Are Thinner Lenses Worth It?

Yes — if you really need them. But let’s put the price aside for a moment and look at why you might need thinner lenses and how thin they actually need to be compared with standard lenses.

The problem is that there is no straightforward answer. Apart from the obvious reason — a high prescription — the final thickness and appearance of your glasses depend on several other factors:

• Frame size and shape

• Frame material — plastic or metal

• Frame type — full-rim, supra (with cord) or rimless

• How the frame sits on your face — particularly whether your eyes are well centred within the lenses

This is why choosing the right lens isn't simply a matter of looking at your prescription and automatically choosing the thinnest option available.

A good, experienced optical assistant or dispensing optician should be able to look at all these factors and advise you on what actually makes sense for your glasses.

As a dispensing optician, I have a duty of care to my patients. I won't recommend a thinner lens simply because it is more expensive. If you don't need it, I'll tell you. And you decide whether you would like an extra-thin lens.

With over 15 years of experience in the optical industry, I can advise you on what is likely to work well for your prescription and frame — and what simply isn't necessary.

If the prescription is complex and the answer isn't straightforward, we can also contact specialist optical laboratories for advice and work out the best lens solution for you.

So, if you've ever wondered why you might choose an independent optician rather than a large chain, this is one of the reasons.

It's not just about selling you glasses. It's about professional advice and making sure your glasses are properly tailored to you.