Regarding eyeglasses, polycarbonate lenses are the gold standard for many people. Thanks for sharing this informative blog. This lens is acceptable for stronger prescriptions above +5.00/-8.00 and astigmatism correction between -4.00 and -6.00. This can make them a little more suitable for sports and other outdoor activities, for those times you dont want to wear contact 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 Heres a quick overview of the differences. In an eyeglass lens manufacturing process called injection molding, the polycarbonate pellets are heated until they melt. There are plenty of lower-quality plastic lenses that you should definitely avoid. High index lenses are denser than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light perfectly. Abbe value measures the dispersion of light for different eyeglass lens materials. Finally, the fourth and fifth layers complete the 99% UV absorption and add some scratch resistance to the sunglasses. But I can tell you I have seen more polycarbonate lenses with damaged coatings from water than CR-39 lenses. 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. They are produced using a slower, cast molding process similar to how regular plastic lenses are made. Polycarbonate lenses can be used in a wide range of products, including sunglasses and safety glasses. Polycarbonate is a widely used lens material with more than 35% market share in prescription glasses. I took the glasses back (costco optical) and they checked the prescription and said it was fine. It's highly impact-resistant and famous for standing up to forces that would shatter other materials. Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: Thickness. And well discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each material, plus our final decision on which material is better. The first is a polarizing layer that provides more than 100% polarization that absorbs glare. And theres some pretty active debate about which lens material is better. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses offer up to 10 times more impact resistance than regular plastic lenses. Plastic lenses can accept tint colors for the people that like a light tint on their lenses. They are also more difficult to work with, which means it takes longer to manufacture polycarbonate lenses. Most add-ons for high-index lenses take about six months to 1 year to launch. This will ensure you have the thinnest cut for the edges. Having a conversation with your optician about your eyewear needs and shopping around for the best price is wise. Polycarbonate lenses are very resistant to tint compared with plastic lenses which accept tints. In general, high-index lenses are prescribed for strong prescriptions. A polycarbonate lens is 10 times more impact-resistant than a high-index one. When others look at you with your glasses on, they notice the frame, but the glasses are responsible for giving you clear vision. There's no need to add a protective coating. Its always difficult to choose the best out of them. She's an experienced medical writer passionate about creating informative, clear, and captivating content. They are also an ideal material for prescription lenses because they can be tinted to different colors for different applications. What kind of lenses do you have in your glasses? | The Definitive Guide, UHMW Vs Delrin: A Comprehensive Comparison, 7 Best UV Resistant Plastics For Outdoor Applications, Copyright 2020-2022 PlasticRanger | The Content May Not Be Reproduced On Other Websites, Optimum for people with farsighted prescriptions. Therefore plastic offers better optical clarity. Even if he or she does not participate in organized I thought I was purchasing Essilor Varilux X Progressive Lenses, and what they described as their second best lens, the Superior High Index A thinner, flatter and lighter premium lens. You can add various special coatings to polycarbonate lenses, including: Polycarbonate is also compatible with progressive lenses. Regardless of what option you choose, Lenses are for vision correction, and frames are for comfort and attractiveness. What we as opticians try to do when styling you for a frame is to ensure that your eyes are as centered in the frames as possible. Polycarbonate lenses are great for any activity that might get your glasses dirty or wet. Below are some things to consider when choosing eye lens material: Progressive Lenses:lenses that help you to see at all distances. Lets take a look at the pros and cons. I also tend to think TAC glasses provide more polarized sunglasses with a clearer vision, which in my mind, makes them more attractive. Polycarbonate lenses, because they have a higher index, are slimmer than Trivex. EyeBuyDirect has a wide variety of budget frames starting at $6. So when its best to wear polarized lenses? However, the added durability of the polycarbonate material means that these glasses should hold up much better for everyday use than your average plastic lenses. 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 . The PC lens is extremely highly resistant to impact and wont shatter. Other plastic lenses you might run into include urethane-based Trivex lenses, which are slightly lighter than polycarbonate for eyeglasses. Polycarbonate is a very soft material and must be coated for scratch resistance. Why do they not recommend the cheap glasses. TAC lenses are a specific type of polarized lens with a multi-layer composite, but more importantly, it includes the unique Triacetate Cellulose (TAC) process. Polycarbonate sunglasses are very susceptible to scratches. Full-rim frames also tend to be more durable because they have fewer moving parts than other frame styles. Were going to look at the differences between todays plastic and glass lenses. Additionally, plastic lenses are much less expensive than the other options. And wearing them for long periods of time was a chore. Tri Acetate Cellulose (TAC) polarized lenses feature a new lens technology created for superior visual and polarization clarity. Youre unlikely to find more durable eyewear lenses. Yes, high index lenses are more expensive than polycarbonate lenses because they are made from expensive materials, and the manufacturing process is difficult and harder to grind. 95. . >. The second and third layer allows durability that resists harsh environments. And thats it! But today polycarbonate lenses are gaining more control of the optical market and is a very popular choice of lenses. Whether youre driving your car or walking down the street, you still want to protect your eyes. Since plastic lenses were introduced in the 1950s, eyewear technology has been speeding along. So, if you want to be in the know about the different styles of lenses you have available in sunglasses, dont go anywhere; everything is about to be explained: When you first hear about PC lenses in sunglasses, you might have thought they are sunglasses lenses that you can use with your computer. 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. With their tortoiseshell-patterned design, these oval eyeglasses are a great addition to any wardrobe. The plastic material itself is very vulnerable to scratches and hard scratch-resistant coatings have been developed as a solution to this problem. 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). Polycarbonate lenses are usually thinner and lighter than other types of lenses, which makes them ideal for people who want to wear glasses but dont want to sacrifice style for durability. Is what theyve told me true? Does it really hurt your eyes? We may earn commissions if you purchase something via one of our links. invest in high-quality safety frames or frames designed specifically for And this meant they didnt need a special coating to help protect your eyes. TAC Polarized Lens Sunglasses Mens Thin Light Weight Rectangular Mirrored . 2-16 FAYUEN ST MONGKOK JavaScript is disabled. These tints are available in a variety of colors including, brown, gray, yellow, red, blue, rose, green, and more. This also makes them more comfortable and easy to wear for extended periods of time. Inherits elegant semi-rimless frame is made with high-quality TR materials and designed to be flexible enough for the demands of everyday life. And that reason is impact protection. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, so these lenses are recommended if you plan to wear sunglasses for long periods of time. Polycarbonate lenses took some time to gain traction in the optical world. High-quality polycarbonate lenses offer excellent clarity for a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. Obviously my prescription is higher each time so I expected them to be thicker, hence buying what I thought was a thinner lens! They are much more affordable than traditional polarized sunglasses because of the process TAC sunglasses use. Plastic lenses have a higher Abbe value than polycarbonate. Photochromic lenses are available in both materials. Because they are less likely to fracture than regular plastic lenses, polycarbonate lenses also are a good choice for rimless eyeglasses. Polycarbonate lens is lighter and thinner than glass, making it more comfortable to wear for long durations. Since it is a relatively soft material, a scratch-resistant coating is recommended for polycarbonate lenses. Thanks for reading. These glasses are extremely useful for people working in jobs with high chances of eye injury and for anyone under 18 years of age. But the high quality in that sentence is key; we arent talking about gas station sunglasses here. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. But I will make it a cakewalk. Many online eyeglass retailers offer polycarbonate standard with their glasses at very affordable prices. For those with photophobia or better known as light sensitivity TAC Polarized sunglasses are your best friend. That means if a polycarbonate lens needs 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high index may only need 1 millimeter. Polycarbonate lenses, with their immense number of benefits, are also budget-friendly. The rigid thermoplastic is often considered 200 times stronger than glass and is thus utilized to make bulletproof windows and car shields. 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. Contacted as you seen on tv.co.nz . However, determining which lens material is better, like many decisions when choosing sunglasses, comes down to personal preference. She also has an interest in Eastern medicine practices and learning about integrative medicine. 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. Required fields are marked *. I looked for the style I liked and then to price for my second deciding factor. Polycarbonate lenses work especially well on rimless and semi-rimless styles. Polarised lenses are different to standard sunglass lenses; they have a special film which helps eliminate glare reflected off a surface like a pavement, road, water or snow. One is made with a shatter-proof polycarbonate, while the other uses a Triacetate Cellulose. Just to add that polycarbonate is plastic. Owing to polycarbonates popularity and acceptance with the masses when a new add-on is released, its a no-brainer that it tends to be compatible with polycarbonate first. Dapper is a sleek, modern take on rimless glasses. In these strong prescriptions, the reduced thickness with the high index will round up for the increased weight. Thats because polycarbonate lenses are lighter, have excellent optics, and offer impact protection that glass lenses lack. Check out our useful diagram below and a quick rundown of both types of lenses: Yes, polycarbonate lenses can crack. 1.74 index lenses are the thinnest high-index lenses. It's entirely up to your decision about what fits you the best. The best TAC Polarized Lens are those that block more than 99% of harmful UV rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers. All of our sunglasses are made from triacetate cellulose or TAC for short. Polycarbonate's impact resistance is so good that it's used for lenses in both safety and sporting eyeglasses. . This lens is acceptable for stronger prescriptions above +5.00/-8.00 and astigmatism correction between -4.00 and -6.00. Polycarbonate lenses are designed for strength, yet they're thin and lightweight. The high index lens uses 50% less material than the polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than plastic glasses. Would it still be better to use polycarbonate as opposed to plastic. He covers everything within Plastics manufacturing and processing. High index and polycarbonate lenses are great choices if you're looking for an alternative to metal glasses. 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