Polycarbonate lenses are made of a type of plastic that is more impact-resistant than standard plastic lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are also much thinner and lighter in weight. They are considered a high index plastic. Polycarbonate lenses also have built-in ultraviolet protection.

What is better plastic or polycarbonate lenses?

Greater Protection: Polycarbonate lenses do not break or shatter easily into harmful pieces on impact. ... These eyeglass lenses are also thinner making it less heavy than standard plastic or glass lenses. Inherent Ultraviolet (UV) protection: Polycarbonate lens surfaces offer inbuilt ultraviolet protection.

Is it worth getting polycarbonate lenses?

Polycarbonates lenses are worth it. They're durable and impact-resistant, lightweight and thin, and even offer extremely effective UV protection. ... Considering their price and the many pros that come with polycarbonate lenses, they are definitely worth it in both the long run and short term.

Do polycarbonate lenses make a difference?

Polycarbonate is by far the safest lens available. It's up to 10X more impact-resistant than high-index lenses and is therefore the ideal lens material for sports protective eyewear and children's glasses. Polycarbonate is the standard choice for almost all eyewear that requires shatter and/or chip resistance.

What are the disadvantages of polycarbonate lenses?

The disadvantages of polycarbonate lenses include the fact that their abrasion resistance is poor, but when an anti scratch coating is added to this the impact resistance is reduced slightly. These types of lenses cannot be tinted easily.

Prescription Glasses: Plastic, Polycarbonate or Trivex Lenses?

41 related questions found

Do polycarbonate lenses need anti glare?

Anti-reflective coatings are generally recommended when purchasing polycarbonate, high-index, or aspheric lenses, since these lenses reflect more light than CR-39 or glass lenses. An anti-reflective (AR) coating, also called an anti-glare coating can be beneficial for the following reasons: ... Reduces halos around lights.

Do polycarbonate lenses scratch easily?

Scratch-resistant and anti-reflective coatings

Though polycarbonate is an extremely impact-resistant material, polycarbonate eyeglass lenses can be easily scratched without a protective scratch-resistant coating.

Are plastic lenses better than glass?

plastic lenses is a decision to make based on durability, weight, and scratch resistance. ... Glass lenses are less likely to scratch than plastic ones. However, you can add an anti-scratch coating to your plastic lenses. Plastic is better for safety, and it's lighter and more affordable than glass.

Which lens material is the most scratch resistant?

Glass. Glass offers superior optics and is the most scratch-resistant material available. However, glass must be specially treated for impact resistance. Glass is also much heavier in weight and not offered in many designs.

What is considered a strong eyeglass prescription?

A number between +/-. 025 to +/-2.00 is considered mild, a number between +/-2.25 to +/- 5.00 is considered moderate, and a number greater than +/- 5.00 is considered severe. Eye prescriptions can change over time.

Which is the best lens for eyeglasses?

1.59 Index — Polycarbonate Lens

Polycarbonate lenses are the most durable and impact-resistant lenses in our catalog, and come with a 100% UV- protective coating. If you are looking for glasses for children, or tend to spend your time outdoors, we strongly recommend these lenses.

Is polycarbonate more scratch resistant than plastic?

10 times more resistant to impact than plastic eyeglasses, so they don't shatter or break as easily. Boast scratch resistance so they last longer than regular plastic lenses. The refractive index of polycarbonate lenses is 1.59, which means that they tend to be 20 to 25 percent thinner than plastic eyeglasses.

Do plastic lenses scratch easily?

Plastic lenses offer lesser optical quality than glass. ... Plastic lenses scratch easily due to their soft surface which is why a scratch resistant coating is applied immediately to these lenses.

What is the lightest eyeglass lens material?

Trivex is usually the lightest weight lens material. High index plastics do offer good ultraviolet inhibition (below 380-400 nanometers) properties as well as shatter resistance. A lens with a higher index of refraction tends to reflect light more than standard CR-39 plastic or glass lenses.

Are polycarbonate lenses thinner than plastic?

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. They're also ideal for strong prescriptions since they do not add thickness when correcting vision, minimizing any distortion.

How do you clean polycarbonate lenses?

With proper care your polycarbonate lenses will give you months of clear, safe vision.
...
For optimum, long-term clarity, the following cleaning procedures are recommended:

1. Rinse with warm water or warm soapy water.
2. Rinse with clean, clear water.
3. Dry with a soft clean cloth.

Are plastic glasses bad for your eyes?

The short answer is no – wearing safety eyewear cannot damage your vision. However, it can be the source of some discomforts such as headaches and eye fatigue, which can then influence safety and compliance.

How long do plastic lenses last?

On average, lens enhancements last between one and two years depending on how well you care for your glasses.

Are plastic lenses cheaper than glass lenses?

Plastic is also cheaper and lighter weight than glass, which is why the vast majority of non-prescription sunglasses and clip-on sunglass lenses are made of this inexpensive-yet-durable material.

How do you get scratches out of polycarbonate glasses?

Squeeze a dime sized amount of regular toothpaste onto a clean, soft, cotton cloth. Rub the toothpaste onto the scratched surface of the polycarbonate lens in a circular motion for ten to twenty seconds. Dampen a clean, soft, cotton cloth in cool water. Rub the wet cloth over the lens to remove all of the toothpaste.

Can polycarbonate lenses crack?

Certain lens materials are more prone to stress fracturing than others. For example, standard plastic is most prone to cracking, polycarbonate is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to stress fracturing but the crack spreads slowly.

Can polycarbonate lenses be tinted?

Polycarbonate: -The most difficult lens material to properly tint. ... Polycarbonate chemical structure makes it resistant to this carbon binding. -The best way to tint polycarbonate is to tint it's scratch coating, however historically the best scratch coats have been resistant to tinting.

Why is polycarbonate chosen for eyewear material?

When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports eyewear. ... They also offer 100 percent protection from the sun's harmful UV light and are up to 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses.

Is blue light coating worth it?

ROSENFIELD: Both of the studies actually found that the blue-blocking filters have no effect, no significant effect on digital eye strain. This didn't really come as a major surprise to us because there really is no mechanism whereby the blue light should be causing digital eye strain.

Can you fix scratches on plastic lenses?

If you still have visible scratches on the surface of your plastic lenses you can apply a product that will fill the scratches temporarily with wax. Simply rub on the product onto the lenses using a clean micro-fiber cloth, rub it around in a circular motion, and then wipe it off with a clean area of the cloth.