Well, plastic lenses are our basic lens. They are often used in high myopes to allow for the glasses to be thinner and lighter. Lets talk about the 2 most popular options. Polycarbonate lenses also have built-in ultraviolet protection. Transcript:  Hi, this is Dr. Alex from My Vision Box and I want to welcome you to our weekly educational video. Eventually, the final decision is up to you. March 13, 2018, Weekly Educational Vlog- Review of Biofinity Toric Contact Lenses You have progressive lenses; which is more sensitive to refraction (multiple diopters in … It was seen as a lens material with lots of potential for optimal optical success though it did not gain traction due to three main issues: Surfacing Problems: Surfacing is the process of placing a prescription onto a polycarbonate lens and preparing its surface before it is cut for the glass frame. Not only that, but look at the difference in thickness you are going to get. You can then apply the information you have on both lenses to determine which will suit your needs best. They are more than 10-times more impact resistant than your average plastic or glass lens. The different types of lens material vary in their weight, flexibility, durability, thickness, scratch resistance, etc. If you are shopping for a new eyeglass be sure to find out the lens materials available. If you have any questions, send us a message here. The first lightweight Plastic eyeglass lens made its debut sometime in 1947. Inherent Ultraviolet (UV) protection: Polycarbonate lens surfaces offer inbuilt ultraviolet protection. February 11, 2018, Plastic vs. Polycarbonate Eyeglass Lenses They also have an impact on your vision, comfort, and appearance. However, thinner lenses won’t necessarily mean they will weigh less. Plastic Lenses. Our expert team have vast years of working experience in the optical industry and can help guide you through the decision making process. polycarbonate lens vs plastic lens. PLASTIC VEINS. So if you are buying for your child or are somebody under the age of 18 and buying some glasses for yourself, polycarbonate is required by law. Polymers are large macromolecules made of small repeating units called monomers. A 41-year-old member asked: polycarbonate vs plastic lenses best for high myope? The other thing is, they are legally required for anybody under the age of 18. Anytime you are in the market for a new pair of eyeglasses, you are going to be provided with different options regarding the lens material. Since the introduction and use of Plastic lenses (also known as CR-39), it has sealed its mark as the most preferred choice in the optical industry. Polycarbonate vs. Trivex lenses: A quick comparison This is primarily because of its high optical clarity, low cost, impact-resistant, and durable property. Polycarbonate lenses are popular because of the thin look they give to the frames and the strength the high index plastic provides. Advantages and Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Lenses. Glass vs plastic lenses, high index vs standard, polycarbonate? Polycarbonate Lenses . Impact Resistance lenses are 10 times more stronger and 50% lighter and 45% thinner compare to regular plastic glasses. We are going to be comparing Plastic to Polycarbonate. When it comes to the world of prescription glasses and prescription sports goggles, the most important feature is 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. How Do You Choose Sunglasses for Fishing? A lot of patients that go to our website, they see that we offer Plastic Lenses, Polycarbonate Lenses and Hi-Index Lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are made of a type of plastic that is more impact-resistant than standard plastic lenses. We have a better way of tracking your order, keeping... USE IT OR LOSE IT! Well, plastic lenses are our basic lens. The key difference between polycarbonate and plastic is that polycarbonates are lighter but, much stronger than plastic.. Polycarbonate and plastic are polymer materials. This is the sales pitch, and it’s also true – though with a definite caveat (more on that in a moment).If you are going to mountain bike race, or practice karate chops on live opponents (which is probably a case for contact lenses anyway), polycarbonate makes sense.But 10x more impact resistant is a bit misleading.A CR-39 lens is quite impact resistant. The two most widely preferred lensesare CR 39 and polycarbonate. This is why we want all patients to get Poly-carbonate lenses. This is somebody who has a -5.00 prescription. Polycarbonate lenses were introduced sometime in the 1980s by the Gentex Corporation. 95 Computer Glasses with Clear Polycarbonate Double Sided Anti-reflective Coating, Scratch Coating and Uv Protection - Plastic Frame - 53-16-140 by Sheer Vision 3.6 out of 5 stars 51 $21.95 $ 21 . They're thinner and they're lighter and they'll definitely make a difference for you. Lets talk about the 2 most popular options. Besides, the polycarbonate lenses have UV protection themselves. And consult the optician if they are polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate vs plastic eyeglass lenses. 3 Benefits of Polycarbonate Lenses Safety. Polycarbonate lenses are also much thinner and lighter in weight. They’re also ideal for strong prescriptions since they do not add thickness when correcting vision, minimizing any distortion. Plastic Vs Polycarbonate Lenses- Which One Is Better? Count the Scratches. One of the major differences between plastic and glass is surface hardness. We are happy to announce that we have totally re-vamped our site to make it more accessible for our customers. Here are some few differences between both lenses to determine which one is better: The decision between a plastic or polycarbonate lens should be made based on personal preference, cost, weight, durability, impact, and scratch resistance. You must know that the polycarbonate lens has slightly different refraction properties than plastic or glass lenses, this due the material properties, so, sometimes you can feel this differences as . This then makes it crucial for you to make the right decision or risk ending up with an ineffective item. Are resin or plastic fillings safe. So for anybody getting glasses, I strongly strongly recommend getting polycarbonate lenses. There are a lot of great eyeglass lenses in the market, but before you buy a pair, it is imperative to consider both their pros and cons. The polycarbonate lens is an upgraded option. Dr. Michael Rizen answered. There are a lot of great eyeglass lenses in the market, but before you buy a pair, it is imperative to consider both their pros and cons. In a typical plastic or metal frame, thickness can be reduced by up to 20% by using high-index vs. polycarbonate lenses. The monomers of plastic depend on the type of plastic; there are two … Trends have led away from thick lenses, with many people starting to prefer contacts over glasses, so polycarbonate lenses satisfy a demand among lens-wearers. This is mainly because of its lighter weight, impact-resistant, thinner and more scratch-resistant properties. Best way to clean polycarbonate lenses. vision distortions. 20 years experience Ophthalmology. The Basic Lens - Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate lenses have higher impact resistance and offer greater protection than plastic lenses. The Vision Council described polycarbonate lenses as “virtually unbreakable.” A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also found that polycarbonate lenses were more impact-resistant than glass or other types of plastic lenses. Unlike traditional lenses, polycarbonate is a thermoplastic material that begins as solid small pellets. Polycarbonate lenses are better than plastic lenses. Industry-leading clarity and quality. It is a little bit more pricey for the polycarbonate, but is worth every penny because you are getting a much better lens. Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoyed the video and I'll see you on the next one. We are going to be comparing Plastic to Polycarbonate. Plastic photochromic lenses rely on organic photochromic molecules to achieve the reversible darkening effect. Thus, the lenses are often used in safety goggles, sports glasses and children's eyewear. Polycarbonate Vs. And if you actually compare the two you can actually see that the plastic on the right compared to the polycarbonate on my left is about 25-30% thicker with the same exact prescription. Lightweight and thinner than glass lenses, polycarbonate is … This is mainly because of its lighter weight, impact-resistant, thinner and more scratch-resistant properties. Polycarbonate lenses include both 100% UV protection and anti-scratch coating. Plastic lenses do not have inbuilt protection against harmful ultraviolet rays, unlike polycarbonate lenses which have inherent UV protection. That is why recommend those for anybody over a power of 1.50, where you are really going to notice that difference. Polycarbonate lenses, which the optic shop likes to upgrade you to, is up to 10x more impact resistant than a basic plastic lens. Thinner and lighter than plastic, polycarbonate (impact-resistant) lenses are shatter-proof and provide 100% UV protection, making them the optimal choice for kids and active adults. It covers the same prescription range as the 1.57 polycarbonate composite and 1.53 Trivex lenses, -4.00/+2.00 or lower on the SPH and +/- 6.00 or lower on the CYL. In this case, choosing a plastic eyeglass lens or high index lens would be much better. Polycarbonate lenses are very resistant to tint in contrast to plastic lenses which accepts tints. Subscribe to our newsletter and get 15% off your first purchase. If you need any assistance in selecting the right lenses for your eyewear, please contact us now. May 25, 2018, Weekly Educational Vlog- Review of Clariti 1 Day The two major differences between glass and plastic are weight and scratch resistance. Newer Post →, Weekly Educational Vlog- Review of Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses Shatter proof, thinner, lighter material and just feels better on your face because you have less weight there. Shop Prescription Glasses. Eventually, effective solutions to these obstacles were put forward in addition to the refinement and enhancement of polycarbonate lenses into the high-quality material widely used today. Free shipping on all orders within the continental U.S. The CR-39 is an acronym for “Columbia Resin 39” and the digit indicates that it is the 39th formula that produced the resulting plastic material. Polycarbonate lenses are gradually taking over a significant portion of the optical market share once dominated by plastic lenses. They are considered a high index plastic. So, It is a good idea to try them. March 29, 2018, Weekly Educational Vlog- Review of Dailies Total One Lenses 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. Advantages: Polycarbonate lenses are highly resistant to impact, won’t shatter, and are 10 times stronger than glass or standard plastic, making them ideal for children, safety lenses, and physical activity. Our job is to highlight the various benefits, drawbacks, and differences between both lenses. This new eyeglass lens material had a high index of refraction, making it to be the lightest and thinnest lens material available then. Photochromic dyes do not work well in common plastic materials, so new polymers compatible with dyes are used. We look forward to hearing from you. Trivex lenses, however, are composed of a urethane-based monomer and are made from a cast moulding process similar to how regular plastic lenses are made. Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to fracture than plastic lenses or hi-index, so they are a great option kids’ glasses. How to repair scratches on a plastic eyeglass lens. Polycarbonate Lenses: Pros & Cons. … After all, this is what people are going to be looking through. Polycarbonate lenses rose to critical acclaim due to its durable, and additional properties. Probably polycarb: Polycarbonate lenses are "high index" lenses . February 02, 2018, Sign up for the latest news, offers and styles. Plastic lenses are inexpensive and affordable than polycarbonate lenses which are more expensive. Our polycarbonate lenses are manufactured with proprietary, fourth-generation water-white polycarbonate resins, are up to 50% lighter and thinner than plastic alternatives and 10 times more impact-resistant. Impact-resistant Lenses. If $29.95 is more than you would want to spend on an impact-resistant single-vision lens, the 1.59 pure polycarbonate lens, for $9.00, may be preferable. For instance, certain individuals cannot use polycarbonate lenses, because they experience an odd Visual distortion. Essilor’s polycarbonate lenses are 20% thinner, 30% lighter, and 12x more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses. So, polycarbonate lenses vs plastic or glass? You will find blogs out there strongly claiming and confirming plastic as the better option due to its affordability and high optical quality. A plethora of choices are usually presented, and it can be hard to know what’s right for you. The monomers of polycarbonates are bisphenol A and phosgene. Eventually, the final decision is up to you. Lens materials affect thickness and weight. So really consider doing the upgrade for the polycarbonate lenses. Hello, today we are going to be talking about different lens materials. VSP, EYEMED, FSA/HSA ACCOUNTS. CONTACT US TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR BENEFITS BEFORE THEY'RE GONE! Trivex lenses vs polycarbonate. Polycarbonate lenses are thin, lightweight, and incredibly impact resistant. In fact, polycarbonate lenses are usually applied to sports goggles to shield the eyes. The polycarbonate lens is an upgraded option. Now that we have a brief overview of polycarbonate lenses let us consider some of its advantages and disadvantages. This gives Trivex lenses the advantage of crisper optics than injection-moulded polycarbonate lenses, according to PPG. Plastic lenses have a higher optical clarity than polycarbonate lenses. I hope you enjoy it. Luckily, glasses wearers have options – Glass, Plastic CR-39, Polycarbonate, High-index 1.67, and High-index 1.74. polycarbonate vs plastic eyeglass lenses. Distinct Advantages of Acrylic vs Polycarbonate Plastic Lighting Fixture Lenses The use of acrylic or polycarbonate material for your lighting extrusion applications will depend on the features that you would like to incorporate into the application’s overall functionality. Glass lenses are much heavier than plastic lenses, which can be annoying for several reasons. During the manufacturing process, commonly known as injection molding, those small solid pellets are heated until they completely melt. A light, impact-resistant material that is 25% thinner and 30% lighter than standard plastic (CR39) lenses, and 10 times more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses. A lot of patients that go to our website, they see that we offer Plastic Lenses, Polycarbonate Lenses and Hi-Index Lenses. And Then Came Poly Polycarbonate is still lighter, and can be made in higher index – meaning that a strong prescription lens can still be quite thin. While they’re not the thinnest kind of lens out there, they still retain their position as the swiss-army-knife of eyewear lenses. Eye lens discoloration or spots on eye lens. It is not necessarily a one size fits all solution when it comes down to eyeglass lens material. I think you will definitely notice that difference. Essential Spring Break Sunglasses for Men and Women. Glass lenses vs polycarbonate. We will not specifically recommend one over another if it will not be suitable for your visual needs. Weekly Educational Vlog- Review of Acuvue Oasys Contact Lenses, Weekly Educational Vlog- Benefits of Anti-Glare Coating, Weekly Educational Vlog- Review of Clariti 1 Day, Weekly Educational Vlog- Review of Dailies Total One Lenses, Weekly Educational Vlog- Review of Biofinity Toric Contact Lenses, Plastic vs. Polycarbonate Eyeglass Lenses. They’re the go-to lens material for safety glasses, and extremely versatile when it comes to outfitting them with features such as Transitions, polarization, or other feature combinations. And polycarbonate lenses are 10 times impact-resistant than common plastic lenses. 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