Choosing Eyeglass Lenses: By Prescription
When selecting eyeglasses, your prescription plays an important role in determining which frames and lenses are the best choices.
If you are very nearsighted:
- Choose a frame with a small eye-size (the size of the openings in the frame for the lenses). A large eye-size will make your lenses thicker and heavier. A smaller eye-size will make them thinner and lighter.
- Choose a high index lens material. High index lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic or glass lenses.
- Get eyeglass lenses with an anti-reflective (AR) coating. Eliminating lens reflections will make your lenses look thinner, and provide better vision when driving at night.
If you are very farsighted:
- Choose a smaller frame. A frame with a smaller eye-size will reduce the thickness of your lenses and the overall weight of your eyewear.
- Choose an "aspheric" lens. An aspheric lens design will make your lenses flatter and reduce unwanted magnification that can give you that "bug-eye" look with regular lenses with a high prescription for farsightedness. Aspheric lenses also provide better peripheral vision if you are farsighted.
- Avoid rimless frame designs. Lenses for farsightedness sometimes have to be made thicker to fit in this type of frame. Ask your optician for details.
If you have high astigmatism:
- Choose a smaller frame to reduce lens thickness and avoid peripheral lens distortions.
- Ask your optician about "atoric" lenses, which may provide better optics for clearer, more comfortable vision.
For complete information on eyeglass lenses, visit the Consumer Guide to Eyeglasses.