A method for reducing the defect density of glass comprising melting a glass composition comprising from 65 75 wt. % of SiO.sub.2; from 10 20 wt. % of Na.sub.2O; from 5 15 wt. % of CaO; from 0 5 wt. % of MgO; from 0 5 wt. % of Al.sub.2O.sub.3; from 0 5 wt. % of K.sub.2O; from 0 2 wt. % Fe.sub.2O.sub.3; and from 0 2 % FeO, wherein the glass composition has a total field strength index of greater than or equal to 1.23 is disclosed.