By Jon J. Trutt
Published: 2/28/2025
When it comes to high prescriptions—both plus and minus—lens design plays a crucial role in optimizing vision, comfort, and aesthetics. Patients with strong prescriptions often face challenges such as thick lenses, edge distortion, and limited field of view. Fortunately, modern lens modifications can enhance optical performance while reducing bulk and improving cosmetic appeal. Let’s explore some of the most effective ways to achieve high prescriptions in eyeglass lenses.
Lenticular and Backside Lenticular Lenses
Lenticular Lens (for High Plus Prescriptions):
Purpose: Designed for patients with extremely high plus prescriptions.
Design: The lenticular lens has a highly convex front surface that helps reduce thickness and weight, especially in the periphery of the lens.
Usage: It minimizes the lens thickness, making it more wearable and cosmetically appealing for those requiring strong magnification due to severe hyperopia.
Backside Lenticular (for High Minus Prescriptions):
Purpose: Used for patients with high minus prescriptions.
Design: A backside lenticular has a flat front surface and a very concave back surface.
Usage: This design helps to reduce the thickness and weight of the lens primarily in the central optical zone, improving comfort and aesthetics for wearers with significant myopia.
Both types aim to address the challenge of reducing lens thickness and weight for high refractive corrections, but their specific designs cater to the different optical needs of patients with extreme plus or minus prescriptions.
Benefits of Lenticular Designs:
✅ Reduces lens weight and thickness
✅ Enhances wearer comfort
✅ Provides better peripheral vision compared to full-field high-power lenses
Slab-Off Lenses for Prism Correction
For patients with a strong anisometropia (a significant prescription difference between both eyes), vertical imbalance in vision can become an issue, particularly for those using bifocals or progressive lenses. A slab-off (reverse slab) correction is a technique used to compensate for this imbalance by adding a prism to the lower part of one lens.
Benefits of Slab-Off Lenses:
✅ Reduces double vision and image shift
✅ Improves visual comfort for reading
✅ Customizable for different prescription strengths
Spot Segments for Targeted Add Power
Patients who need additional power for specific tasks (such as reading or working with fine details) may benefit from spot segment lenses. These feature small, customized zones with extra magnification placed exactly where the patient needs them.
Benefits of Spot Segments:
✅ Targeted vision enhancement without affecting the entire lens
✅ Ideal for patients with irregular near vision needs
✅ Can be applied to both single-vision and multifocal lenses
Custom Add Powers on Existing Bifocal/Trifocal Lenses
For patients with progressive presbyopia, standard bifocal and trifocal powers may not always provide the ideal correction. In these cases, labs can customize the near or intermediate add power on a bifocal or trifocal lens to better match the patient’s needs.
Benefits of Custom Add Power Modifications:
✅ Provides a seamless transition between vision zones
✅ Enhances reading or intermediate vision for specific tasks
✅ Customizable for patients with unique visual demands
Aspheric Lenses for Better Optical Performance
Traditional spherical lenses can cause distortions, particularly at high prescriptions. Aspheric lenses are designed with a flatter curvature, which reduces unwanted magnification and improves peripheral clarity.
For Plus Prescriptions: Aspheric designs reduce the “bug-eyed” effect often seen with high plus lenses.
For Minus Prescriptions: These lenses help control edge thickness and minimize distortions.
Benefits of Aspheric Lenses:
✅ Slimmer and lighter than traditional lenses
✅ Reduced peripheral distortions
✅ Improved aesthetics with less magnification/minification
Double Segments for Customized Multifocal Use
Some occupations require the ability to switch between near and intermediate distances frequently. Double-segment lenses (commonly called “double-D” lenses) feature two bifocal segments—one at the top and one at the bottom—allowing wearers to view near objects in multiple directions without excessive head movement.
Who Benefits from Double-Segment Lenses?
🔹 Mechanics and electricians who need near vision at different angles
🔹 Pilots or professionals working with overhead displays
🔹 Individuals needing quick near-focus access throughout the day
Benefits of Double Segments:
✅ Eliminates the need for frequent head tilting
✅ Provides customized near and intermediate zones
✅ Enhances efficiency for specific occupational needs
Achieving high prescriptions in eyeglass lenses requires a balance of optical precision, lens design, and customization. Whether it’s lenticular lenses for extreme prescriptions, slab-offs for prism correction, or double segments for specialized professions, modern lens technology offers tailored solutions to improve both vision and comfort.
For eye care professionals, understanding these lens modifications, along with frame selection, allows for better recommendations and patient satisfaction. And for patients, choosing the right lens technology and frames can make all the difference in both clarity and quality of life.
Need help selecting the best lens solution for your high-prescription patients? Contact AccuLab today - we can do it all! 👓✨
· 800-688-3904
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