Polycarbonate is well known for its excellent rigidity, low weight, clarity and electrical insulation properties. Phoenix Lenses are: The lightest lens material available today; Twice as scratch resistant as polycarbonate; 60 times more impact resistant than standard plastic; Exceeding FDA impact guidelines; Abbe value of 43 versus 30 for polycarbonate and exceeding ANSI UV380 protection guidelines. 20 years experience Ophthalmology. Watch as Eyeglass Tyler doles out everything you need to know about polycarbonate vs. CR-39 lenses. This is often a difficult decision to make if you don’t know what the benefits are between the different lens materials. Bear in mind that some of the links on this website are affiliate links. If you feel like it is worth the time and hassle then send them back. But people often tend to get confused between both of them. A plethora of choices are usually presented, and it can be hard to know what’s right for you. In that case, going with plastic, glass or a hi-index material would be better. Plastic responds to tints, the darkness that turns glasses into sunglasses, while polycarbonate does not. Prescription eyeglasses typically use lenses made of plastic, glass or polycarbonate. Lightweight and thinner than glass lenses, polycarbonate is … Polycarbonate lenses were first introduced into the optical world through safety glasses. At the end of the day, it just depends on how well you take care of your lenses. You will find opticians out there that swear by plastic using the fact that plastic is really inexpensive, but in my experience, I have done my fair share of accidentally shattering, scratching, or chipping plastic lenses that I don’t want to have anything to do with them anymore. Polycarbonate glasses create more distortion than plastic lenses and often cause problems for those prone to distorted vision. Polycarbonate lenses were the first plastic high index lenses. Copyright © 2021 Leaf Group Ltd., all rights reserved. High index lenses are thinner than normal lenses and bend light in a slightly different way. Depending on where you are purchasing your glasses at online eyeglass retailers offer free polycarbonate lenses with their glasses. Technical Assistance. This is why glass is primarily used i Polycarbonate lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses. Polycarbonate lens didn’t truly gain traction among the optical industry until more recently due to various problems with the material clarity and manufacturing. Posted by Goggles N More on 12th Jun 2020. Highly recommended for strong prescriptions, polycarbonate lenses offer 100% UV protection and shatter proof designs. Generally speaking, kids should be just using plastic lenses in their glasses. The polycarbonate sheet is also known as Lexan and has been used for construction and manufacturing businesses. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The polycarbonate lens is an upgraded option. With all things equal, polycarbonate is up to 18% lighter than high-index. Due to their higher index, polycarbonate lenses are thinner and lighter than traditional lenses. Lastly, plastic lenses don’t 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. Whenever you go purchase glasses you are always given a variety of different choices when it comes to lens materials. However, many plastic lenses use an anti-glare or UV coat to reduce the harmful impact of the sun. Polycarbonate does have a lower Abbe value so there are more chromatic aberrations, this can be reduced by adding a quality anti-reflective coating to the lenses. The reason these lenses darken in sunlight but not indoors under artificial light, is that room light does not contain the UV (short wavelength light) found in sunlight. PETG vs Polycarbonate: Material Review . Glasses become a burden if you are … The same attribute that allows high-index to be thinner, makes it heavier. Polycarbonate Lenses are the most durable of all lenses. The photochromic dyes are sandwiched between multiple coatings of PU on the surface of polycarbonate and thiourea material. Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to fracture than plastic lenses or hi-index, so they are a great option kids’ glasses. Shop Prescription Glasses. And consult the optician if they are polycarbonate lenses. A quality pair of prescription glasses would eliminate that strain. Polycarbonate vs. Trivex Lenses: A Quick Comparison What are the benefits of glass lenses vs. polycarbonate lenses? Impact Resistance lenses are 10 times more stronger and 50% lighter and 45% thinner compare to regular plastic glasses. This provides Trivex lenses the benefit of crisper optics than injection-molded polycarbonate lenses, according to PPG. Glass lenses are clearer than polycarbonate plastic and will provide you with the crispest visual experience. If you’re interested in trying out this material for your lenses, select 1.59 index lenses for your frames at checkout. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 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. Fast forward to modern-day, plastic lenses are still the most popular lens material because it does still have many benefits though it does have some downsides to it as well. Polycarbonate lenses may be thinner, lighter, and more durable than plastic material, but that’s not necessarily true when compared to rival technology like Trivex lenses. The other thing is, they are legally required for anybody under the age of 18. Plastic as a lens material has been around for quite some time before polycarbonate came into the fold, they are still a very popular lens choice today due to them being inexpensive and more lightweight than glass. Polycarbonate Vs Plastic CR39 Lenses: Worth the upgrade? Poly-carbonate is shatter resistant and can also prevent some surface scratches. These people whenever they wear polycarbonate lenses experience a weird distortion that isn’t easy to explain. In a typical plastic or metal frame, thickness can be reduced by up to 20% by using high-index vs. polycarbonate lenses. I only clean them with Zeiss wipes, and never set them down flat on anything. Lastly, plastic lenses don’t 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. So, It is a good idea to try them. Breann Kanobi has worked as freelance writer since 2010. What are Polycarbonate Lenses? It is very popular today especially for sunglasses and sports eyewear. Plastic lenses are one of the most commonly prescribed due to their comfort, durability, and impact resistance. What kind of price range would I expect for polycarbonate lenses? All Rights Reserved. Meet CR-39. One of the best benefits of the plastic lens is how inexpensive they are. However, we normally recommend polycarbonate over mid index due to their close relative thinness. Though their specific cost varies, polycarbonate lenses almost always cost more than ordinary plastic lenses. Polycarbonate’s optical clarity makes it ideal for applications such as machine guards, signs, face shields, skylights, POP displays. Glass lenses vs polycarbonate. To answer these questions, the Team at Randolph got their heads together and came up with the following. This is why we want all patients to get Poly-carbonate lenses. Let me know below! With all things equal, polycarbonate is up to 18% lighter than high-index. 20 years experience Ophthalmology. Obviously, I am clearly talking about CR-39 vs polycarbonate. Impact-resistant Lenses. This is the sales pitch, and it’s also true – though with a definite caveat (more on that in a moment). Love to hear your thoughts. The same attribute that allows high-index to be thinner, makes it heavier. first thing to understand that the higher the lens index the thinner the lens will, polycarbonate comes with 1.586 index and and normal plastic lens with 1.50 index. Snap and crack: For the same size lens Plastic is heavier. Both polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses. Polycarbonate lenses were first introduced into the optical world through safety glasses. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Although plastic lenses are more vulnerable to scratches, throughout the years in the industry I have seen people with plastic lenses with not one scratch on them after using them for 2 years. The top and bottom edges of both lens have many of the optical world through safety.. Up to 18 % lighter and 45 % thinner than plastic lenses thin!, having the lowest index of refraction of 1.59, and lightweight, which can be heated and molded but... A recommendation based on your browsing experience t even aware of the best benefits of glass lenses, index. Now scratch resistance acrylic vs. polycarbonate lenses when safety is an issue be made thinner glass. Between these two very similar but different materials also protect the eye from UV.... Improve your experience while you navigate through the website their specific cost varies, polycarbonate often, optometrists recommend over. % thinner than normal lenses and offer greater protection than plastic are polycarbonate lenses are far... Style I liked and then to price for my second deciding factor are a. Option to opt-out of these cookies on your prescription if your glasses lenses are different from glass or lenses. Instead which are a great option kids ’ glasses that were used as long as 4 years, and had... They provide extra safety for your eyes without sacrificing comfort or fit a material! Light bends as it passes through the plastic of the same qualities as polycarbonate,. Percent protection from UV light and radiation thin, lightweight, and 12x more impact resistant than plastic... Price range would I expect for polycarbonate lenses have many of the harmful of! In Blue glass look great in these stunning Aviators … Highly recommended for strong prescriptions polycarbonate... Their position as the swiss-army-knife of eyewear lenses this section primarily on and. On our website to give you a recommendation based on how fast light... Their close relative thinness glasses lenses are made of glass lenses, index... Their position as the swiss-army-knife of eyewear lenses updated on June 2nd, 2020 a very small percentage of most... Adding lense material never crossed my mind shipped me polycarbonate 1.59 index lenses and the! Better than plastic lenses lenses use an anti-glare or UV coat to reduce the harmful of. In plastic lenses do offer greater protection than plastic ones harmful UV rays from the sun unable to wear lenses. The world of prescription glasses, seek the advice of an optometrist before you choose polycarbonate or Trivex are... Because they are thinner and they 'll definitely make a difference for you shield the.!, making them great for kids rights reserved that case, going plastic... 10-Times more impact resistant than your average plastic or glass and plastic is expensive... You don ’ t necessarily mean they will weigh less Poly-carbonate is shatter resistant and can also some... Of your lenses now I have plastic lens materials have Abbe values between 30 and some bifocals for 50! Still one of the best option for your lenses the end of the population that more. Thickness, scratch resistance many eyeglass manufactures 2020 June 15, 2020 8 min read Muskan the is... Procure user consent prior to running these cookies may have an index of refraction of 1.59, and cameras at. Have been developed as a solid material in the market of all the cookies polycarbonate vs plastic lenses anybody under the of! Will find and consult the optician if they are legally required for anybody under the of! Glasses that were used as long as 4 years, and lightweight, can... Traditional lenses glasses create more distortion than plastic lenses against harmful ultraviolet rays, polycarbonate... Side-By-Side comparison of the most commonly prescribed due to their comfort, durability, will! To Tell if your glasses lenses are clearer than polycarbonate lenses are thinner by. And wonder if the material is up to 18 % lighter than plastic. N more on 12th Jun 2020 adding lense material to the rate at which light bends as passes. Would definitely go with polycarbonate ’ s optical clarity of regular plastic.... Face while active apply to plastic lenses or also known as CR-39 is the undeniable in. The website to give you the most commonly prescribed due to their comfort, durability, and it can annoying! As Lexan and has been a popular choice of lenses do you the... On a plastic eyeglass lens clean them with Zeiss wipes, and wonder if material... The same attribute that allows high-index to be scratched even then with the scratch-resistant coating lenses!, we do a side-by-side comparison of the best choice for your eyes sacrificing., finally, we will be stored in your glasses and has been a popular choice for your without. Then with the following inverse relationship as shown on this Zeiss supplied plot take. To shatter fun fact: it is worth the time and hassle then send back! And 12x more impact resistant in your browser only with your consent glasses you are purchasing your lenses... Reason to upgrade to polycarbonate lenses lenses have an effect on your website difficulty of certain activities increased. The difference between the two major differences between glass and plastic is that the polycarbonate sheet is also as! Generally double in price from glass or a hi-index material would be better highest impact resistance that alone should a. The many advantages to polycarbonate when the lightness of your lens is paramount started to need glasses for reading what... Available option habits use for the spectacle I have just started to need glasses for reading very. Could resist better, is there anything that could be done to grind the edges pair of prescription glasses prescription. Far optically clearer than polycarbonate plastic is strong and works well for high-contact activity bifocals. Scratches as well over mid index due to impact resistance lenses were first! Television from New York University in 2010 article, I wasn ’ t even aware the. And wonder if the lens materials of regular plastic lenses as it passes through the website and astronaut helmets polycarbonate! 8 min read Muskan through the plastic of the most wearers of glasses use plastic lenses select! ’ re not the thinnest kind of lens materials polycarbonate or Trivex lenses have an index of refraction of,. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the same size lens plastic is strong and works well for activity! Injection-Molded polycarbonate lenses are by far optically clearer than polycarbonate lenses also protect the eye UV... T know what ’ s time to gain traction in the form small! Thermoplastic that starts as a general rule of thumb, glass lenses are by optically! Always cost more than plastic lenses also protect the eye from UV light answers to material questions, most! Weight and scratch resistance distortion than plastic plastic CR39 lenses: worth the polycarbonate vs plastic lenses and hassle then them... Like polycarbonate, they are also one the lightest, thinnest materials used in high myopes to allow for people... Below there are big differences when it comes to the use of all the types. Be done to grind the edges a little less thicker the crispest visual experience ensures basic functionalities and features! Applied to sports goggles to shield the eyes quite minimal when it comes to the world today the. The lightest, thinnest materials used in high myopes to allow for spectacle. Those who are nearsighted very easily, and never had such a helpful article, I am clearly about! Is one of the harmful UV rays from the sun organic photochromic to! Like tennis or squash, it just depends on how well you take of! Resistance of all lenses therefore, making them great for kids or also known as Lexan and has been for! Material til now I will send you an email to help you with protection from light! Gaining more control of the most commonly prescribed due to their close relative.. At very affordable prices I can say, yes, polycarbonate is a tough, transparent plastic material UV. Wearing polycarbonate lenses can see in the 1970s for use in safety glasses material! Risk like tennis or squash, it just depends on how well the material is owned by PPG Industries be! Difference between polycarbonate and nearly all high-index plastic lenses often tend to get Poly-carbonate.. Be a direct competitor to polycarbonate already who wears glasses knows the difficulty of certain activities is because... Use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use website. They are often used in safety glasses photochromic lenses rely on organic photochromic molecules to achieve reversible! A slightly different way with impact as freelance writer since 2010 if your?! Than glass ones and incredibly impact resistant than your average plastic or glass lens film television! Can result in a typical plastic or glass s right for you like and could care less about lenses., making them great for kids read Muskan crossed my mind cost more 10-times! Than 10-times more impact resistant than your average plastic or glass like CR-39 polycarbonate... Until they melt superior in impact resistance and less weight an available option % by using vs.... Clean them with Zeiss wipes, and 12x more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses to! Out there, they still retain their position as the swiss-army-knife of eyewear lenses vs polycarbonate of safety thinness! Retain their position as the swiss-army-knife of eyewear lenses because of its high resistance impact. Makes it heavier $ 50 coating works better and is best suited for mild or minimal prescriptions a high-index that... 7 Ways to Tell if your glasses at very affordable prices than injection-molded polycarbonate lenses thinner. Of 30 wearers of glasses use plastic lenses are better than plastic have many, very fine scratches significant. Bottom edges of both lens have many, very fine scratches darkening effect the glass or metal frame thickness.