find a store
Unless you’re talking about sweaters during winter or cuts of bacon at breakfast, thin is better than thick—at least when it comes to your lenses. The fact is, a majority of eyeglass wearers are nearsighted, which requires lenses that are thinner at the center and thicker at the edges. The stronger the prescription, the thicker the lenses. Aesthetically, thicker lenses aren’t generally as appealing—who likes to wear thick heavy glasses? Many eyeglass frame options today are sleeker and more streamlined, requiring a thinner lens to accommodate the style. With high-index lenses, thinner, more lightweight lenses are possible for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.
So how do high-index lenses differ from conventional lenses? Regular lenses can be thick and heavy for higher prescriptions, and are made from glass or plastic. High index lenses are plastic lenses developed by chemists that bend light more efficiently requiring less material, resulting in a thinner more lightweight lens. The reduced weight of high-index lenses make them more comfortable to wear.
Most lens designs such as single vision, bifocal, and progressive are available in high-index materials. Pearle Vision likes to say, “we have a lens for that.” Visit an eye care doctor for an exam to determine the lenses that are best for you.
As a manager of a Pearle Franchise I could not agree more. But please, don’t forget high index’s best friend Anti Reflective coating!!! With todays super hydrophobic coatings not only do they reduce glare, allow all wearers to see more clearly but they also repel dust, dirt, oil and fingerprints and help keep lenses from scratching! Unlike the awful old “AR” that we steered clear of in the past the new coatings are a crucial addition for any eyeglass wearer!
Hi Chrissy, I could not agree with you more. Anti-reflective lenses (AKA Anti-glare or reduced-glare) lenses are a must when wearing high index lenses. Wearing high index lenses without Anti-glare is like driving a car on the rims without tires.
Hi, Dr. Wright,
What a lovely discussion topic!
Could you tell us more about the anti-glare coating? Why is it like driving a car on the rims without tires —for wearing high index lenses without AR coating?
While having a work related physical recently, my physician recommended that I have my eyes examined. I’ve never had an eye exam in 40 years. One of my coworkers was apalled by this. Can you give me some advice on how to best find a reputable O.D? I reside is Colorado.
Thanks,
Mike,
We love to brag about our doctors associated with Pearle Vision! Any of them would love to see you immediately. Call your local Pearle vision and they will connect you with a great O.D. If you have insurance, another great resource would be your vision insurance carrier. They often have a list of great doctors, in-network, to choose from. I’m sure the list will include a Pearle vision location. If all else fails check out your local BBB. They will also have a list of top rated examiners to choose from. Best of luck!
I just got a pair of HD glasses for my new prescription on the lenses themselves I can see a set of two circles etched on each side and the letter PV etched in, would you know what this is? My lenses are not progressive and I thought maybe this was something to do with HD lenses?
Jane, the etchings that you see are called “identifier markings”. These markings aide in the identification and reading of the script in the lens. ALL progressive lenses have them, and as lens technology increases, so do an increasing number of single vision lenses. The intention is that these markings are not visible to the wearer (while they are on) but able to be found when a technician looks for them. If they are noticeable while you are wearing them go back to your dispenser and see how they can help you. Enjoy your new HD lenses.
My HD progressive lenses are just over 2 yrs old. They appear to be very scratched in the centre of both lenses. When I returned to the store to show them, I was advised they cannot buff them or do anything about it. She said it could be the anti-glare wearing off. I am very disappointed about this it is very costly to purchase new glasses.
First visit to pearle store #6315. Courteous,helpful and Got my glasses back within 4 days. I REALLY feel this is the best pair of glasses I’ve ever had!! I can see so much better! My other glasses were tight fitting and leaving mark on my head. What a blessing Camille was, she found me a pair of glasses that fit my head and help decrease I believe severity of my headaches so I thank her (and her associates) for making this a Very positive experience. I Will give referals to my family and friends!
Hi,
I ordered both clear lens glasses and sunglasses. They were both supposed to be hd but when they came in the sunglasses were not (also did not have mirror coating as well so it didn’t work out and had to reorder). The clear lens glasses were hd and the left lens was good but the right was blurry. They checked thngs on the lens and after a while said hd didn’t work for me but I would like to understand the reason why. Why would one lens for my left eye work well but the one for my right eye be blurry? Many mistakes were made and while I am unhappy about the mistakes I would like more info why hd is not for me since this does not seem logical to me.
This is Jim Dean continuing on with this saga – They redid my glasses without hd (the clear lenses) and no improvement. I found an old pair of progressives that had fairly small rectangular lenses at least as small as what I was going to buy and they are not bad (slightly out of my prescription now but actually usable). Pearle Vision dropped the ball on so many levels on my two pairs of glasses. I choose oakleys for sunglasses and walked out really happy with my choice and a week later they called to say oakley informed them that my prescription would not work for those frames. I wish they had told me that oakley was the final say because I thought it was a done deal and was very exited waiting to get my new sunglasses(yeah, pathetic but anyway). I found out the policy was to tell people that oakley might do that. I choose different sunglasses and when they came in they had skipped the mirror tint so they reordered (plus it turned out they were not hd which is what I had ordered but Pearle vision disagreed with me). The clear lenses didn’t work since the left eye was good but the right eye was very blurry. I was told hd is not for everyone. They again reordered. When I went in the glasses without hd had the same problem as with hd. No explanation. Meantime it is almost time and no extra pair of glasses to take on vacation (which is why I had ordered glasses and with ample time to have them done unless the screw them up too often as happened. I basically ran out of time to keep going back to find they screwed up again.
Bad glasses. bad Companby. Don’t buy here.
Ended up asking for my money back. They couldn’t get the glasses right and gave nothing but excuses. They wanted me to go back to my eye doctor but then if he made a mistake why did the sunglasses work fine? Sad to have been put through that mess with Pearle Vision.
I bought a pair of glasses with anti reflective coating. When you look at me my glasses have a darker tint. They are progressive hD lens. My husband has the same coating his are not tinted that dark
My vision is -7.5 but I hate that my eyes look so tiny with my current glasses. Are there any lenses that allow the eyes to look their normal size?
Thanks,
Mary