Custom 3D Printed Glasses for Extreme Myopia (-16.50D) | BRAGi Eyewear at EYEDAQ Seoul
For people with extremely high myopia, choosing the right eyeglasses involves much more than selecting thin lenses. One of the most important factors is maintaining a stable and accurate wearing position. When a prescription exceeds -10.00 diopters, even relatively small changes in the distance between the eyes and lenses, optical center alignment, or frame tilt can affect visual performance.
At EYEDAQ Optical in Myeongdong, Seoul, we recently created a pair of custom eyeglasses for a customer with extremely high myopia and significant astigmatism. The customer also had a low nose bridge, which caused almost every pair of glasses to slide down. Conventional frames had difficulty maintaining the desired wearing position, so we selected BRAGi, a customizable 3D-printed eyewear system.
Why Proper Frame Position Matters for Extreme Myopia
The customer's prescription was:
- Right Eye (OD): SPH -13.50 / CYL -2.50
- Left Eye (OS): SPH -13.50 / CYL -3.00
- Lens: Tokai 1.76 Lutina, Inner-Surface Design
- Frame: BRAGi Custom 3D-Printed Eyewear
The right eye has a spherical prescription of -13.50D with -2.50D of astigmatism, while the left eye has -13.50D with -3.00D of astigmatism. The strongest principal meridians reach -16.00D and -16.50D, respectively.
At this prescription level, the position of the lenses relative to the eyes becomes particularly important. When glasses slide down the nose, the vertex distance—the distance between the back surface of the lens and the eye—may change. For high-powered lenses, changes in vertex distance can alter the effective optical power experienced by the wearer. Looking through an area away from the intended optical center can also introduce unwanted prismatic effects.
This is why accurate lens prescriptions alone are not enough. The frame must also maintain a consistent position on the face. For customers with low nose bridges, adjusting conventional nose pads may not always provide a satisfactory solution.
Why We Chose BRAGi Custom 3D-Printed Glasses
Most conventional eyeglass frames are manufactured in predetermined sizes. Opticians must select the closest available fit and make adjustments within the limitations of the frame. BRAGi offers a different approach by allowing several important frame dimensions to be customized according to the wearer's facial structure.
These include bridge width, nose pad height, endpiece length, and lens rim size. For this particular customer, the nose pad height and bridge configuration were especially important. A low nose bridge requires careful consideration of where the frame contacts the nose and how its weight is distributed.
The endpiece dimensions are another useful feature. By adjusting the endpiece length, it is possible to accommodate facial width without unnecessarily increasing the lens size. This is particularly beneficial for people with extremely high myopia because smaller lenses can help reduce edge thickness while appropriately designed endpieces allow the overall frame width to remain suitable for the wearer's face.
Rather than relying entirely on adjustments after manufacturing, BRAGi allows these considerations to be incorporated into the initial frame design.
Small Oval Frames: A Practical Choice for High Myopia
The BRAGi frame selected for this customer features a slightly elongated oval shape. Its understated matte finish and minimal decorative details create a simple, timeless appearance. The relatively substantial rims also help make the edges of high-minus lenses less visually prominent. The frame includes separate transparent nose pads and temples shaped to follow the area behind the ears.
From an optical perspective, the relatively small lens openings are particularly important. Minus lenses are thinner at the center and thicker toward the edges. As lens diameter increases, edge thickness generally increases as well. Selecting an appropriately sized frame can therefore make a considerable difference in the finished appearance and weight of high-prescription glasses.
However, smaller is not always better. Frame selection must also consider pupillary distance, facial dimensions, lens centration, and the visual field required by the wearer. At EYEDAQ Optical, we evaluate these factors together rather than focusing exclusively on lens thickness.
Tokai 1.76 Lutina Lenses for Extreme Myopia
For this pair of glasses, we selected Tokai Optical's 1.76 high-index Lutina lenses with an inner-surface optical design. A refractive index of 1.76 is among the highest available for plastic ophthalmic lenses. High-index materials allow strong prescriptions to be manufactured with reduced thickness compared with lower-index materials under comparable conditions.
However, a higher refractive index does not automatically guarantee the lightest or thinnest possible finished lenses. Final thickness and weight also depend on lens diameter, prescription, minimum center thickness, material density, and frame dimensions.
Lutina is a specialty lens material developed by Japanese lens manufacturer Tokai Optical. It is designed to provide ultraviolet protection while selectively filtering certain wavelengths of short-wavelength visible light. The lenses used for this customer also incorporate an inner-surface optical design.
For extremely high prescriptions, lens material and optical design are important considerations. Nevertheless, accurate lens positioning and proper frame fitting remain essential for achieving the intended visual performance.
Why Custom Fitting Is Essential for High-Prescription Glasses
Many customers initially focus on lens brands, refractive indices, and thickness when purchasing glasses. These are important considerations, but they are only part of the process. For someone with extreme myopia, frame stability can be just as important.
Even an expensive pair of high-index lenses may not provide the intended visual experience if the glasses constantly slide down the nose. When the frame moves away from its intended position, the wearer may experience changes in effective lens power or unwanted optical effects. A properly fitted frame helps maintain a more consistent relationship between the eyes and the lenses.
For customers with low nose bridges, wide faces, or other fitting challenges, conventional frames may have limitations that cannot be fully corrected through standard adjustments. Customizable 3D-printed eyewear offers another option. The ability to specify bridge dimensions, nose pad height, endpiece length, and lens size allows the optician to address fitting requirements before the frame is manufactured.
This approach is particularly valuable when strong prescriptions and difficult facial fitting conditions occur together.
Custom High Myopia Glasses in Seoul, South Korea
At EYEDAQ Optical in Myeongdong, Seoul, we believe that high-prescription eyewear requires a comprehensive approach. The process involves more than selecting premium lenses. We consider the customer's prescription, facial structure, frame dimensions, lens centration, and actual wearing position.
For customers with extremely high myopia, these details can significantly influence the comfort and optical performance of their glasses. BRAGi custom 3D-printed eyewear provides a practical option for individuals who have difficulty finding conventional frames that fit properly. It is especially worth considering for customers with low nose bridges who frequently experience glasses slipping down.
If you are visiting Seoul and have struggled to find comfortable glasses for a high prescription, EYEDAQ Optical in Myeongdong can help you explore suitable frame and lens options.
Our goal is not simply to make high-prescription lenses thinner. It is to create eyeglasses that fit properly, maintain their intended optical position, and meet the individual needs of the wearer.
EYEDAQ Optical – Myeongdong, Seoul, South Korea
Specialized Eyewear Solutions for High Myopia, Complex Prescriptions, and Custom Frame Fitting.
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