95. . This includes single-vision lenses to correct common forms of vision issues, and progressive lenses that are able to cater for multiple prescriptions. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are much more impact-resistant than regular glass and plastic lenses (including other high-index lenses) because these lightweight lens materials are relatively "soft" which means they can absorb energy without lens fracturing. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Like & follow our social media pages to see more updates and promotions! Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. Having a conversation with your optician about your eyewear needs and shopping around for the best price is wise. This flexibility also means polycarbonate and Trivex lenses need a When shopping for eyeglasses, a key thing to consider is your lens material. The liquid polycarbonate is then rapidly injected into lens molds, compressed under high pressure, and cooled to form a finished lens product in a matter of minutes. They are known to be cheaper compared to high-grade lens materials. 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. One of the biggest selling points of early plastic lens material was that it was lightweight and offered all-day comfort. These lenses are up to 30% thinner than regular plastic or glass lenses. Obviously my prescription is higher each time so I expected them to be thicker, hence buying what I thought was a thinner lens! However, many people do not notice this. Today polycarbonate is slowly eating up plastic lenses share of the optical market due to it being a thinner, lighter-weight, more impact resistant, and more scratch-resistant lenses. Without a doubt, polycarbonate is the most rigid lens material. These people whenever they wear polycarbonate lenses experience a weird distortion that isnt easy to explain. 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. There is a very small percentage of the population that is unable to wear polycarbonate lenses. So, weve spoken a little about PC lenses, but now its time to shift our attention to TAC lenses. Weight. And there are a few benefits to using this style of polarized sunglasses: They provide total UV 400 protection They reduce glare They come with an affordable price tag And it's these three factors that push people to buy TAC lenses. Important Factors to Consider While Choosing Lenses, Prescription Range is an Essential Factor, Thickness and Weight gets Affected by Lens Material. On higher priced polarised sunglasses (typically above 60) the lens material is likely to be polycarbonate. After all, polarized sunglasses dont work very well when working on your laptop; its almost impossible to see the screen. Have a lovely day. Not only are they extremely strong, but PC lenses inherently block 100% of UV rays. For me I am going back to plastic. With polycarbonates super impact resistance to plastic and glass, it was the perfect lens material for safety glasses. lifetime of good vision. Below are some things to consider when choosing eye lens material: Progressive Lenses:lenses that help you to see at all distances. And this helps to make the sunglasses more flexible and durable, so you get a longer life from them. Polycarbonate is also used in headlights, helmets, and bulletproof glass. The plastic material itself is very vulnerable to scratches and hard scratch-resistant coatings have been developed as a solution to this problem. Plastic lenses are very easy to manufacture and dont come with a high price tag. All eyeglass wearers should weigh the pros and cons of polycarbonate lenses before making a purchase. The price is also dependent on extras, add-ons, and coatings. These glasses are extremely useful for people working in jobs with high chances of eye injury and for anyone under 18 years of age. We also like them for their ultraviolet protection. Polycarbonate was developed in the 1970s for aerospace applications. Its important to recognise that TAC polarised lenses, as used in virtually all polarised sunglasses under 60, provide little impact protection and they can shatter, so they should not be used if impact protection is important. Thanks for stopping by! Boll Bolt 2.0 Titanium Volt+ Ultraviolet Polarised, Boll Bolt 2.0 S Creator Green Volt+ Gun Polarised, Boll Bolt 2.0 S Volt+ Cold White Polarised, Boll Brecken Floatable Black-Red Polarised Offshore Blue, Secured online ordering using SSL encodings. Its the most scratch resistant lens material and blocks UV light. Materials like crown glass, Trivex, and CR-39 steal the show. If you need safety glasses, consult an optician who can tell you which frames are safety rated. Is there anything that could be done to grind the edges a little less thicker. The cost of plastic glasses highly varies depending on your unique requirements like thickness, strong prescription, weight, etc. Trivex lenses nearly as hard as glass. Naturally resists scratches without a scratch-resistant coating, Less scratch-resistance than glass without a coating. Generally, rimless and semi-rimless styles can be slightly more fragile than full-rimmed frames. 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 design is unobtrusive and cleanperfect for those who want a minimalistic, sleek look. 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 (. The reflections from water can be reduced just by wearing polarized lenses, which can also enhance your ability to spot objects below the waters surfacefashionable and a great help when boating or fishing. Like polcarbonate, Trivex is an excellent lens material for safety applications and children's eyewear. The impact protection on polycarbonate is so good that both safety and sports eyewear use polycarbonate for their lenses. But if your polycarbonate lenses do break, they are less likely to shatter into small, harmful pieces. 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. Yes, Polycarbonate is a plastic material made of thermoplastic polymers. The first polycarbonate lenses ran into three major problems that kept it from gaining traction, these were as follow: Eventually, these obstacles were overcome and the polycarbonate material got developed to the polycarbonate material we know today, thanks to the CD and entertainment industries. Polycarbonate lenses are designed for strength, yet theyre thin and lightweight. When it comes to eye safety, polycarbonate and Trivex eyeglass lenses are only part of the solution. But lifestyle sunglasses also need impact protection. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Helpful even for people with two different prescriptions for lenses. Your eyes deserve to be protected whether youre on the field or on the sidewalk. Polycarbonate's impact resistance is so good that it's used for lenses in both safety and sporting eyeglasses. However, glass lenses are heavy (typically sliding down your nose) and can be dangerous: glass lenses are prone to cracking, can shatter with impact or if dropped on a hard surface such as concrete. Women Sunglasses They eliminate glare through the AcuTint system, are lightweight and optically correct. That sounds about right for the pricing for polycarbonate bifocal lenses. Plastic lenses can accept tint colors for the people that like a light tint on their lenses. TAC lenses are incredibly lightweight, making them more comfortable to wear for long durations. They are known to be cheaper compared to high-grade lens materials. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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. GlassesUSA has a huge selection of contacts, glasses, & sunglasses. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Polycarbonate lenses, with their immense number of benefits, are also budget-friendly. And thanks to the multiple layers, you can add varying levels of protection to the sunglasses. They are also more difficult to work with, which means it takes longer to manufacture polycarbonate lenses. I just purchased a pair of multifocals in store and while we went through all the details of the lenses, they didnt mention plastic or polycarbonate. A higher index of refraction also means denser material and therefore thinner lenses. These lenses guard your eyes against UVA and UVB sun rays. Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? Trivex lenses have many of the same qualities as polycarbonate lenses and offer crisp, clear optical clarity. Instead, PC is an acronym for the composite used to make the lens. People with eyeglass prescriptions stronger than +/- 4.0 may need high-index lenses. Hence, since the creation of the plastic lens, its become the default material for opticians and glass lenses are now much rarer than plastic when it comes to prescription glasses. These lenses are up to 30% thinner than regular plastic or glass lenses. Comparatively, plastic lenses are much older than polycarbonate lenses. The use of plastic lenses spread rapidly after thermosetting plastics (which are less flammable) entered mass production in the 1940s. When shes not working, Dr. Huang loves reviewing new skin care products, trying interesting food recipes, or hanging with her adopted cats. I took the glasses back (costco optical) and they checked the prescription and said it was fine. In the 1970s, they used the lens in astronauts' helmet visors, and in the 1980s, industries started to wear them as an alternative to plastic or glass eyewear. Page published on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. This is unlike CR-39, which does not fare so well with higher prescriptions. Men Sunglasses Any thoughts? This will ensure you have the thinnest cut for the edges. High index lenses are denser than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light perfectly. This can make them a little more suitable for sports and other outdoor activities, for those times you dont want to wear contact lenses. For this reason, the lens requires a scratch-resistant coating applied. Copyright 2022 VisionCenter.org. The information provided on VisionCenter.org should not be used in place of actual information provided by a doctor or a specialist. Is there a big difference between 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses? My receipt lists Plast 1.49 PANORMA IMPERIUM PLUS, so I guess that means plastic. Polycarbonate lenses are available in a wider variety of lens designs (e.g., progressive lenses and other multifocals) than Trivex lenses. If you want your glasses to last as long as possible in the face of everyday wear and tear, polycarbonate may be the way to go! Bottomline Benefits: Polycarbonate Vs High Index Lenses . All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Oakley, Inc. Want instant exchange acces, no ads and tons of other benefits? TAC lenses are the cheapest widely used lens option in sunglasses and are less clear, less scratch resistant, and less durable than Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate lenses were first introduced into the optical world through safety glasses. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Are high index lenses more expensive? Fortunately, we are no longer back in the day. She earned her certification from Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). Saltwater Fishing Tackle Maintenance and Cleaning, KastKing Line Boss For Fishing Line Storage, Does KastKIng Have Saltwater Rods and Saltwater Reels. 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. In general, high-index lenses are prescribed for strong prescriptions. 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. It's entirely up to your decision about what fits you the best. >. The question is, why are they good, and what do you need to know about them. The first is a polarizing layer that provides more than 100% polarization that absorbs glare. The light . What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? TAC Polarized Lens Sunglasses Mens Thin Light Weight Rectangular Mirrored . They shipped me polycarbonate 1.59 index lenses instead which are a couple milimeters thicker and $10 less on their pricing. So Ill try my best to analyze both materials. High index lens density doesnt allow it to be tinted to more than anything more than a light shadow. All rights reserved. It is up to 10 times more impact resistant than high index lenses and other lens materials and, therefore, the perfect option for making protective eyewear. However, thinner lenses are not lighter in weight. Glass lenses used to be really heavy. The first layer of the sunglasses is the polarizing core, and its used to absorb the glare produced from the light shining on objects. I just bought 1 pair of glasses at Walmart and they hit me with 2 ea. At PlasticRanger, we enlighten our readers with all the happenings in the world of plastics. 1-800 Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online. And there are a few benefits to using this style of polarized sunglasses: And its these three factors that push people to buy TAC lenses. CR-39 plastic lenses are regular plastic lenses you might find in very inexpensive sunglasses. Thickness and weight One of the main differences between the two materials is thickness and weight. Be the first to hear about new products & exclusive offers. 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 Best Plexiglass Glue, What is TPV Material? He covers everything within Plastics manufacturing and processing. Very vulnerable to scratches and hard scratch-resistant coatings have been developed as solution!, 2019 weve spoken a little less thicker the main differences between the two materials is and... 'Re the right length and durable, so I expected them to be cheaper compared to high-grade materials... Pc lenses, but now its time to shift our attention to tac lenses are plastic! Unlike CR-39, which means it takes longer to manufacture and dont come with a high price tag that you... Flexibility also means polycarbonate and Trivex lenses also dependent on extras,,... 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