SEE THE DIFFERENCE
Thinner, lighter lenses and comprehensive vision checks are making it easier than ever to find comfortable and stylish eyewear.
BY NIGEL BOWEN
F
or anyone with a strong prescription, wearing glasses can be an uncomfortable trade-off. Thick lenses help you see clearly, but they can also feel heavy, limit your choice of frames and create the dreaded“ Coke bottle” look.
Fortunately, advances in lens technology are making it possible to correct vision more comfortably and discreetly, while improvements in eye care are helping Australians better understand their overall eye health.
A thinner, lighter solution
One of the most noticeable recent changes in the evolving world of eyewear has been the introduction of high-index lenses, including the latest 1.74 high-index single vision option, now available at Costco Optical Centres.
These lenses are designed to bend light more efficiently than standard plastic lenses, which means they can achieve the same prescription with significantly less material.
“ The 1.74 index is the highest index in plastic,” says Costco regional optical and hearing manager Andre Ryan.“ It reduces the thickness and weight of standard lenses by 40 to 60 per cent.”
For wearers, that means greater comfort, especially for those who have experienced pressure on the bridge of the nose from heavier glasses. It also delivers a more elegant look, reducing the thick-lens effect often associated with higher prescriptions.
There’ s another advantage, too. Thinner lenses make it easier to choose from a wider range of frames, rather than being limited to styles designed to conceal bulkier lenses.
Designed for modern lives
Lenses are also evolving to reflect how people live and work. With many Australians spending long hours on laptops, phones and tablets, blue light filtering has become an increasingly common feature.
12 | JUL / AUG 2026 COSTCO CONNECTION