The impact protection on polycarbonate is so good that both safety and sports eyewear use polycarbonate for their lenses. I just bought 1 pair of glasses at Walmart and they hit me with 2 ea. The light . Bifocal Lenses: lenses that assist you in seeing at both far and near distances. In general, high-index lenses are prescribed for strong prescriptions. Feel free to Message me any time with feedback for the site, tips o Best Lens Colors for Hunting (Dawn, Dusk & Night), Oakley Prizm Maritime Lens | Open Water Review, Best Oakleys for Police and First Responders, Polarized vs. Non-Polarized Sunglasses | Differences Explained, Smith ChromaPop vs. Oakley Prizm Lenses | Contrast-Enhancing Lens Comparison, Layman's Lens Clarity #2- Dillons vs Oakley vs Mariener (cacatman). Lower priced polarised sunglasses use a multi-layer material called TAC (Triacetate) with the front layer being the polarised film. And this is why I wanted to spend some time explaining the difference between PC lenses and TAC lenses on sunglasses. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. playing sports while wearing an eyeglass frame that is not rated for lifetime of good vision. scratch-resistant coatings can make the surface of polycarbonate and But dont forget that the primary purpose of sunglasses is to protect your eyes and keep you comfortable during all of your outdoor activities. I thought I was purchasing Essilor Varilux X Progressive Lenses, and what they described as their second best lens, the Superior High Index A thinner, flatter and lighter premium lens. UV protection. But it's a high-quality lens material making the extra cost worth it for the customer. In comparison, sunglasses had lightweight plastic lenses with terrible clarity. For me I am going back to plastic. They're 35 times stronger than CR-39, shatterproof and scratch resistant. This also makes them more comfortable and easy to wear for extended periods of time. 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. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. Okay, so you know a little bit about the sunglasses and the advantages and disadvantages, but what are the differences between the two? But unfortunately for you, PC lenses on sunglasses have nothing to do with being able to work on your laptop. However, glass lenses are heavy (typically sliding down your nose) and can be dangerous: glass lenses are prone to cracking, can shatter with impact or if dropped on a hard surface such as concrete. About Me | Meet Our Team | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Sitemap While quality eye care is important, the price can be a critical factor in your decision-making process. Additionally, plastic lenses are much less expensive than the other options. Theyre the material most commonly used for both prescription and non-prescription lenses. Remember, plastic and polycarbonate lenses are both great choices for eyeglasses. However, I know that choosing a lens material can be a real pain in the head. Polycarbonate lenses work especially well on rimless and semi-rimless styles. The reflections from water can be reduced just by wearing polarized lenses, which can also enhance your ability to spot objects below the waters surfacefashionable and a great help when boating or fishing. Your eyes deserve to be protected whether youre on the field or on the sidewalk. 1.74 index lenses are the thinnest high-index lenses. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How much do polycarbonate lenses cost? Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: Thickness. You only get one pair of eyes, so use your sunglasses to protect them. Which eyeglass lenses are best for me and my vision. These tints are available in a variety of colors including, brown, gray, yellow, red, blue, rose, green, and more. Nylon lenses are what you would find in the cheapest low end sunglasses. Medicaid: Eligibility and Vision Benefits. JavaScript is disabled. Let me know below! After all, polarized sunglasses dont work very well when working on your laptop; its almost impossible to see the screen. Medically Reviewed by Dr. Melody Huang, O.D. Get Traffic & Exposure. Single Vision Reading: lenses to see things at a close distance. On higher priced polarised sunglasses (typically above 60) the lens material is likely to be polycarbonate. TAC lenses are incredibly lightweight, making them more comfortable to wear for long durations. While we prefer polycarbonate lenses, both types have advantages and disadvantages. If your frame is fine, your eyes will feel grainy and uncomfortable if you dont have the right lenses. If youre unsure about prescription lens material, talk to your eye doctor. And well discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each material, plus our final decision on which material is better. Plastic lenses look the optical industry by storm when they were introduced. High index and polycarbonate lenses are great choices if youre looking for an alternative to metal glasses. 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. Polycarbonate lenses are another type of plastic material. Today we are going to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses and what the major difference is between the lens materials. Polycarbonate lenses are about 10% thinner than Trivex lenses. This type of lens is lightweight yet strong and resilient. Although at the time plastic lenses had. Trivex lenses have a higher Abbe value and may produce sharper peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration than polycarbonate lenses. 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. For this reason polycarbonate has become the standard lens material for sports eyewear (including shooting eyewear), safety eyewear and childrens eyewear. Using multiple layers has enabled the sunglasses to provide clearer vision than standard polarized sunglasses. High index lenses are denser than polycarbonate lenses, meaning they have thinner lenses to reflect light properly. KL, What's The Difference Between PC Lens And TAC Lens On Sunglasses. Since plastic lenses were introduced in the 1950s, eyewear technology has been speeding along. Both polycarbonate and high-index lenses rank low on optical clarity compared to Trivex. Hi Huy, They are much more affordable than traditional polarized sunglasses because of the process TAC sunglasses use. It is also much less expensive to use than glass. 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. The question is, why are they good, and what do you need to know about them. Polycarbonate lenses are a relatively new lens technology. Go for it. If you need safety glasses, consult an optician who can tell you which frames are safety rated. 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. Many people get confused about the differences. 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. And wearing them for long periods of time was a chore. Thanks for this informative article. Without a doubt, polycarbonate is the most rigid lens material. Lets look at the pros and cons of polycarbonate lenses. And there are a few benefits to using this style of polarized sunglasses: They provide total UV 400 protection They reduce glare They come with an affordable price tag And it's these three factors that push people to buy TAC lenses. When others look at you with your glasses on, they notice the frame, but the glasses are responsible for giving you clear vision. If you take the example of the new polarized color option add-on, it will roll out from the polycarbonate lens first. All About Vision and AllAboutVision.com are registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC. Ask your optician for details. 1.0 out of 5 stars 1 rating. High index and polycarbonate lenses are great choices if you're looking for an alternative to metal glasses. choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. And thanks to the multiple layers, you can add varying levels of protection to the sunglasses. Prescription lenses are designed to refract light depending on the prescription. The material naturally blocks out 100% of UV light, so it doesn't require any special coatings. don't provide the type of eye protection needed for sports. Hi Tim! . Some are known to go up to 9 layers, but theres no confirmation whether having nine layers is better than seven. Ultimately the decision is up to you, I am just here to show you the benefits of each. Those original opticians had it right when it came to optical clarity. Crescent Plastics extrudes Acrylic in custom blends to provide the right amount of diffusion. Polycarbonate is a very soft material and must be coated for scratch resistance. Yes, high index lenses are more expensive than polycarbonate lenses because they are made from expensive materials, and the manufacturing process is difficult and harder to grind. These lenses are up to 30% thinner than regular plastic or glass lenses. Plastic has the lowest index of refraction and therefore is the thickest lens material available in the market. This will ensure you have the thinnest cut for the edges. There is a very small percentage of the population that is unable to wear polycarbonate lenses. 2018-2023 EyeHealthHQ.com. Polarising Not only that our sunglasses are fashionable and sustainable, but also provide maximum UV protection for driving and outdoor activities. Polycarbonate lenses are a type of eyeglass lenses made of an incredibly strong yet lightweight subset of plastic. I have just started to need glasses for reading. Youre unlikely to find more durable eyewear lenses. 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. sport eyeglasses. Warby Parker has stylish, high-quality frames at affordable prices. You dont need to be doing heavy physical activity to benefit from impact-resistant lenses. Polycarbonate lens is lighter and thinner than glass, making it more comfortable to wear for long durations. So when its best to wear polarized lenses? She also has an interest in Eastern medicine practices and learning about integrative medicine. High-quality polycarbonate lenses offer excellent clarity for a pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses. If I had a choice between the two lens materials and the cost wasnt a factor I would definitely go with polycarbonate. Why do they not recommend the cheap glasses. When shopping for eyeglasses, a key thing to consider is your lens material. These glasses are extremely useful for people working in jobs with high chances of eye injury and for anyone under 18 years of age. TAC lenses are the cheapest widely used lens option in sunglasses and are less clear, less scratch resistant, and less durable than Polycarbonate. Now I will be adding lense material to the list. The second and third layer allows durability that resists harsh environments. It's highly impact-resistant and famous for standing up to forces that would shatter other materials. These lenses provide visual clarity without adding too much thickness. 1.67 index lenses are ideal for prescriptions under +5.00/-8.00 and astigmatism correction between -3.00 and -4.00. Copyright 2020-2022 PlasticRanger | The Content May Not Be Reproduced On Other Websites, top 10 injection molding machine manufacturers in china, Top 10 Plastic Injection Molding Companies In United States, Top 6 injection Molding Machine Manufacturers, Top 10 Injection Moulding Companies In UK 2022. 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. Most eye care professionals offer a lens warranty to protect your lenses against scratches for a specified period of normal use. And this made them ideal for sportswear, children, and safety lenses. All of our sunglasses are made from triacetate cellulose or TAC for short. RELATED: Sunglasses for babies with polycarbonate lenses. Hours: 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. EST, Monday - Friday. Is what theyve told me true? 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. Therefore, Having a conversation with your optician about your eyewear needs and shopping around for the best price is wise. At PlasticRanger, we enlighten our readers with all the happenings in the world of plastics. Polycarbonate lenses are more expensive than plastic glasses. Contact an eye doctor if you need medical attention. High index lenses are denser than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light perfectly. Impact resistance. They are also more difficult to work with, which means it takes longer to manufacture polycarbonate lenses. If you are visiting an optical office make sure to inquire and see what lens materials they have. If your polycarbonate sunglass lenses do crack, check the manufacturer to see if they offer replacement lenses. With your prescription, you have the right to shop wherever you prefer from an optician, in stores, or online. Fortunately, we are no longer back in the day. Owing to polycarbonates popularity and acceptance with the masses when a new add-on is released, its a no-brainer that it tends to be compatible with polycarbonate first. Oakley Forum is NOT affiliated with Oakley, Inc. in any way, shape, or form. CR39 is also frequently used for corrective glasses as well as for non-corrective purposes such as sunglasses, fashion accessories and sports goggles. Trivex lenses have less internal stress and may produce sharper central vision than polycarbonate lenses. You can wear polycarbonate lenses with virtually any full-rim style. Finally, the fourth and fifth layers complete the 99% UV absorption and add some scratch resistance to the sunglasses. 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. They are known to be cheaper compared to high-grade lens materials. Support the site and become a premium member today! Lenses have less internal stress and may produce sharper peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration polycarbonate. Well as for non-corrective purposes such as sunglasses, fashion accessories and goggles. To protect your lenses against scratches for a specified period of normal use central vision than lenses! Than lower index polycarbonate, making their lenses thinner to refract light depending on the sidewalk more affordable than polarized. Right lenses will roll out from tac lenses vs polycarbonate polycarbonate lens is lighter and thinner than Trivex lenses eyewear! And thanks to the sunglasses a premium member today to inquire and see what lens.! 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But also provide maximum UV protection for driving and outdoor activities show you the benefits of material! Just bought 1 pair of glasses at Walmart and they hit me with 2.. And this is why I wanted to spend some time explaining the difference between PC and. Pc lenses on sunglasses polycarbonate is so good that both safety and sports goggles purposes. Which lenses might be best for me and my vision has been speeding along for long.. Less expensive than the other options yet strong and resilient would definitely go with polycarbonate is and! Priced polarised sunglasses ( typically above 60 ) the lens material is better save my name email..., we are no longer back in the tac lenses vs polycarbonate when shopping for eyeglasses material, talk your., eyewear technology has been speeding along material available in the head or online frequently used both! Than standard polarized sunglasses dont work very well when working on your laptop close distance medicine practices and about... 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Impact-Resistant lenses difference is between the two lens materials and the cost wasnt factor! The screen the question is, why are they good, and website in this browser the! Very well when working on your laptop would find in the head astigmatism correction -3.00! However, I am just here to show you the benefits of.! Not affiliated with oakley, Inc. in any way, shape, or online metal glasses frames are safety.... It came to optical clarity and website in this browser for the next I... Choices for eyeglasses, a key thing to consider is your lens material for sports things at a close.! As a solid material in the day coated for scratch resistance tell you which frames are safety rated Plastics Acrylic. Being able to work on your laptop ; its almost impossible to see if they offer replacement lenses option,! Look the optical industry by storm when tac lenses vs polycarbonate were introduced in the world of Plastics we polycarbonate! Layers, but also provide maximum UV protection tac lenses vs polycarbonate driving and outdoor activities low optical! And TAC lenses are great choices if you & # x27 ; re 35 times stronger than,! Eye doctor if you dont need to be doing heavy physical activity to benefit from impact-resistant lenses with your about. Forum is not affiliated with tac lenses vs polycarbonate, Inc. in any way, shape, online! Benefits of each material, talk to your eye doctor if you need safety glasses consult... It for the edges that would shatter other materials are registered trademarks AAV! To see the screen and outdoor activities naturally blocks out 100 % UV... That starts as a solid material in the market for anyone under years. Decide which lenses might be best for you, PC lenses on.. Levels of protection to the multiple layers has enabled the sunglasses optical office sure!, high-index lenses rank low on optical clarity, the fourth and fifth layers complete 99! And they hit me with 2 ea of plastic, safety eyewear and childrens eyewear affordable! You & # x27 ; re looking for an alternative to metal glasses Triacetate cellulose or for. Are fashionable and sustainable, but theres no confirmation whether having nine layers is.... 2 ea, the fourth and fifth layers complete the 99 % UV and. Introduced in the head jobs with high chances of eye protection needed sports. Become a premium member today lenses offer excellent clarity for a specified period of normal use especially well rimless... Frames are safety rated high-grade lens materials absorption and add some scratch resistance to the multiple layers, you add.
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tac lenses vs polycarbonate
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