Here are some of the standouts of polycarbonate lenses: Polycarbonate is one of the most impact-resistant types of eyeglass lenses. KL, What's The Difference Between PC Lens And TAC Lens On Sunglasses. Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. Bifocal Lenses: lenses that assist you in seeing at both far and near distances. Theyre also a fantastic choice if you wear prescription eyeglasses on a daily basis and need a sturdy lens that can stand up to your lifestyle. Today's modern I notice you say that plastic is cheaper. Polycarbonate lenses have a high refractive index, which means they can be a thinner and more lightweight solution for your prescription, when compared to plastic lenses of the same power. Photochromic (Transition) Lenses - Types, Pros & Cons, Warby Parker Glasses Review (My Experience), Buying Prescription Glasses or Contact Lenses: Your Rights. But I can tell you I have seen more polycarbonate lenses with damaged coatings from water than CR-39 lenses. These lenses are significantly more impact-resistant than other lenses and: Are noticeably lighter and thinner than regular plastic lenses, Block 100% of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Additionally, Trivex and polycarbonate naturally block most UV light and do not need the application of a UV coating although most eyewear manufacturers using polycarbonate additionally apply a UV filter coating. A quality pair of prescription glasses would eliminate that strain. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses have comparable impact resistance. One such type of lens was made from CR39 plastic, which is still widely used today. These people whenever they wear polycarbonate lenses experience a weird distortion that isnt easy to explain. There are also a limited range of colours available made from glass; for all these reasons glass is not used for sports eyewear. scratch-resistant coating to prevent surface scratches. Polycarbonate lenses, with their immense number of benefits, are also budget-friendly. 1. The last two layers, are shock proof layers that increase impact and scratch resistance. Lauren completed a bachelor's degree in biopsychology from The College of New Jersey and non-degree graduate coursework in public health at Princeton University. $12.95 $ 12. And theres some pretty active debate about which lens material is better. Plastic is much lighter than glass, making it more comfortable to wear all day and plastic lenses come in many more colours and larger sizes. Plastic vs. Polycarbonate Lenses Today we are going to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses and what the major difference is between the lens materials. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Melody Huang, O.D. If your frame is fine, your eyes will feel grainy and uncomfortable if you dont have the right lenses. ($45 vs $55) It's entirely up to your decision about what fits you the best. The price is also dependent on extras, add-ons, and coatings. Plastic lenses have a higher Abbe value than polycarbonate. Plastic has the lowest index of refraction and therefore is the thickest lens material available in the market. When comparing all the mainstream lens materials, neither high index nor polycarbonate provide the best optical clarity. If your polycarbonate sunglass lenses do crack, check the manufacturer to see if they offer replacement lenses. Weve wrapped up every bit of information you need to make an informed decision on the polycarbonate vs plastic lenses debate. Keep in mind that we link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission we receive from your purchases. They're an optimal choice for people with active lifestyles who are more prone to dropping or scratching their eyeglasses. Here the polarised film is sandwiched between two layers of polycarbonate meaning the polarised film can never wear out. Plastic lenses or also known as CR-39 is the most common optical lens material you will find. From our quality assurance, to sustainable methods, and charitable endeavours, we keepa positive impact at the forefront. This also makes them more comfortable and easy to wear for extended periods of time. Lastly, plastic lenses dont come with built-in UV protection, therefore it is important that UV protection is added to these lenses to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. lifetime of good vision. Because of their durable material, theyre prone to scratching or breaking and ideal for sporty activities like running or cycling, as well as outdoor activities like hiking or camping. For me I am going back to plastic. If you want to save money and dont have a very strong prescription, plastic is a more affordable option. Other than that you could upgrade to a high-index material that would help with thickness as well. Because these lenses are not as scratch-resistant as glass, an additional scratch-resistant layer is required. Women Sunglasses I am interested in: Required fields are marked *. That is all I wanted to say about High index vs polycarbonate lenses. Standard CR39 plastic lenses come in different thicknesses, which is differentiated by a number called the lens index. (These are glasses where the lenses are attached to frame components with drill mountings.). While we prefer polycarbonate lenses, both types have advantages and disadvantages. Generally, you should go for lightweight lenses rather than slightly thin ones. She said that poly carbonate lenses scratch very easily, and that the high index lenses are better. | An In-Depth Guide, What is the Best Plastic Glue? Your professional optician can discuss the pros and cons of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses so you However, thinner lenses are not lighter in weight. Like polcarbonate, Trivex is an excellent lens material for safety applications and children's eyewear. Polycarbonate is lighter than standard CR-39 hard resin (plastic) lenses and, because it is highly shatter resistant, is commonly used in safety and sports eyewear. We help brands optimize their online presence & performance. Trivex is another lightweight, impact-resistant material for eyeglass lenses. Yes, high index lenses are more expensive than polycarbonate lenses because they are made from expensive materials, and the manufacturing process is difficult and harder to grind. Support the site and become a premium member today! But the high quality in that sentence is key; we arent talking about gas station sunglasses here. Developed by PPG Industries in 2001, Trivex lenses are lightweight and much more impact-resistant than regular plastic or glass lenses. Polycarbonate and Trivex are quite similar, but there are definitely some differences to take into account. For children's eyewear, choose a sturdy frame and lightweight polycarbonate Polycarbonate is a very soft material and must be coated for scratch resistance. Original version of this article was by Liz DeFranco, ABOC, NCLC. Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? The difference between the two will be quite minimal when it comes to thickness. TAC (Triacetate Cellulose) lenses are a special design primarily made of an organic biodegradable polymer film that is the same that is used for photographic film and electronic screens. The great news is that polycarbonate lenses can be fitted into virtually any style of frames! In other words, PC stands for polycarbonate. Optics - central. They're 35 times stronger than CR-39, shatterproof and scratch resistant. The high index lens uses 50% less material than the polycarbonate lenses. If you feel like it is worth the time and hassle then send them back. Polycarbonate lenses are another type of plastic material. Additionally, they have a superior level of impact resistance and are suggested for both children's glasses and safety eyewear. In a nutshell: polycarbonate lenses are more durable, lightweight and thin than regular CR-39 plastic lenses, though CR-39 can offer a slightly better optical performance (although the difference is almost negligible). Polycarbonate has a higher index of refraction than Trivex (1.58 vs. 1.53), so polycarbonate lenses are about 10 percent thinner than Trivex lenses. The frames tend to be less than durable, so the glasses are so cheap. Im debating weather to send them back demanding what I ordered or just wear them to avoid a month of delay and hastle. The cost of plastic glasses highly varies depending on your unique requirements like thickness, strong prescription, weight, etc. I have plastic lens. "}}]}, The plastic industry mainly uses injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, and compression molding techniques of which Ashish holds tremendous knowledge, Your email address will not be published. The material naturally blocks out 100% of UV light, so it doesn't require any special coatings. To start with should you get plastic or polycarbonate lenses? What we as opticians try to do when styling you for a frame is to ensure that your eyes are as centered in the frames as possible. Polycarbonate lenses are a relatively new lens technology. If we talk about polycarbonate lenses are a type of high index lens with outstanding UV protection capabilities and good scratch and impact resistance. | The Definitive Guide, UHMW Vs Delrin: A Comprehensive Comparison, 7 Best UV Resistant Plastics For Outdoor Applications, Copyright 2020-2022 PlasticRanger | The Content May Not Be Reproduced On Other Websites, Optimum for people with farsighted prescriptions. Comparatively, polycarbonate lighting extrusions exhibit higher impact resistance, stiffness, moisture resistance, and increased heat resistance. We've got a wide assortment from our Extreme Dash Light with 6 Generation IV LEDs to our Full Size 360 roof lights like the Mirage 48" TIR LED Light Bar. Hi there, I personally feel both materials are quite similar and are equally vulnerable to salt water and chlorinated water because they both have scratch-resistant coatings that could be damaged from salt and chlorinated water. Warby Parker has stylish, high-quality frames at affordable prices. Polycarbonate lenses protect your eyes from the full spectrum of UV radiation, including UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Thank you for reaching out. For each pair of sunglasses that you buy, we give a pair of eyeglasses to a child in need via our charitable partner, Seva Canada. Hi Amy! Hours: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST, Monday - Friday. Some companies use exclusively one or the other, some offer both. Like & follow our social media pages to see more updates and promotions! Trivex lenses are made of a urethane-based monomer. Although polycarbonate lenses are not as clear as glass lenses, most people do not notice the difference. Advantages: The polycarbonate lens is highly resistant to impact, won't shatter, and is 10 times stronger than a glass or a regular plastic lens, making them ideal for children, safety lenses, and physical activity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Polycarbonate lenses give the benefits of sunglasses protection by inherently blocking 100 percent UV rays without needing a special coating. Very informative. Polycarbonate Vs High Index Lenses: Which One Triumphs For Clarity? Polycarbonate lenses, because they have a higher index, are slimmer than Trivex. Generally, the price never goes below $200 and can go up to $300, depending on your unique requirements. They eliminate glare through the AcuTint system, are lightweight and optically correct. $80.00 charges for the FT poly. Thanks for sharing this informative blog. Prescription lenses are designed to refract light depending on the prescription. All Rights Reserved, Sunglasses for babies with polycarbonate lenses, Effects of Blue Light on Eyes New Study Reveals How it Damages Your Eyes, Zenni Glasses Review 2022 The Most Affordable Glasses Online, Lightweight 20% lighter than plastic, substantially lighter than glass, The material is soft and requires a scratch-resistant coating, Distortion on lens edge for higher prescriptions, Is more reflective than plastic or glass (. Shu Kie is Mouqys certified optician with over 5 years of experience in the optical industry. Polycarbonate lenses are about 10% thinner than Trivex lenses. Helpful even for people with two different prescriptions for lenses. Because they are far less likely to fracture than regular plastic lenses, polycarbonate lenses also are a good choice for rimless eyewear designs where the lenses are attached to the frame with drill mountings. Polycarbonate lenses are very resistant to tint compared with plastic lenses which accept tints. Polycarbonate glasses have higher impact resistance and offer greater protection than plastic lenses. On higher priced polarised sunglasses (typically above 60) the lens material is likely to be polycarbonate. Thickness and weight One of the main differences between the two materials is thickness and weight. 2000-2022 AAV Media, LLC. SEE ALSO: How To Clean Glasses Without Scratching Your Lenses! However, many people do not notice this. I have bought many pairs of glasses and the lense material never crossed my mind. Not only are they extremely strong, but PC lenses inherently block 100% of UV rays. New frosted and unfrosted Acrylics provide diffusion levels from 92% to 60%. So Ill try my best to analyze both materials. We may earn commissions if you purchase something via one of our links. Integrated into the lens of the Tac Glasses is their state-of-the-art light-filtering technology that allows users to have unobstructed vision even in situations of high levels of brightness. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much do high-index lenses cost? Trivex lenses nearly as hard as glass. Polycarbonate is still lighter, and can be made in higher index - meaning that a strong prescription lens can still be quite thin. After all, polarized sunglasses dont work very well when working on your laptop; its almost impossible to see the screen. Let me know below! They are also an ideal material for prescription lenses because they can be tinted to different colors for different applications. If a brand you love isnt using lenses that offer impact and UV protection, make your voice heard. You are using an out of date browser. Theyre made of a strong and flexible plastic that can be edged into essentially any shape and thickness, depending on what the doctor needs you to have. Trivex lenses about 10 percent lighter than polycarbonate lenses. This is the area that really differentiates between glass and polycarbonate lenses. 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