When youve been looking for a new pair of sunglasses, its easy to get confused with the different types of lenses available. Page published on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. Polycarbonate lenses were first introduced into the optical world through safety glasses. Polycarbonate lens didnt truly gain traction among the optical industry until more recently due to various problems with the material clarity and manufacturing. They're siblings, not twins, in other words. And wearing them for long periods of time was a chore. That means if a polycarbonate lens needs 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high index may only need 1 millimeter. Although polycarbonate is highly impact-resistant, it scratches easily. Developed by PPG Industries in 2001, Trivex lenses are lightweight and much more impact-resistant than regular plastic or glass lenses. Trivex lenses nearly as hard as glass. 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). It may not display this or other websites correctly. And thats it! Customizable lenses for your vision needs. When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports eyewear. Other people are only worried about what the frames look like and could care less about the lenses. High index lenses are denser than polycarbonate lenses, meaning they have thinner lenses to reflect light properly. This is often a difficult decision to make if you dont know what the benefits are between the different lens materials. Polycarbonate lenses are about 10% thinner than Trivex lenses. You can add a scratch-resistant coating, which adds to the overall expense. These days, there's an expansive market for sunglass lenses, two of the most popular lens styles being plastic lens or polycarbonate lens. As I said earlier, lenses are more important than frames. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. Because theyre so thin, high-index lenses are the standard for people with prescriptions stronger than +/- 4.0. Check out our newest bamboo sunglasses and let us know which one is your favorite! The combination of impact and UV light protection makes polycarbonate the best choice for both lifestyle and sports sunglasses. The liquid lens material is slowly baked untill it sets. 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. Important Factors to Consider While Choosing Lenses, Prescription Range is an Essential Factor, Thickness and Weight gets Affected by Lens Material. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses have comparable impact resistance. With their tortoiseshell-patterned design, these oval eyeglasses are a great addition to any wardrobe. Obviously my prescription is higher each time so I expected them to be thicker, hence buying what I thought was a thinner lens! Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: Thickness. 95. . Importantly, a polarised polycarbonate lens also provides impact protection. Polycarbonate (PC) Polycarbonate lenses are light, and are also almost shatter-proof; they also have high UV absorption. Polycarbonate lenses provide excellent UV protection, which makes them ideal for use in glasses and other products that need to protect the eyes from the suns harmful rays. Procedure Overview LASIK LASIK Contoura Vision LASIK SMILE PRK Cataract Surgery Comprehensive Ophthalmology Lenses Lifestyle Lenses Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Vivity Extended Vision IOL Keratoconus Treatments Cross-Linking But it is your opticians job to explain all the differences to you and give you a recommendation based on your prescription. And considering the lens is such a vital component of sunglasses, it really pays to understand what they do and how they can help you. Unisex Sunglasses They shipped me polycarbonate 1.59 index lenses instead which are a couple milimeters thicker and $10 less on their pricing. Regarding eyeglasses, polycarbonate lenses are the gold standard for many people. Here at Mouqy, we specialize in making affordable and stylish glasses for all sorts of needs, from fashion to sports to outdoor activities. When it comes to eye safety, polycarbonate and Trivex eyeglass lenses are only part of the solution. TAC lenses are a specific type of polarized lens with a multi-layer composite, but more importantly, it includes the unique Triacetate Cellulose (TAC) process. You can look great and be safer with the right lenses. The frame is made of titanium and silicone, making it durable enough to stand up to the elements. Obviously, I am clearly talking about CR-39 vs polycarbonate. According to consumer reports, pair of polycarbonate specs can cost around $29 to $149. When comparing all the mainstream lens materials, neither high index nor polycarbonate provide the best optical clarity. This flexibility also means polycarbonate and Trivex lenses need a Polycarbonate lenses are available in a wider variety of lens designs (e.g., progressive lenses and other multifocals) than Trivex lenses. Thanks for this informative article. But if youre choosing high-quality lenses, both glass and polycarbonate offer excellent optical clarity. For this reason, the lens requires a scratch-resistant coating applied. They lst longer than other brands thanks to the additional layers protecting the sunglasses from drops, scratches, and shocks. High-quality polycarbonate lenses offer excellent clarity for a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. The thin metal temples and silicon tips at the end of each arm provide stability, while remaining lightweight enough to be worn all day longwithout overwhelming your face. Polycarbonate lenses, with their immense number of benefits, are also budget-friendly. Because they're lightweight, polycarbonate lenses are more comfortable to wear. Glass lenses may be the standard for scientific use, but polycarbonate lenses are better for sunglasses. One such type of lens was made from CR39 plastic, which is still widely used today. Lets take a look at the pros and cons. Ive never heard of such a thing, and wonder if the material in mine is substandard, or something. 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. Let me know below! "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much do high-index lenses cost? Ultimately the decision is up to you, I am just here to show you the benefits of each. Check out ETD's selection of police car lights with TIR lenses. Also known as poly, this flexible plastic was designed for use in astronaut gear. Cost. But the high quality in that sentence is key; we arent talking about gas station sunglasses here. I just dont see as well with them. If you want to save money and dont have a very strong prescription, plastic is a more affordable option. 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. Have a question about Polycarbonate vs. Glass lenses? This type of lens is lightweight yet strong and resilient. Your email address will not be published. Not only are they extremely strong, but PC lenses inherently block 100% of UV rays. Ask your optician for details. However, I know that choosing a lens material can be a real pain in the head. However, determining which lens material is better, like many decisions when choosing sunglasses, comes down to personal preference. Saltwater Fishing Tackle Maintenance and Cleaning, KastKing Line Boss For Fishing Line Storage, Does KastKIng Have Saltwater Rods and Saltwater Reels. One of the biggest selling points of early plastic lens material was that it was lightweight and offered all-day comfort. Weight. | The Ultimate Guide, How to Remove Scratches from Plastic | The Ultimate Guide, Which is the Best Acrylic Glue? Just browsing. Created this site because of the lack of a place for the Oakley Community to talk. Or want to know more? I have 4 mo old poly carbonate lenses from Walmart. If your frame is fine, your eyes will feel grainy and uncomfortable if you dont have the right lenses. Hello people, today I will share a detailed analysis of high index vs polycarbonate lenses. Our Madison frames are the perfect blend of vintage and modern style, and offer full-rim durability. Trivex lenses about 10 percent lighter than polycarbonate lenses. I have just started to need glasses for reading. Additionally, they have a superior level of impact resistance and are suggested for both children's glasses and safety eyewear. The top and bottom edges of both lens have many, very fine scratches. Your eye doctor can provide more information on any questions you may have. Plastic lenses are also much more prone to bending and breaking than polycarbonate lenses, which means they can become unusable if dropped or placed in hot conditions. Bought 2 pairs amazing lenses.. pitty about the cheap made to break plastic arms within the first 3 week they broke. Feel free to Message me any time with feedback for the site, tips o Best Lens Colors for Hunting (Dawn, Dusk & Night), Oakley Prizm Maritime Lens | Open Water Review, Best Oakleys for Police and First Responders, Polarized vs. Non-Polarized Sunglasses | Differences Explained, Smith ChromaPop vs. Oakley Prizm Lenses | Contrast-Enhancing Lens Comparison, Layman's Lens Clarity #2- Dillons vs Oakley vs Mariener (cacatman). We also like them for their ultraviolet protection. This post was most recently updated on June 2nd, 2020. Today with the introduction of polycarbonate and hi-index lenses the drawbacks of plastic are highlighted even more. Very informative. October 10, 2022 by Ashish Mittal Leave a Comment. The rigid thermoplastic is often considered 200 times stronger than glass and is thus utilized to make bulletproof windows and car shields. Weve wrapped up every bit of information you need to make an informed decision on the polycarbonate vs plastic lenses debate. 5750 Brittmoore RD Suite 300Houston Texas 77041. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. The information provided on VisionCenter.org should not be used in place of actual information provided by a doctor or a specialist. Cost. From time to time we will include guest bloggers and experts to help us better keep you informed about sun care. You are using an out of date browser. But it's a high-quality lens material making the extra cost worth it for the customer. Photochromic lenses are available in both materials. Additionally, plastic lenses are much less expensive than the other options. When shes not working, Dr. Huang loves reviewing new skin care products, trying interesting food recipes, or hanging with her adopted cats. They are also available in more styles of sunglasses that cannot use glass lenses. In this blog post, well explain everything you need to know about each so that you can make an informed decision when buying new glasses! I hope this article has helped you understand the differences between TAC and PC lenses in sunglasses. She also has an interest in Eastern medicine practices and learning about integrative medicine. Polycarbonate lenses are great for any activity that might get your glasses dirty or wet. 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. However, many people do not notice this. Even though its multi-layer, a TAC lens is very thin usually no more than 1.2mm. Bottomline Benefits: Polycarbonate Vs High Index Lenses . The fourth and fifth are UV absorbing layers that absorb over 99% ultraviolet rays. However, the added durability of the polycarbonate material means that these glasses should hold up much better for everyday use than your average plastic lenses. Learn about LASIK success rates and side effects, Learn about the costs associated with LASIK, Benefits of LASIK for astigmatism correction, How to find vision insurance that covers LASIK, Compare PRK and LASIK procedures and results, 14 tips for protecting your vision after LASIK. Single Vision Reading: lenses to see things at a close distance. High index lenses are denser than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light perfectly. 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. Fortunately, we are no longer back in the day. Men Sunglasses 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. I will send you an email to help you with this. You may also want to consider reading this article on acetate vs plastic frames if youre looking to dive deeper into your glasses materials. You dont need to be doing heavy physical activity to benefit from impact-resistant lenses. Now I will be adding lense material to the list. This gives Trivex lenses the advantage of sharper optics than injection-molded polycarbonate lenses, according to PPG. What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? . Ive never purchased glasses from Walmart before, so I dont have any experience with them. Many people get confused about the differences. 2-16 FAYUEN ST MONGKOK TAC lenses are incredibly lightweight, making them more comfortable to wear for long durations. Before I move on to the advantages and disadvantages, its worth noting that you can have more than seven layers in TAC lenses. We look forward to working with you to determine the best eye surgery or nonsurgical treatment for your individual needs. 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. the frame breaks, dislodging the lenses. Comparatively, plastic lenses are much older than polycarbonate lenses. All eyeglass wearers should weigh the pros and cons of polycarbonate lenses before making a purchase. Today we are going to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses and what the major difference is between the lens materials. Single Vision Distance: Helps you to see clearly at a distance. 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. These lenses are up to 30% thinner than regular plastic or glass lenses. sport eyeglasses. However, its important to recognise that plastic can still shatter and does not provide a high level of impact protection, so it should not be used for most active or shooting sports. 1.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. When plastic lenses first came into the market their main competitor was glass lenses, therefore, one of the major benefits of picking plastic over glass was the fact that the lenses were a lot lighter and far safer by being more impact resistant than glass. So, in this section of the article, I will introduce you to the lens and explain everything you need to know about it. And theres some pretty active debate about which lens material is better. Follow KastKing to keep up on giveaways, fishing tips and new products. Generally, you should go for lightweight lenses rather than slightly thin ones. EyeBuyDirect has a wide variety of budget frames starting at $6. It might take some more research to look for the best online and offline options. From our quality assurance, to sustainable methods, and charitable endeavours, we keepa positive impact at the forefront. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! High index lenses rank slightly higher than polycarbonate. Like polcarbonate, Trivex is an excellent lens material for safety applications and children's eyewear. For the best eye protection at work and during sports, be sure you also 1-800 Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online. Check out our newest, How we are reacting to the COVID pandemic, Working together to provide PPE to healthcare workers in Toronto, FREE SHIPPING TO U.S. & CANADA ON ORDERS OVER $100. Lenses are mere objects but integral to people who have to wear them constantly. 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 (. Join today, share your Oakley collection or even find new Oakley sunglasses for sale. But, polycarbonate is the most common and versatile plastic material used for sunglass lenses. RELATED: Sunglasses for babies with polycarbonate lenses. Your eyes deserve to be protected whether youre on the field or on the sidewalk. This will ensure you have the thinnest cut for the edges. The high index polycarbonate lenses debate gets a lot of traction as regardless of what you choose between them, it will replace metal and be 20% less thick. Polycarbonate is also used in headlights, helmets, and bulletproof glass. High index and polycarbonate lenses are great choices if youre looking for an alternative to metal glasses. Polycarbonate lenses are another type of plastic material. The arrival of the sun has us all excited and ready for some fun. Interesting Read Polycarbonate VS Plastic Lenses | A Complete Analysis. Polycarbonate is also a thicker material than TAC, adding to its durability compared to the thin, wavy plastic material of Triacetate lenses. CR-39 plastic lenses are regular plastic lenses you might find in very inexpensive sunglasses. One is made with a shatter-proof polycarbonate, while the other uses a Triacetate Cellulose. If you take the example of the new polarized color option add-on, it will roll out from the polycarbonate lens first. 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