How to Minimize the Weight of Lenses & Glasses
- 1). Order plastic lenses if you wear glass, which is the heaviest material for eyeglass lenses. The weight of your lenses is significantly reduced if you switch to plastic. The Cleveland Clinic notes that plastic is the most popular material for spectacle lenses.
- 2). Try polycarbonate lenses, which are even lighter and more shatter-resistant than plastic. Polycarbonate lenses are approximately 30 percent lighter than plastic lenses.
- 3). Ask your eye care practitioner if you are a good candidate for a hi-index lens, an aspheric lens or a combination of the two. The front surface of a regular lens is curved across the front like a baseball, but aspherical lenses have a gradual, flatter curve. Most aspheric lenses are made from a hi-index material that is thinner and lighter than regular lenses. Hi-index lenses are made from a compressed plastic that is lighter than conventional plastic.
- 4). Pick out a smaller frame. The bigger the frame, the heavier your lenses. Frames are made from plastic or metal and both materials are considered lightweight. However, bulky frames with thick temples -- the part that rests on your ears -- add weight to your glasses. Choose frames with thin lines and less bulk to reduce the weight of your frames.
