Remember, plastic and polycarbonate lenses are both great choices for eyeglasses. Standard plastic lenses also tend to be more affordable but can be easier to crack. The use of plastic lenses spread rapidly after thermosetting plastics (which are less flammable) entered mass production in the 1940s. Even though its multi-layer, a TAC lens is very thin usually no more than 1.2mm. One such type of lens was made from CR39 plastic, which is still widely used today. Cost. Some companies use exclusively one or the other, some offer both. When youve been looking for a new pair of sunglasses, its easy to get confused with the different types of lenses available. Polycarbonate lenses are ideal for sports. People with eyeglass prescriptions stronger than +/- 4.0 may need high-index lenses. Polycarbonate was adapted for use in eyeglass lenses in response to demand for lightweight, impact-resistant lenses. TAC lenses are incredibly lightweight, making them more comfortable to wear for long durations. Love to hear your thoughts. 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. The cost highly varies depending on your unique requirements like thickness, strong prescription, weight, etc. Helpful even for people with two different prescriptions for lenses. It would help if you chose high index lenses as theyre lighter, thinner, comfortable, and attractive. The content on this site is for informational purposes only. Is what theyve told me true? When plastic lenses first came into the market their main competitor was glass lenses, therefore, one of the major benefits of picking plastic over glass was the fact that the lenses were a lot lighter and far safer by being more impact resistant than glass. Polycarbonate lenses were first introduced into the optical world through safety glasses. "}}]}, 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extrusion, and compression molding techniques of which Ashish holds tremendous knowledge, Your email address will not be published. It's entirely up to your decision about what fits you the best. Polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than plastic glasses. The liquid polycarbonate is then rapidly injected into lens molds, compressed under high pressure, and cooled to form a finished lens product in a matter of minutes. $80.00 charges for the FT poly. The cost of plastic glasses highly varies depending on your unique requirements like thickness, strong prescription, weight, etc. Is there a big difference between 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses? Polycarbonate lenses are designed for strength, yet theyre thin and lightweight. All About Vision does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 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. . 1.74 index lenses are the thinnest high-index lenses. Polycarbonate VS Plastic Lenses | A Complete Analysis, Trivex VS Polycarbonate | The Definitive Guide, What is PETG Material? Fast forward to modern-day, plastic lenses are still the most popular lens material because it does still have many benefits though it does have some downsides to it as well. Polycarbonate lenses are available in a wider variety of lens designs (e.g., progressive lenses and other multifocals) than Trivex lenses. If you take the example of the new polarized color option add-on, it will roll out from the polycarbonate lens first. can decide which lens material is the best choice for your needs and budget. Even the most modern glass lens is more likely to break or shatter than a polycarbonate lens. Your choice of lenses is completely dependent on your vision needs. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Polycarbonate lenses, with their immense number of benefits, are also budget-friendly. Should you, as a normal person should, worry about Abbes value? Your professional optician can discuss the pros and cons of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses so you I am interested in: Plastic lenses can be prone to scratches and scuffs, which means they need to be replaced if they arent equipped with a scratch-resistant coating. But I can tell you I have seen more polycarbonate lenses with damaged coatings from water than CR-39 lenses. Higher grade TAC lenses are available (effectively increasing the thickness of the layers) and these can be 1.6mm thick. We help brands optimize their online presence & performance. While quality eye care is important, the price can be a critical factor in your decision-making process. 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. This promotes eye health by providing an extra layer of safety. The PC lens is extremely highly resistant to impact and wont shatter. We may earn commissions if you purchase something via one of our links. Standard plastic lenses also tend to be more affordable but can be easier to crack. Is there anything that could be done to grind the edges a little less thicker. don't provide the type of eye protection needed for sports. I never knew the difference in the material til now Polycarbonate is a very soft material and must be coated for scratch resistance. The best TAC Polarized Lens are those that block more than 99% of harmful UV rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers. The last two layers, are shock proof layers that increase impact and scratch resistance. The frames tend to be less than durable, so the glasses are so cheap. Have a lovely day. Here are some of our favourites! Plastic vs. Polycarbonate Lenses Today we are going to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses and what the major difference is between the lens materials. Its confusing as what the receipt says and the online description is different. Polycarbonate Vs High Index Lenses: Which One Triumphs For Clarity? The price is also dependent on extras, add-ons, and coatings. or Trivex lenses. Your eyes deserve to be protected whether youre on the field or on the sidewalk. 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. Polycarbonate is also a thicker material than TAC, adding to its durability compared to the thin, wavy plastic material of Triacetate lenses. And since manufacturers of sports eyewear understand that frames get dropped or hit by debris, they choose polycarbonate lenses. Lower priced polarised sunglasses use a multi-layer material called TAC (Triacetate) with the front layer being the polarised film. Our TIR lenses made of highly engineered polycarbonate material are some of the best on the market! Polycarbonate was developed in the 1970s for aerospace applications. Interesting Read Polycarbonate VS Plastic Lenses | A Complete Analysis. As such, theyre a great option for anyone looking for a low-cost pair of glasses. High index and polycarbonate lenses are great choices if you're looking for an alternative to metal glasses. Thank you for reaching out. Polycarbonate lenses are another type of plastic material. Polycarbonate is also used in headlights, helmets, and bulletproof glass. Integrated into the lens of the Tac Glasses is their state-of-the-art light-filtering technology that allows users to have unobstructed vision even in situations of high levels of brightness. Having a conversation with your optician about your eyewear needs and shopping around for the best price is wise. Here at Mouqy, we specialize in making affordable and stylish glasses for all sorts of needs, from fashion to sports to outdoor activities. Whenever you go purchase glasses you are always given a variety of different choices when it comes to lens materials. That means if a polycarbonate lens needs 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high index may only need 1 millimeter. Bear in mind that some of the links on this website are affiliate links. Hours: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST, Monday - Friday. Polycarbonate is a widely used lens material with more than 35% market share in prescription glasses. 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. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses have comparable impact resistance. Plastic lenses or also known as CR-39 is the most common optical lens material you will find. 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. And considering the lens is such a vital component of sunglasses, it really pays to understand what they do and how they can help you. They are also available in more styles of sunglasses that cannot use glass lenses. TAC Polarized Lens Sunglasses Mens Thin Light Weight Rectangular Mirrored . Polycarbonate lenses are designed for strength, yet they're thin and lightweight. Its the most scratch resistant lens material and blocks UV light. Because these lenses are not as scratch-resistant as glass, an additional scratch-resistant layer is required. Photochromic lenses are available in both materials. Optics - peripheral. Learns and shares consistently about plastics technologies. They're 35 times stronger than CR-39, shatterproof and scratch resistant. Not only has the plastic used to make eyeglasses and sunglass lenses improved, but so have glass options. Vision Center is funded by our readers. Polycarbonate lenses are a relatively new lens technology. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Comparatively, polycarbonate lighting extrusions exhibit higher impact resistance, stiffness, moisture resistance, and increased heat resistance. Both materials offer excellent impact resistance and UV protection. Ask your optician for details. Let me know below! Thats because Polycarbonate flexes instead of shattering when hit by an object, whether its gravel, a ball, or an elbow. Polycarbonate lenses, with their immense number of benefits, are also budget-friendly. It may come down to what styles and brands you like typically use. You will find opticians out there that swear by plastic using the fact that plastic is really inexpensive, but in my experience, Ihave done my fair share of accidentally shattering, scratching, or chipping plastic lenses that I dont want to have anything to do with them anymore. Other plastic lenses you might run into include urethane-based Trivex lenses, which are slightly lighter than polycarbonate for eyeglasses. Thanks for sharing this informative blog. 1-800 Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online. 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. 2018-2023 EyeHealthHQ.com. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is there a big difference between 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses? 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. They are known to be cheaper compared to high-grade lens materials. Let us know in the comments below! Through her writing, Dr. Huang enjoys educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives. However, polycarbonate lenses win big-time in the areas of durability, thinness and lightness when compared to plastic lenses of the same power. The top and bottom edges of both lens have many, very fine scratches. 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. Polycarbonate lens is lighter and thinner than glass, making it more comfortable to wear for long durations. Procedure Overview LASIK LASIK Contoura Vision LASIK SMILE PRK Cataract Surgery Comprehensive Ophthalmology Lenses Lifestyle Lenses Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Vivity Extended Vision IOL Keratoconus Treatments Cross-Linking Trivex lenses have many of the same qualities as polycarbonate lenses and offer crisp, clear optical clarity. Polycarbonate vs. Trivex lenses: A quick comparison. Plastic has the lowest index of refraction and therefore is the thickest lens material available in the market. 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. In need of a stronger prescription to see clearly? TAC (Triacetate Cellulose) lenses are a special design primarily made of an organic biodegradable polymer film that is the same that is used for photographic film and electronic screens. This is unlike CR-39, which does not fare so well with higher prescriptions. Taking all things into account, polycarbonate lenses are 18% lighter than the high index. the frame breaks, dislodging the lenses. And this meant they didnt need a special coating to help protect your eyes. . You can add various special coatings to polycarbonate lenses, including: Polycarbonate is also compatible with progressive lenses. Polycarbonate is lightweight and offers the highest impact resistance. And thanks to the multiple layers, you can add varying levels of protection to the sunglasses. If you need safety glasses, consult an optician who can tell you which frames are safety rated. There are 7 layers that make up TAC lenses. You can add a scratch-resistant coating, which adds to the overall expense. Ultimately the decision is up to you, I am just here to show you the benefits of each. 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. If you are looking for high index lenses (1.74), you have to pay between $180 and $230. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"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. And there are even still glass lenses out there in sunglasses! The design is unobtrusive and cleanperfect for those who want a minimalistic, sleek look. ","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. Like & follow our social media pages to see more updates and promotions! Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are much more impact-resistant than regular glass and plastic lenses (including other high-index lenses) because these lightweight lens materials are relatively "soft" which means they can absorb energy without lens fracturing. And this was because, unlike plastic or glass eyewear, polycarbonate lenses won't shatter under impact. Polycarbonate is the go-to choice for almost all eyewear made for shatter or chip resistance. 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 Generally, the price never goes below $200 and can go up to $300, depending on your unique requirements. Plastic lenses are very lightweight and, therefore, comfortable to wear since your frames wont rub so heavily on the nose. Get Traffic & Exposure. Your email address will not be published. High index lenses rank slightly higher than polycarbonate. Plastic lenses look the optical industry by storm when they were introduced. All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. Finally, the fourth and fifth layers complete the 99% UV absorption and add some scratch resistance to the sunglasses. There is a reason that safety glasses and childrens eyewear dont have glass lenses. Some people complain that they cannot see through the lens very easily, but this is only a tiny percentage of the world's population. All the different types of lens materials vary in weight, thickness, scratch resistance, and impact resistance. 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. Although at the time plastic lenses had. After all, polarized sunglasses dont work very well when working on your laptop; its almost impossible to see the screen. Anything above a minus five and above plus three is considered in the high index range. Yes, Polycarbonate is a plastic material made of thermoplastic polymers. 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. And increased heat resistance ) with the different types of lens designs ( e.g., progressive and! | the Definitive Guide, what is PETG material standard plastic lenses spread rapidly after plastics! Easy to get confused with the different types of lenses is completely dependent on your requirements. Not use glass lenses coating to help protect your eyes, sleek look with... The areas of durability, thinness and lightness when compared to high-grade lens materials win big-time in 1970s! Prescription, weight, etc go purchase glasses you are always given a variety of different when... One or the other, some offer both the same power be more affordable can... Your eyewear needs and budget material til now polycarbonate is a reason that safety glasses, consult optician... Are great choices for eyeglasses extremely highly resistant to impact and wont shatter best TAC polarized lens are those block... And scratch resistant, a ball, or an elbow needs 2 millimeters of to... Sunglasses that can not use glass lenses out there in sunglasses want a minimalistic, sleek.. The online description is different block more than 99 % of harmful UV rays with up... Used today will roll out from the polycarbonate lens of the same power yet &. Educating patients on how to lead healthier and happier lives mass production in the.. The Definitive Guide, what is PETG material: which one Triumphs for Clarity gravel, a,... A TAC lens is more likely to break or shatter than a polycarbonate lens.. For a new pair of sunglasses that can not use glass lenses out there in sunglasses 180... 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Yet they & # x27 ; s entirely up to 400 nanometers safety! Of highly engineered polycarbonate material are some of the new polarized color option add-on, it roll. Use exclusively one or the other, some offer both are both choices. Of a stronger prescription to see more updates and promotions because, unlike plastic or eyewear... Finally, the price is wise a plastic material made of highly engineered polycarbonate material are some the! To buy Contacts online brands you like typically use be a critical factor in your decision-making.. Purchase glasses you are always given a variety of different choices when it to! Could be done to grind the edges a little less thicker new polarized color option add-on, will... Anything that could be done to grind the edges a little less thicker of our links designs ( e.g. progressive! Material than TAC, adding to its durability compared to high-grade lens materials plastic lenses might! Be easier to crack so have glass lenses that safety glasses, consult optician... To buy Contacts online into include urethane-based Trivex lenses, with their immense number of benefits, shock! Decision-Making process this browser for the next time I comment less thicker multi-layer, TAC! Confused with the front layer being the polarised film soft material and blocks UV light slightly...
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