High Prescription Glasses: Your Ultimate Guide
Mar 31 2025
If you have a high prescription, this means you have poorer eyesight than the average person. High-prescription glasses used to be very thick, but nowadays, thanks to technological advancements, they are more stylish. It’s important to choose the right type of high-prescription glasses for comfort and style. Our guide will discuss in more detail how high-prescription glasses work, their features, and tips for choosing them.
What Are High Prescription Glasses?
High-prescription glasses are designed for people with significant refractive errors. They range from -20.00 for myopia (nearsightedness) to +20.00 for hyperopia (farsightedness). These types of glasses fall out of the standard range of prescriptions, which is why they are considered high. Luckily, high-prescription glasses don’t have to be extremely thick anymore, they can also be made as thin lens glasses with high index lenses and more frame variations. Check out our range here.
Why Choose a High-Index Lens?
Common Lenses
The stronger your eye prescription, the thicker the lens. Common thick lenses for high-prescription glasses can be heavy, less attractive, and difficult to wear; the frames also tend to be unstylish. Thicker lenses aren’t as secure in frames, which means they are more likely to pop out.
High Index Lens
High-index lenses are thinner lenses for high-prescription wearers. They are more elegant and comfortable. You don’t need to worry about how these lenses look, and they allow you to have a wider frame selection. Learn more about index lenses in our guide here. These lighter lenses can also come with a variety of coatings and are more durable and scratch-proof. With high-index lenses, you don’t need to worry about lens distortion or your eyes looking larger.
Key Features Of High Prescription Glasses
If you're looking for the best pair of high-prescription glasses, consider these features.
Lightweight & Durable Materials
Lightweight materials such as titanium and TR-90 give more durability and comfort, making them ideal for long-term wear since they put less pressure on the nose and ears. They also have more flexibility and resistance for a secure fit.
High-Index Lenses
High-index lenses reduce thickness and maintain visual acuity for stronger prescriptions. Options such as 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses give excellent vision while minimising thickness.
Frame Design & Fit
Smaller frames - These accommodate thinner lenses and help to reduce overall weight. Styles such as round and oval often suit high prescriptions well.
Adjustable nose pads - These give a customized fit for flexibility and maximum comfort, ideal if you wear your glasses for long periods.
Spring hinges - The springs help adjust your glasses to different head shapes for a customized fit, which can reduce pressure on the ears and nose.
If you want more guidance on choosing the right glasses for a high prescription, check out our guide here to help you make the right decision.
Tips For Choosing High-Prescription Glasses
If you’ve recently got a high prescription and you're shopping for your own glasses, follow these tips to help you make the right decision.
Consult an eye care professional - Before buying high prescription glasses, ensure you have a recent prescription from your optician for accuracy.
Prioritize comfort and style - Make sure your high-prescription glasses suit your style and are comfortable, otherwise, you might be reluctant to wear them.
Consider additional features - There are additional features you can add to your high-prescription lenses, such as anti-reflective coatings, UV protection, and blue light filtering.
High Prescription Glasses At GlassesShop
At GlassesShop, we offer a wide range of stylish, high prescription glasses that look and feel good. With over 1800 frames to choose from, regular deals such as buy one get one free and a 30-day exchange and 365-day guarantee, you can have confidence knowing you're buying high-quality glasses. Remember, it can take a few weeks for your eyes to adjust to a higher prescription, so move your head rather than just your eyes when looking at objects to help reduce blurriness and consult your eye doctor if you have any symptoms like headaches.
