High index lenses, when to upgrade

If you’ve been wearing glasses for a while, you know that thicker lenses can sometimes feel like a literal weight on your face. While standard CR-39 lenses are a reliable, budget-friendly classic, they tend to get quite bulky and heavy as your prescription strength increases. That’s where high index lenses come in, offering a much slimmer and lighter alternative by bending light more efficiently than traditional plastic. The higher the index of a lens, the less material is needed to refract light, resulting in a thinner lens.  

These lenses significantly reduce the dreaded "coke-bottle" effect, ensuring your eyes look natural rather than magnified or shrunk behind the lenses. Beyond just looking better, the significantly reduced weight means less pressure on your nose bridge and fewer "heavy-frame" headaches throughout the day.

Our Professional Recommendation: We generally suggest upgrading to high index once your prescription crosses a SPH of +/- 3.00 or a CYL of +/- 2.00.

Making the switch is a total game-changer for your comfort and confidence, finally making your eyewear feel like a seamless part of your style rather than a clunky accessory.