Trivex is another lightweight, impact-resistant material for eyeglass 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. Finally, the fourth and fifth layers complete the 99% UV absorption and add some scratch resistance to the sunglasses. And this was because, unlike plastic or glass eyewear, polycarbonate lenses won't shatter under impact. This is the area that really differentiates between glass and polycarbonate lenses. He covers everything within Plastics manufacturing and processing. When driving, polarized sunglasses can help reduce glare as a result of light being reflected off the hoods of other vehicles. Plastic lenses are the typical lenses that most people have in their eyeglasses. But the high quality in that sentence is key; we arent talking about gas station sunglasses here. The RhinoLens offers 100% UVA & UVB protection, and can also be found in our Master Angler Series. High index lenses rank slightly higher than polycarbonate. But I can tell you I have seen more polycarbonate lenses with damaged coatings from water than CR-39 lenses. Would it still be better to use polycarbonate as opposed to plastic. Here the polarised film is sandwiched between two layers of polycarbonate meaning the polarised film can never wear out. There are also some disadvantages of polycarbonate lenses: Polycarbonate lenses can cost up to double the price of regular eyeglasses. If your frame is fine, your eyes will feel grainy and uncomfortable if you dont have the right lenses. Have a lovely day. 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). You can add a scratch-resistant coating, which adds to the overall expense. Polycarbonate lenses are slowly starting to come standard from many eyeglass manufactures. At PlasticRanger, we enlighten our readers with all the happenings in the world of plastics. This promotes eye health by providing an extra layer of safety. The CR stands for Columbia Resin which is the polymer that the material is made out of and the 39 means that there were 38 other Columbia Resins that didnt make the cut for optical lenses. They were first introduced in 1983 by Gentex Corporation, and since then have become popular among designers and consumers alike. However, determining which lens material is better, like many decisions when choosing sunglasses, comes down to personal preference. Eyeglass temples: How do you know if they're the right length? These lenses guard your eyes against UVA and UVB sun rays. Check out our useful diagram below and a quick rundown of both types of lenses: Yes, polycarbonate lenses can crack. 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. Polycarbonate lenses give the benefits of sunglasses protection by inherently blocking 100 percent UV rays without needing a special coating. Lets look at the pros and cons of polycarbonate lenses. don't provide the type of eye protection needed for sports. Shu Kie is Mouqys certified optician with over 5 years of experience in the optical industry. Your choice of lenses is completely dependent on your vision needs. Some companies use exclusively one or the other, some offer both. Go for it. Check out ETD's selection of police car lights with TIR lenses. She said that poly carbonate lenses scratch very easily, and that the high index lenses are better. 1. Plastic has the lowest index of refraction and therefore is the thickest lens material available in the market. Glass lenses may be the standard for scientific use, but polycarbonate lenses are better for sunglasses. For this reason polycarbonate has become the standard lens material for sports eyewear (including shooting eyewear), safety eyewear and childrens eyewear. 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. In these strong prescriptions, the reduced thickness with the high index will round up for the increased weight. Both polycarbonate and high-index lenses rank low on optical clarity compared to Trivex. 1.67 index lenses are ideal for prescriptions under +5.00/-8.00 and astigmatism correction between -3.00 and -4.00. 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. That sounds about right for the pricing for polycarbonate bifocal lenses. Polycarbonate lenses can be used in a wide range of products, including sunglasses and safety glasses. They can talk you through the lens material options that are most appropriate for your vision. Availability. Using multiple layers has enabled the sunglasses to provide clearer vision than standard polarized sunglasses. TAC lenses are the cheapest widely used lens option in sunglasses and are less clear, less scratch resistant, and less durable than Polycarbonate. sports, choosing impact-resistant eyeglass lenses and frames is an But lifestyle sunglasses also need impact protection. Photochromic lenses are available in both materials. Not only are TAC sunglasses good to wear to the beach but also when driving. Join today, share your Oakley collection or even find new Oakley sunglasses for sale. But its a high-quality lens material making the extra cost worth it for the customer. Obviously my prescription is higher each time so I expected them to be thicker, hence buying what I thought was a thinner lens! Polycarbonate lenses are very resistant to tint compared with plastic lenses which accept tints. Contacted as you seen on tv.co.nz . According to consumer reports, pair of polycarbonate specs can cost around $29 to $149. sport eyeglasses. Polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than plastic glasses. If you are a prescription contact lens wearer be sure to check out where the best places to buy contact lenses online are, coupons & promo codes are available. Hi Mary! Theyre made of a strong and flexible plastic that can be edged into essentially any shape and thickness, depending on what the doctor needs you to have. Hi Tim! Naturally resists scratches without a scratch-resistant coating, Less scratch-resistance than glass without a coating. 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). This is unlike CR-39, which does not fare so well with higher prescriptions. Trivex lenses have a higher Abbe value and may produce sharper peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration than polycarbonate lenses. If your polycarbonate sunglass lenses do crack, check the manufacturer to see if they offer replacement lenses. 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. If you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you but helps support our website. This makes poly lenses a better option for athletes and children. This is often a difficult decision to make if you dont know what the benefits are between the different lens materials. Photochromic lenses are available in both materials. Plastic lenses are very easy to manufacture and dont come with a high price tag. Polycarbonate glasses have inherent UV protection, while plastic lenses do not have. Be the first to hear about new products & exclusive offers. I also tend to think TAC glasses provide more polarized sunglasses with a clearer vision, which in my mind, makes them more attractive. So Ill try my best to analyze both materials. Impact resistance sets them apart from other eyeglass lenses. For this reason, the lens requires a scratch-resistant coating applied. Polycarbonate vs. Trivex lenses: A quick comparison. Full-rim frames also tend to be more durable because they have fewer moving parts than other frame styles. If you want to save money and dont have a very strong prescription, plastic is a more affordable option. 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. I have plastic lens. 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. The cost of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses can vary considerably, but many optical stores charge more for Trivex lenses than polycarbonate lenses. Thats because Polycarbonate flexes instead of shattering when hit by an object, whether its gravel, a ball, or an elbow. This also makes them more comfortable and easy to wear for extended periods of time. Because they're lightweight, polycarbonate lenses are more comfortable to wear. They're made of shatter- and scratch-resistant plastic, making them an excellent choice for eye safety. Half as heavy as glass, and far less likely to shatter, the optical quality is nearly as good as glass. She earned her certification from Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). 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. Engaging Read Trivex VS Polycarbonate | The Definitive Guide. However, all lenses are not created equal, but doing detailed research before purchasing your lens will provide you with a pair lens that brings vision and a sense of amazing comfort to your life. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"1.67 index lenses are ideal for prescriptions under +5.00/-8.00 and astigmatism correction between -3.00 and -4.00. High index lenses are denser than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light perfectly. Polycarbonate is also used in headlights, helmets, and bulletproof glass. It's entirely up to your decision about what fits you the best. Materials like crown glass, Trivex, and CR-39 steal the show. This can make them a little more suitable for sports and other outdoor activities, for those times you dont want to wear contact lenses. Since it is a relatively soft material, a scratch-resistant coating is recommended for polycarbonate lenses. Plastic lenses also have a higher Abbe value which causes less chromatic aberrations. Cost. Polycarbonate lenses are ideal for sports. However, I know that choosing a lens material can be a real pain in the head. The same can also be said when it comes to . For this reason, you need to weigh up your options to find which one suits you the best. 1.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. I just dont see as well with them. Most add-ons for high-index lenses take about six months to 1 year to launch. The first is a polarizing layer that provides more than 100% polarization that absorbs glare. Could this still be plastic or is this polycarbonate? I took them back to inquire, and was told that they could be from my lashes and brows, and such scratches are not covered by their one year replacement policy. Weight. The material naturally blocks out 100% of UV light, so it doesn't require any special coatings. I am interested in: They lst longer than other brands thanks to the additional layers protecting the sunglasses from drops, scratches, and shocks. Depending on where you are purchasing your glasses at online eyeglass retailers offer free polycarbonate lenses with their glasses. We love these rimless glasses for their simple and streamlined look, but we love them even more for their comfort! The light . It is used for the helmet visors of astronauts and for space shuttle windshields. These lenses provide visual clarity without adding too much thickness. Advantages and Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Lenses, Lighter and thinner than glass or standard plastic lenses, 10 times stronger than glass or regular plastic, Polycarbonate is about 10% thinner than Trivex, Trivex offers superior optical clarity due to polycarbonates lens distortions, Heavier material thats more cumbersome to wear. | The Best Plexiglass Glue, What is TPV Material? The price is also dependent on extras, add-ons, and coatings. GlassesUSA has a huge selection of contacts, glasses, & sunglasses. Page published on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. This is where polarized lenses come in handy because they have a filter specially made to block this glare. Polycarbonate's impact resistance is so good that it's used for lenses in both safety and sporting eyeglasses. 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