Americas Best and High Index Lenses

Hello -- I have worn glasses for pretty much my entire life (I'm 22) and
have always spent quite a bit of money on frames and lenses. My last pair
was purchased from an upscale boutique and was over $650. That pair finally
reached the end of it's life and I decided to check out Americas Best and
the Two Pair for $69 (or whatever it is).

I was very pleasantly surprised that the exam, although rushed, was as
professional and thorough as any that I've had. The doctor was fairly young
and told me he had just moved here from out of state and was working there
until he could afford his own clinic. He did a great job. The rest of the
service was poor, but I did find that the manager was very helpful and I was
able to schedule appointments to deal with her to help with frame selection
and fitting. They did break a pair of frames while they were adjusting
them, but she took very good care of me, and I was content with the glasses
that I received.

I knew that it wasn't realistic to receive 2 pairs for the advertised amount
and I was right -- the brand name and good looking glasses were slightly
more, and I paid more money to receive the highest-index lenses that they
offered (although they couldn't tell me exactly what brand/model that they
were...grrr). After all was said and done I paid aprox. $250 for 2 pairs of
eyeglasses complete and a pair of cheap sunglass lenses for a frame I
already had. I am very happy with what I received for that price, but have
become self-concious about the thickness of the lenses. My best guess is
that they are polycarbonate and the last ones that I had were 1.6 or 1.66
index.

I know this has become quite a long question, but we're getting there. With
my prescription (about -5.5) is there a noticable difference between the
polycarbonate lenses and the high-index ones -- or am I just paranoid
because I spent so much less money and I am tricking myself into thinking
that I made a major downgrade?

Thanks for any ideas.

Rob

 

Polycarb is about 1.59 index (rounded).

I assume you can compare your previous lens thickness with your new ones.

 

for a -5.50 prescription
the difference between a Polycarb 1.59 index to a 1.67 index lens is
actually not much difference. I would say a fraction of a millimeter
max? for -5.50's I usually use a 1.59 Polycarb or a 1.60 index lens.

IMO paying for a 1.67 index is a waste of money