New hybird materials prepared by incorporating a metal alkoxide sol, which is adapted to yield a high refractive-index metal oxide (e.g., titanium dioxide or zirconium dioxide), with a high refractive-index organic polymeric component (e.g., a triethoxysilane-capped poly(arylene ether) ketone or poly(arylene ether) sulfone) have been developed by the sol-gel method. The final products are transparent and display a high refractive index (n.sub.D =1.60-1.76). The refractive index of these hybrid materials has a linear relationship with the metal oxide content.