Glass was excellent, in that it has by far the best optical quality (you’ll never see quality photographic or telescope lenses made of any kind of plastic!). While they’re not the thinnest kind of lens out there, they still retain their position as the swiss-army-knife of eyewear lenses. For those sensitive to pressure or who plan to wear eye protection for long hours, polycarbonate may be a better choice for its lightweight and pliable properties. Lightweight and thinner than glass lenses, polycarbonate is more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. When compared to standard glass, both acrylic and polycarbonate materials provide many benefits that standard glass does not afford. Most glass will absorb UV radiation, but when it comes to protecting your eyes from the sun’s damaging rays, polycarbonate plastic is the best bet. Plastic lenses come in more colors and larger sizes than glass lenses… Our guarantees — a 12-Month Product Guarantee and a 14-Day Style & Fit Guarantee — also ensure that you’re happy with your purchase by replacing, refunding, or exchanging your frames if they become damaged or aren’t quite your style. Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST. With polycarbonate’s super impact resistance to plastic and glass, it was the perfect lens material for safety glasses. See our latest collections & exclusive offers before the crowd! At EyeBuyDirect, you’ll find polycarbonate lenses built into stylish and high-quality frames at affordable prices. A new, brand-name type of lightweight and resistant plastic has hit shelves: Trivex. So, while ⅛” of polycarbonate may be more shatter-resistant than ⅛” of glass, some manufacturers may cut costs by using thinner polycarbonate. Fun fact: The material polycarbonate was originally used to manufacture the windshields of fighter planes!Fun fact: Polycarbonates lenses are worth it. These are the two most popular forms of glasses currently on the market. “Good enough for fighter pilots, good enough for us.”. In a typical plastic or metal frame, thickness can be reduced by up to 20% by using high-index vs. polycarbonate lenses. With the right scratch resistant or digital protection coating, their potential increases even more. Trivex ® Lenses. Hi-index lenses are made of a special plastic material that refracts light in a different way than regular plastic lenses. And the difference is significant. However, it must be noted that with either glass or polycarbonate, as long as you clean your lenses with a microfiber cloth and keep your eyewear in a case, you will help protect against day to day scratching and your lenses will last longer. Both! Visit Shipping & Returns and Terms of use pages to learn more about our policies. By visiting our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Learn more about Randolph’s lens technology. Eyeglasses – St Michel in Silver and Prism in Cafe Glace. This is why you will only see polycarbonate lenses used for safety and/or sports eyewear. Of course, if you’re unsure of which to choose, you can always contact our support team for advice. Material Index vs. Abbe Value. Glass tends to be a heavier material than polycarbonate lenses. Plastic lenses are impact resistant, making them a better choice … These advantages include increased light filtration, impact resistance, increased strength, and improved weight and viscosity flow characteristics. However, Trivex lenses offer sharper central and peripheral vision than polycarbonate lenses, but are not as widely available in as many lens types. Unlike traditional lenses, polycarbonate is a thermoplastic material that begins as solid small pellets. Even plastic shaded lenses on the cheap hoods. If you really can’t figure it out or want to be absolutely sure before using a product … Polycarbonate Lenses: Pros & Cons. Polycarbonate lenses are thin, lightweight, and incredibly impact resistant. Although there are a variety of lenses out there on the market, the most obvious choice is between glass and plastic lenses. They’re durable and impact-resistant, lightweight and thin, and even offer extremely effective UV protection. Borosilicate Glass vs. Polycarbonate Outdoor Lights: The Verdict. Making the Correct Choice: Acrylic vs Polycarbonate Luminaire Lenses. This is somebody who has a -5.00 prescription. Subscribe to our newsletter. What you gain in impact resistance and higher index, you pay for in how the lens transfers light into your eye. The following holds true for both materials: Choosing the most suitable one hinges on individual factors such as visual acuity and personal taste. At EyeBuyDirect, you can get a pair of polycarbonate lenses with your choice of frame for as low as $18! Polycarbonate lenses are not as clear as glass lenses, but the difference is not really significant to most people. Try not to use your shirt! When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your glasses, sunglasses, and sports eyewear. They are more than 10-times more impact resistant than your average plastic or glass lens. These lenses are not scratch resistant like glass, so it does need an additional scratch-resistant layer. And most of all, it gets thick quickly, … The choice is up to you. Polycarbonate lenses are ultra-durable, ultra-lightweight lenses. Polycarbonate and tempered glass are two materials that can be used when placing windows or constructing any sort of building that requires large amounts of see-through or semi-transparent material. It’s strongly recommended with polycarbonate or high-index lenses, which reflect more light than basic plastic CR-39 or glass lenses. Trivex lenses, however, are composed of a urethane-based monomer and are made from a cast molding process similar to how regular plastic lenses are made. All blog comments are checked prior to publishing. Today polycarbonate is the standard lens material for many online eyeglass retailers, and they are standard in all children’s glasses, safety glasses, and sports goggles. Let’s be friends! Polycarbonate lenses are more than just durable: they also have 100% protection from the sun’s UV rays! It was developed in 2001 by PPG Industries as an alternative to polycarbonate. Glass is the undeniable winner in this category. First of all, there are glass and plastic materials. Is one really better than the other? Choose glasses that are sturdy, attractive, shatter-resistant, comfortable – and easy to wear. Can Color Blind Glasses Help You See Color. Independent, authentic American eyewear since 1973. There are a lot of great eyeglass lenses in the market, but before you buy a pair, it is imperative to consider both their pros and cons. (Few people now use glass, which is heavy and breakable.) Plastics are graded in numbers, such as 1.50 or 1.67. Like polycarbonate lenses, lenses made of Trivex are thin, lightweight and much more impact-resistant than regular plastic or glass lenses. If you’ve browsed for prescription or non-prescription frames you know both types of lenses offer their own benefits and disadvantages. Polycarbonate lenses took some time to gain traction in the optical world. Weight: A lens weight becomes noticeable when wearing your frames for long periods. However, thinner lenses won’t necessarily mean they will weigh less. The higher the number, the thinner the lens. Anytime you are in the market for a new pair of eyeglasses, you are going to be provided with different options regarding the lens material. Polycarbonate lenses have a built-in UV protection by nature, and they also easily allow for special treatments to be added to the lenses to protect your eyes. The coating materials must be deposited in room temperature condition. Most commonly used ophthalmic plastic lens materials have Abbe values between 30 and 58, the higher the number the better optical performance. In the end, neither glass nor polycarbonate is necessarily better than the other. Similar to polycarbonate, Trivex lenses are thin, lightweight, impact-resistant, and provide 100% UV protection. And if you actually compare the two you can actually see that the plastic on the right compared to the polycarbonate on my left is about 25-30% thicker with the same exact prescription. During the manufacturing process, commonly known as injection molding, those small solid pellets are heated until they completely melt. What is the best and proper setup for glass under the welding hood? Plastic lenses are also known as organic lenses. Glass tends to be a heavier material than polycarbonate lenses. It is similar to polycarbonate, but it has some distinct advantages. Glass and polycarbonate lenses. Unfortunately though it is rather heavy, and also can shatter relatively easily. Of course, if you’re unsure of which to choose, you can always. What are the benefits of glass lenses vs. polycarbonate lenses? Lens materials affect thickness and weight. Answered by Dr. Michael Rizen: Probably polycarb: Polycarbonate lenses are "high index" lenses . Each lens offers advantages and disadvantages. © 2021 Randolph Engineering, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Glass lenses are by far optically clearer than polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate may not be the wrong choice, but your lenses will be thicker. Glass vs. Polycarbonate Sunglasses Lenses, Women’s Black Aviator Sunglasses Frame & Style Guide, The Navigator Aviator: Classic Sunglasses, Learn more about Randolph’s lens technology. Plastic vs Glass lenses. Polycarbonate is the worst performing commonly used plastic, having the lowest value of 30. To optimize your experience we use cookies. Over time, UV damage may lead to eye problems such as cataracts or cancer. So, polycarbonate lenses vs plastic or glass? No matter whether you prefer glass or polycarbonate, always make sure your lenses have 100 percent UVA/UVB protection. Here’s a quick rundown of their top features to help you decide. Start browsing our catalog of eyewear and sunglasses to see our selection of fashionable frames. Plastic lenses are much lighter than glass lenses, and are less likely to shatter. Polycarbonate lenses are a version of plastic lenses that provide impact and scratch resistance. The impact protection on polycarbonate is so good that both safety and sports eyewear use polycarbonate for their lenses. Polycarbonate lenses have an index of refraction of 1.59, and will generally be about 20% thinner than standard plastic lenses. If you’re sensitive to your frame’s weight, for example, polycarbonate lenses may be the right choice. To help your eyewear last, the best rule to live by is: In the case or on your face! This way you will have an easier time deciding if you want to buy a pair of glass or plastic lenses next time you need new glasses. Glass and polycarbonate lenses can handle occasional falls but aren’t invincible against long drops. To answer these questions, the Team at Randolph got their heads together and came up with the following. Which is the best option, though? This results in softer and less durable coatings unless newer deposition techniques such … "polycarbonate vs plastic lenses best for high myope?" For those sensitive to pressure or who plan to wear eye protection for long hours, polycarbonate may be a better choice for its lightweight and pliable properties. Glass is the most vulnerable in this category. It comes down to your needs and comfort level when choosing a proper lens. Trivex lenses are made from a urethane-based monomer. Glass lenses are the traditional ones, having been used for some time now, while plastic lenses are relatively newer. If you’re sensitive to your frame’s weight, for example, polycarbonate lenses may be the right choice. The higher the refractive index, the thinner the glass. The strength of polycarbonate is largely dependent on its thickness. Information about glass and plastic lenses that provide impact and scratch resistance our catalog of eyewear lenses much the way! Number, the best and proper setup for glass under the welding hood ’ browsed! 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