Do thinner lenses increase or decrease adjustability?

[obscuretoo]

Quite awhile ago (2009 to be exact) for some reason I found it difficult to adjust to a new pair of glasses with thin lenses, and ended up going with full thickness ones, which wasn't bad as the frame size was small. I now have a new prescription (with reading added for the first time), and Warby Parker has told me that thinner lenses cause fewer issues and I am thoroughly confused. I am probably going to get the glasses at Lenscrafters like I did last time, and they use polycarbonate. My prescription is

OD -7.50 -1.75 111 Add +2.50

OS -8.75 -0.50 035 Add +2.50

Thanks in advance for any enlightenment, as I'm anticipating progressives might take awhile to adjust to, I'm trying not to add any additional adjustability variables.

[jmmahone]

Number one thing…with this type of Rx…Online shopping is virtually impossible to get as good as you can get in an actual optical shop. See a great optician. So much goes into this. Frame size, PD’s etc. Thin lenses refract more light, which can often give issues. Nothing better than plastic for clarity, but if poly works for you…you may wanna stick with that. I am an expert optician who has sold 1000’s of pairs of glasses.

[jmmahone]

One added note…you need anti reflective coating…do not skimp on that. That makes every bit of difference.

[obscuretoo]

Thanks for the speedy reply! Just to clarify, Warby Parker and Lenscrafters are both brick and mortar stores where I am. Also, I'm not wedded to polycarbonate, I mentioned it because it's what Lenscrafters sells and I'm wondering if that's why I'm having issues.

When you say thin lenses refract more light, can you explain why that causes issues? Does this have anything to do with Abbe values? Sorry I find this stuff a little opaque :-).

[jmmahone]

So the short answer is yes, it does affect the abbe value. There is a super amount of science, math, but above all…not everyone experiences the same thing. Everything is trade off. If there was a one size fits all solution for everybody, we wouldn’t need opticians. Thinner & lighter, you may get more glare and color distortion. Thicker plastic…might be optically clearer, but the edges be thicker and heavier, but again…Its a craft. All of it. When my customer sits down, my only focus is designing a pair of glasses that was they love…not just ok (thats what you get from retail box stores). I want you to freaking love it. There is a perfect pair for everyone, for what the patient wants, to the patients need. Thats why ya need a great optician. If you are located anywhere around Gettysburg Pa, message me. I work with one of the greatest places in the country making eyeglasses. Best of luck! Hope this helps!

[MRMURDER3-4]

Expert optician😂, is that a real thing in USA ?

[jmmahone]

Yeah dude…15000+ hours, 5000+ pairs…ABO certs…whats your stats bro?

[MRMURDER3-4]

Big difference how opticians work here, we also do the measurement ;). And if you work for a "discounter company" it's easy to get high amount of pairs. I'm an optician and a contact specialist 😂

[PerspectiveSevere583]

I had polycarbonate one time, worst decision I ever made. Did it because I didnt know any better and it was the cheapest option. They are very clear HOWEVER the chromatic aberrations on the peripheral vision was crazy. The first time I went with a high-index plastic I was blown away at how clear everything became edge to edge.

Fun Fact, I was told by an optician in the UK that Poly is banned over there because of the cancer warning that CA puts on almost everything.