The Best Options for Thinner Lenses: Enhancing Your Comfort and Style

Thinner Lenses / High Index Lenses – Less Material, More Comfort

If you wear glasses with a strong prescription, you’ll know how heavy and bulky standard lenses can feel. Thicker lenses not only affect comfort but also change the way your eyes look, adding glare and reflections that can impact confidence. That’s where thinner lenses, also known as high index lenses, come in. By using less material and a higher refractive index, thinner lenses achieve the same correction with a slimmer, lighter profile. At Glasses Outlet, we offer a wide range of high index and double aspheric lenses to help you achieve visual clarity, comfort, and style without compromise. Whether you’re upgrading to new lenses or want to reglaze glasses, thinner high index options make a huge difference.

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What Are High Index Lenses?

High index lenses are made from lens materials that bend light more efficiently than standard plastic or glass. The refractive index measures how effectively a lens bends light. A higher index means the lens needs less material to provide the same prescription strength.

This efficiency allows lenses to be thinner and lighter, especially for strong prescriptions. For short sighted and long sighted wearers, high index lenses reduce thickness, minimise glare, and improve overall appearance.

They are also well-suited to rimless and semi-rimless frames, where thick lenses can look bulky at the edges. By choosing thinner lenses, you get a more flattering look and a comfortable fit without losing clarity.

WHY LENS THICKNESS MATTERS

The thickness of a lens is determined by several factors:

Prescription strength – stronger prescriptions require more power, which usually means thicker edges for short sighted and thicker centres for long sighted lenses.
Lens material – different materials bend light in different ways, which is why higher index lenses reduce thickness.
Frame size – larger frames need larger lenses, which can increase thickness at the edges.

For many wearers, thick lenses can cause issues such as:

Heavy weight, leading to discomfort on the nose and ears
Visible edges that affect appearance
More glare and reflections on the lens surface
Reduced visual clarity if not polished or coated properly

Thinner lenses provide a solution to all of these issues, making them an ideal choice for strong prescription glasses. Many wearers now combine them with blue light lenses for extra comfort when using screens daily.

How High Index and Double Aspheric Lenses Help

High index lenses bend light more effectively, so they require less material. Instead of a thick lens with strong curvature, you can achieve the same result with a flatter surface and reduced thickness.

Double aspheric lenses take this further by using advanced design on both sides of the lens. Aspheric and double aspheric lenses are flatter than standard spherical lenses, which reduces distortions, improves vision, and creates a slimmer appearance.

For example, 1.74 index lenses or even 1.9 high index lenses in the UK can make a strong prescription look much thinner compared with 1.5 index lenses. Ultra thin lenses are especially useful for prescriptions above ±4.00, where standard lenses would appear bulky.

By choosing options like 1.74 high index lenses or 1.9 high index lenses, wearers can enjoy comfortable, lighter lenses with better aesthetics.

COMPARING MATERIALS: PLASTIC VS GLASS, STANDARD VS HIGH INDEX

When deciding on thinner lenses, the material matters as much as the prescription.

Plastic lenses are lighter and safer than traditional glass lenses, making them the most common choice today. They can be produced in a wide range of indexes, including 1.5, 1.6, 1.67, and 1.74.
Glass lenses offer very high refractive indexes (such as 1.9 high index lenses UK), which make them extremely thin, but they are heavier and less impact-resistant.

Comparing standard lenses with high index lenses:

Standard 1.5 index lenses are suitable for mild prescriptions but will look thick in stronger powers.
Mid index options like 1.6 or 1.67 reduce thickness significantly and are ideal for many wearers.
1.74 high index lenses and 1.9 high index lenses provide the thinnest possible result, perfect for high prescription glasses.

Different materials suit different needs. Glass vs plastic lenses is a balance between thinness, weight, and durability. If you require multifocal correction, we also provide varifocal lenses in high index options for slimmer, more comfortable wear.

LENS INDEX GUIDE AND THICKNESS CHART

The lens index determines how efficiently a lens bends light. Here’s a simplified guide to how thickness changes:

1.5 index lenses: standard plastic, suitable for low prescriptions, affordable but thicker
1.6 index lenses: thinner and lighter, a good mid-range option
1.67 lenses: high index, much thinner, suitable for moderate to strong prescriptions
1.74 lenses: ultra thin lenses for strong prescriptions, the thinnest plastic option
1.9 high index lenses: glass lenses, the thinnest possible but heavier

A lens thickness chart shows that moving from 1.5 to 1.74 index lenses can reduce edge thickness by up to 50% for strong prescriptions. For example, a -6.00 prescription in 1.5 index lenses will be noticeably thicker than in 1.74 high index lenses.

This reduction in thickness improves comfort, appearance, and visual clarity, especially in rimless or larger frames.

HOW GLASSES OUTLET PROVIDES THINNER LENSES

At Glasses Outlet, we specialise in providing thinner lenses that match your style, prescription, and budget. Whether you’re looking for new lenses in a fresh frame or reglazing your existing glasses, we can help.

Our services include:

Reglazing with high index lenses online
Offering a full range from 1.5 index lenses up to 1.9 high index lenses
Double aspheric lenses for improved flatness and reduced distortion
Options for both plastic lenses and glass lenses
Advice on frame size, style, and suitability

By choosing thinner lenses from Glasses Outlet, you can achieve visual clarity, reduce edge thickness, and enjoy glasses that feel lighter and more comfortable every day. For style-conscious wearers, we also offer options like sunglass lense replacement so your vision looks great in every situation.

BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF THINNER LENSES

Like any lens choice, high index lenses come with advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages

Reduced lens thickness and slimmer edges
Lighter lenses for improved comfort
Better appearance, especially in rimless frames
Reduced distortions and improved visual clarity with aspheric designs
Suitable for both short sighted and long sighted prescriptions
Available in a wide range of indexes for different needs

Disadvantages

Higher prices than standard lenses
Glass high index lenses can be heavier than plastic
May require anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare and reflections
Some materials can scratch more easily without proper care

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT THINNER LENS

When deciding between different lenses, consider the following:

Prescription strength: stronger prescriptions benefit more from high index lenses.
Frame style: rimless and semi-rimless frames look better with thinner lenses.
Comfort: lighter lenses reduce strain on your nose and ears.
Budget: higher index lenses are more expensive but provide clear benefits.
Vision needs: distance, reading, or progressive prescriptions may suit different materials.

If you’re unsure, the team at Glasses Outlet can help you choose the ideal solution based on your prescription and frame.

Summary

Thinner lenses are the ideal solution for anyone with a strong prescription who wants lighter, slimmer, and more attractive glasses. By using high index and double aspheric designs, these lenses achieve the same correction with less material, improving comfort and style without compromising vision.

At Glasses Outlet, we provide a full range of thinner lenses, from 1.5 index lenses to 1.9 high index lenses, available for both new frames and reglaze glasses. With options for plastic and glass lenses, coatings to reduce glare, and expert advice on the best choice for your prescription, we make it simple to find the right solution.

If you’re ready to reduce lens thickness and improve the way your glasses look and feel, explore our thinner lens options today. We can also help with blue light glasses, varifocal lenses, and a wide range of other prescription lens services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the thinnest glasses lenses for high prescription? −

The thinnest lenses available are 1.9 high index glass lenses, but many wearers choose 1.74 high index plastic lenses for a balance of thinness, comfort, and safety.

Are double aspheric lenses worth it? +

Yes, double aspheric lenses provide a flatter lens surface, reduced distortions, and improved appearance, especially for strong prescriptions.

Are high index lenses suitable for all prescriptions? +

Yes, they can be used for both short sighted and long sighted prescriptions. However, for very mild prescriptions, standard lenses may be more cost-effective.

Do thinner lenses reduce glare? +

Thinner lenses themselves don’t reduce glare, but anti-reflective coatings applied to high index lenses minimise reflections effectively.

Can I get thinner lenses with my existing frame? +

Yes, Glasses Outlet offers reglazing glasses services, allowing you to upgrade to thinner lenses without buying a new frame.

Are high index lenses more expensive? +

They are typically more expensive than standard lenses, but they offer significant advantages in appearance, comfort, and visual clarity.

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Thinner Lenses / High Index Lenses – Less Material, More Comfort

What Are High Index Lenses?

WHY LENS THICKNESS MATTERS

How High Index and Double Aspheric Lenses Help

COMPARING MATERIALS: PLASTIC VS GLASS, STANDARD VS HIGH INDEX

LENS INDEX GUIDE AND THICKNESS CHART

HOW GLASSES OUTLET PROVIDES THINNER LENSES

BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF THINNER LENSES

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT THINNER LENS

Summary

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Thinner Lenses / High Index Lenses – Less Material, More Comfort

What Are High Index Lenses?

WHY LENS THICKNESS MATTERS

How High Index and Double Aspheric Lenses Help

COMPARING MATERIALS: PLASTIC VS GLASS, STANDARD VS HIGH INDEX

LENS INDEX GUIDE AND THICKNESS CHART

HOW GLASSES OUTLET PROVIDES THINNER LENSES

BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF THINNER LENSES

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT THINNER LENS

Summary

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