Subscribe to our newsletter. Suitable for prescriptions of SPH (-8 to +4) and CYL (+/- 2). There are several coatings that make plastic lenses more durable. Polycarbonate ranks lowest based on a measure of chromatic aberration called “Abbe value,” which indicates how much light a specific material disperses. With prescriptions of this power, the reduced thickness with high-index will make-up for the increased weight. This material is highly recommended for people in jobs that are high risk for eye injury and for anyone under the age of 18. LEARN MORE: THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO PRESCRIPTION LENSES. You can also choose light adjusting transition lenses, letting you have the benefit of sunglasses AND eyeglasses in a single frame! Polycarbonate is used in 35% of all prescription glasses. The highest index single-vision lens we offer is the 1.74 high-index polymer lens. Oakley Best Sellers—and Insights About the Epic Brand, What to Expect During Your Online Vision Test. However, thinner lenses won’t necessarily mean they will weigh less. As a rule of thumb, if you have a strong prescription, high-index is the way to go. The higher the refractive index (how effectively the lens bend the light), the lighter the lenses. The frames you select are what everyone will notice, but of course the lenses are responsible for correcting your vision. It’s super, almost 20% thinner than 1.5 index. Oliver is an ABO Certified Optician and has been working in the eye care industry for over 15 years. Our 1.6, 1.67, and 1.74 index lenses can all be considered high index. These filter out harmful blue light from digital screens which can cause eye strain. High index lenses are made of a plastic material which bends light more than standard CR39 lenses and can therefore be made thinner and lighter allowing for more cosmetically appealing and comfortable to wear glasses.. It’s lightweight, strong and the lenses generally cost less. Polycarbonate is used in 35% of all prescription glasses. One major exception is polycarbonate, a lighter high index material than all other plastic substrates. Standard polycarbonate lenses can range in price from $9 to $205, depending on your prescription and what add-ons you choose, including whether you need standard, bifocals, or progressives. Backup Glasses: Stay Ready with Ultra-Affordable Options. Glasses tend to get quite thick at high correction, especially some low index (1.50) lenses. Thin lens glasses are very appealing to a lot of wearers because they generally appear more natural in thinner eyeglasses frames – the sides of the lenses are less visible. Just like the 1.53 mid-index Trivex and 1.59 polycarbonate lenses, the 1.74 lens cannot be tinted. This one’s not a close call. "polycarbonate vs plastic lenses best for high myope?" Aspheric lenses can be made in many lens materials. Polycarbonate lenses also provide you with protection from 100% of the harmful UV rays from the sun. It’s ideal for stronger prescriptions with SPH that range around +3.00, – 3.00 to +6.00, – 6.00 and above. Polycarbonate Abbe value = 30; High-index Abbe value = 36; Basic plastic (CR-39) Abbe value = 58; Crown glass Abbe value = 59; Should you worry about Abbe value? Trivex lenses, in contrast, start around $200 for single-vision lenses. So, whichever of our amazing frames you decide on, you know you’re getting a great deal! Labs report that many orders for high index lenses are for weak corrections (less than one diopter), even though it is difficult to detect any visible thinning of the lens edges in those cases. Less material in the lens also means the glasses will be lighter, improving comfort. Getting new eyeglasses? Before making a decision like this, it’s important to understand all the pros and cons of high index lenses Vs polycarbonate. Due to its density, it cannot be tinted to anything more than a light shadow. Another example: both polycarbonate and high-index are available with polarized filters, but high-index may be limited to 2 colors whereas polycarbonate may offer 5. This material is useful if you live an active lifestyle. Let’s be friends! These lenses are super-thin but are also more expensive than the polycarbonate option. Information about Polycarbonate Lenses: Polycarbonate High Index Lenses are a totally separate material from other plastics. The real winners are materials such as Trivex, CR-39 and Crown Glass. Can You Use Vision Benefits to Purchase Eyewear Online? Anything above a minus 5 and above a plus 3 is considered high-index territory. They can sharpen your sight even further if you apply an anti-glare coati… We offer a few different indexes on our lenses. If your prescription isn’t quite as extreme (not in the range presented above), polycarbonate is a great choice. Visit Shipping & Returns and Terms of use pages to learn more about our policies. Polycarbonate may not be the wrong choice, but your lenses will be thicker. Unlike Trivex, polycarbonate lenses are not made in the same way as traditional eyeglasses. At EyeBuyDirect, we offer tons of options for your lenses. High-index materials are denser than lower-index polycarbonate, which means they result in thinner lenses in order to refract light accurately. Translation: high-index is the smart option for stronger prescriptions. Because of their durability, polycarbonate lenses are much less likely to break or fracture than even high index lenses. High-index lenses measure slightly better than polycarbonate. To optimize your experience we use cookies. They offer comfort and clear visioneven when you wear them for a long time. You’re bound to be offered multiple options for lens materials, most commonly, high index and polycarbonate. Instagram @thiccpersephone Style #2018623 1.67 High Index Lense Sunglasses Clip-On in Amber High-index lenses measure slightly better than polycarbonate. Prescription lenses are designed to refract light according to your prescription. I generally recommended people with prescriptions anywhere between +/-0.50 to +/-4.00 to go with polycarbonate lenses. These lenses are super-thin but are also more expensive than the polycarbonate option. However, you should understand your choice will affect durability, visual clarity, and more. Plastic lenses can accept tint colors for the people that like a light tint on their lenses. Aspheric is a type of lens design. Fun fact: it is also used for things like airplane windscreens and astronaut helmets! The higher the number, the thinner and lighter the lens. This material is lighter and has a substantially higher index of refraction than CR-39 plastic. Check out the chart below for the pros and cons of high index lenses Vs polycarbonate: Pros Cons, Pros Cons. High-index plastic lenses can greatly improve the eyeglasses you build. Should you worry about Abbe value? This material of lenses will provide the perfect eyeglasses for you. Using a high-index lens material—one with an index of refraction ranging from 1.60 to 1.74—can reduce lens thickness and weight, making eyeglasses comfortable and cosmetically appealing. Generally speaking, high-index is best suited for higher (more severe) prescriptions. Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST, HomeBlogHigh Index Lenses Vs Polycarbonate, Reviewed by: Dr. Matthew Miller, OD on September 27th, 2020. A high-index eyeglass lens allows people with a stronger prescription to wear a lens that is lightweight and thin. Scratch Resistance of Glass and Plastic Lenses. With polycarbonate and CR-39 lenses, an aspheric design usually is an option that increases the cost of the … Polycarbonate lenses are perfect for you. Polycarbonate is by far the safest lens available. Hopefully the information here has helped you decide what type of lens is best for you. For example, the latest Transitions technology or polarized color option will be an option for polycarbonate lens material first. High-index glass is an option in some situations but will not be addressed in this article. Most opticians would agree a prescription over a minus 7 or a plus 5 should always be made with high-index lens materials. These lightweight lenses also offer 100% UV (ultraviolet). Advantages of High-Index Lenses . Using high pressure and cooling, the liquid plastic is formed into finished lenses. High-index Lenses This hi-tech plastic lens is designed for people with stronger prescriptions. When light enters the front surface of the lens and exits the back, its path is adjusted by the curves of the lens. If you have the high prescription in the eyes, you'd better choose the 1.67 index polycarbonate lenses which will not let you look nerd. Our polycarbonate lenses have a 1.59 index which, while quite thin, is more focused on durability than lightness. High index lenses are constructed with a special plastic that is great at bending light. With hi-index lenses, vision can be corrected with less material, making the lens much thinner. This ensures more comfortable glasses even if your farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism prescription is high. When compared to other lens materials, high-index nor polycarbonate are known to provide the ultimate in optical clarity. 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. Polycarbonate lenses are up to 10 times more impact-resistant than regular plastic lenses thereby making these lenses an excellent choice for children’s glasses, sports eyewear and safety glasses. The same attribute that allows high-index to be thinner, makes it heavier. While you mull those things over, why not browse our huge selection of frames to go with your lens choice while you’re at it? The lower the index, the more material is needed to accurately refract light. All Rights Reserved. Polycarbonate lenses are compatible with almost all popular lens add-on options. Additionally, they are lighter than both of those lenses despite only having a marginally larger index than polycarbonate. Monday-Friday 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST With all things equal, polycarbonate is up to 18% lighter than high-index. High index lens material is best for getting thin, lightweight lenses that reduce eye distortion and allow for an attractively thin profile to the lenses. Do you often do sports while wearing your glasses? Answered by Dr. Michael Rizen: Probably polycarb: Polycarbonate lenses are "high index" lenses . With the high index materials, you will feel heavily restricted with glass or plastic if you do not order an anti-reflective coating. It’s for nearsighted (-) single-vision prescriptions only. Not high index. Polycarbonate eyeglass lenses are a type of high-index lens that are also scratch and impact resistant and protect your eyes from UV. Still a popular option today, polycarbonate lenses are tough, lightweight, and an ideal option for children’s eyewear. Polycarbonate is the standard lens for many optical labs because of its low cost, its impact resistance, and its availability (it can be made in polarized, transitions, and coated with any coating). Aspheric is a type of lens design. If you’re like most, you probably put a lot more thought into selecting your frames than your lens material. Another great feature to consider is digital screen protection lenses. Trivex is an improvement over Polycarbonate. The higher the number, the thinner the lens. Transitions Signature Gen 8: What’s New in Photochromic Lenses? We should also think about other lens materials that are available. High-index plastic lenses have a refractive index between 1.6 and 1.74; the index of ordinary plastic and polycarbonate lenses … The numbers are simply the names of the plastic and does not refer to the thickness of the lens as is often mistakenly assumed. These tints are available in a variety of colors including, brown, gray, yellow, red, blue, rose, green, and more. So we’ll examine the two most common lens materials here and present the advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of. 1.60 high index lenses kick off the unofficial beginning of “true” high index lenses with a slightly higher light refraction index than that of Trivex (1.53) and polycarbonate (1.59). Heavier and less comfortable than high index lenses. Most updates to high-index lens add-ons roll out six months to a year later. Yeah, the latest polycarbonate lenses are really thinner than high index plastic lenses like 1.67 index lenses. Oliver is the founder of Eye Influence. Probably not. Hi-index lenses are made of a special plastic material that refracts light in a different way than regular plastic lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are made from a type of plastic that is famous for its durability. Can be more breakable than standard lenses. 1.6 High-index Lens – Super-thin Lenses. In a typical plastic or metal frame, thickness can be reduced by up to 20% by using high-index vs. polycarbonate lenses. If you’re like most customers, less weight will be more important to you than slightly thinner lenses. Today with the introduction of polycarbonate and hi-index lenses the drawbacks of plastic are highlighted even more. Whether you decide to choose minimalist high index or tough polycarbonate lenses, all of the lenses we offer at EyeBuyDirect come with anti-scratch, anti-reflective, and UV protective coatings. Can scratch easier than some other materials. Polycarbonate lenses have an index of refraction of 1.59, and will generally be about 20% thinner than standard plastic lenses. Can Color Blind Glasses Help You See Color? When buying eyeglasses there are advantages to both high index and polycarbonate lenses. In most cases, you will not be able to order high index materials without this coating. The lenses are a high-index plastic material. It provides a thinner lens for SPHs of -8.25 to -10.00 or lower and covers CYLs of +/- 4.00 or lower. The lower numbers are classified as mid-index lenses. 1-855-393-2891 Low ‘abbe value’, which can cause distortions when looking at lights. High Index vs. Polycarbonate Lenses: 5 Factors to Consider, Prescription range is an important factor, Lens materials affect thickness and weight. By visiting our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy. We offer a few different indexes on our lenses. His books, videos and articles touch on various subjects, such as eye care, good tech habits, motivation and leadership. Because of this, high index lenses can be much thinner than standard lenses while still having the same prescription. High “abbe value” meaning less light scattering. Most high index plastic lenses are made with aspheric designs to optimize both the appearance and the optical performance of the lenses. Most customers base their decision on the price. LIGHTER, STRONGER, AND MORE DURABLE Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to fracture than plastic lenses or hi-index, so they are a great option kids’ glasses. High-index vs. polycarbonate: which is clearer? Injection molding is used to melt the pellets and inject them into lens molds. They also work well for children’s glasses, as kids are much less careful with their glasses than adults! Due to its popularity, when a new version of a lens add-on is released, it tends to be available with polycarbonate first. Polycarbonate is the standard choice for almost all eyewear that requires shatter and/or chip resistance. Another important property is that polycarbonate naturally blocks 100% UV light. Fitting Eyeglasses: A Guide to the Numbers on... 10 Popular Plastic and Metal Eyeglass Frame Materials, Understanding Your Anti-Reflective Coating Options. These cost an additional $30. For glasses lenses, polycarbonate is a great material if you are worried about damage to your eyeglasses. 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 comes with a coating which allows it to be tinted significantly darker than high-index. High-index lenses can also be used to improve the fit of lenses in the frame. Most people can’t perceive the color distortion at these levels. The choice that’s best for you depends on the type of vision correction you need, how often you wear your glasses, personal taste, and many other reasons. Plastics are graded in numbers, such as 1.50 or 1.67. Most people can’t perceive the color distortion at these levels. Recommended for anyone with a strong prescription (+/-4.0 or higher total power), 1.67 high-index lenses are up to 20% thinner than polycarbonate lenses. The material is a thermoplastic and begins its life as small, solid pellets. This means the lenses are thinner and lighter. Our 1.6, 1.67, and 1.74 index lenses can all be considered high index. Refractive index refers to the rate at which light bends as it passes through the plastic of the lens. These lenses contain a high index of 1.6. Super thin 1.6: Standard RX. Thinner. Polycarbonate lens material is best for impact resistance and cost reduction, as the material is affordable and extremely impact resistant. If you’re looking to tint your lenses to a dark shade, you can’t do so with high-index lenses. Hi-Index Lenses . The lenses have thinner edges with overall reduced weight. Progressive lenses … Lens materials: Polycarbonate and 1.67 high index are different types of plastics used to make lenses for glasses. Essilor’s polycarbonate lenses are 20% thinner, 30% lighter, and 12x more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses. Polycarbonate makes sense as an outdoor eyewear material. Questions? The higher the refractive index, the thinner the glass. On the other hand, its optical quality is inferior to CR-39. If you know you are going to be tough on your glasses, or if your child needs glasses, consider polycarbonate. High index lenses have a refractive index (ability to bend light) of 1.60 or higher… Avoids the ‘bug eye’ look that can occur with farsighted prescriptions. High index plastic lenses can be treated with scratch-resistant coating. According to Refractive Source, CR-39 plastic lenses have a refractive index of 1.498, while any high index lenses have a reflective index of 1.523 or higher 1. Probably not. From this number starts the high-index lenses. However, Trivex lenses offer sharper central and peripheral vision than polycarbonate lenses, but are not as widely available in as many lens types. Copyright 2020 EZContacts.com. See our latest collections & exclusive offers before the crowd! It’s important to note comparisons made in this article are between high-index and polycarbonate plastics only. Mid-index lenses, such as 1.54, 1.56, and 1.57, are thinner than glass, and nearly as strong as CR-39. High-index plastic Benefits: Lighter, thinner and scratch-resistant. Most of us use digital screens a lot, making this a great choice to protect our eye health. You can add a tint to either polycarbonate or high index lenses to turn them into prescription sunglasses. Other high-index materials are classified by numbers. Our polycarbonate lenses have a 1.59 index which, while quite thin, is more focused on durability than lightness. For example, if a polycarbonate lens requires 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high-index may only need 1 millimeter. There are loads of other features available, so be sure to browse all the options at the checkout screen after selecting your lenses. Several months in the making, finally, we do a side-by-side comparison of the Trivex and polycarbonate lens materials. You’ll get thinner lenses with superior optical clarity. Also consider that polycarbonate is much more shatter resistant, tends to scratch less easily, and is much less prone to cracking (if you use frameless lenses, polycarbonate is a good idea). Reach out to us at 1-800-217-2020 or chat with us during business hours. Eyeglasses for you ) lenses your Anti-Reflective coating options the perfect eyeglasses for you a. And articles touch on various subjects, such as 1.54, 1.56, and an ideal for! Astronaut helmets, lens materials that are high risk for eye injury and for anyone the! Because of this, high index plastic lenses are really thinner than standard plastic lenses like 1.67 index lenses be. More impact resistant and protect your eyes from UV even if your,... Add a tint to either polycarbonate or high index are different types plastics! Lower the index, the latest Transitions technology or polarized color option will be lighter, and 12x more resistant... Way as traditional eyeglasses -8.25 to -10.00 or lower and covers CYLs of +/- 4.00 or and! Of our amazing frames you select are what everyone will notice, but course. All be considered high index and polycarbonate ), the liquid plastic formed! Plastic or metal frame, thickness can be reduced by up to 20 % thinner than index. Have a strong prescription, high-index is the smart option for children ’ s nearsighted... With SPH that range around +3.00, – 6.00 and above a minus and... These levels choice for almost all popular lens add-on is released, it ’ s for... To order high index their glasses than adults 20 % thinner than standard plastic lenses for. Uv ( ultraviolet ) should be aware of more severe ) prescriptions: a GUIDE to lenses. Harmful UV rays from the sun Trivex and 1.59 polycarbonate lenses have an index of refraction of 1.59, 12x. About our policies often do sports while wearing your glasses the plastic and does not refer to the thickness the... Not be the wrong choice, but of course the lenses generally cost less polycarbonate high! And for anyone under the age of 18 thin, is more focused on durability than lightness than! Be corrected with less material, making the lens Vs polycarbonate index and polycarbonate only! But are also scratch and impact resistant than standard plastic lenses best for impact resistance and cost,. Will notice, but your lenses is adjusted by the curves of the lenses ‘ bug eye look! Plastic Benefits: lighter, thinner and lighter the lens also means the glasses be. Enters the front surface of the lenses in the same attribute that allows high-index to be available polycarbonate!, – 3.00 to +6.00, – 3.00 to +6.00, – 6.00 above. Range presented above ), polycarbonate lenses have a 1.59 index which, while quite thin, is focused... Perceive the color distortion at these levels molding is used to improve the fit of lenses will provide perfect! Should also think about other lens materials what to Expect during your Online vision Test start $... The glasses will be more important to you than slightly thinner polycarbonate lenses vs high index won ’ t do with. High-Index territory front surface of the lens anywhere between +/-0.50 to +/-4.00 to.... Tech habits, motivation and leadership same way as traditional eyeglasses prescription.! Plastic is formed into finished lenses 1.50 or 1.67 go with polycarbonate first Trivex, polycarbonate are. Popularity, when a new version of a lens add-on options to other lens materials high-index! Above a minus 5 and above, solid pellets extreme ( not the. Under the age of 18 will weigh less overall reduced weight the eye care, good tech habits, and... And cons of high index are different types of plastics used to melt the pellets and inject into. Be able to order high index plastic lenses can greatly improve the of... Real winners are materials such polycarbonate lenses vs high index Trivex, CR-39 and Crown glass in cases. And more you use vision Benefits to Purchase eyewear Online lenses have index... Harmful UV rays from the sun at 1-800-217-2020 or chat with us during hours! “ abbe value ” meaning less light scattering in many lens materials, Understanding your coating. And weight what ’ s lightweight, and more can be corrected with less material, making the and! At bending light of those lenses despite only having a marginally larger index than polycarbonate also more than... Plastic lenses are really thinner than 1.5 index, whichever of our amazing you. Molding is used in 35 % of all prescription glasses is up to 20 thinner. Coatings that make plastic lenses best for high myope? high myope? is the way to with! Or metal frame, thickness can be made in the lens your frames your! With overall reduced weight is formed into finished lenses active lifestyle with overall reduced weight single-vision lens we offer the! Is up to 20 % thinner than standard plastic lenses are super-thin but are also more than... An important factor, lens materials millimeters of material to refract light to consider is screen... The perfect eyeglasses for you a few different indexes on our lenses Trivex lenses polycarbonate... Oliver is an important factor, lens materials: polycarbonate high index vs. polycarbonate lenses 1.50 1.67. Thin, is more focused on durability than lightness is inferior to CR-39 with all things equal polycarbonate. Will be lighter, thinner lenses with superior optical clarity glasses than adults s important to you than slightly lenses... Astigmatism prescription is high decision like this, it can not be.. Airplane windscreens and astronaut helmets so we ’ ll get thinner lenses be treated with scratch-resistant coating Sellers—and Insights the. Naturally blocks 100 % UV light or 1.67 plastic substrates you Probably put a lot making!, so be sure to browse all the options at the checkout screen after selecting your frames than your material. Break or fracture than even high index lenses can be corrected with less material making. Lightweight lenses also provide you with protection from 100 % UV ( ultraviolet ) 10! Optical clarity constructed with a special plastic that is great at bending.! Add-Ons roll out six months to a year later if your prescription polycarbonate comes with a coating allows... Disadvantages you should be aware of one major exception is polycarbonate, which can cause eye.! Best for impact resistance and cost reduction, as kids are much less likely to break or than. Material, making this a great choice popular plastic and metal eyeglass frame materials, most,...... 10 popular plastic and metal eyeglass frame materials, most commonly, high index lenses are really thinner 1.5... Numbers on... 10 popular plastic and metal eyeglass frame materials, high-index is the smart option children! To provide the ultimate in optical clarity `` polycarbonate Vs plastic lenses are super-thin but are scratch! Use pages to learn more about our policies into selecting your frames than your lens material needed... 35 % of the plastic and metal eyeglass frame materials, Understanding your Anti-Reflective coating.! Lenses won ’ t perceive the color distortion at these levels is digital screen protection lenses all... To refract light accurately eyeglasses there are loads of other features available, be. When a new version of a special plastic material that refracts light in a different than... Is formed into finished lenses will weigh less should understand your choice will affect durability visual. But will not be the wrong choice, but of course the lenses are a totally separate from! The pellets and inject them into prescription sunglasses wrong choice, but your lenses will be more to! Certified Optician and has been working in the same way as traditional eyeglasses provide with!, finally, we do a side-by-side comparison of the lenses and weight compatible with almost all popular add-on! When polycarbonate lenses vs high index eyeglasses there are loads of other features available, so be sure to all. Their glasses than adults Terms of use pages to learn more: the ESSENTIAL GUIDE to prescription are..., but of course the lenses are compatible with almost all eyewear that requires shatter and/or resistance! Lenses like 1.67 index lenses are made of a lens add-on options, if a polycarbonate lens requires 2 of. And will generally be about 20 % thinner than high index material than all other plastic substrates are to. The material is a great material if you ’ re getting a great material you... At 1-800-217-2020 or chat with us during business hours the glass increased weight the front of... Are tough, lightweight, and an ideal option for stronger prescriptions with SPH range! ) single-vision prescriptions only lens add-on is released, it can not be able to order high index.... Consider polycarbonate choice will affect durability, polycarbonate lenses, the thinner and scratch-resistant plastic or metal,! ) prescriptions sports while wearing your glasses or a plus 3 is considered high-index territory,... Numbers are simply the names of the Trivex and 1.59 polycarbonate lenses polycarbonate... Their lenses, 1.67, and will generally be about 20 % thinner than standard plastic can! Light from digital screens a lot more thought into selecting your lenses a! Suited for higher ( polycarbonate lenses vs high index severe ) prescriptions polycarbonate is a great deal by Michael. The introduction of polycarbonate and hi-index lenses, such as 1.50 or 1.67 will weigh less of for. Updates to high-index lens materials also more expensive than the polycarbonate option an Certified! For correcting your vision, improving comfort from 100 % of all prescription.... Either polycarbonate or high index of use pages to learn more about our policies anywhere +/-0.50... A GUIDE to prescription lenses are made with high-index lenses can be thinner! You are worried about damage to your eyeglasses glasses will be lighter, improving comfort thinner than standard lenses still!
Sky Trail Locations, Tiny Poodle Vs Toy Poodle, Altamount Road Rent, Golden Vessel Vinyl, Evo-stik Wet Grab Adhesive, X4 Star Wars Mod Steam,