The rigid thermoplastic is often considered 200 times stronger than glass and is thus utilized to make bulletproof windows and car shields. You can go ahead and pick your favorites according to your face shape or style. Thanks for stopping by! 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. Polycarbonate is the ideal lens material for children's eyewear and prescription safety glasses. But that doesnt mean polycarbonate or plastic lenses are not clear. Polycarbonate lenses are slowly starting to come standard from many eyeglass manufactures. Learn about LASIK success rates and side effects, Learn about the costs associated with LASIK, Benefits of LASIK for astigmatism correction, How to find vision insurance that covers LASIK, Compare PRK and LASIK procedures and results, 14 tips for protecting your vision after LASIK. The second and third layers of the TAC sunglasses provide strength and resistance from impact and movement. They are produced using a slower, cast molding process similar to how regular plastic lenses are made. High index lenses are denser than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light perfectly. So choosing the right lens is an essential task that should always be taken seriously. 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. Today, even though glass lenses are thinner than they used to be, polycarbonate lenses are still the lighter choice. And this made them ideal for sportswear, children, and safety lenses. Ask your optician for details. Follow KastKing to keep up on giveaways, fishing tips and new products. Plastic as a lens material has been around for quite some time before polycarbonate came into the fold, they are still a very popular lens choice today due to them being inexpensive and more lightweight than glass. Engaging Read Trivex VS Polycarbonate | The Definitive Guide. They're an optimal choice for people with active lifestyles who are more prone to dropping or scratching their eyeglasses. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is there a big difference between 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses? A quality pair of prescription glasses would eliminate that strain. Some companies use exclusively one or the other, some offer both. In my opinion, TAC lenses provide more protection from UV rays, but they dont seem as strong as a PC lens. We also like them for their ultraviolet protection. When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports eyewear. Fortunately, we are no longer back in the day. Plastic frame ; mirrored lens ; Polarized ; Mirror Coating coating ; Lens width: 57 millimeters ; Lens height: 40 millimeters ; Bridge: 15 millimeters In an eyeglass lens manufacturing process called injection molding, the polycarbonate pellets are heated until they melt. The reason why us opticians and many other eye care practitioners dont recommend the inexpensive over the counter reading glasses is that most people dont have the same prescription in each eye. 1. Hours: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST, Monday - Friday. Could this still be plastic or is this polycarbonate? I just bought 1 pair of glasses at Walmart and they hit me with 2 ea. Warby Parker has stylish, high-quality frames at affordable prices. 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 glasses have inherent UV protection, while plastic lenses do not have. Sagar Habib, a certified plastics engineer, and aficionado. The material naturally blocks out 100% of UV light, so it doesn't require any special coatings. 1-800 Contacts is our #1 recommendation to buy contacts online. Its confusing as what the receipt says and the online description is different. 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. She also has an interest in Eastern medicine practices and learning about integrative medicine. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses offer up to 10 times more impact resistance than regular plastic lenses. All opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Oakley, Inc. Want instant exchange acces, no ads and tons of other benefits? All of our sunglasses are made from triacetate cellulose or TAC for short. Is there anything that could be done to grind the edges a little less thicker. But, polycarbonate is the most common and versatile plastic material used for sunglass lenses. 5750 Brittmoore RD Suite 300Houston Texas 77041. Here are some of the standouts of polycarbonate lenses: Polycarbonate is one of the most impact-resistant types of eyeglass lenses. For me I am going back to plastic. While we prefer polycarbonate lenses, both types have advantages and disadvantages. When you grab your favorite pair of Amevie sunglasses expect to look through Triacetate Cellulose or TAC, for short Polarized lenses. Polycarbonate is a widely used lens material with more than 35% market share in prescription glasses. I just purchased a pair of multifocals in store and while we went through all the details of the lenses, they didnt mention plastic or polycarbonate. Would it still be better to use polycarbonate as opposed to plastic. It boasts the highest impact resistance of any lens material. Offering a lens with optical quality almost nearly as good as glass, BUT only being half as heavy as glass and far more impact resistant than glass. 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. Optics - central. 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. High index and polycarbonate lenses are great choices if you're looking for an alternative to metal glasses. The same can also be said when it comes to . UV protection. When comparing all the mainstream lens materials, neither high index nor polycarbonate provide the best optical clarity. sport eyeglasses. Generally, rimless and semi-rimless styles can be slightly more fragile than full-rimmed frames. Trivex lenses have a higher Abbe value and may produce sharper peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration than polycarbonate lenses. Advantages and Disadvantages of Polycarbonate Lenses, Lighter and thinner than glass or standard plastic lenses, 10 times stronger than glass or regular plastic, Polycarbonate is about 10% thinner than Trivex, Trivex offers superior optical clarity due to polycarbonates lens distortions, Heavier material thats more cumbersome to wear. Hi Diane, great question. Polycarbonate lenses are another type of plastic material. Plastic lenses are very easy to manufacture and dont come with a high price tag. New frosted and unfrosted Acrylics provide diffusion levels from 92% to 60%. Optics - peripheral. >. Copyright 2022 VisionCenter.org. Comparatively, polycarbonate lighting extrusions exhibit higher impact resistance, stiffness, moisture resistance, and increased heat resistance. But I can tell you I have seen more polycarbonate lenses with damaged coatings from water than CR-39 lenses. important step to protect your child's eyes throughout the day for a Get Traffic & Exposure. Cost. All eyeglass wearers should weigh the pros and cons of polycarbonate lenses before making a purchase. Polycarbonate lenses are usually thinner and lighter than other types of lenses, which makes them ideal for people who want to wear glasses but dont want to sacrifice style for durability. Heres a quick overview of the differences. Even then with the scratch-resistant coating plastic lenses are still one of the easiest lenses to be scratched. Lightweight and thinner than glass lenses, polycarbonate is more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Building a TAC lens includes forming several layers of lenses to produce your high-functioning sunglasses. I have been wearing polycarbonate lenses for years for a high prescription. sports, choosing impact-resistant eyeglass lenses and frames is an The cost of plastic glasses highly varies depending on your unique requirements like thickness, strong prescription, weight, etc. Boll Bolt 2.0 Titanium Volt+ Ultraviolet Polarised, Boll Bolt 2.0 S Creator Green Volt+ Gun Polarised, Boll Bolt 2.0 S Volt+ Cold White Polarised, Boll Brecken Floatable Black-Red Polarised Offshore Blue, Secured online ordering using SSL encodings. These lenses are up to 30% thinner than regular plastic or glass lenses. HO KING COMM CTR Bottomline Benefits: Polycarbonate Vs High Index Lenses . | The Ultimate Guide, How to Remove Scratches from Plastic | The Ultimate Guide, Which is the Best Acrylic Glue? 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 They shipped me polycarbonate 1.59 index lenses instead which are a couple milimeters thicker and $10 less on their pricing. Back in the day, prescription glasses had heavy glass lenses that offered great clarity. When youve been looking for a new pair of sunglasses, its easy to get confused with the different types of lenses available. About Me | Meet Our Team | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Sitemap If your frame is fine, your eyes will feel grainy and uncomfortable if you dont have the right lenses. However, many people do not notice this. Plastic is much lighter than glass, making it more comfortable to wear all day and plastic lenses come in many more colours and larger sizes. 2000-2022 AAV Media, LLC. They are much more affordable than traditional polarized sunglasses because of the process TAC sunglasses use. She's an experienced medical writer passionate about creating informative, clear, and captivating content. 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. In the 1970s, they used the lens in astronauts' helmet visors, and in the 1980s, industries started to wear them as an alternative to plastic or glass eyewear. 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. The use of plastic lenses spread rapidly after thermosetting plastics (which are less flammable) entered mass production in the 1940s. Triacetate Cellulose sunglasses use multiple layers; they are usually scratch proof but not shatterproof. According to consumer reports, pair of polycarbonate specs can cost around $29 to $149. Higher grade TAC lenses are available (effectively increasing the thickness of the layers) and these can be 1.6mm thick. If you want to save money and dont have a very strong prescription, plastic is a more affordable option. Polycarbonate lenses give the benefits of sunglasses protection by inherently blocking 100 percent UV rays without needing a special coating. Polycarbonate was adapted for use in eyeglass lenses in response to demand for lightweight, impact-resistant lenses. Like & follow our social media pages to see more updates and promotions! This plastic tends to reflect a lot of light, leading to glare. Its always difficult to choose the best out of them. If you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you but helps support our website. Plastic lenses look the optical industry by storm when they were introduced. Benefits of polycarbonate lenses include: Best Place to Buy Contacts: 1800 Contacts. Impact resistance sets them apart from other eyeglass lenses. The Federal Trade Commissions Eyeglass Rule ensures that your doctor gives you your prescription at no extra cost, whether or not you ask for it. Of them but that doesnt mean polycarbonate or Trivex tac lenses vs polycarbonate usually are the best choice for eyeglasses. Sunglass lenses have a very strong prescription, plastic is a more affordable option they are scratch! Be scratched up tac lenses vs polycarbonate 30 % thinner than glass lenses, polycarbonate lenses making! These lenses are thinner than regular plastic or is this polycarbonate opposed to plastic concern, polycarbonate is a,! 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