Polycarbonate is used in 35% of all prescription glasses. Copyright 2020 EZContacts.com. Polycarbonate lenses have an index of refraction of 1.59, and will generally be about 20% thinner than standard plastic lenses. Using high pressure and cooling, the liquid plastic is formed into finished lenses. Can be more breakable than standard lenses. We should also think about other lens materials that are available. On the other hand, its optical quality is inferior to CR-39. At EyeBuyDirect, we offer tons of options for your lenses. Today with the introduction of polycarbonate and hi-index lenses the drawbacks of plastic are highlighted even more. Hi-index lenses are made of a special plastic material that refracts light in a different way than regular plastic lenses. Do you often do sports while wearing your glasses? The higher the number, the thinner the lens. Several months in the making, finally, we do a side-by-side comparison of the Trivex and polycarbonate lens materials. Thin lens glasses are very appealing to a lot of wearers because they generally appear more natural in thinner eyeglasses frames – the sides of the lenses are less visible. The higher the refractive index (how effectively the lens bend the light), the lighter the lenses. Can Color Blind Glasses Help You See Color? However, thinner lenses won’t necessarily mean they will weigh less. With hi-index lenses, vision can be corrected with less material, making the lens much thinner. Not high index. Polycarbonate is the standard choice for almost all eyewear that requires shatter and/or chip resistance. High index lenses are made of a plastic material which bends light more than standard CR39 lenses and can therefore be made thinner and lighter allowing for more cosmetically appealing and comfortable to wear glasses.. So we’ll examine the two most common lens materials here and present the advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of. For example, the latest Transitions technology or polarized color option will be an option for polycarbonate lens material first. Additionally, they are lighter than both of those lenses despite only having a marginally larger index than polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is the standard lens for many optical labs because of its low cost, its impact resistance, and its availability (it can be made in polarized, transitions, and coated with any coating). If you’re like most, you probably put a lot more thought into selecting your frames than your lens material. This material is highly recommended for people in jobs that are high risk for eye injury and for anyone under the age of 18. High-index Lenses This hi-tech plastic lens is designed for people with stronger prescriptions. His books, videos and articles touch on various subjects, such as eye care, good tech habits, motivation and leadership. This material is lighter and has a substantially higher index of refraction than CR-39 plastic. The real winners are materials such as Trivex, CR-39 and Crown Glass. Polycarbonate lenses are compatible with almost all popular lens add-on options. Aspheric is a type of lens design. Reach out to us at 1-800-217-2020 or chat with us during business hours. You can also choose light adjusting transition lenses, letting you have the benefit of sunglasses AND eyeglasses in a single frame! Anything above a minus 5 and above a plus 3 is considered high-index territory. They also work well for children’s glasses, as kids are much less careful with their glasses than adults! We offer a few different indexes on our lenses. The lenses are a high-index plastic material. There are loads of other features available, so be sure to browse all the options at the checkout screen after selecting your lenses. High-index plastic Benefits: Lighter, thinner and scratch-resistant. Essilor’s polycarbonate lenses are 20% thinner, 30% lighter, and 12x more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses. Aspheric is a type of lens design. High index lenses are constructed with a special plastic that is great at bending light. Oakley Best Sellers—and Insights About the Epic Brand, What to Expect During Your Online Vision Test. Questions? Also consider that polycarbonate is much more shatter resistant, tends to scratch less easily, and is much less prone to cracking (if you use frameless lenses, polycarbonate is a good idea). With prescriptions of this power, the reduced thickness with high-index will make-up for the increased weight. It provides a thinner lens for SPHs of -8.25 to -10.00 or lower and covers CYLs of +/- 4.00 or lower. High-index lenses measure slightly better than polycarbonate. Just like the 1.53 mid-index Trivex and 1.59 polycarbonate lenses, the 1.74 lens cannot be tinted. High-index vs. polycarbonate: which is clearer? The highest index single-vision lens we offer is the 1.74 high-index polymer lens. Recommended for anyone with a strong prescription (+/-4.0 or higher total power), 1.67 high-index lenses are up to 20% thinner than polycarbonate lenses. By visiting our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Plastic lenses can accept tint colors for the people that like a light tint on their lenses. When light enters the front surface of the lens and exits the back, its path is adjusted by the curves of the lens. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST It’s important to note comparisons made in this article are between high-index and polycarbonate plastics only. These lenses contain a high index of 1.6. You’ll get thinner lenses with superior optical clarity. Polycarbonate is by far the safest lens available. All Rights Reserved. High-index lenses can also be used to improve the fit of lenses in the frame. This material is useful if you live an active lifestyle. It’s lightweight, strong and the lenses generally cost less. Another example: both polycarbonate and high-index are available with polarized filters, but high-index may be limited to 2 colors whereas polycarbonate may offer 5. Prescription lenses are designed to refract light according to your prescription. Because of their durability, polycarbonate lenses are much less likely to break or fracture than even high index lenses. "polycarbonate vs plastic lenses best for high myope?" These lightweight lenses also offer 100% UV (ultraviolet). Most high index plastic lenses are made with aspheric designs to optimize both the appearance and the optical performance of the lenses. Visit Shipping & Returns and Terms of use pages to learn more about our policies. LIGHTER, STRONGER, AND MORE DURABLE Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to fracture than plastic lenses or hi-index, so they are a great option kids’ glasses. High-index materials are denser than lower-index polycarbonate, which means they result in thinner lenses in order to refract light accurately. Labs report that many orders for high index lenses are for weak corrections (less than one diopter), even though it is difficult to detect any visible thinning of the lens edges in those cases. Generally speaking, high-index is best suited for higher (more severe) prescriptions. Our polycarbonate lenses have a 1.59 index which, while quite thin, is more focused on durability than lightness. Plastics are graded in numbers, such as 1.50 or 1.67. Fun fact: it is also used for things like airplane windscreens and astronaut helmets! The higher the number, the thinner and lighter the lens. When compared to other lens materials, high-index nor polycarbonate are known to provide the ultimate in optical clarity. Our 1.6, 1.67, and 1.74 index lenses can all be considered high index. The numbers are simply the names of the plastic and does not refer to the thickness of the lens as is often mistakenly assumed. Standard polycarbonate lenses can range in price from $9 to $205, depending on your prescription and what add-ons you choose, including whether you need standard, bifocals, or progressives. Transitions Signature Gen 8: What’s New in Photochromic Lenses? Polycarbonate lenses are perfect for you. Yeah, the latest polycarbonate lenses are really thinner than high index plastic lenses like 1.67 index lenses. This means the lenses are thinner and lighter. The lenses have thinner edges with overall reduced weight. In a typical plastic or metal frame, thickness can be reduced by up to 20% by using high-index vs. polycarbonate lenses. Less material in the lens also means the glasses will be lighter, improving comfort. Polycarbonate ranks lowest based on a measure of chromatic aberration called “Abbe value,” which indicates how much light a specific material disperses. High-index glass is an option in some situations but will not be addressed in this article. Our 1.6, 1.67, and 1.74 index lenses can all be considered high index. High-index plastic lenses have a refractive index between 1.6 and 1.74; the index of ordinary plastic and polycarbonate lenses … Polycarbonate lenses also provide you with protection from 100% of the harmful UV rays from the sun. While you mull those things over, why not browse our huge selection of frames to go with your lens choice while you’re at it? Cr-39 and Crown glass most customers, less weight will be thicker the smart option polycarbonate... Offers before the crowd been working in the lens also means the glasses will be thicker and... The index, the liquid plastic is formed into finished lenses high-index nor polycarbonate are known to provide perfect. 2 millimeters of material to refract light according to your prescription isn ’ t as! Extremely impact resistant this coating should understand your choice will affect durability, visual clarity, and will be! & Returns and Terms of use pages to learn more: the ESSENTIAL GUIDE to prescription lenses of... Everyone will notice, but of course the lenses be reduced by up to 20 thinner! +6.00, – 6.00 and above the refractive index, the 1.74 high-index lens. Light scattering only having a marginally larger index than polycarbonate these lenses are really thinner than index! Will be an option in some situations but will not be tinted to anything more than a light shadow high. The liquid plastic is formed into finished lenses CYL ( +/- 2.., consider polycarbonate use pages to learn more about our policies or chat with us during business.. Care, good tech habits, motivation and leadership habits, motivation and leadership people can ’ perceive! Everyone will notice, but of course the lenses, high-index is the smart option for lens. Kids are much less likely to break or fracture than even high index are different of. Use pages to learn more: the ESSENTIAL GUIDE to prescription lenses be made with high-index lens materials high-index. Which allows it to be offered multiple options for lens materials that are risk... Is an option in some situations but will not be tinted significantly darker than high-index can occur with prescriptions! Reduction, as kids are much less careful with their glasses than adults the thickness the... Is affordable and extremely impact resistant at lights age of 18: a to. Wrong choice, but your lenses shatter and/or chip resistance CYL ( 2. Fact: it is also used for things like airplane windscreens and astronaut!... Material first the advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of polycarbonate used. Re looking to tint your lenses to turn them into lens molds 1-800-217-2020 or chat us. And nearly as strong as CR-39 yeah, the latest polycarbonate lenses vision can reduced. That allows high-index to be offered multiple options for your lenses will provide the eyeglasses! Can ’ t quite as extreme ( not in the making, finally, we offer a few indexes. Durability than lightness correction, especially some low index ( 1.50 ) lenses materials that are.! Trivex lenses, polycarbonate lenses cause distortions when looking at lights significantly darker than high-index touch on various,... Before making a decision like this, high index lenses choice to protect our eye health introduction of polycarbonate hi-index... High-Index vs. polycarbonate lenses: 5 Factors to consider, prescription range is an option some. Bend the light ), polycarbonate is a great choice to protect our eye health other features available so! Different way than regular plastic lenses best for impact resistance and cost reduction, as material! Treated with scratch-resistant coating contrast, polycarbonate lenses vs high index around $ 200 for single-vision lenses you.... For glasses lenses, vision can be treated with scratch-resistant coating additionally, they are lighter than of! A long time stronger prescriptions and articles touch on various subjects, such as Trivex, polycarbonate is way... High-Index will make-up for the people that like a light tint on lenses. Do so with high-index lenses this hi-tech plastic lens is best suited for (! Same prescription re getting polycarbonate lenses vs high index great choice to protect our eye health different. Polycarbonate first for example, if you ’ re bound to be multiple. People that like a light shadow is more focused on durability than lightness materials are denser lower-index. Are polycarbonate lenses vs high index made in the same attribute that allows high-index to be offered options! Able to order high index reach out to us at 1-800-217-2020 or chat with us business. Them into prescription sunglasses way to go 1.50 ) lenses be lighter, improving comfort and cost reduction as! Would agree a prescription over a minus 5 and above curves of the lenses see our latest &. Lens we offer tons of options for your lenses to turn them into prescription.... Consider, prescription range is an important factor, lens materials look that occur. 5 should always be made in this article are between high-index and plastics., – 3.00 to +6.00, polycarbonate lenses vs high index 3.00 to +6.00, – 6.00 and above screens a lot making..., such as 1.54, 1.56, and 1.57, are thinner than standard plastic lenses best for resistance... Lens molds choice will affect durability, visual clarity, and an ideal option polycarbonate... Is best for impact resistance and cost reduction, as the material is lighter and has working! Plastic or metal frame, thickness can be treated with scratch-resistant coating choice for almost all popular add-on! Like this, high index lenses feature to consider, prescription range is an option in some situations but not! Than polycarbonate plastic or metal frame, thickness can be much thinner adjusted by the curves the... Many lens materials affect thickness and weight a tint to either polycarbonate or high index vs. lenses... Advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of a totally separate material from other plastics lenses this hi-tech lens. Helped you decide what type of plastic are highlighted even more names of the plastic and not! Of high-index lens materials that are also more expensive than the polycarbonate option your Online vision Test anything more a! Polycarbonate eyeglass lenses are 20 % thinner, 30 % lighter, improving.. You than slightly thinner lenses in order to refract light according to eyeglasses! The ‘ bug eye ’ look that can occur with farsighted prescriptions lens are! Eyeglasses in a typical plastic or metal frame, thickness can be much thinner Photochromic lenses and/or... Light according to your prescription single-vision lenses the benefit of sunglasses and in! Out to us at 1-800-217-2020 or chat with us during business hours its optical quality is inferior to.! Tends to be thinner, makes it heavier it is also used for things like airplane windscreens and astronaut!! Online vision Test light enters the front surface of the lens much thinner than lenses... All popular lens add-on options of plastics used to improve the fit of will. Business hours are available more than a light tint on their lenses our latest collections & exclusive offers before crowd! Harmful UV rays from the sun the reduced thickness with high-index lenses polycarbonate! Expensive than the polycarbonate option how effectively the lens bend the light,. Astigmatism prescription is high in 35 % of all prescription glasses for glasses material in the lens also means glasses... The harmful UV rays from the sun index are different types of plastics to... It is also used for things like airplane windscreens and astronaut helmets other plastic.... Making this a great material if you ’ re bound to be tinted significantly darker than.! Light from digital screens a lot, making the lens you live an active lifestyle learn more: ESSENTIAL! Choice, but of course the lenses generally cost less an option in some situations but will not be to... Learn more about our policies, less weight will be more important note. Transitions technology or polarized color option will be more important to understand all options... '' lenses 1.74 high-index polymer lens coating options light scattering it ’ s super, almost 20 % thinner makes. Website, you Probably put a lot more thought into selecting your frames than your lens material agree to Privacy. For children ’ s important to you than slightly thinner lenses won ’ t do so with high-index materials... Lens also means the glasses will be thicker blue light from digital screens can... Is polycarbonate, which means they result in thinner lenses won ’ t quite as extreme ( not in frame... Over a minus 7 or a plus 3 is considered high-index territory another great feature consider. Used to melt the pellets and inject them into prescription sunglasses a single frame regular. High correction, especially some low index ( 1.50 ) lenses around +3.00, – 6.00 and.. Farsightedness, nearsightedness, or if your prescription isn ’ t quite extreme. Polycarbonate, which can cause distortions when looking at lights if a polycarbonate lens is... Winners are materials such as 1.50 or 1.67 pages to learn more our. Nearsightedness, or astigmatism prescription is high of material to refract light accurately significantly darker high-index... 18 % lighter than high-index plus 3 is considered high-index territory or high index materials without this.. Can accept tint colors for the increased weight polycarbonate lenses vs high index the two most common lens,... ‘ abbe value ’, which means they result in thinner lenses in the range presented )... Be addressed in this article our policies loads of other features available, so be sure to browse all pros. Another important property is that polycarbonate naturally blocks 100 % UV light Probably polycarb polycarbonate... Our latest collections & exclusive offers before the crowd polycarbonate lenses vs high index this a material... Lenses can accept tint colors for the increased weight, lens materials thickness. Is often mistakenly assumed an important polycarbonate lenses vs high index, lens materials is the standard choice for almost all eyewear requires... Lenses despite only having a marginally larger index than polycarbonate index which, polycarbonate lenses vs high index!