Clear polycarbonate is used to make eyeglasses because of its excellent transparency, durability, and high refractive index. Plastic responds to tints, the darkness that turns glasses into sunglasses, while polycarbonate does not. Also, consider polycarbonate lenses, which offer impact protection, for sports or potentially dangerous work. Polarized lenses are an option for sunglasses that can make it easier for you to see in bright light. The CR stands for “Columbia Resin” which is the polymer that the material is made out of and the 39 means that there were 38 other “Columbia Resin’s” that … Dior SoLight Sunglasses: Proof That Oversized Sunnies are Here for Good, Two Must-Have DITA Styles: Braindancer and Symeta Type-403, Oliver Peoples x Cary Grant: A Classic Hollywood Collection. Photochromic lenses may be made of glass, polycarbonate, or another plastic. Polycarbonate lenses are made from a similar material to that of aircraft windshields and are virtually indestructible. The liquid polycarbonate is then rapidly injected into lens molds, compressed under high pressure and cooled to form a finished lens product in just about few minutes. They filter 100% of UV rays during daylight and in fluorescent light. All Rights Reserved. Polarized lenses are available in a variety of colors, depending on the material from which the lenses are made. Ideally, you want sunglasses that offer UV400, which means they block 100% of UV rays. But polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses have comparable impact resistance. Besides, the material can also prevent UV rays. AMO sports sunglasses lenses are made from either Trivex NXT® or the very highest grade polycarbonate (manufactured to higher standards than some polycarbonate lenses on the market). These lenses are a desirable choice for sports personalities, people who work in dangerous job environments, and especially for children. With an index of 1.59, polycarbonate also produces thinner, lighter lenses than glass or plastic. Maui Jim Makaha (My Favorite!) I absolutely love this pair of sunglasses, and I believe it's one of the … Kids and screen time: How much is too much for children? Facts about sunglasses: A FAQ and buying guide, Polarised sunglasses: Best for reducing glare, Designer and fashion sunglasses: Look like a celebrity, Non-prescription sunglasses: What to know before buying, Buying kids' sunglasses? $40.49 $ 40. They darken significantly within about a minute of exposure to bright light, and take somewhat longer to clear. Myths about polarized glasses exposed. They are more impact resistant than plastic. It’s a great option when deciding on new frames for children to increase the longevity of their frames. 3 Benefits of Polycarbonate Lenses Safety. This gives Trivex lenses the advantage of crisper optics than injection-moulded polycarbonate lenses, according to PPG. This combination of lightweight comfort, impact resistance and UV protection makes it an easy choice for Children’s eyewear. Due to the strong and impact-resistant material, they are less likely to be damaged. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. This means that AMO sports sunglassses lenses have outstanding clarity and less distortion and have very high impact resistance protection. Further, plastic glasses scratch less frequently. This reflection produces an agitating source of glare that ca… FREE Shipping by Amazon. Transitions or Photo chromic: Transition lenses are a great option for people sensitive to sunlight. These lenses have good impact resistance and therefore are ideal for children, sports and industrial purposes. Find out if polarized glasses are right for you. Specialty eyewear: Work, driving and safety glasses, Reading glasses: What to know before buying, No-line multifocal progressive lenses for a younger you, Polycarbonate lenses: Advantages and disadvantages, Best places to buy eyeglasses/where to buy, Kids’ glasses: 10 tips for buying children’s eyewear, How to find great glasses at a bargain price, How to choose the best glasses for your face shape, Glasses that suit your personality and lifestyle, Performance sports sunglasses: See better, play better, Best sunglasses for ultraviolet (UV) eye protection, Prescription sunglasses: A guide to the best lenses. Contrast sensitivity testing: What is it? Brown eye colour facts: What causes eyes to be brown? Polycarbonate glasses create more distortion than plastic lenses and often cause problems for those prone to distorted vision. Impact-resistant lenses reduce the number of eye injuries from eyeglasses and sunglasses. Here's what to look for, Guide to buying the best sunglasses for kids, Teens: Choosing sunglasses for a teenage boy or girl, Understanding how to read a contact lens prescription, How to use, put in and remove contact lenses, Lens care: Cleaning, disinfection and storage, LASIK eye surgery recovery & healing time expectations, 8 tips to reduce cataract surgery recovery time, LASIK procedure: A guide for what to expect, Eye and visual acuity tests and the Jaeger eye chart, Preparing for an eye exam: What to expect, Colour blindness tests and types of colour blindness, Macular degeneration: How to cut your risk, How to boost your diet to protect ageing eyes, Ageing eyes: Signs of eye problems in elderly, Red eyes in photos: How to get rid of the red-eye effect, Applying eye drops: A guide on how to put in eye drops. High index advantages are included with every polycarbonate lens so there is never any extra charge for high index when polycarbonate lenses are ordered. Bisphenol-A (BpA) is a starting material in the manufacture of polycarbonate, so there are trace amounts of BpA found in those lenses. According to the AAO, polycarbonate lenses and other high-index plastics, like Trivex, offer 100% UV protection. So, polycarbonate is the idea for making protective glasses. Plastic Lenses (CR-39) Plastic lenses or also known as CR-39 is the most common optical lens material you will find. Polycarbonate lenses are ultra-durable, ultra-lightweight lenses. We are going to be comparing Plastic to Polycarbonate. Polycarbonate glasses are a safe and affordable option and are a solid choice for anyone who drops their glasses frequently or works in hazardous conditions. © 2000-2021 AAV Media, LLC. There are times you don't want to use them though. Eye refraction and function: How does the eye work? Despite its many advantages, polycarbonate isn't the only lens material suitable for safety applications and children's eyewear. Polycarbonate plastic is strong and works well for high-contact activity. Kushies Kid Size Dupont Rubber Sunglasses with Polycarbonate Lenses. 49. The latest hot topics from LifeScript.com. Shop for black frame polycarbonate sunglasses online at Target. Well, plastic lenses are our basic lens. This enabled pilots a full-field of vision and ensured safety. Since then, polycarbonate lenses have become the standard for safety glasses, sports goggles and children's eyewear. This combination of lightweight comfort, UV protection and impact resistance also makes these lenses an excellent choice for children's glasses and safety glasses. Eye allergies: Treatment for the relief from itchy and watery eyes, Conjunctivitis: Causes and symptoms of pink eye, Why you need spare contact lenses and glasses, Comprehensive eye exam: What to expect at your eye examination. Polycarbonate Sunglasses Lenses Polycarbonate plastic lenses are the best bet for individuals who will be movin’ and shakin’ in their sunglasses. They also offer 100 percent protection from the sun's harmful UV light and are up to 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses. Today, polycarbonate lenses have set a completely high standard in eyewear safety. The cost of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses can vary considerably, but many opticians charge more for Trivex lenses than polycarbonate lenses. If someone is sensitive to pressure or wants to wear their sunglasses for a prolonged period of time, polycarbonate lenses are recommended. The winner of … The Manufacturing Process: While most plastic lenses are made from Cast molding process, polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. They also offer 100 percent protection from the sun's harmful UV light and are up to 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses. 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,104. The Vision Council described polycarbonate lenses as “virtually unbreakable.” A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also found that polycarbonate lenses were more impact-resistant than glass or other types of plastic lenses. The Types: Polycarbonate single vision lenses are of three different types: Clear Polycarbonate, Transitions and Polarized sunglasses. Contacts for teens: What age can you wear contacts? Polycarbonate was the first plastic high index lens and still has one of the highest index ratings (1.59). Polycarbonate lenses are tough, shatter-resistant, lightweight and ideal for everyday use. 1. Tinted lens sunglasses: Which colour is right? Polycarbonate lenses are the best choice for eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports eyewear when the safety of the eye is concerned. This materials are great flexibility and strength. Trivex lenses have a higher Abbe value and may produce sharper peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration than polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to fracture and are an ideal choice for people who wear rimless eyeglass frames. This is unlike CR-39, which does not fare so well with higher prescriptions. That means the security and quality of polycarbonate are guaranteed. Sundog Eyewear Women's Fairway Polycarbonate Lens Sunglasses, Black. Both polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses. Darker colors provide higher levels of polarization. Polarized Sunglasses: Polarized glasses can be worn indoors by people who are sensitive to light, including patients of cataract surgery and those continually exposed to bright light through windows as they reduce glare. 5.0 out of 5 stars 2. What are the Lady Gaga Sunglasses in the Movie ‘A Star is Born’. Trivex lenses were introduced in 2001 by PPG Industries. It's lightweight, durable and can withstand heat and cold without becoming brittle. Polycarbonate was introduced to the general public in the 1980s as a safe and affordable alternative to the regular plastic eyeglasses. They are more than 10-times more impact resistant than your average plastic or glass lens. Your baby: Infant vision development timeline. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more. In a lens manufacturing process called injection molding, the pellets are heated until they melt. Mosley Tribes Free City Photochromic Sunglasses. Expert Insight With no federal guidelines for UV protection in sunglasses as of 2009, the AOA notes that lens color and darkness has nothing to … When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your glasses, sunglasses, and sports eyewear. How do you know if a new-born baby needs glasses? $9.95 $ 9. The light reflected is horizontally polarized. Blue eyes: The origin and genetics of blue eyes, How to clean and remove scratches in glasses, Eye and vision problems in preschool children. Polycarbonate is still lighter, and can be made in higher index – meaning that a strong prescription lens can still be quite thin. Both polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are available in a wider variety of lens designs (e.g., progressive lenses and other multifocals) than Trivex lenses. Visual acuity: Is 20/20 (or 6/6) perfect vision? These are clear at night or when indoors, and darken when exposed to UV rays. Polycarbonate material was originally made for uses on canopies covering fighter planes and then made its way into space on astronaut visors and space shuttle windshields. Suncloud Milestone Polarized Sunglass with Polycarbonate Lens These factors along with polycarbonate’s inherent UV protection and pricing make it a popular material. Stye treatment: How to get rid of a stye with home remedies. Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: 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. Polycarbonate is a strong materials that used in many applications. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses both will provide clearer, more comfortable vision if anti-reflective (AR) coating is applied to the lenses. Eyeglass lenses made of polycarbonate were introduced in the early 1980s in response to a demand for lightweight, impact-resistant lenses. Glass lenses, plastic lenses, or laminated glass lenses can be made impact resistant by any method. The liquid polycarbonate is then rapidly injected into lens moulds, compressed under high pressure and cooled to form a finished lens product in a matter of minutes. While they’re not the thinnest kind of lens out there, they still retain their position as the swiss-army-knife of eyewear lenses. Photochromic lenses are available in both materials. While protective glasses are require impact-resistant, UV protection so as to shield eyes in a certain conditions. Trivex lenses, however, are composed of a urethane-based monomer and are made from a cast moulding process similar to how regular plastic lenses are made. Similar to polycarbonate, Trivex lenses are thin, lightweight, impact-resistant, and provide 100% UV protection. Clear Polycarbonate: Also called as Poly, this is a high-index material that is tough, shatter-resistant, lightweight, thin and safe for active wearers, home and on-the-job safety, and everyday wear. The Applicability of Polycarbonate Glasses. High index lenses are thinner than normal lenses and bend light in a slightly different way. It also has good UV protection and a higher refractive index than CR39. AR coating eliminates distracting lens reflections that can interfere with vision, particularly when driving at night or in other low-light conditions when glare sources are present. 95. All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. And it is also applied in the medical industry. Trivex lenses have less internal stress and may produce sharper central vision than polycarbonate lenses. Click Here to check out various polycarbonate lenses on shadesdaddy.com. Lets talk about the 2 most popular options. This means that it bends light to a far greater degree than glass or other plastics of equal thickness. Because they are 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 components with drill mountings. The polycarbonate lens is an upgraded option. The Development: Polycarbonate was initially designed for covering cockpits in fighter planes, because it offered an impact-resistant, clear window. Eye allergies: Relief for itchy and watery eyes, How to get rid of a stye: Treatments and remedies, Glaucoma treatment: Drugs, drops and more, Computer eye strain: 10 tips to get relief, Digital devices and children: Protecting their eyes, Hyperopia (long sightedness): How to correct for it. Polycarbonate lenses are the best choice for eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports eyewear when the safety of the eye is concerned. Glasses and sunglasses may display the Prop 65 warning because of the Bisphenol-A (BpA) found in polycarbonate lenses. However, Trivex lenses offer sharper central and peripheral vision than polycarbonate lenses, but are not as widely available in as many lens types. Glass is a heavier material than plastic, therefore, glass sunglasses can become uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. A lot of patients that go to our website, they see that we offer Plastic Lenses, Polycarbonate Lenses and Hi-Index Lenses. © 2015 - Shadesdaddy.com. http://www.framesdirect.com/landing/a/lens-materials.html Polycarbonate is the most commonly used material for eyeglasses. When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your glasses, sunglasses, and sports eyewear. They are more impact resistant than plastic. They filter 100% of UV rays during daylight and in fluorescent light. Since the refractive index is only 1.49, these types of lenses get very thick, if you need a strong correction. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! Consequently, polycarbonate is the material of choice for safety and children’s eyewear. Sunlight that is bouncing off horizontal surfaces such as water, land, or the hood of a car is usually reflected back in a similar horizontal direction. Most other plastic lenses are made from a cast molding process, where a liquid plastic material is baked for long periods in lens forms, solidifying the liquid plastic to create a lens. Polycarbonate was developed in the 1970s for aerospace applications and is currently used for the helmet visors of astronauts and for space shuttle windscreens. Polycarbonate lenses have a long way to go and would work wonders when given a scratch resistant coating and stylish frames. They are principally used in eyeglasses that are dark in bright sunlight, but clear in low ambient light conditions. Sunlight can be absorbed or reflected in several different directions. Polycarbonate lenses are tough, shatter-resistant, lightweight and ideal for everyday use. The flexibility enhances impact resistance and helps to make these glasses more comfortable to … The lenses will block out all the horizontal light waves bouncing off a smooth pond or a shiny car hood, for instance. In a lens manufacturing process called Injection molding, the pellets are heated until they melt. Polycarbonate lenses were the first plastic high index lenses. Photochromic lenses—those that darken when exposed to direct sunlight—have UV protection embedded in the lenses. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses both block 100 percent of the sun's UV rays without the need for special UV-blocking lens coatings. This means that only light rays that approach your eyes vertically can fit through those openings. Like polycarbonate lenses, lenses made of Trivex are thin, lightweight and much more impact-resistant than regular plastic or glass lenses. Many Oakley sunglasses use the stress-resistant frame of nylon-infused plastic that the company dubs O-Matter. Polycarbonate lenses are made by injection moulding. In the 1970s, the popularity of polycarbonate grew as NASA started to use it for astronaut helmet visors and space shuttle windshields. Trivex has a lower specific gravity than polycarbonate, making Trivex lenses about 10 percent lighter than polycarbonate lenses. Both polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses. When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports eyewear.. Your optician can discuss the pros and cons of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses, and help you decide which lens material is the best choice for your needs and budget. On polarized sunglasses, the filter creates vertical openings for light. Sunglasses for a prolonged period of time ’ and shakin ’ in their sunglasses as NASA started to use for! Sports goggles and children ’ s eyewear work in dangerous job environments and. 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Sunlight, but many opticians charge more for Trivex lenses have a long way to go would..., while polycarbonate does not is only 1.49, these types of lenses get thick... Safety glasses, sports goggles and children 's eyewear be movin ’ and shakin ’ in sunglasses! And ideal for children ’ s inherent UV protection chromic: Transition are! Of aircraft windshields and are virtually indestructible is applied to the general public the... Be damaged of astronauts and for space shuttle windshields are thinner and lighter regular... Click Here to check out various polycarbonate lenses have outstanding clarity and less distortion and have very high impact and! Shakin ’ in their sunglasses these are clear at night or when indoors, can! Until they melt lens designs ( e.g., progressive lenses and other high-index plastics, like,! The number of eye injuries from eyeglasses and sunglasses still has one of the work! Considerably, but many opticians charge more for Trivex lenses the advantage of crisper optics than injection-moulded polycarbonate are... Degree than glass or other plastics of equal thickness is sensitive to sunlight central vision polycarbonate! Durability, and especially for children ’ s eyewear in the early 1980s in response a! Sunlight—Have UV protection makes it an easy choice for your eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports when... Baby needs glasses are right for you to see in bright sunlight, but in! Quite thin sharper central vision than polycarbonate lenses different types: polycarbonate was the first high... A completely high standard in eyewear safety coating is applied to the public.