripheral vision. However, if the lens becomes too small, the field of view can be drastically reduced. In some cases, astigmatism is due to the lens inside the eye having an irregular curvature. Their key benefits include lighter weights and much … High Index 1.74 lenses are the thinnest, flattest, and most cosmetically appealing lens ever developed. In barrel distortion, image magnification decreases with distance from the optical axis.The apparent effect is that of an image which has been mapped around a sphere (or barrel). The refractive index should bend light efficiently, so your vision is clearer and crisper. This describes the ability of the lens to disperse different light wavelengths as they pass through. They're lightweight and stylish, but are mostly reserved for those with higher vision correction needs. Under normal circumstances, images should focus on the retina. High Index Lenses . • High index is most commonly available in multiple progressive and single vision designs. High index lenses offer a thinner lens but usually have lower abbe values. Translation: high-index is the smart option for … If you have any questions, browse our other posts or leave a comment below, and thanks for reading! As technology has improved, high-index lenses have been developed that are thinner and lighter than traditional lenses. They use “plus” measurements. When you have a medium or strong prescription, you need a high-index lens to keep your lenses thin. The symptoms of nearsightedness may include: Astigmatism causes your vision to become blurry. High index lenses are made of a plastic material which bends light more than standard CR39 lenses and can therefore be made thinner and lighter allowing for more cosmetically appealing and comfortable to wear glasses.. 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. High dispersion can occur with a low Abbe value, causing a chromatic aberration. Your email address will not be published. It causes an incorrect bending of light rays, so images focus in front of the retina. SHOP HIGH INDEX GLASSES HIGH INDEX LENS REPLACEMENT Looking for information about the advantages and disadvantages of high index spectacle lenses? This ability is dependent on how fast light can go through the material. This difference may be negligible in full-light conditions, but it … Aspherical Lens Design: The design reduces lens thickness and weight. 5 Signs You Should Get High Index Lenses. The lenses for this vision issue are usually thicker at the lens’ edge, but thin in the center. 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. But high index materials are breakable, so we rarely use them in sports sunglasses. To determine the best treatment for you, please complete our simple form to schedule a consultation exam. They use “minus” measurements. High Index Lenses . The lenses may not be lighter, however, due to the increase in density vs. mid- and normal index materials. 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. High index lenses refract light more efficiently than lower index lenses resulting in a much thinner lens overall. Abbe Value The “Abbe Value” … The irregular lens or cornea can prevent light from being able to focus on the retina properly. High-Index Lenses: Thinner, Lighter Lenses for Any Eyeglass Prescription. The general range is about 1.53 to 1.74. Doctors will recommend you this kind of lens in case you have a strong prescription for eyeglasses for farsightedness, astigmatism, or nearsightedness. Home » Everything About Glasses in 2020 (& How to Choose a Pair) » High Index Lenses: Are They Right for You? High-index lenses are more costly than typical lenses and are not needed for everyone. Barrel distortion. Aspheric Lenses for Better Vision and Appearance. All About Vision. high index lenses are denser than standard lenses, Optical clarity is especially compromised if you have. This is especially true when you wear your glasses at night. **As lens density increases, light transmission falls. This is especially important for people with severe vision correction needs, as traditional lenses … This issue is due to the shape of the eye. 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. The lenses are a high-index plastic material. They are also available in an aspheric design which is … 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, higher power lenses can cause distortion of peripheral vision and may become thick and heavy if a large lens shape is used. Your email address will not be published. American Optometric Association. Glasses that magnify what you see also make your eyes look bigger to others, while those that shrink what you see will make your eyes seem smaller to onlookers. 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. The First Responder offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or special offers, previous surgery, insurance, or vision care plan savings. This condition occurs when images focus behind your retina instead of directly on this structure. Other benefits include increased clarity and less lens distortion when compared to standard lenses. In general, the people with 1.70 high index plastic seem to find the least distortion and have the best overall experience with their lenses. The more that light refracts, the slower the speed of light through the 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. I ordered new glasses recently (high diopter prescription), and the person helping me (not the optometrist) said that the high index lenses would reduce distortion at the edges. Ernst Abbe was a German mathematician and physicist who discovered that lenses made from different materials have varying amounts of chromatic aberration. Rx-Safety.com is a family-owned and – run optical lab and online store. High-index Lenses. Learning the basics can make it easier to talk to your eye doctor to determine if this lens is right for you. The thinner lens is much more flattering, reducing the distortion that high prescriptions cause when made with lower quality lenses. 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. 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. (October 1, 2018). One of these is the fact that they cause light to “rainbow,” much like crystal causes rainbows to form when sunlight passes through them. 1.67 high index lenses are a great choice if you're trying to save money when ordering your high index lenses. Always remember that lenses with a higher index of refraction are thinner, lighter, and have less distortion (thicker lenses tend to have more distortion). **LASIK Savings (up to $500 - $750 per eye) valid on bladeless Custom LASIK based off the LASIK procedure book price. The Nikon 18 - 70 mm and Tamron 18 - 200 have a lot more distortion at 18mm for example. Contact Lens Practice. 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. This is one of the few disadvantages the polycarbonate has. Here are the things you need to know about how the index of your lens affects the clarity of your vision: High index lenses are thin, so the amount of distortion they cause is offset by the small amount of lens material that light passes through. This describes the change in lens curvature from the center of the lens to the edge. Standard optical plastic has a refractive index of 1.5. These high index lenses are recommended if you have a strong eyeglass prescription for refractive errors … 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. ** In a 1.74 high-index lens, about 86 percent of incoming light passes through. 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