American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Practice Test 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Master the American Board of Opticianry Exam!

Understanding how lens thickness affects optical performance is important for opticians and anyone involved in eyewear. Thicker lenses can lead to distortion, particularly at the edges, which can compromise image quality. This distortion is often more pronounced for higher prescriptions, where the difference in curvature between the front and back surfaces of the lens is significant.

In addition to distortion, thicker lenses tend to weigh more, which can lead to discomfort for the wearer, especially if the glasses need to be worn for extended periods. Heavier glasses can cause pressure on the nose and ears, which not only affects comfort but may lead to additional issues such as headaches.

While lens thickness can offer some benefits, such as increased durability, the optical performance can suffer as the thickness increases. Therefore, it is crucial to balance aesthetics, comfort, and optical clarity when determining lens thickness for a prescription.