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LENS INDEX AND MATERIAL GUIDE

Quality lens choices for strong prescriptions, active lifestyles, and more.

How Thin Do You Want Your Lenses?

The higher the number, the thinner the lens.
A thick Basic 1.50 index lens in a black metal frame viewed from above.

Basic 1.50

Best value if your prescription is mild.
  • Use For: Mild prescriptions
  • Frame Types: Full-rim plastic, acetate, or metal frames
  • Benefits: Superior optical clarity and the most affordable
  • Prescription Range: +1.00 to -2.75 or below
A thinner 1.67 index lens in a black metal frame viewed from above.

Premium Thinner 1.67

For stronger prescriptions where lens thickness is noticeable.
  • Use For: Strong prescriptions
  • Frame Types: Full-rim, half-rim, and rimless frames
  • Benefits: Sleek, thin, and lightweight comfort
  • Prescription Range: +4.75 to -6.75 or below
MR surrounded by a half moon with text below: by Mitsui Chemicals.

Compare High-Index Lenses

We’re proud to offer premium high index lenses made with MR™ lens material from Mitsui Chemicals. Compared to basic-index lenses, these high index options help reduce lens thickness to keep glasses comfortable and wearers confident.
Premium Thin 1.61 High-Index
Up to 20% thinner* than our Basic 1.50 lensPrescription Range: +3.00 to -5.75
Premium Thinner 1.67 High-Index
Up to 30% thinner* than our Basic 1.50 lensPrescription Range: +4.75 to -6.75
Premium Thinnest 1.74 High Index
Up to 40% thinner* than our Basic 1.50 lensPrescription Range: Higher than +4.75 or -6.75

IMPACT-RESISTANT LENSES

Advanced materials designed for durability, comfort, and clear vision.
Trivex impact-resistant clear lenses in blue square Zenni safety frames with side shields.
Frames
SKU # 747116

Trivex® Lenses

Premium optical clarity and impact resistance.
  • Best For: Sports, kids, safety, and active lifestyles
  • Frame Types: Suitable for all frame styles
  • Benefits: Excellent optical quality, ultra-lightweight, durable, and thinner than basic lenses
  • Prescription Range: +2.00 to -3.00 or below
Polycarbonate impact-resistant clear lenses in a translucent square pink Zenni children’s frames.
Frames
SKU # 124819

Polycarbonate Lenses

Budget-friendly impact resistance and wider prescription range.
  • Best For: Sports, kids, safety glasses
  • Frame Types: Suitable for all frame styles
  • Benefits: Lightweight, durable, and thinner than basic lenses
  • Prescription Range: +3.00 to -4.75 or below

CHOOSE FRAMES, ADD YOUR LENSES

Find frames in the style you want, then select your lenses.
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Top Quality

“The clarity of the lenses has always been top quality.”

Melissa
100% Better

“AMAZING, better quality, better clarity, better fit and better price.”

Sonja Y.
Crystal Clear

“By far the best glasses I’ve ever owned. The vision is crystal clear.”

Jordan M.
Last Longer

“My Zenni glasses last longer…the lenses are sharper and more scratch resistant.”

Lorenz M.

Lens Index and Materials FAQs

High-index lenses are eyeglass lenses made from materials that bend light more efficiently than standard plastic lenses. This allows the lenses to be thinner and lighter, especially for stronger prescriptions.

Polycarbonate and Trivex are both lightweight, impact-resistant lens materials. Trivex provides better optical clarity, while polycarbonate is slightly more affordable.

Yes. High-index lenses are designed for everyday wear and are available with protective coatings that help resist scratches, glare, and smudges.

People with stronger prescriptions or larger frames often benefit most from high-index lenses because they can help reduce lens thickness and weight.

Yes. High-index materials can help reduce thickness for both nearsighted (minus) and farsighted (plus) prescriptions, though lens thickness appears in different areas depending on the prescription type.

Yes. High-index materials are frequently used for progressive lenses to help reduce lens thickness and improve comfort for multifocal prescriptions.

These numbers refer to the refractive index of the lens material. Higher numbers mean the material bends light more efficiently, allowing lenses to be thinner.

High-index lenses are often lighter and thinner than standard plastic lenses for stronger prescriptions, which can improve comfort. The exact weight depends on your prescription, lens index, and frame selection.

High-index lenses typically cost more than standard lenses because of the advanced materials used to create thinner and lighter lenses.

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