sports, choosing impact-resistant eyeglass lenses and frames is an Finally, the fourth and fifth layers complete the 99% UV absorption and add some scratch resistance to the sunglasses. Importantly, a polarised polycarbonate lens also provides impact protection. CR-39 plastic lenses are regular plastic lenses you might find in very inexpensive sunglasses. Vision Center is funded by our readers. The same can also be said when it comes to . But lifestyle sunglasses also need impact protection. Plastic lenses tend to be more vulnerable to scratches than other materials. Using multiple layers has enabled the sunglasses to provide clearer vision than standard polarized sunglasses. The high index lens uses 50% less material than the polycarbonate lenses. Have a question about Polycarbonate vs. Glass lenses? Polycarbonate lenses are a popular choice, but theyre not for everyone. If we talk about polycarbonate lenses are a type of high index lens with outstanding UV protection capabilities and good scratch and impact resistance. Some are known to go up to 9 layers, but theres no confirmation whether having nine layers is better than seven. Polycarbonate lenses were first invented in 1953, but strangely two scientists developed them one week apart despite being on opposing sides of the world. The first layer of the sunglasses is the polarizing core, and its used to absorb the glare produced from the light shining on objects. Thanks for stopping by! Its confusing as what the receipt says and the online description is different. Is there anything that could be done to grind the edges a little less thicker. Let me know below! In that case, going with plastic, glass or a hi-index material would be better. Now I will be adding lense material to the list. 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. The reflections from water can be reduced just by wearing polarized lenses, which can also enhance your ability to spot objects below the waters surfacefashionable and a great help when boating or fishing. Both options have their pros and cons. Nylon lenses are what you would find in the cheapest low end sunglasses. They are excellent for sports and other activities like fishing, driving, or boating. Polycarbonate VS Plastic Lenses | A Complete Analysis, Trivex VS Polycarbonate | The Definitive Guide, What is PETG Material? Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. This will ensure you have the thinnest cut for the edges. Oakley Forum is the largest and most reliable platform for Oakley news, updates and any information you are looking for about Oakley sunglasses and other products. The top and bottom edges of both lens have many, very fine scratches. The frames tend to be less than durable, so the glasses are so cheap. With polycarbonates super impact resistance to plastic and glass, it was the perfect lens material for safety glasses. High index lenses are not the best option if you want to tint your lenses to a dark shade. If you take the example of the new polarized color option add-on, it will roll out from the polycarbonate lens first. And this is why I wanted to spend some time explaining the difference between PC lenses and TAC lenses on sunglasses.
"}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is there a big difference between 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses? How older drivers can improve their driving at night, High-index lenses: Transform thick glasses to thin glasses, Aspheric lenses for better vision and appearance, Trivex Eyeglass Lenses: Tough and Lightweight. Join today, share your Oakley collection or even find new Oakley sunglasses for sale. Since it is a relatively soft material, a scratch-resistant coating is recommended for polycarbonate lenses. Other than that you could upgrade to a high-index material that would help with thickness as well. Sagar Habib, a certified plastics engineer, and aficionado. This gives Trivex lenses the advantage of sharper optics than injection-molded polycarbonate lenses, according to PPG. I only clean them with Zeiss wipes, and never set them down flat on anything. The impact protection on polycarbonate is so good that both safety and sports eyewear use polycarbonate for their lenses. According to consumer reports, pair of polycarbonate specs can cost around $29 to $149. There are also some disadvantages of polycarbonate lenses: Polycarbonate lenses can cost up to double the price of regular eyeglasses. If you need safety glasses, consult an optician who can tell you which frames are safety rated. Plastic lenses can accept tint colors for the people that like a light tint on their lenses. With polycarbonate being superior in impact resistance that alone should be a great reason to upgrade to polycarbonate already. Plastic lenses look the optical industry by storm when they were introduced. As always thank you for reading and if you have any comments, questions or concerns feel free to reach out to me below in the comments and I will get back to you. Prescription lenses are designed to refract light depending on the prescription. 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. You can usually find some single vision lenses for around $30 and some bifocals for $50. And this made them ideal for sportswear, children, and safety lenses. And well discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each material, plus our final decision on which material is better. scratch-resistant coatings can make the surface of polycarbonate and And that reason is impact protection. Both materials offer excellent impact resistance and UV protection. However, I know that choosing a lens material can be a real pain in the head. These lenses provide visual clarity without adding too much thickness. Are contact lenses a good choice for kids? They're made of shatter- and scratch-resistant plastic, making them an excellent choice for eye safety. or Trivex lenses. The question is, why are they good, and what do you need to know about them. The PC lens is extremely highly resistant to impact and wont shatter. But today polycarbonate lenses are gaining more control of the optical market and is a very popular choice of lenses. The cost of plastic glasses highly varies depending on your unique requirements like thickness, strong prescription, weight, etc. However, polycarbonate lenses win big-time in the areas of durability, thinness and lightness when compared to plastic lenses of the same power. 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. Because of their durable material, theyre prone to scratching or breaking and ideal for sporty activities like running or cycling, as well as outdoor activities like hiking or camping. These lenses guard your eyes against UVA and UVB sun rays. You only get one pair of eyes, so use your sunglasses to protect them. 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. I notice you say that plastic is cheaper. Other plastic lenses you might run into include urethane-based Trivex lenses, which are slightly lighter than polycarbonate for eyeglasses. This plastic tends to reflect a lot of light, leading to glare. Polycarbonate was developed in the 1970s for aerospace applications. Or if you want to play things up with something more colorful opt for something bright and fun like our April frames. But it's a high-quality lens material making the extra cost worth it for the customer. The cost highly varies depending on your unique requirements like thickness, strong prescription, weight, etc. Generally, you should go for lightweight lenses rather than slightly thin ones. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you are looking for high index lenses (1.74), you have to pay somewhat between $180 and $230. the frame breaks, dislodging the lenses. Check out our newest bamboo sunglasses and let us know which one is your favorite! 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. Thats because Polycarbonate flexes instead of shattering when hit by an object, whether its gravel, a ball, or an elbow. Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: Thickness. They are known to be cheaper compared to high-grade lens materials. Copyright 2022 VisionCenter.org. Thank you for reaching out. Your eye doctor can provide more information on any questions you may have. I have just started to need glasses for reading. Polycarbonate is lighter than standard CR-39 hard resin (plastic) lenses and, because it is highly shatter resistant, is commonly used in safety and sports eyewear. TAC Polarized Lens Sunglasses Mens Thin Light Weight Rectangular Mirrored . playing sports while wearing an eyeglass frame that is not rated for "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much do high-index lenses cost? 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. These lenses are up to 30% thinner than regular plastic or glass lenses. Well, in this section, I am to lay out a few of the differences you can expect from the sunglasses: One of the most significant differences youll find between the two styles of lenses. And since manufacturers of sports eyewear understand that frames get dropped or hit by debris, they choose polycarbonate lenses. There's no need to add a protective coating. According to consumer reports, pair of polycarbonate specs can cost around $29 to $149. All rights reserved. One such type of lens was made from CR39 plastic, which is still widely used today. HO KING COMM CTR Weight. 1-800 Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online. lifetime of good vision. Choosing the right lens for your sunglasses is very important if you want to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays. So, in this section of the article, I will introduce you to the lens and explain everything you need to know about it. Even if he or she does not participate in organized Hi Diane, great question. Plastic frame ; mirrored lens ; Polarized ; Mirror Coating coating ; Lens width: 57 millimeters ; Lens height: 40 millimeters ; Bridge: 15 millimeters Cheaper compared to plastic lenses can accept tint colors for the customer made them ideal for sportswear, children and. 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