HIGH-INDEX THIN LENSES PREMIER PROGRESSIVE (SCRATCH-RESISTANT/ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING LENSES)
HIGH-INDEX THIN LENSES PREMIER PROGRESSIVE (SCRATCH-RESISTANT/ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING LENSES)
High-index lenses are thinner, more powerful lenses. They're lightweight and stylish but are mostly reserved for those with higher vision correction needs. 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 difference between your glasses' lens index can make a huge impact which is why learning about high index lenses’ meaning is important. Deciding which you should get depends on your prescription and your lifestyle. Thicker lenses are more affordable, but can only accommodate lower vision correction needs. Thinner lenses are lightweight (and more stylish!) and can accommodate MANY kinds of vision needs, including higher prescriptions. In terms of balancing price and quality, 1.59 index polycarbonate lenses accommodate most prescriptions and are extra durable.
1.67 vs 1.74 high-index lenses explained
So, what’s the difference between all the different lens index options shown in the table above? Let’s take a look and give you a better idea. Starting with 1.61 vs 1.67 high index lenses — the 1.67 lens is extremely thin whereas despite still being stylish, the 1.61 lens is extra-thin. The 1.67 lens is a great choice for extra-strong prescriptions. What about 1.67 vs 1.74 high-index lenses? Well, you can probably guess that the 1.74 is thinner (the thinnest possible!). Go for 1.7.4 high-index lenses if you have a high prescription and like your lenses extremely thin, lightweight, and stylish.
What lens thickness should I get?
The lens thickness you should get depends on your prescription and lifestyle. Thicker lenses are more affordable, but can only accommodate lower vision correction needs. High-index lenses are thinner, lightweight (and more stylish!), and can accommodate ALL kinds of vision needs, including higher prescriptions! A good compromise lies in 1.59 index polycarbonate indexes, which accommodate most prescriptions and are extra durable.
Anti-reflective coating (also called "AR coating" or "anti-glare coating") improves vision, reduces eye strain, and makes your eyeglasses look more attractive.
These benefits are due to the ability of AR coating to virtually eliminate reflections from the front and back surfaces of your eyeglass lenses. With reflections gone, more light passes through your lenses to optimize visual acuity with fewer distractions (especially at night), and the lenses look nearly invisible — which enhances your appearance by drawing more attention to your eyes and helping you make better "eye contact" with others.
AR coating is especially beneficial when used on high-index lenses, which reflect more light than regular plastic lenses. Generally, the higher the index of refraction of the lens material, the more light will be reflected from the surface of the lenses.
For example, regular plastic lenses reflect roughly 8 percent of light hitting the lenses, so only 92 percent of available light enters the eye for vision. High-index plastic lenses can reflect up to 50 percent more light than regular plastic lenses (approximately 12 percent of available light), so even less light is available to the eye for vision.
This can be particularly troublesome in low-light conditions, such as when driving at night.
Today's modern anti-reflective coatings can virtually eliminate the reflection of light from eyeglass lenses, allowing 99.5 percent of available light to pass through the lenses and enter the eye for good vision.
By eliminating reflections, AR coating also makes your eyeglass lenses look nearly invisible so people can see your eyes and facial expressions more clearly.
Anti-reflective glasses also are more attractive, so you can look your best in all lighting conditions.