Crossword Genius

...required a lens fixed with ties (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

essential

'required' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'a lens fixed with ties' is the wordplay.
'fixed with' indicates anagramming the letters.
'a'+'lens'='alens'
'alens' anagrammed with 'ties' makes 'ESSENTIAL'.

(Other definitions for essential that I've seen before include "as oil might be" , "something necessary" , "Indispensible" , "'Absolutely necessary, required (9)'" , "absolutely neccessary?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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