Medically reviewed by Dr. Alexander Shlivko, OD · September 2026
High-Index Lenses · Brooklyn, NY
High-Index Lenses in Brooklyn
Strong prescription, thin lens. High-index materials keep your glasses light, slim, and comfortable — fitted by our optometrists on Avenue U.
High-Index Lenses · Brooklyn, NY
Strong prescription. Thin lens.
The stronger your prescription, the thicker a standard lens has to be to correct it. High-index lenses solve that: they're made from materials that bend light more efficiently, so the same correction fits into a lens that's dramatically thinner and lighter. Your glasses stay comfortable through a full day of wear, and your eyes look like your eyes — not magnified or shrunken behind thick lenses.
High-index materials also open up your frame options. Strong prescriptions used to mean sticking to small, thick plastic frames to hide lens edges. With 1.67 or 1.74 high-index lenses, most of our designer frames — including semi-rimless styles — are back on the table.
Which index is right for your prescription?
Standard (1.50–1.59)
Standard plastic and polycarbonate work well for mild prescriptions. Polycarbonate adds impact resistance, which is why we often recommend it for kids' glasses and sports eyewear.
- Best for milder prescriptions
- Impact-resistant options
- Widest range of coatings
High-Index 1.67
The most popular high-index choice: noticeably thinner and lighter than standard lenses, available in nearly every lens design including progressives and Transitions.
- Great balance of thinness and value
- Works with virtually all frames
- Available in every lens type we carry
High-Index 1.74
The thinnest widely available plastic lens — the choice for very strong prescriptions. If you've worn thick lenses for years, 1.74 is usually the "wow" moment at pickup.
- Thinnest and lightest option
- Best for the strongest prescriptions
- Minimizes eye magnification/minification
Our optometrists will recommend the right index for your prescription, frame, and budget.
The essential pairing: anti-reflective coating
High-index materials reflect more light than standard plastic — which means glare, halos around headlights, and visible reflections on your lenses in photos. That's why we pair nearly every high-index lens with Crizal anti-reflective coating: it cancels those reflections, so you get the thin lens without the glare that usually comes with it.
Want to go deeper? Read our guides on high-index lenses for strong prescriptions and lens options for keratoconus.
Frequently asked questions
What are high-index lenses?
High-index lenses are made from materials that bend light more efficiently than standard plastic, so the same prescription can be ground into a much thinner, lighter lens. They're the difference between thick 'coke bottle' lenses and glasses that look and feel like everyone else's.
Who needs high-index lenses?
Anyone with a stronger prescription — roughly -4.00/+4.00 and beyond — benefits most. At higher powers, standard lenses get thick at the edges (nearsighted) or the center (farsighted). High-index materials keep the lens slim, cut weight on your nose, and reduce the magnified or minified look of your eyes behind the lens.
What's the difference between 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses?
The number is the refractive index — higher means thinner. 1.67 is the workhorse: noticeably thinner than standard lenses and available in nearly every design. 1.74 is the thinnest widely available plastic lens, best for very strong prescriptions. Our optometrists will recommend the right index for your prescription and frame.
Can I get anti-reflective coating on high-index lenses?
Yes — and you should. High-index materials reflect more light than standard plastic, so an anti-reflective coating like Crizal makes a bigger difference on these lenses than on any others. We pair most high-index lenses with Crizal at fitting.
Does insurance cover high-index lenses?
Most vision plans cover a standard lens and offer high-index as an upgrade; some plans cover it fully when your prescription requires it. Coverage varies by plan — call us at (718) 998-8400 or book through Zocdoc and we'll verify your benefits before your visit.
Booking · Zocdoc
Ready when you are. Book your eye exam at our Avenue U office.
Most insurance plans cover the visit. We'll verify your coverage before you arrive — and we'll see you on the same block our patients have known since 1995.
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