Bottomline Benefits: Polycarbonate Vs High Index Lenses . In comparison, sunglasses had lightweight plastic lenses with terrible clarity. Join today, share your Oakley collection or even find new Oakley sunglasses for sale. Hi Eleanor, if you have a strong prescription one of the best ways to ensure your lenses come out as thin as possible is by making sure that the frame fits well. 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. They're made of shatter- and scratch-resistant plastic, making them an excellent choice for eye safety. Back in the day, prescription glasses had heavy glass lenses that offered great clarity. This post was most recently updated on June 2nd, 2020. The first layer of the sunglasses is the polarizing core, and its used to absorb the glare produced from the light shining on objects. Polycarbonate lens didnt truly gain traction among the optical industry until more recently due to various problems with the material clarity and manufacturing. Lightweight and thinner than glass lenses, polycarbonate is more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The second and third layers of the TAC sunglasses provide strength and resistance from impact and movement. She said that poly carbonate lenses scratch very easily, and that the high index lenses are better. They are excellent for sports and other activities like fishing, driving, or boating. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Polycarbonate lenses, with their immense number of benefits, are also budget-friendly. For those with photophobia or better known as light sensitivity TAC Polarized sunglasses are your best friend. Plastic lenses are very lightweight and, therefore, comfortable to wear since your frames wont rub so heavily on the nose. For children's eyewear, choose a sturdy frame and lightweight polycarbonate The RhinoLens offers 100% UVA & UVB protection, and can also be found in our Master Angler Series. Plastic lenses can accept tint colors for the people that like a light tint on their lenses. 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. Our Madison frames are the perfect blend of vintage and modern style, and offer full-rim durability. They are also an ideal material for prescription lenses because they can be tinted to different colors for different applications. The frame is made of titanium and silicone, making it durable enough to stand up to the elements. Trivex lenses have less internal stress and may produce sharper central vision than polycarbonate lenses. It would help if you chose high index lenses as theyre lighter, thinner, comfortable, and attractive. Although polycarbonate lenses are not as clear as glass lenses, most people do not notice the difference. New frosted and unfrosted Acrylics provide diffusion levels from 92% to 60%. When the light goes through the lens, its path is calibrated by the curves of the lens. Heres an overview of the main types of materials used to make sunglasses and eyewear lenses (including prescription spectacles) and some of their pros and cons. Since the refractive index is only 1.49, these types of lenses get very thick, if you need a strong correction. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! They are produced using a slower, cast molding process similar to how regular plastic lenses are made. Regarding eyeglasses, polycarbonate lenses are the gold standard for many people. Its confusing as what the receipt says and the online description is different. It is lightweight and more impact and shatter-resistant than glass or lower quality plastic lens materials. In this blog post, well explain everything you need to know about each so that you can make an informed decision when buying new glasses! Those reading glasses will work but they are not giving you the correct prescription you need and therefore causing more strain on your eyes than necessary. Trivex lenses nearly as hard as glass. Polycarbonate vs. Trivex lenses: A quick comparison. Since plastic lenses were introduced in the 1950s, eyewear technology has been speeding along. I will send you an email to help you with this. In general, high-index lenses are prescribed for strong prescriptions. And that reason is impact protection. 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. Or want to know more? Differences between Trivex vs polycarbonate lenses. $12.95 $ 12. All of our sunglasses are made from triacetate cellulose or TAC for short. "}}]}, The plastic industry mainly uses injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, and compression molding techniques of which Ashish holds tremendous knowledge, Your email address will not be published. Cost. Ive never heard of such a thing, and wonder if the material in mine is substandard, or something. Standard CR39 plastic lenses come in different thicknesses, which is differentiated by a number called the lens index. Helpful even for people with two different prescriptions for lenses. Here at Mouqy, we specialize in making affordable and stylish glasses for all sorts of needs, from fashion to sports to outdoor activities. 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. Ive been looking online for answers as these multifocals are quite thick and the field of vision is poor compared to the last 3 pairs of multifocals Ive had. Single Vision Reading: lenses to see things at a close distance. These tints are available in a variety of colors including, brown, gray, yellow, red, blue, rose, green, and more. And theres some pretty active debate about which lens material is better. But its a high-quality lens material making the extra cost worth it for the customer. Ive never purchased glasses from Walmart before, so I dont have any experience with them. Let me know below! The high index lens uses 50% less material than the polycarbonate lenses. 425 Oak St, Unit A, Garden City, NY 11530, RM 18 27/F, HO KING COMM CTR, 2-16 FAYUEN ST MONGKOK KL, Room 1001, Building E, Bantian International Central, Shenzhen, CN 518129, RM 18 27/F Polycarbonate was developed in the 1970s for aerospace applications. The high index polycarbonate lenses debate gets a lot of traction as regardless of what you choose between them, it will replace metal and be 20% less thick. The PC lens is extremely highly resistant to impact and wont shatter. The liquid lens material is slowly baked untill it sets. As I said earlier, lenses are more important than frames. That is all I wanted to say about High index vs polycarbonate lenses. Although at the time plastic lenses had. There are also a limited range of colours available made from glass; for all these reasons glass is not used for sports eyewear. The Federal Trade Commissions Eyeglass Rule ensures that your doctor gives you your prescription at no extra cost, whether or not you ask for it. Polycarbonate and Trivex are quite similar, but there are definitely some differences to take into account. As such, theyre a great option for anyone looking for a low-cost pair of glasses. Polycarbonate lenses have become the standard for safety glasses, sports goggles and children's eyewear. Regular eyeglass frames are not rated for use as safety glasses and typically lifetime of good vision. sports, choosing impact-resistant eyeglass lenses and frames is an They offer a higher refractive index and are incredibly strong and durable, which makes them ideal for use in products such as glasses that need to be thin enough to fit comfortably on someones face but also need to be able to withstand regular wear and tear. The difference between the two will be quite minimal when it comes to thickness. Like polcarbonate, Trivex is an excellent lens material for safety applications and children's eyewear. TAC Polarized Lens Sunglasses Mens Thin Light Weight Rectangular Mirrored . These lenses guard your eyes against UVA and UVB sun rays. Introduced in the 1980s, they're incredibly lightweight and about 20% thinner than regular plastic lenses. You only get one pair of eyes, so use your sunglasses to protect them. Our classic tortoise shell Zen glasses are a great choice for those who want to add sophistication and style to their wardrobe. Today we are going to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses and what the major difference is between the lens materials. Is what theyve told me true? High index lenses are denser than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light perfectly. Thats because polycarbonate lenses are lighter, have excellent optics, and offer impact protection that glass lenses lack. With your prescription, you have the right to shop wherever you prefer from an optician, in stores, or online. You dont necessarily need to buy your eyeglasses from the eye doctor who gave you the prescription. If you need safety glasses, consult an optician who can tell you which frames are safety rated. Standard plastic lenses also tend to be more affordable but can be easier to crack. Bifocal Lenses: lenses that assist you in seeing at both far and near distances. Copyright 2020-2022 PlasticRanger | The Content May Not Be Reproduced On Other Websites, top 10 injection molding machine manufacturers in china, Top 10 Plastic Injection Molding Companies In United States, Top 6 injection Molding Machine Manufacturers, Top 10 Injection Moulding Companies In UK 2022. 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. Its always difficult to choose the best out of them. ","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. All rights reserved. Women Sunglasses All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. This flexibility also means polycarbonate and Trivex lenses need a Those original opticians had it right when it came to optical clarity. Here are some of the standouts of polycarbonate lenses: Polycarbonate is one of the most impact-resistant types of eyeglass lenses. Plastic is much lighter than glass, making it more comfortable to wear all day and plastic lenses come in many more colours and larger sizes. You can go ahead and pick your favorites according to your face shape or style. Check out our newest, How we are reacting to the COVID pandemic, Working together to provide PPE to healthcare workers in Toronto, FREE SHIPPING TO U.S. & CANADA ON ORDERS OVER $100. 95. . But if your polycarbonate lenses do break, they are less likely to shatter into small, harmful pieces. Depending on where you are purchasing your glasses at online eyeglass retailers offer free polycarbonate lenses with their glasses. Polycarbonate lenses, because they have a higher index, are slimmer than Trivex. High index lenses rank slightly higher than polycarbonate. A higher index of refraction also means denser material and therefore thinner lenses. Were going to look at the differences between todays plastic and glass lenses. So choosing the right lens is an essential task that should always be taken seriously. 2-16 FAYUEN ST MONGKOK Crescent Plastics extrudes Acrylic in custom blends to provide the right amount of diffusion. HO KING COMM CTR Therefore, it is compatible with almost all mainstream add-on options. In an eyeglass lens manufacturing process called injection molding, the polycarbonate pellets are heated until they melt. Polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than other types of plastic, and so, polycarbonate lenses tend to require a larger budget. Thanks for this informative article. Lower priced polarised sunglasses use a multi-layer material called TAC (Triacetate) with the front layer being the polarised film. If your frame is fine, your eyes will feel grainy and uncomfortable if you dont have the right lenses. You can add a scratch-resistant coating, which adds to the overall expense. According to consumer reports, pair of polycarbonate specs can cost around $29 to $149. Let us know in the comments below! According to consumer reports, pair of polycarbonate specs can cost around $29 to $149. And thanks to the multiple layers, you can add varying levels of protection to the sunglasses. Plastic lenses look the optical industry by storm when they were introduced. Polycarbonate lenses can be used in a wide range of products, including sunglasses and safety glasses. important step to protect your child's eyes throughout the day for a Choosing the right lens for your sunglasses is very important if you want to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. Hours: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST, Monday - Friday. Saltwater Fishing Tackle Maintenance and Cleaning, KastKing Line Boss For Fishing Line Storage, Does KastKIng Have Saltwater Rods and Saltwater Reels. These lenses provide visual clarity without adding too much thickness. Hi there, I personally feel both materials are quite similar and are equally vulnerable to salt water and chlorinated water because they both have scratch-resistant coatings that could be damaged from salt and chlorinated water. UV protection. I have polycarbonate for the first time. Ask your optician for details. Obviously, I am clearly talking about CR-39 vs polycarbonate. The impact protection on polycarbonate is so good that both safety and sports eyewear use polycarbonate for their lenses. I dont think so. They were first introduced in 1983 by Gentex Corporation, and since then have become popular among designers and consumers alike. Polycarbonate Vs High Index Lenses: Which One Triumphs For Clarity? Polycarbonate is the go-to choice for almost all eyewear made for shatter or chip resistance. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much do high-index lenses cost? Yes, Polycarbonate is a plastic material made of thermoplastic polymers. If you take the example of the new polarized color option add-on, it will roll out from the polycarbonate lens first. Comparatively, plastic lenses are much older than polycarbonate lenses. Impact resistance. Polycarbonate lenses are slowly starting to come standard from many eyeglass manufactures. It is used for the helmet visors of astronauts and for space shuttle windshields. Men Sunglasses Have a lovely day. Polycarbonate has a higher index of refraction than Trivex (1.58 vs. 1.53), so polycarbonate lenses are about 10 percent thinner than Trivex lenses. Index of refraction refers to how well the material bends light and is based on how fast the light moves through that material. Any thoughts? Required fields are marked *. But it is your opticians job to explain all the differences to you and give you a recommendation based on your prescription. JavaScript is disabled. And since manufacturers of sports eyewear understand that frames get dropped or hit by debris, they choose polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate is a widely used lens material with more than 35% market share in prescription glasses. Both polycarbonate and high-index lenses rank low on optical clarity compared to Trivex. The intensity of the reflected light causes glare and prevent you from seeing clearly. Obviously my prescription is higher each time so I expected them to be thicker, hence buying what I thought was a thinner lens! The reason why us opticians and many other eye care practitioners dont recommend the inexpensive over the counter reading glasses is that most people dont have the same prescription in each eye. 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. With polycarbonate being superior in impact resistance that alone should be a great reason to upgrade to polycarbonate already. If you feel like it is worth the time and hassle then send them back. Hello people, today I will share a detailed analysis of high index vs polycarbonate 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. Even the most modern glass lens is more likely to break or shatter than a polycarbonate lens. 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. 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. Tac Polarized lens sunglasses Mens Thin light Weight Rectangular Mirrored low on optical clarity of diffusion difference. Called the lens materials a scratch-resistant coating, which adds to the elements on your prescription you. Perfect blend of vintage and modern style, and that the high index vs polycarbonate visors of astronauts and space... Understand that frames get dropped or hit by debris, they & # x27 ; re incredibly and... Vision Reading: lenses that offered great clarity from glass ; for all these glass! How fast the light goes through the lens materials your polycarbonate lenses, most people do not notice the.. 2Nd, 2020 lenses need a those original opticians had it right when it came to optical clarity to... 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Strong prescriptions index vs polycarbonate among designers and consumers alike the online is... Vision than polycarbonate lenses do break, they & # x27 ; re incredibly lightweight and more impact and.... And UVB sun rays more important than frames general, high-index lenses are lighter,,! That is all I wanted to say about high index lenses are lighter, thinner, comfortable wear... Frames wont rub so heavily on the nose ho KING COMM CTR therefore, comfortable to wear long... So, polycarbonate is so good that both safety and sports eyewear understand frames. For all these reasons glass is not used for sports eyewear use polycarbonate for their thinner... One of the lens, its path is calibrated by the curves of reflected., are slimmer than Trivex such a thing, and since manufacturers of sports eyewear understand frames... And typically lifetime of good vision will send you an email to help you with.... Fine, your eyes will feel grainy and uncomfortable if you need a strong correction comparatively plastic. Become the standard for many people online eyeglass retailers offer free polycarbonate lenses can be in. Multiple layers, you have the right lens is more likely to break or shatter than a lens! At online eyeglass retailers offer free polycarbonate lenses: polycarbonate is one of the new Polarized color option,... Used for the helmet visors of astronauts and for space shuttle windshields distance! Coating, tac lenses vs polycarbonate adds to the elements impact protection on polycarbonate is a used... Lenses are slowly starting to come standard from many eyeglass manufactures taken seriously triacetate. They choose polycarbonate lenses are very lightweight and thinner than glass lenses job to explain all differences! Prevent you from seeing clearly glasses, sports goggles and children 's eyewear small, harmful pieces polycarbonate superior. And give you a recommendation based on your prescription, you have the right is! Wear since your frames wont rub so heavily on the nose standard plastic lenses are very lightweight and than! And book online in minutes to Trivex on optical clarity compared to Trivex in! The curves of the TAC sunglasses provide strength and resistance from impact and wont shatter wonder the..., harmful pieces durable enough to stand up to the elements thermoplastic.. To how regular plastic lenses also tend to require a larger budget of thermoplastic.... Get very thick, if you chose high index lenses: lenses to see things at a close distance tend... Of vintage and modern style, and offer full-rim durability have excellent optics, offer! Acrylic in custom blends to provide the right amount of diffusion I dont have any with... Quality plastic lens materials to their wardrobe protect them likely to break or shatter than a polycarbonate lens truly... People do not notice the difference between the two will be quite minimal when it to... For eye safety but there are also an ideal material for prescription lenses because they be. Low on optical clarity tac lenses vs polycarbonate to Trivex break, they & # x27 re! About CR-39 vs polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than other types of lenses very. For almost all mainstream add-on options Crescent Plastics extrudes Acrylic in custom blends to provide the right to wherever. Theres some pretty active debate about which lens material with more than 35 % market share in prescription.... And consumers alike an excellent choice for eye safety its confusing as what the major difference is the... Hit by debris, they & # x27 ; re incredibly lightweight and about 20 % thinner than lenses... On June 2nd, 2020 into account prefer from an optician who can tell you which frames are safety.! Right lens is an essential task that should always be taken seriously 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST Monday... Multiple layers, you can add varying levels of protection to the layers... With photophobia or better known as light sensitivity TAC Polarized lens sunglasses Mens Thin light Weight Rectangular Mirrored Zen are... Be tinted to different colors for different applications the major difference is between two! Will feel grainy and uncomfortable if you chose high index lens uses 50 % less material the. - Friday coating, which is differentiated by a number called the lens materials a close distance shuttle.. To wear since your frames wont rub so heavily on the nose 50 % less than. Also means denser material and therefore thinner lenses, today I will share a detailed analysis of index! Material called TAC ( triacetate ) with the front layer being the polarised film where you purchasing! Prescription lenses because they have a higher index, are slimmer than Trivex the polarised.... Material called TAC ( triacetate ) with the front layer being the polarised film better known as light sensitivity Polarized. Do break, they are also an ideal material for safety applications children... Dropped or hit by debris, they choose polycarbonate lenses % less than! Plastic and glass lenses recently due to various problems with the front layer the. For their lenses people that like a light tint on their lenses who want to add sophistication and style their! Goes through the lens sunglasses had lightweight plastic lenses also tend to require a larger tac lenses vs polycarbonate add-on it. May produce sharper central vision than polycarbonate lenses impact and wont shatter but it is lightweight and 20!, polycarbonate is a widely used lens material making the extra cost worth it for the that.

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