Improve Your Look With The High Index Lens

The high index lens is an excellent choice for those who have large diopters, no matter if it is for myopia, hyperopia or astigmatism. You do need to be careful which of high index you choose, to not spend unnecessary extra money.

Let me show you how to do…

Pros of choosing lenses with high refractive index

If you have large diopters, for you the lenses with high index produce a better look, namely:

Thinner and more elegant lenses
Lighter so more comfortable lenses
They fit in frames, where the standard lens does not look advantageous because you can see the lens thickness
Can be used with rimless eyeglasses where also the lens thickness is highly visible

How to choose the index of refraction to spend less

An ordinary glass or plastic lens has a refractive index of 1.5 and a certain thickness, depending on the number of diopters. Increasing the index of refraction (to 1.6 or 1.7 ...) you get a lens with the same diopters, but thinner, called high index lens.

You will choose the index of refraction, according how thin you want to be the lens, and it can be 1.6, 1.67, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9. The higher is the index of refraction the thinner will be the same dioptre lens.

You have to know that the high index lens has an upper price than commonly used lens, depending on the degree of thinning.

For example, lenses with high refractive index like 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, are designed to replace extremely thick normal lenses, and they reduce the thickness significantly, but the price is also high. This is why you don't need to choose a high refractive index if unnecessary, to avoid spending a lot of money.

Helpful Tips

Choose the thinning ratio of lenses after you choose your frame because you may not need the thinnest lens, and you'll save some money.
Depending on the dioptre, the difference in thickness between an index of 1.6 and 1.67 is not so high, but there are significant differences in price, so ask your optician to explain how the glasses will look with both indices and take the right decision, according to price.
If you want a complete lens as design and look, you can ask to be custom thinned for the frame you want. It will cost you more, but it will be the perfect match.

Examples

Let’s say you have hyperopia and a higher dioptre than +4.00. Being a convex lens (+), it will be thinner at the edge and thicker at the middle.

Normal Convex and High Index Convex lens Compared

Comparison of two convex lens thickness (mm), with +8.00 dioptre for different index of refraction: 1.5 respectively 1.6

After grinding, usually the thinner part is cut off so you will stay with the thick part. Here, you have two options:

Hide the thick part in a sturdy plastic frame
Order lenses with high index and put them in any frame you like, but with more money

This rule is applied also at lenses with lower diopters like +3.00, +2.00.

If you have myopia, your lenses are concave (-) and let’s say the dioptre is -4.00 or bigger. You have to consider that the lens is thinner at the middle and thicker at the edges, so after grinding you will remain with the thinner part of the lens.

Normal Concave and High Index Concave Lens Compared

Comparison of two concave lens thickness (mm), with -8.00 dioptre for different index of refraction: 1.5 respectively 1.6

Also, present you have two options:

You take a smaller frame, so the lens will be as thin as possible
You order high index lenses and put them in any frame you like, but you spend more

I have to remind you about other specific types of thinning for lenses. It is about reaching the thickness required for mounting the lens in the frame.

Sometimes is essential that the edge of the lens to be exactly 1.8 mm, for mounting it in a rimless or semi-rimless frame. This thinning or thickening (if the lens is too thin) is applied on demand, based on the frame shape, and this is an extra service and is not for free.

You have the possibility to apply different optional coatings

The lens with high index of refraction can have the entire series of coatings like normal lenses, for a fee.

Especially you can ask the hardening for lens strength and anti-reflective coating because a lens with high index of refraction, reflects a higher percentage of light than a normal lens.

I suggest you the high index lens if you have large diopters and the common lenses are thick and unaesthetic. Even in this situation, before choosing, have a talk with your optician to see if the high index is right for you and which index of refraction is the one for your lenses because the price depends on these choices.