Optical materials are substances that manipulate light in various ways, such as transmitting, reflecting, or refracting it. Common examples include glass, plastics, and crystals, which are used in devices like lenses, prisms, and optical fibers. These materials are essential in applications ranging from eyeglasses to cameras and lasers. The properties of optical materials, such as refractive index and transparency, determine their effectiveness in different applications. For instance, silica is widely used in fiber optics due to its excellent light transmission capabilities. Understanding these properties helps engineers and scientists design better optical systems for communication, imaging, and other technologies.