I recently took my son to get his his eyes checked and the Dr wrote the Rx for Aspheric lens. The price difference between a normal lens and aspheric lens is about $100 to $150 dollars. I know that is not alot to pay in the "bigger" picture look of things, I know my sons vision is important. But we are on a budget and the glasses people are saying that the aspheric lens is something we can opt out of. Anyone have any knowledge to help in making the decision? It would be greatly appreciated!
There are three different types of material your son's glasses could possibly be made out of. The lenses can be made out of plastic or polycarbonate or some other high index material. The polycarbonate lens is considered the most impact resistant lens therefore we usually recommend polycarbonate lenses for children. An aspheric lens is a special designed lens. If he has a high prescription or a difference between his eyes, the aspheric lens will look better from an aesthetics standpoint and he will probably get better optics compared to a polycarbonate lens. A plastic lens is fine if there isn't an issue with the amount of the Rx but remember that polycarbonate is the lens of choice for children in most cases. I hope this helped.
If his prescription is for hyperopia (+3.00 or higher) than the aspheric lens will give him better optics. You can get
aspheric in polycarbonate (do not do plastic - no scratch resistance and no UV protection) or you could go to Trivex which will give him the clearest vision. I understand being on a budget. If your son is hyperopic, not having aspheric lenses will make him look like he is wearing coke bottles as glasses and that could do more social and emotional damage than his vision (and he may not wear them out of your presence). Get a sturdy frame that he can wear for the next couple of years and then all you have to worry about is changing lenses if his rx changes next year. It is worth the money to get the best lens. My kids go to Brooks Eye Center and he explains it very well. My now 16 year old is a +5.00 and I would not make his in anything less than aspheric trivex b/c I wanted him to wear them - and he did, now he is in contact lenses which is another option especially if your son is older than 5...