A polymer composition is provided for use as a liquid lens element in a compound lens designed to reduce chromatic aberration. The polymer composition (i) has an abnormal optical dispersion and (ii) is more easily fabricated into the compound lens than a conventional optical liquid. The composition contains an abnormal optical liquid characterized by an abnormal optical dispersion and a polymer component. The polymer is soluble in the optical liquid and is present in an amount effective to impart a viscosity that is at least an order of magnitude greater than that of the liquid alone at a selected temperature.