Suitable for prescriptions of SPH (-8 to +4) and CYL (+/- 2). The lenses have thinner edges with overall reduced weight. Polycarbonate makes sense as an outdoor eyewear material. Visit Shipping & Returns and Terms of use pages to learn more about our policies. Should you worry about Abbe value? Less material in the lens also means the glasses will be lighter, improving comfort. The frames you select are what everyone will notice, but of course the lenses are responsible for correcting your vision. Subscribe to our newsletter. With prescriptions of this power, the reduced thickness with high-index will make-up for the increased weight. Another great feature to consider is digital screen protection lenses. Getting new eyeglasses? 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. Plastic lenses can accept tint colors for the people that like a light tint on their lenses. Reach out to us at 1-800-217-2020 or chat with us during business hours. Heavier and less comfortable than high index lenses. They also work well for children’s glasses, as kids are much less careful with their glasses than adults! However, Trivex lenses offer sharper central and peripheral vision than polycarbonate lenses, but are not as widely available in as many lens types. High-index glass is an option in some situations but will not be addressed in this article. Most of us use digital screens a lot, making this a great choice to protect our eye health. Super thin 1.6: Standard RX. Polycarbonate is the standard choice for almost all eyewear that requires shatter and/or chip resistance. Additionally, they are lighter than both of those lenses despite only having a marginally larger index than polycarbonate. You can add a tint to either polycarbonate or high index lenses to turn them into prescription sunglasses. 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. Thinner. So we’ll examine the two most common lens materials here and present the advantages and disadvantages you should be aware of. Essilor’s polycarbonate lenses are 20% thinner, 30% lighter, and 12x more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses. High-index plastic lenses can greatly improve the eyeglasses you build. However, you should understand your choice will affect durability, visual clarity, and more. High Index vs. Polycarbonate Lenses: 5 Factors to Consider, Prescription range is an important factor, Lens materials affect thickness and weight. Before making a decision like this, it’s important to understand all the pros and cons of high index lenses Vs polycarbonate. 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. The higher the number, the thinner the lens. Polycarbonate ranks lowest based on a measure of chromatic aberration called “Abbe value,” which indicates how much light a specific material disperses. Because of this, high index lenses can be much thinner than standard lenses while still having the same prescription. On the other hand, its optical quality is inferior to CR-39. Most high index plastic lenses are made with aspheric designs to optimize both the appearance and the optical performance of the lenses. Scratch Resistance of Glass and Plastic Lenses. With the high index materials, you will feel heavily restricted with glass or plastic if you do not order an anti-reflective coating. The highest index single-vision lens we offer is the 1.74 high-index polymer lens. The lower numbers are classified as mid-index lenses. His books, videos and articles touch on various subjects, such as eye care, good tech habits, motivation and leadership. We should also think about other lens materials that are available. 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. Can Color Blind Glasses Help You See Color? For example, if a polycarbonate lens requires 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high-index may only need 1 millimeter. 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. Plastics are graded in numbers, such as 1.50 or 1.67. This one’s not a close call. High-index lenses can also be used to improve the fit of lenses in the frame. Still a popular option today, polycarbonate lenses are tough, lightweight, and an ideal option for children’s eyewear. Trivex lenses, in contrast, start around $200 for single-vision lenses. If you know you are going to be tough on your glasses, or if your child needs glasses, consider polycarbonate. Polycarbonate lenses are perfect for you. Avoids the ‘bug eye’ look that can occur with farsighted prescriptions. "polycarbonate vs plastic lenses best for high myope?" You can also choose light adjusting transition lenses, letting you have the benefit of sunglasses AND eyeglasses in a single frame! At EyeBuyDirect, we offer tons of options for your lenses. Aspheric lenses can be made in many lens materials. This ensures more comfortable glasses even if your farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism prescription is high. Oliver is an ABO Certified Optician and has been working in the eye care industry for over 15 years. Trivex is an improvement over Polycarbonate. This material is useful if you live an active lifestyle. 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