What does a higher index of refraction indicate about lens material?

A higher index of refraction in lens materials means that the material is capable of bending light more effectively than materials with a lower index. This efficiency in bending light allows for thinner lenses while still achieving the same optical power needed for correcting vision.

For instance, when correcting vision, if a lens material has a high index of refraction, the lens can be made thinner than those made from lower index materials, which would need to be thicker to provide the same degree of correction. Consequently, a high index material minimizes the lens's overall thickness and weight, leading to a more lightweight and aesthetically pleasing design, particularly important for stronger prescriptions.

As a result, the option that states a higher index of refraction indicates a thinner lens for a given prescription strength is accurate, as it captures the key benefit of using high-index materials in lens manufacturing.