Many people working in lens field might have confusion about the Abbe value. By this chance, we would like to introduce it clear for you.
The Abbe number is a measurement of the degree of dispersion in finished lenses products.
As we know, white light is composed of light of various wavelengths—such as red, green, and blue.
When it passes through a lens, light of different colors refracts at different angles and becomes separated; this phenomenon is called dispersion.
With the Abbe value higher, dispersion will goes lower, people who wear lens will feels more better.
A lower Abbe number means greater dispersion, making color edge and chromatic aberration more likely to occur.
Why it’s important?
Aberration usually occurs at the edge of lenses (it won’t be at the optical center), resulting as colored fringes or halos around the edge of lenses.
- Affecting the clarity of edge image
- Affecting comfort when wearing and causing fatigue of eyes
- The inherent conflict between refractive index and Abbe value: Higher refractive index is always means lower Abbe value
There’s a common knowledge among China optical industrial:
Abbe value should be bigger than 30, if it lower than 30, dispersion will turns much more serious.
If Abbe value bigger than 40, almost all of people will not feels any dispersion.
At the last part, we have a suggestion for suggestion to optician:
- If the user is using low prescription and smaller size frame, it’s suggested to use 1.56/1.60 lens, there will have best optical performance at user feeling.
- If user is using high prescription, and bigger size frame, whenever possible, choose a material with higher Abbe value for a settle refractive index.
- For those people who sensitive to light, who driving frequently at night, or who spend lots of time looking at screens, it’s high recommended to use high Abbe number lens.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.
