This plastic tends to reflect a lot of light, leading to glare. And theres some pretty active debate about which lens material is better. Here are some of our favourites! Importantly, a polarised polycarbonate lens also provides impact protection. I just dont see as well with them. Although polycarbonate is highly impact-resistant, it scratches easily. Polycarbonate lenses have a high refractive index, which means they can be a thinner and more lightweight solution for your prescription, when compared to plastic lenses of the same power. Does it really hurt your eyes? 2000-2022 AAV Media, LLC. Using multiple layers has enabled the sunglasses to provide clearer vision than standard polarized sunglasses. Its important to recognise that TAC polarised lenses, as used in virtually all polarised sunglasses under 60, provide little impact protection and they can shatter, so they should not be used if impact protection is important. Crescent Plastics extrudes Acrylic in custom blends to provide the right amount of diffusion. When you grab your favorite pair of Amevie sunglasses expect to look through Triacetate Cellulose or TAC, for short Polarized lenses. So Ill try my best to analyze both materials. Polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than plastic glasses. Super thin high index plastic is sometimes used for prescription eyeglasses. 1.67 index lenses are ideal for prescriptions under +5.00/-8.00 and astigmatism correction between -3.00 and -4.00. Obviously, I am clearly talking about CR-39 vs polycarbonate. 1.74 index lenses are the thinnest high-index lenses. Find an eyecare professional and book online in minutes! Some companies use exclusively one or the other, some offer both. Polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than other types of plastic, and so, polycarbonate lenses tend to require a larger budget. But unfortunately for you, PC lenses on sunglasses have nothing to do with being able to work on your laptop. In need of a stronger prescription to see clearly? | The Best Plexiglass Glue, What is TPV Material? 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. The price is also dependent on extras, add-ons, and coatings. The cost of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses can vary considerably, but many optical stores charge more for Trivex lenses than polycarbonate lenses. If you are a prescription contact lens wearer be sure to check out where the best places to buy contact lenses online are, coupons & promo codes are available. Thickness and weight One of the main differences between the two materials is thickness and weight. Glasses with polycarbonate lenses were first developed in the 1980s, and theyve been improving ever since. Therefore, | An In-Depth Guide, What is the Best Plastic Glue? Thats because Polycarbonate flexes instead of shattering when hit by an object, whether its gravel, a ball, or an elbow. Standard plastic lenses also tend to be more affordable but can be easier to crack. Plastic has the lowest index of refraction and therefore is the thickest lens material available in the market. Plastic lenses are very lightweight and, therefore, comfortable to wear since your frames wont rub so heavily on the nose. Polycarbonate lenses were first invented in 1953, but strangely two scientists developed them one week apart despite being on opposing sides of the world. Polycarbonate lenses are about 10% thinner than Trivex lenses. Photochromic (Transition) Lenses - Types, Pros & Cons, Warby Parker Glasses Review (My Experience), Buying Prescription Glasses or Contact Lenses: Your Rights. I have bought many pairs of glasses and the lense material never crossed my mind. CR-39 plastic lenses are regular plastic lenses you might find in very inexpensive sunglasses. They are excellent for sports and other activities like fishing, driving, or boating. lifetime of good vision. the frame breaks, dislodging the lenses. I looked for the style I liked and then to price for my second deciding factor. Plastic lenses are the typical lenses that most people have in their eyeglasses. Yes, Polycarbonate is a plastic material made of thermoplastic polymers. Polycarbonate was adapted for use in eyeglass lenses in response to demand for lightweight, impact-resistant lenses. Our staff have a strong passion for sun care and contribute to our blog. Like polcarbonate, Trivex is an excellent lens material for safety applications and children's eyewear. There's no need to add a protective coating. These people whenever they wear polycarbonate lenses experience a weird distortion that isnt easy to explain. 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 rigid thermoplastic is often considered 200 times stronger than glass and is thus utilized to make bulletproof windows and car shields. After all, polarized sunglasses dont work very well when working on your laptop; its almost impossible to see the screen. So when its best to wear polarized lenses? Most lenses in prescription spectacles made today use a plastic called CR-39 or a very close copy since the material is owned by a company called PPG. Instead, PC is an acronym for the composite used to make the lens. Regarding eyeglasses, polycarbonate lenses are the gold standard for many people. That sounds about right for the pricing for polycarbonate bifocal lenses. According to consumer reports, pair of polycarbonate specs can cost around $29 to $149. Lenses are mere objects but integral to people who have to wear them constantly. Generally, rimless and semi-rimless styles can be slightly more fragile than full-rimmed frames. Historically the image transferred to your eyes with polycarbonate was poorer quality than plastic but with the advent of Class 1 Optical Grade polycarbonate the difference is now much less significant. or Trivex lenses. The cost of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses can vary considerably, but many optical stores charge more for Trivex lenses than polycarbonate lenses. If we talk about polycarbonate lenses are a type of high index lens with outstanding UV protection capabilities and good scratch and impact resistance. Ive never purchased glasses from Walmart before, so I dont have any experience with them. Oakley Forum is the largest and most reliable platform for Oakley news, updates and any information you are looking for about Oakley sunglasses and other products. Plastic lenses are very easy to manufacture and dont come with a high price tag. "}}]}, The plastic industry mainly uses injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, and compression molding techniques of which Ashish holds tremendous knowledge, Your email address will not be published. She earned her certification from Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). Is there a big difference between 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses? Without a doubt, polycarbonate is the most rigid lens material. When shopping for eyeglasses, a key thing to consider is your lens material. A quality pair of prescription glasses would eliminate that strain. Polycarbonate and Trivex are quite similar, but there are definitely some differences to take into account. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much do polycarbonate lenses cost? That means if a polycarbonate lens needs 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high index may only need 1 millimeter. In a nutshell: polycarbonate lenses are more durable, lightweight and thin than regular CR-39 plastic lenses, though CR-39 can offer a slightly better optical performance (although the difference is almost negligible). Glass lenses may be the standard for scientific use, but polycarbonate lenses are better for sunglasses. Melody Huang is an optometrist and freelance health writer. High-quality polycarbonate lenses offer excellent clarity for a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. Ive been looking online for answers as these multifocals are quite thick and the field of vision is poor compared to the last 3 pairs of multifocals Ive had. Triacetate Cellulose sunglasses use multiple layers; they are usually scratch proof but not shatterproof. 1.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. But it's a high-quality lens material making the extra cost worth it for the customer. The frame is made of titanium and silicone, making it durable enough to stand up to the elements. For this reason polycarbonate has become the standard lens material for sports eyewear (including shooting eyewear), safety eyewear and childrens eyewear. In fact, polycarbonate is the same material used for bullet-proof glass due to its impact-resistant properties. What kind of price range would I expect for polycarbonate lenses? Polycarbonate lenses provide excellent UV protection, which makes them ideal for use in glasses and other products that need to protect the eyes from the suns harmful rays. 5750 Brittmoore RD Suite 300Houston Texas 77041. Plastic lenses or also known as CR-39 is the most common optical lens material you will find. For me I am going back to plastic. Hi Eleanor, if you have a strong prescription one of the best ways to ensure your lenses come out as thin as possible is by making sure that the frame fits well. Because they are less likely to fracture than regular plastic lenses, polycarbonate lenses also are a good choice for rimless eyeglasses. One of the biggest selling points of early plastic lens material was that it was lightweight and offered all-day comfort. CR-39 plastic lenses are regular plastic lenses you might find in very inexpensive sunglasses. Generally, the price never goes below $200 and can go up to $300, depending on your unique requirements. Join today, share your Oakley collection or even find new Oakley sunglasses for sale. The high index lens uses 50% less material than the polycarbonate lenses. He covers everything within Plastics manufacturing and processing. On higher priced polarised sunglasses (typically above 60) the lens material is likely to be polycarbonate. Trivex lenses nearly as hard as glass. We may earn commissions if you purchase something via one of our links. Women Sunglasses Lower priced polarised sunglasses use a multi-layer material called TAC (Triacetate) with the front layer being the polarised film. Thanks for stopping by! At the end of the day, it just depends on how well you take care of your lenses. Trivex lenses have a higher Abbe value and may produce sharper peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration than polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate lenses are a relatively new lens technology. Well, in this section, I am to lay out a few of the differences you can expect from the sunglasses: One of the most significant differences youll find between the two styles of lenses. One such type of lens was made from CR39 plastic, which is still widely used today. For each pair of sunglasses that you buy, we give a pair of eyeglasses to a child in need via our charitable partner, Seva Canada. Bottomline Benefits: Polycarbonate Vs High Index Lenses . If I had a choice between the two lens materials and the cost wasnt a factor I would definitely go with polycarbonate. The cost and quality of polycarbonate lenses will vary depending on your prescription (stronger prescriptions may cost more) and the seller, so its worth shopping around. Additionally, Trivex and polycarbonate naturally block most UV light and do not need the application of a UV coating although most eyewear manufacturers using polycarbonate additionally apply a UV filter coating. But its a high-quality lens material making the extra cost worth it for the customer. They were first introduced in 1983 by Gentex Corporation, and since then have become popular among designers and consumers alike. 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. As always thank you for reading and if you have any comments, questions or concerns feel free to reach out to me below in the comments and I will get back to you. Polycarbonate lenses can be used in a wide range of products, including sunglasses and safety glasses. Depending on where you are purchasing your glasses at online eyeglass retailers offer free polycarbonate lenses with their glasses. However, determining which lens material is better, like many decisions when choosing sunglasses, comes down to personal preference. Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: Thickness. Polycarbonate lenses took some time to gain traction in the optical world. In a nutshell: polycarbonate lenses are more durable, lightweight and thin than regular CR-39 plastic lenses, though CR-39 can offer a slightly better optical performance (although the difference is almost negligible). 95. . For this reason, the lens requires a scratch-resistant coating applied. Polycarbonate lenses boast built-in protection from UV light (ultraviolet light). While we prefer polycarbonate lenses, both types have advantages and disadvantages. Most eye care professionals offer a lens warranty to protect your lenses against scratches for a specified period of normal use. All my years as an optician I have never recommended plastic if polycarbonate was an available option. The cost of plastic glasses highly varies depending on your unique requirements like thickness, strong prescription, weight, etc. Youre absolutely right! TAC lenses are a specific type of polarized lens with a multi-layer composite, but more importantly, it includes the unique Triacetate Cellulose (TAC) process. High index lenses are denser than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light perfectly. Polycarbonate lenses are lighter, so these lenses are recommended if you plan to wear sunglasses for long periods of time. They are also more difficult to work with, which means it takes longer to manufacture polycarbonate lenses. Index of refraction refers to how well the material bends light and is based on how fast the light moves through that material. But lifestyle sunglasses also need impact protection. Because they're lightweight, polycarbonate lenses are more comfortable to wear. But if youre choosing high-quality lenses, both glass and polycarbonate offer excellent optical clarity. Your choice of lenses is completely dependent on your vision needs. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you are looking for high index lenses (1.74), you have to pay somewhat between $180 and $230. Single Vision Distance: Helps you to see clearly at a distance. Theyre the material most commonly used for both prescription and non-prescription lenses. Required fields are marked *. There are plenty of lower-quality plastic lenses that you should definitely avoid. Whenever you go purchase glasses you are always given a variety of different choices when it comes to lens materials. Both polycarbonate and high-index lenses rank low on optical clarity compared to Trivex. You will find opticians out there that swear by plastic using the fact that plastic is really inexpensive, but in my experience, Ihave done my fair share of accidentally shattering, scratching, or chipping plastic lenses that I dont want to have anything to do with them anymore. We help brands optimize their online presence & performance. So, weve spoken a little about PC lenses, but now its time to shift our attention to TAC lenses. The impact protection on polycarbonate is so good that both safety and sports eyewear use polycarbonate for their lenses. Ive never heard of such a thing, and wonder if the material in mine is substandard, or something. The combination of impact and UV light protection makes polycarbonate the best choice for both lifestyle and sports sunglasses. There are also a limited range of colours available made from glass; for all these reasons glass is not used for sports eyewear. Polarised lenses are different to standard sunglass lenses; they have a special film which helps eliminate glare reflected off a surface like a pavement, road, water or snow. 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. Lighter and thinner high index lenses are highly recommended for you if you have a prescription for farsightedness or astigmatism and nearsightedness. Comparatively, plastic lenses are much older than polycarbonate lenses. The intensity of the reflected light causes glare and prevent you from seeing clearly. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Is there a big difference between 1.67 and 1.74 high-index lenses? sport eyeglasses. 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. Standard plastic lenses also tend to be more affordable but can be easier to crack. Cost. An optical plastic lens was invented in the early 20th Century, though these had low light transmission rates and refraction indices. The use of plastic lenses spread rapidly after thermosetting plastics (which are less flammable) entered mass production in the 1940s. Any thoughts? Most add-ons for high-index lenses take about six months to 1 year to launch. Hi Mary! Since plastic lenses were introduced in the 1950s, eyewear technology has been speeding along. sports, choosing impact-resistant eyeglass lenses and frames is an Both are extremely strong, but polycarbonate is very susceptible to scratches unless it comes with an added film; that being said, theyre shatterproof. Not only are TAC sunglasses good to wear to the beach but also when driving. Plastic lenses tend to be more vulnerable to scratches than other materials. The second and third layer allows durability that resists harsh environments. Higher grade TAC lenses are available (effectively increasing the thickness of the layers) and these can be 1.6mm thick. I have just started to need glasses for reading. When comparing all the mainstream lens materials, neither high index nor polycarbonate provide the best optical clarity. Plastic lenses have a higher Abbe value than polycarbonate. Ultimately, you have to decide for yourself if you prefer glass or polycarbonate lenses for your sunglasses. They shipped me polycarbonate 1.59 index lenses instead which are a couple milimeters thicker and $10 less on their pricing. UV protection. The high index polycarbonate lenses debate gets a lot of traction as regardless of what you choose between them, it will replace metal and be 20% less thick. Trivex lenses have many of the same qualities as polycarbonate lenses and offer crisp, clear optical clarity. There is a reason that safety glasses and childrens eyewear dont have glass lenses. RELATED: Sunglasses for babies with polycarbonate lenses. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much do high-index lenses cost? 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. October 10, 2022 by Ashish Mittal Leave a Comment. The same can also be said when it comes to . With their tortoiseshell-patterned design, these oval eyeglasses are a great addition to any wardrobe. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Weight. However, polycarbonate lenses win big-time in the areas of durability, thinness and lightness when compared to plastic lenses of the same power. They are known to be cheaper compared to high-grade lens materials. Below are some things to consider when choosing eye lens material: Progressive Lenses:lenses that help you to see at all distances. That is all I wanted to say about High index vs polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate and Plastic lenses differ in many factors, such as affordability, tint resistance, UV protection, impact resistance, lightweight, and optical clarity. Is what theyve told me true? Since the refractive index is only 1.49, these types of lenses get very thick, if you need a strong correction. Polycarbonate ranks lowest for lens materials in chromatic aberration called Abbe value, which shows the ability of the material to disperse light. Polycarbonate is an excellent choice for people with a strong prescription. And there are even still glass lenses out there in sunglasses! When others look at you with your glasses on, they notice the frame, but the glasses are responsible for giving you clear vision. Check out our newest, How we are reacting to the COVID pandemic, Working together to provide PPE to healthcare workers in Toronto, FREE SHIPPING TO U.S. & CANADA ON ORDERS OVER $100. Generally, you should go for lightweight lenses rather than slightly thin ones. I recently purchased non-polycarbonate 1.61 index Digital Free Form progressive lenses from zennioptical.com. She said that poly carbonate lenses scratch very easily, and that the high index lenses are better. 1.74 index lenses are the thinnest high-index lenses. More impact-resistant than glass but less than polycarbonate. Just browsing. can decide which lens material is the best choice for your needs and budget. If youre unsure about prescription lens material, talk to your eye doctor. And this helps to make the sunglasses more flexible and durable, so you get a longer life from them. When you grab your favorite pair of, Not only that our sunglasses are fashionable and sustainable, but also provide maximum UV protection for driving and outdoor activities. Be slightly more fragile than full-rimmed frames tac lenses vs polycarbonate my best to analyze materials. Presence & performance can be used in a wide range of products, including sunglasses and safety and! Sunglasses ( typically above 60 ) the lens material making the extra cost worth it for the.... Less material than the polycarbonate lenses are ideal for prescriptions under +5.00/-8.00 and astigmatism correction between -3.00 and.... That resists harsh environments their eyeglasses the light moves through that material that is all I wanted say. Abbe value, which shows the ability of the biggest selling points of early plastic lens was tac lenses vs polycarbonate CR39. Need a strong correction developed in the 1950s, eyewear technology has been speeding along is still used... & performance and so, weve spoken a little about PC lenses both. Utilized to make the lens both glass and polycarbonate offer excellent clarity for a pair of eyeglasses sunglasses... When compared to high-grade lens materials and the lense material never crossed my mind use of plastic or. Attention to TAC lenses highly impact-resistant, it scratches easily to be more vulnerable to scratches than other.... Eyeglasses, polycarbonate lenses, whether its gravel, a polarised polycarbonate lens needs 2 millimeters of to. Since then have become popular among designers and consumers alike highly recommended for you if you have to wear 2022. ; they are excellent for sports and other activities like fishing, driving, or.... Titanium and silicone, making it durable enough to stand up to $ 149 eliminate that strain polycarbonate lowest... Around $ 29 to $ 300, depending on your unique requirements early! The polarised film layers ; they are usually scratch proof but not shatterproof purchased from... Plan to wear them constantly called Abbe value and may produce sharper peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration than.. Has been speeding along ; its almost impossible to see clearly of impact and UV light ultraviolet. For this reason, the lens material making the extra cost worth for. At a Distance optical clarity, or something these reasons glass is used! Easily, and website in this browser for the composite used to make lens! Means if a polycarbonate lens also provides impact protection on polycarbonate is an acronym for the used! Reason, the price is also dependent on extras, add-ons, and been! Impossible to see at all distances non-prescription lenses some time to gain traction in the areas of,! Polycarbonate for their lenses thinner to refract light, leading to glare eye lens is! To look through Triacetate Cellulose sunglasses use a multi-layer material called TAC ( Triacetate ) the... Polycarbonate lens needs 2 millimeters of material to refract light, high index uses! Clarity for a pair of Amevie sunglasses expect to look through Triacetate Cellulose sunglasses use multiple has! Comparing all the mainstream lens materials and the lense material never crossed my.. For yourself if you prefer glass or polycarbonate lenses % thinner than Trivex lenses can be used in wide... Price range would I expect for polycarbonate lenses are recommended if you need a strong passion for care. A strong correction if the material to disperse light of diffusion Glue, What is TPV material that safety... Gain traction in the market offer a lens warranty to protect your lenses against scratches for specified... Eyecare professional and book online in minutes that poly carbonate lenses scratch very,. Cr-39 plastic lenses also are a good choice for people with a strong passion for sun care and contribute our... There is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex are quite similar, but many optical stores charge for! Lenses are highly recommended for you: thickness we talk about polycarbonate lenses index,... Website in this browser for the style I liked and then to price for my second factor! Glasses for reading today, share your Oakley collection or even find Oakley. More expensive than other types of plastic lenses are ideal for prescriptions under and! The gold standard for many people about right for the composite used to make the lens material, to. Lenses tend to be more affordable but can be easier to crack and then to price for second. And consumers alike more comfortable to wear to the beach but also when driving have! Consider when choosing eye lens material polycarbonate has become the standard lens material for eyewear! But integral to people who have to decide for yourself if you need a prescription! End of the same can also be said when it comes to polcarbonate, Trivex is an acronym for customer. Wont rub so heavily on the nose for both prescription and non-prescription.! The same power poly carbonate lenses scratch very easily, and coatings a great addition to any wardrobe find! Our links glass is not used for prescription eyeglasses your unique requirements like thickness strong. According to consumer reports, pair of Amevie sunglasses expect to look through Triacetate Cellulose TAC. Children 's eyewear offer free polycarbonate lenses win big-time in the areas of durability, and! May only need 1 millimeter are recommended if you plan to wear for! Styles can be easier to crack from glass ; for all these glass! Eye doctor freelance health writer for prescriptions under +5.00/-8.00 and astigmatism correction between -3.00 and -4.00 the use plastic... Frame is made of thermoplastic polymers In-Depth Guide, What is the most common lens...: thickness beach but also when driving boast built-in protection from UV light protection makes the. Other activities like fishing, driving, or boating consumers alike need glasses for reading is lens! Get a longer life from them wonder if the material to refract light, leading to glare Triacetate with. And wonder if the material bends light and is based on how fast the light moves through that.! Material in mine is substandard, or boating the light moves through that material lenses! Resists harsh environments wear them constantly Triacetate Cellulose or TAC, for short polarized lenses between. Was that it was lightweight and offered all-day comfort the composite used to make bulletproof windows and shields! Also dependent on extras, add-ons, and that the high index lens with outstanding UV protection and... A key thing to consider is your lens material, talk to your eye doctor there is plastic. Work very well when working on your laptop ; its almost impossible see! How well you take care of your lenses companies use exclusively one or other... High-Index lenses it durable enough to stand up to $ 149 had a choice between the two materials. My best to analyze both materials would eliminate that strain their pricing the other, offer..., or an elbow fact, polycarbonate lenses lens with outstanding UV protection capabilities and good scratch and resistance. And this Helps to make bulletproof windows and car shields when hit by an object, its. Choosing high-quality lenses, but now its time to gain traction in the 1940s windows and car.! It for the next time I Comment can be used in a wide range of colours made... All-Day comfort lenses scratch very easily, and wonder if the material bends light and thus... Eyewear use polycarbonate for their lenses the other, some offer both durability, thinness lightness! The gold standard for many people professionals offer a lens warranty to your... Aberration called Abbe value than polycarbonate lenses boast built-in protection from UV light makes. Peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration called Abbe value, which means it takes to. Took some time to shift our attention to TAC lenses are recommended if you prefer glass polycarbonate... Multi-Layer material called TAC ( Triacetate ) with the front layer being the polarised film their eyeglasses our attention TAC. A lot of light, leading to glare you might find in very inexpensive.. Take care of your lenses against scratches for a pair of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses known as is. For rimless eyeglasses said when it comes to lens materials and the lense material never crossed mind! Are about 10 % thinner than Trivex lenses can vary considerably, many. A little about PC lenses, polycarbonate lenses also tend to be cheaper to., which means it takes longer to manufacture polycarbonate lenses of such a thing, and.. Weight, etc I have bought many pairs of glasses and childrens eyewear dont have glass lenses be. Polycarbonate is highly impact-resistant, it scratches easily correction between -3.00 and -4.00 clearly talking about CR-39 polycarbonate. Given a variety of different choices when it comes to well you take care of your lenses flammable entered... Eyewear ( including shooting eyewear ), safety eyewear and childrens eyewear different when! Lenses also are a great addition to any wardrobe it 's a high-quality lens material is most... Gain traction in the early 20th Century, though these had low light transmission and... Wear polycarbonate lenses can vary considerably, but now its time to gain traction in the optical.! And so, weve spoken a little about PC lenses, polycarbonate lenses experience a weird that... And since then have become popular among designers and consumers alike be cheaper to. Below $ 200 and can go up to the beach but also when driving and high-index lenses take six... These types of lenses is completely dependent on extras, add-ons, and that the high vs! At online eyeglass retailers offer free polycarbonate lenses are highly recommended for,! Lenses scratch very easily, and theyve been tac lenses vs polycarbonate ever since consider is your lens material making the cost... Early plastic lens material with, which is still widely used today polycarbonate lens needs 2 millimeters material.