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Polycarbonate Eyeglass Lenses - A Safe Choice

15-03-2023

A Safe Choice, But Perhaps Not The Best Choice

Polycarbonate eyeglass lenses are the most common type of lenses sold, especially by online vendors and big box stores. Polycarbonate lenses offer many advantages. However, they may not be the best choice for everyone. It's important to consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing lens materials for your eyeglasses and it is equally important to be aware of other options available.

Advantages of Polycarbonate Lenses

Polycarbonate eyeglass lenses are a type of lens material comprised of a thermoplastic polymer called polycarbonate. The material is known for its high impact resistance and lightweight properties, making it a popular choice for safety glasses, sports goggles, and eyeglasses. Polycarbonate lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses (CR 39, Refractive Index of 1.50), making them more comfortable to wear. They also provide better protection against impacts than regular plastic lenses, making them a more suitable choice for athletes, and individuals that work in hazardous environments. In addition, polycarbonate lenses have built-in UV protection, which offers protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, making them, a great option for those who spend a lot of time outdoors and require corrective lenses for outdoor activities.

Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Lenses

While polycarbonate lenses have many advantages, there are also some disadvantages to consider when choosing it for your eyeglasses. Some potential drawbacks include:

• Poor Scratch Resistance. While polycarbonate lenses are more scratch-resistant than regular plastic lenses, they are still more susceptible to scratches than some other lens materials, such as glass or Trivex.
• Limited Tint Color Options. Polycarbonate lenses are only available in a limited range of colors and tints, which can be a drawback for people who want more customization options.
• Prone To Glare. Polycarbonate lenses can be more prone to glare and reflections, which can be distracting and affect vision in certain situations.
• Higher Price Point. Polycarbonate lenses are generally more expensive than regular plastic lenses, which can be a consideration for people on a budget.
• Unsuitable For High Prescriptions. While polycarbonate lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses, they may not be suitable for people with high prescriptions, as they may result in thicker, less attractive lenses.

Polycarbonate vs. Trivex Lenses

Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are two popular choices for eyeglass lenses. While both materials offer similar benefits, there are some differences to consider when choosing between them. Here are some key differences between polycarbonate and Trivex lenses:

• Optical clarity. Trivex lenses offer better optical clarity than polycarbonate lenses, meaning they provide sharper, clearer vision.
• Impact Resistance. Both materials offer high impact resistance, but Trivex lenses are slightly more impact-resistant than polycarbonate lenses.
• Scratch Resistance. Naked (i.e., without an anti-scratch lens coating), Trivex lenses are more scratch-resistant than polycarbonate lenses, making them a better choice for people who are rough on their glasses.
• Weight. Trivex lenses are slightly lighter than polycarbonate lenses, making them more comfortable to wear for long periods.
• Refractive Index. Trivex lenses (1.53) have a slightly lower refractive index than polycarbonate lenses (1.56-1.59), requiring slight more material to refract the same amount of light as polycarbonate.
• Abbe Value. Trivex lenses have a higher Abbe value than polycarbonate lenses, which means they are less likely to cause distortion or chromatic (i.e., color) aberrations around objects.
• Price Point. Trivex lenses typically have a higher price point than polycarbonate lenses, but the difference is often nominal.

Trivex Trumps Polycarbonate Lenses

Polycarbonate and Trivex eyeglass lenses are options for those who require high-impact resistant safety glasses, need lenses less susceptible to chipping for semi-rimless frames, and/or who lead active lifestyles. When choosing between the two, it is important to consider your specific needs and preferences, as well as your budget. If you are an individual in need of protective eyewear that meets national, workplace, or sport safety standards, then polycarbonate lenses may be the only option available to you. On the other hand, if you are seeking lenses for standard daily wear, Trivex lenses should seriously be considered, as they offer superior optical performance while providing similar impact resistance and comfort to that of polycarbonate.

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