Cart
Subtotal
$0.00
Shipping, taxes, and discount codes calculated at checkout.
Your cart is currently empty.
USE CODE: LENSES30 FOR 30% OFF PRESCRIPTION LENSES AND COATINGS
FLASH SALE - 10% OFF ALL ORDERS OVER $250 - USE CODE FRAMES10
Eye Health Info ·

Which Lens Thickness Is Right For You?

Which Lens Thickness Is Right For You?

Which Lens Thickness Is Right For You?

Have you got a new prescription and now you don’t know which Lens Thickness is the one for you? Or maybe this is the first time you are ordering your prescription online? When buying glasses online you may be inclined to buy the thinnest lenses for your frames. However, do you really need to purchase the thinnest lenses or is that what you are used to going for? We at Fashion Eyewear are here to help. Here is our simple yet effective go-to guide on picking the right lens thickness or thinness for you, so next time you won’t have to think twice.

So, which lens thickness really is right for you?

The answer is simple; it depends on your prescription range.

The general rule surrounding lenses:

If your prescription is low then investing in thinner lens may not be necessary. This simple guide will help you to choose the right lens thickness.

Short Sighted

On your prescription this will be shown as a ‘-‘ (for long distance).

Short sighted lenses are generally thinner in the middle of the lens and gradually get thicker towards the edges. Therefore, if you are short sighted we recommend minimising the thickness of your lens. In this case think about which lens will look best with your chosen frame.

Long Sighted

On your prescription this will be shown as a ‘+’ (for short distance).

Long sighted lenses are the opposite to short sighted, they are thicker in the centre point of the lens and gradually get thinner towards the edges. This makes the lens thicker overall.

However, if you are long sighted, there are extra points for you to consider;

  • Try to stay away from rimless or semi rimless frames as the thinnest part of your lens will need to be glazed into the frame.
  • Make sure you choose a coating that suits you; we have a number of coatings available from the top brands in the industry. For example, you have a choice of anti-scratch, anti-glare, blue computer coating and many more. If you follow the check out on our website after add prescription you can add your own preference to any glasses whether optical or sunglasses

Rimless

When choosing your frames, bear in mind your index and prescription. Not all lenses are suited to all frames. We strongly advise going for the 1.6 or 1.67 index due to their durability in the glazing process and longevity.

  • 1. 6 (Thin and Light)
  • 1.67 (Thinner and Lighter)

Semi Rimmed

If semi rimmed frames are what you are after, you have more options when choosing your lenses:

  • 1.6 (Thin and Light)
  • 1.67 (Thinner and Lighter)
  • 1.74 (Thinnest and Lightest)

Full Frame

For a full frame, the choice is yours:

  • Best for 1.5 (Standard)
  • 1.6 (Thin and Light)
  • 1.67 (Thinnest and Lightest)
  • 1.74 (Thinner and Lighter)

What is your prescription?

Low Prescriptions: Up to +/- 2.00

For this low prescription we have two options which are best suited to you. We have the standard lens thickness which is a 1.5 Index and the thin, light lens at a 1.6 index.

The standard lens thickness 1.5 Index

  • These are the standard plastic lenses used to fit our frames.
  • Not suitable for rimless or semi rimless frames.

The Thin and Light 1.6 Index

  • This index is up to 35% thinner and 40% lighter than the 1.5 lens.
  • Tough enough to be added to all frame types; whether you want full rim, semi, and rimless.
  • 100% UV protection is provided.
  • Most aesthetically pleasing option for a 2.00 prescription.

We recommend going for the thin and light option if you have a mid range prescription and aesthetic attributes are important to you. Going for a 1.6 index will reduce the magnification/minimisation effect of the eyes.

Which style is best for you?

Try a thin frame like this Dior Stellaire 01. This stylish square frame is on trend for 2020.

 

Mid Range Prescription: Up to +/- 3.50

If you have a mid range prescription at +/- 3.50 we advise you stick to either a 1.6 index or 1.67 which is thinner and lighter.

The thin and light 1.6 Index

  • This index is up to 35% thinner and 40% lighter than the 1.5 lens.
  • Tough enough to be added to all frame types; whether you want full rim, semi, and rimless.
  • 100% UV protection is provided.

The thinner and lighter 1.67 Index

  • Up to 45% thinner and 45% lighter than the 1.5 lens.
  • Works best in rimless and semi rimless frames.
  • 100% UV protection.
  • Aesthetically pleasing for a mid range prescription.

We recommend going for the thinner and lighter option if you have a mid range prescription and aesthetic attributes are important to you. Going for a 1.67 index will reduce the magnification/minimisation effect of the eyes.

Which style suits you?

Try our butterfly glasses by Christian Roth. This unique shape is available in Brown Mirror.

 

 

Higher Prescriptions: Up to +/- 5.00

If you have a mid to high prescription, stick to the thinner lens options at 1.67 index and 1.74, which is the thinnest and lightest of the two.

The thinner and lighter 1.67 Index

  • Up to 45% thinner and 45% lighter than the 1.5 lens.
  • Works best in rimless and semi rimless frames.
  • 100% UV protection..

The thinnest and lightest 1.74 Index

  • Up to 60% thinner than the 1.5 lens.
  • The thinnest plastic lens material available – first choice for high prescriptions.
  • 100% UV protection provided.
  • Ensures greatest comfort and aesthetic qualities.
  • This is the most aesthetically pleasing option for a +/- 5.00 prescription.

Which style would suit you?

If you wish to cover the whole lens we recommend going for a thicker frame which will match your prescription. Try the Alexander Mcqueen AM01610 frame in 001 Black for example.

High Prescriptions: Over +/-5.00

With a high prescription over +/- 5.00 we highly advise you stick to the thinnest and lightest index of 1.74.

The thinnest and lightest 1.74 Index

  • Up to 60% thinner than the 1.5 lens.
  • The thinnest plastic lens material available – therefore the best choice for high prescriptions.
  • 100% UV protection provided.
  • Ensures greatest comfort and aesthetic qualities.
  • This will be the most appealing lens to fit your description.

We recommend for a higher prescription you go for a 1.74 lens index, this will be the most appealing lens type which will reduce magnification of the eyes.

Which style suits you?

We lightly advise with a high prescription that you go for a round frame for even distribution of the lens and a thicker frame if having the whole lens covered is important to you. For example this pair of Fendi Facets FF0271 will match your prescription well.

Tints

We have a variety of tints available for you to add to your glasses. This feature allows you to make your glasses your own by personalising them to your taste. Sadly, tints are not available in 1.74 index lens, due to how thin and light the lens is, the colour becomes lighter and does not have the same effect as the other lens index’s available.

Summary

To summarise, the standard 1.5, which is usually free on our website, can be the best match for you if you have a low prescription, especially combined with choosing a fully rimmed frame. But, if you decide to go for a 1.5 lens, always add coatings to protect your lenses from damage, we have a range which you can choose from.

If you have a higher prescription or wish to purchase supra or rimless frame; it is recommended that you invest in a thinner lens (minimum 1.6 index).

Shop our bestsellers now

Put this new information into practice and shop our latest collection now.

If you found this post helpful, please click ‘Like’, Retweet or post a comment.

 

Back to News