For most people, aspheric lenses are an upgrade from their conventional lenses.
But the significance of an upgrade depends on the prescription strength.
Conventional lenses have a spherical design and create unwanted magnification. This means people with farsightedness see objects larger and closer than they are in reality.
Their eyes are also magnified by their lenses, which means they might have a bug-eyed look when wearing their glasses.
Those who wear conventional lenses for nearsightedness experience the opposite. Objects look smaller and their eyes appear smaller or “beady.”
Aspheric lenses correct these problems while improving vision just the same as conventional lenses. They look more natural and are more comfortable to wear.
Aspheric Lenses vs. Conventional Spherical Lenses
The primary difference between conventional and aspheric lenses are their spherical surfaces.
Aspheric means “non-spherical,” so there is less of a bulge or curve.
Conventional lenses have a spherical curvature on the front of the lens (like a basketball). This increases the size and weight when a prescription is strong.
Aspheric lenses are smoother and flatter, reducing the distortion that occurs when someone wears glasses.
For many people, this improvement means feeling better in their glasses. They may be more willing to wear their corrective lenses.
In the past, the only options someone would have if they did not like how they looked in conventional lenses were:
Conventional lenses are prone to spherical errors (aberrations) that create blurry images. Even slight blurring makes wearing glasses uncomfortable. Aspheric lenses do not have this problem.
Benefits of Aspheric Eyeglass Lenses
Aspheric lenses aren’t just about style. Many people like that they can choose the frames that best suit their face when upgrading to aspherics.
But style isn’t the only reason people choose this type of lens. Aspheric lenses offer many benefits, including:
Spherical aberration correction (makes corrected image less blurry)
Improved performance
Slimmer and thinner profile
More frame options, even for people with strong prescriptions
Improved image quality
Sleeker profile
Lightweight and more comfortable
More natural appearance
Improved peripheral vision
Multiple lens designs to choose from
Common Questions and Answers
Are all progressive lenses aspheric?
Yes, progressive lenses are aspherical in design. The curvature of these lenses gradually changes from the top to the bottom.
Why are aspheric lenses expensive?
Aspherical lenses are expensive due to manufacturing costs. They require more precision to make and take longer to produce.
What prescription type do aspheric lenses benefit most?
People with higher order refractive errors, typically +4.00 diopters or more, are ideal candidates for aspheric lenses.
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Melody Huang is an optometrist and freelance health writer. Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. She also has an interest in Eastern medicine practices and learning about integrative medicine. When she’s not working, Dr. Huang loves reviewing new skin care products, trying interesting food recipes, or hanging with her adopted cats.
Kelly Brown is a content writer for Vision Center. Her goal is to share important information so people can make the best decisions about their vision health. From choosing the best eye doctor to managing health issues that affect vision, she hopes to share what she learns through informative content.
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