Besides choosing the frame for your eyeglasses, there is much more to buying perfect eyeglasses for better vision. With a variety of options available in lenses to make eyeglasses work best for you, Picking out the perfect lenses is a daunting task. However understanding the different lenses material and how they impact the vision power of your glasses, can help you choose the best – based on your lifestyle and vision needs.
In the early days, all lenses were made of glasses, but some other lens materials plastic, Polycarbonate, and Trivex lenses came into existence in later years.
With the perfect blend of lightweight design, 100% inherent UV protection, and high impact resistance, Polycarbonate or Trivex lenses for eyeglasses are specifically recommended when it comes to durable lenses. But which is worth getting? Let’s find out.
What are Polycarbonate lenses? Why are they so important?
Ultralight, ultra protection, and long-lasting, Polycarbonate is the best-fit eyeglasses as long as eye safety is concerned.
With a higher index level compared to other lens materials (plastic and glasses), they require thinner lens material for effective light bending, making the lenses lighter and more impact resistant. Additionally, inherent protection against harmful UV rays without a need to put additional reflective coating makes them good options for wearing outdoors.
Since their inception in optical technology, Polycarbonate lenses had become a standard of children’s lenses, safety glasses, and sports or eye hazardous job eyewear.
Advantages of Polycarbonate lenses:
Fewer wears and tears:
Polycarbonate lenses don’t break easily. Various studies have shown that these lenses have excellent impact resistance to shattering and cracking. They are durable and also as much as 10 times more resistant to high impact than any other type of plastic glasses.
Blocks out UV rays:
Long exposure to harmful UV radiation can severely affect eye health and may cause cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye ailments. Fortunately, Polycarbonate lenses are saviors and specially designed to protect your eyes from the constant exposure of sun UVA and UVB rays – ensuring eye safety now and in the future.
Lighter and thinner:
One of the specific features of Polycarbonate lenses is they do not add thickness for adding power to lenses. This makes them standard material for making lenses with a high prescription. Lighter glasses make them a comfortable fit for kids and adults who wear glasses all day long.
Disadvantages of Polycarbonate lenses:
High cost:
Polycarbonate lenses tend to cost more than other plastic lenses. The net cost of Polycarbonate is 2 times the cost of other glasses and contacts.
Low abbes value:
Polycarbonate lenses offer slight visual distortions in your peripheral vision compared to other high index lenses.
Not prone to scratches:
Polycarbonate lenses are very soft and are vulnerable to scratching. Therefore, lenses need adequate protection against wear with an anti-scratching coating.
Polycarbonate Vs Trivex lenses: Which is better
Although Polycarbonate lenses provide exceptional optical advantages, modern optics revealed Trivex lenses- a relatively new lens material in 2001.
Similar to Polycarbonate and a standard of high-quality vision, Trivex lenses are both sturdy and lightweight than other plastic lenses.
The important differences between Polycarbonate and Trivex.
Impact resistance: Both lenses have similar high impact resistance.
UV protection: Polycarbonate or Trivex both blocks UV rays effectively without a need for a special coating.
Cost: Trivex lenses tend to cost more than Polycarbonate.
Weight: With lower specific gravity than Polycarbonate, Trivex lenses weigh lighter than Polycarbonate.
Thickness: Polycarbonate has a high reflective index compared to Trivex and hence Trivex lenses are made thicker than the former.
Optical clarity: Trivex has a higher abbe value than in Polycarbonate and hence, provides sharper peripheral vision for a higher prescription.
Wrap up:
Eventually, the final decision of picking the right lens material for your vision and lifestyle needs depends on you. If you are shopping for lenses, your choice should be based upon the cost, availability, durability, and vision needs.
For more help in choosing prescription eyewear, feel free to contact us and decide what is better for you.
