How to Make Spectacle Lenses as Thin & Lightweight as Possible

You are not limited to thick, heavy eyeglass lenses if you have a strong prescription. Advancements in lens technology provides several options for thin, lightweight lenses. The bulk of the weight from your eyeglasses comes from your lenses. Choosing a smaller frame helps to decrease the weight of your glasses, but changing to a different-style lens helps lighten the load too.

Instructions

• 1

  Try plastic lenses. Plastic is lighter than glass, but it will be slightly thicker, depending on your prescription. The stronger your prescription, the thicker your lenses. Eyeglass prescriptions are specified in diopters, a unit of measurement that represents the magnification of your lenses. Minor prescriptions, usually less than 2.00 diopters, will not have significant thickness differences, but plastic weighs about 50 percent less than glass.

• 2

  Order a high-index plastic or polycarbonate lens for prescriptions over 2.00. High-index, also called Hi-Index, refers to lenses made from special compressed material that makes the lenses both lighter and thinner. Your eye care practitioner can recommend the specific type of Hi-Index material based on your prescription.

• 3

  Choose a smaller frame. One of the easiest things you can do to get lighter, thinner lenses is reduce your frame size. The smaller the frame, the less material needed to make your lenses.

• 4

  Roll and polish the edges of your lenses. This special add-on feature is an option for lenses that many people are not aware exists. Lenses that are rolled and polished are tapered at the edges and are slightly lighter than regular lenses. The polish makes the lenses blend with the edge of the frame and look thinner.

• 5

  Choose an aspheric lens design. Aspheric lenses are specialty lenses with multiple curves, making the lens thinner and flatter. Aspheric lenses work best for specific prescriptions. Check with your optician to see if an aspheric lens design will help make your lenses thinner and lighter.