Which statement about the weight and thickness of aspheric lenses compared to spherical lenses is true?

• A. Heavier and thicker than spherical lenses
• B. No effect on weight or thickness
• C. Thinner and lighter in weight than spherical lenses
• D. Only used for cosmetic purposes

Answer: (C)

Aspheric lenses use surfaces that change curvature more gradually than a simple sphere, which lets the lens bend light effectively while using less material at the edges. Because less material is needed to achieve the same optical power, the lens can be made thinner and lighter than a comparable spherical lens. This advantage is most noticeable for higher prescriptions, where spherical lenses would otherwise be thicker at the edges. It’s not just cosmetic—the thinner, lighter form comes with improved optical performance in many cases. The actual weight depends on lens material and design, but the general outcome for the same power is thinner and lighter.