Which type of lens would typically have a higher refractive index?

The type of lens that typically has a higher refractive index is the high-index plastic lens. A higher refractive index in a lens material allows it to bend light more effectively, which can lead to thinner and lighter lenses for the same prescription strength compared to materials with lower refractive indices.

High-index plastics are specifically designed to offer increased optical performance while maintaining a lighter weight, which is particularly beneficial for patients with stronger prescriptions, where thicker lenses can become cumbersome and aesthetically unpleasing. This makes high-index plastics a popular choice among opticians when addressing both visual and aesthetic needs.

In contrast, standard glass lenses, polycarbonate lenses, and crown glass lenses generally have lower refractive indices, which leads to thicker lens designs for prescriptions that would require vision correction. Each of these materials serves specific purposes but does not provide the same advantages in terms of weight and thinness as high-index plastic lenses.