Close-up of an ultra-thin Tokai high-index lens in a frame
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Tokai: The World's Thinnest Plastic Lens

Tokai Optical is a family-owned Japanese lens manufacturer with over eighty years of history, and among the most respected names in ultra-high-index lens materials. For stronger prescriptions, their 1.76 index lens is genuinely as thin as spectacle lenses get.

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1.76
HIGHEST-INDEX PLASTIC LENS
UV400
FULL UV PROTECTION STANDARD
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TOKAI

Who Tokai Optical Are

Tokai Optical is a family-owned Japanese lens manufacturer, founded in 1939 and still headquartered in Japan, where the majority of their lenses are made. They're a smaller, more specialised name than some of the larger multinational lens groups, and within the optical trade that specialisation shows in a particular focus on ultra-high-index materials and precision aspheric lens design.

Their standout product is a 1.76 refractive index lens, among the thinnest plastic spectacle lens materials manufactured anywhere, paired with Hi-ResTech, their own aspheric lens design aimed at widening the field of genuinely sharp vision across the lens.

Close-up of a Tokai 1.76 index lens edge showing its ultra-thin profile
FIG. 01 — 1.76 INDEX, ULTRA-THIN PROFILE
The Tokai Range

Lens Technologies We Use From Tokai

1.76 INDEX

Ultra-High-Index Lenses

One of the highest refractive indexes available in a plastic spectacle lens, giving a noticeably thinner, flatter and lighter result for moderate to high prescriptions.

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LENS DESIGN

Hi-ResTech

Tokai's aspheric lens design, engineered to widen the field of clear vision across the lens surface compared with a standard aspheric design.

Ask us about Hi-ResTech →
COATINGS

USC / USP Anti-Reflective Coatings

A multi-layer anti-reflective coating range built for durability and lens clarity, reducing glare and reflections in everyday wear.

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PROTECTION

UV400 & Violet Filtering

Full UV400 protection as standard, with violet-light filtering available on select materials for wearers who want the added filtering.

Read about blue light lenses →
Our Reasoning

Why We Recommend Tokai

Genuine Specialisation

Rather than a broad catalogue, Tokai's focus on high-index materials means their thin-lens options are refined to a level a general lens range often isn't.

Genuinely Lighter Glasses

For higher prescriptions, the difference between a 1.60 and a 1.76 index lens is noticeable in the hand and on the face, particularly over a full day of wear.

Family-Owned Manufacturing

Over eighty years under the same ownership tends to show in manufacturing consistency, which matters for a product surfaced to fine optical tolerances.

Wide shot of Tokai lens manufacturing or a finished pair of glasses with ultra-thin lenses
TOKAI OPTICAL — JAPANESE LENS CRAFTSMANSHIP SINCE 1939
Common Questions

Tokai Lens Questions We're Asked Often

Who is Tokai Optical?
Tokai Optical is a family-owned Japanese lens manufacturer founded in 1939, with over eighty years of lens-making history. They're less widely known in Australia than some larger multinational brands, but within the optical industry they have a strong reputation for high-index lens materials and precision manufacturing.
What does a 1.76 index lens actually mean for me?
Refractive index describes how efficiently a material bends light. A 1.76 index lens is among the highest available for prescription eyewear, meaning a stronger prescription can be made noticeably thinner, flatter and lighter than in a standard 1.50 or 1.60 index material. It's most worthwhile for moderate to high prescriptions, where a standard lens would otherwise sit thick and heavy in the frame.
Is a thinner lens actually better, or just more expensive?
For lower prescriptions, a standard index lens is often perfectly thin and light already, and a high-index upgrade may not be noticeable. For stronger prescriptions, a higher index genuinely changes how the glasses look and feel, less lens bulk, less weight on the nose, and a more even cosmetic appearance. We'll be upfront about whether it's likely to make a real difference for your specific prescription.
What is Hi-ResTech?
Hi-ResTech is Tokai's aspheric lens design technology, engineered to widen the field of genuinely clear vision across the lens compared with a standard aspheric design. It's a design refinement that sits alongside their high-index materials, rather than a separate product.
How much do Tokai lenses cost?
Pricing depends on the index and coatings you choose: a standard-index Tokai lens is priced similarly to other premium single vision options, while their higher-index materials, including 1.76, sit higher given the specialised manufacturing involved. We give you an exact, itemised quote at your consultation once we know your prescription and frame.
Why haven't I heard of Tokai lenses before?
Tokai Optical is a well-established Japanese lens manufacturer, but it isn't as heavily marketed in Australia as some larger brands. We stock it because their high-index materials and Hi-ResTech design are genuinely strong options for stronger prescriptions, not because of brand recognition, and we're happy to explain exactly how it compares with the brands you may already know.
Is Tokai better than Zeiss, Essilor or Hoya?
There isn't a single best lens brand. Tokai's particular strength is very high-index materials for strong prescriptions, where it's often our first recommendation, while Zeiss, Essilor and Hoya each have their own areas of strength. We stock all of them because different lens technologies suit different prescriptions and needs, and we recommend whichever brand and design genuinely fits your situation.
Do I need a new eye test to get Tokai lenses?
Generally yes. We need a current, valid prescription and accurate frame measurements before ordering any Tokai lens, particularly the higher-index materials where precise fitting affects the final thickness and optical performance. If your last eye test was more than 12 months ago, or your prescription has changed, we'll update it first.
How long do Tokai lenses take to make?
Most Tokai lenses take a little longer than standard-index lenses to arrive, typically around one to three weeks, as the higher-index materials and Hi-ResTech designs are manufactured to more specific individual measurements. We'll confirm an expected timeframe when you order.
Are Tokai lenses suitable for very strong prescriptions?
Yes, this is where Tokai's high-index range, including 1.76, is particularly useful. For strong myopic or hyperopic prescriptions where a standard index lens would be noticeably thick, a very high-index Tokai lens can meaningfully reduce both thickness and weight while maintaining good optical clarity.

Have A Strong Prescription?

If your lenses have always felt thick or heavy, book an eye test and we'll show you what a Tokai high-index lens would actually look like in your frame.

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