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. Lower priced polarised sunglasses use a multi-layer material called TAC (Triacetate) with the front layer being the polarised film. 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. sport eyeglasses. 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. This includes single-vision lenses to correct common forms of vision issues, and progressive lenses that are able to cater for multiple prescriptions. And there are even still glass lenses out there in sunglasses! Go for it. If I had a choice between the two lens materials and the cost wasnt a factor I would definitely go with polycarbonate. Obviously my prescription is higher each time so I expected them to be thicker, hence buying what I thought was a thinner lens! CR-39 plastic lenses are regular plastic lenses you might find in very inexpensive sunglasses. You can wear polycarbonate lenses with virtually any full-rim style. But today polycarbonate lenses are gaining more control of the optical market and is a very popular choice of lenses. And well discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each material, plus our final decision on which material is better. Does it really hurt your eyes? However, there are some differences: High-index lenses are denser than polycarbonate, which makes them thinner. While we prefer polycarbonate lenses, both types have advantages and disadvantages. Plastic lenses are also much more prone to bending and breaking than polycarbonate lenses, which means they can become unusable if dropped or placed in hot conditions. (These are glasses where the lenses are attached to frame components with drill mountings.). Plastic lenses are the typical lenses that most people have in their eyeglasses. 1.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. Or if you want to play things up with something more colorful opt for something bright and fun like our April frames. 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 (. It may come down to what styles and brands you like typically use. We've got a wide assortment from our Extreme Dash Light with 6 Generation IV LEDs to our Full Size 360 roof lights like the Mirage 48" TIR LED Light Bar. All rights reserved. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? Hi Amy! Original version of this article was by Liz DeFranco, ABOC, NCLC. HO KING COMM CTR This combination of impact resistaance, lightweight comfort, and UV protection also makes polycarbonate and Trivex lenses excellent choices for children's glasses and safety glasses. The benefits dont stop there though with polycarbonate being thinner, more lightweight and more resistant to scratches as well. And thats it! High index lens density doesnt allow it to be tinted to more than anything more than a light shadow. Triacetate Cellulose sunglasses use multiple layers; they are usually scratch proof but not shatterproof. They are known to be cheaper compared to high-grade lens materials. Because these lenses are not as scratch-resistant as glass, an additional scratch-resistant layer is required. The intensity of the reflected light causes glare and prevent you from seeing clearly. JavaScript is disabled. When comparing all the mainstream lens materials, neither high index nor polycarbonate provide the best optical clarity. It boasts the highest impact resistance of any lens material. Most lenses in prescription spectacles made today use a plastic called CR-39 or a very close copy since the material is owned by a company called PPG. Glasses with polycarbonate lenses were first developed in the 1980s, and theyve been improving ever since. For this reason, the lens requires a scratch-resistant coating applied. For those with photophobia or better known as light sensitivity TAC Polarized sunglasses are your best friend. Interesting Read Polycarbonate VS Plastic Lenses | A Complete Analysis. However, many people do not notice this. You may also want to consider reading this article on acetate vs plastic frames if youre looking to dive deeper into your glasses materials. Dapper is a sleek, modern take on rimless glasses. All eyeglass wearers should weigh the pros and cons of polycarbonate lenses before making a purchase. And wearing them for long periods of time was a chore. . Polycarbonate lenses have become the standard for safety glasses, sports goggles and children's eyewear. Its the most scratch resistant lens material and blocks UV light. Should you, as a normal person should, worry about Abbes value? Today we are going to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses and what the major difference is between the lens materials. ","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. Yes, Polycarbonate is a plastic material made of thermoplastic polymers. Therefore plastic offers better optical clarity. Very informative. Abbe value measures the dispersion of light for different eyeglass lens materials. Oakley Forum is NOT affiliated with Oakley, Inc. in any way, shape, or form. Polycarbonate lenses protect your eyes from the full spectrum of UV radiation, including UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Historically the image transferred to your eyes with polycarbonate was poorer quality than plastic but with the advent of Class 1 Optical Grade polycarbonate the difference is now much less significant. Materials like crown glass, Trivex, and CR-39 steal the show. | The Definitive Guide, Dielectric Strength of Plastics | Electrical Properties of Plastics | The Definitive Guide, What is Rotational Molding? If a brand you love isnt using lenses that offer impact and UV protection, make your voice heard. Page published on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. 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 light . Our Madison frames are the perfect blend of vintage and modern style, and offer full-rim durability. I have bought many pairs of glasses and the lense material never crossed my mind. Therefore, it is compatible with almost all mainstream add-on options. In that case, going with plastic, glass or a hi-index material would be better. Any thoughts? 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 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. Not only are TAC sunglasses good to wear to the beach but also when driving. The design is unobtrusive and cleanperfect for those who want a minimalistic, sleek look. 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. Yes, Polycarbonate is a safe material for your sunglasses. Polycarbonate vs. Trivex lenses: A quick comparison. Saltwater Fishing Tackle Maintenance and Cleaning, KastKing Line Boss For Fishing Line Storage, Does KastKIng Have Saltwater Rods and Saltwater Reels. Check out ETD's selection of police car lights with TIR lenses. At the end of the day, it just depends on how well you take care of your lenses. Regular eyeglass frames are not rated for use as safety glasses and typically All the different types of lens materials vary in weight, thickness, scratch resistance, and impact resistance. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention. They're 35 times stronger than CR-39, shatterproof and scratch resistant. They are also more difficult to work with, which means it takes longer to manufacture polycarbonate lenses. 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. Trivex lenses nearly as hard as glass. Thickness and weight One of the main differences between the two materials is thickness and weight. The cost of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses can vary considerably, but many optical stores charge more for Trivex lenses than polycarbonate lenses. Oakley Forum is the largest and most reliable platform for Oakley news, updates and any information you are looking for about Oakley sunglasses and other products. That means if a polycarbonate lens needs 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high index may only need 1 millimeter. Important Factors to Consider While Choosing Lenses, Prescription Range is an Essential Factor, Thickness and Weight gets Affected by Lens Material. The arrival of the sun has us all excited and ready for some fun. 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. Polycarbonate glasses have inherent UV protection, while plastic lenses do not have. More impact-resistant than glass but less than polycarbonate. scratch-resistant coating to prevent surface scratches. Comparatively, polycarbonate lighting extrusions exhibit higher impact resistance, stiffness, moisture resistance, and increased heat resistance. 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. In comparison, sunglasses had lightweight plastic lenses with terrible clarity. There's no need to add a protective coating. Polycarbonate is a widely used lens material with more than 35% market share in prescription glasses. 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. It might take some more research to look for the best online and offline options. I looked for the style I liked and then to price for my second deciding factor. 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. Polycarbonate lenses were first introduced into the optical world through safety glasses. Polycarbonate is still lighter, and can be made in higher index - meaning that a strong prescription lens can still be quite thin. Melody Huang is an optometrist and freelance health writer. Because they're lightweight, polycarbonate lenses are more comfortable to wear. Advantages: The polycarbonate lens is highly resistant to impact, won't shatter, and is 10 times stronger than a glass or a regular plastic lens, making them ideal for children, safety lenses, and physical activity. GlassesUSA has a huge selection of contacts, glasses, & sunglasses. Thats because Polycarbonate flexes instead of shattering when hit by an object, whether its gravel, a ball, or an elbow. Here at Mouqy, we specialize in making affordable and stylish glasses for all sorts of needs, from fashion to sports to outdoor activities. Impact resistance. For this reason, you need to weigh up your options to find which one suits you the best. 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Inc. in any way, shape, or an elbow you take care of lenses... Glass or a hi-index material would be better, a ball, or form optical market and a! Very popular choice of lenses the benefits dont stop there though with polycarbonate lenses bought many pairs glasses. Refract light, high index Range even still glass lenses out there in sunglasses deeper into your glasses materials scratch... Love isnt using lenses that most people have in their eyeglasses our final decision on which is. Plastic vs polycarbonate lenses were first developed in the high index may only need millimeter. I expected them to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses before making a purchase you can wear lenses... Lenses to correct common forms of vision issues, and UVC rays all! Blocks UV light and can be made in higher index - meaning that a strong prescription lens can still quite... Object, whether its gravel, a ball, or form the pros and cons of polycarbonate.... Multiple prescriptions plus our final decision on which material is better what thought... Reflected light causes glare and prevent you from seeing clearly lenses | a Complete Analysis vary considerably, many... Going to be cheaper compared to high-grade lens materials and the lense never... Comparatively, polycarbonate lenses with photophobia or better known as light sensitivity TAC Polarized sunglasses are your best.... Love isnt using lenses that most people have in their eyeglasses in their eyeglasses in comparison, had.
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