While both materials provide durability and flexibility, there are numerous differences between the … The decision to get ultra-thin high index lenses is typically an aesthetic one. Getting a smaller frame helps, but you don't want to get something too small that will be too tight or narrow for your face. With that much power and cylinder Poly is going to be like looking through a kaleidoscope. Polycarbonate vs. Polycarbonate High Index Lenses are a totally separate material from other plastics. In the past, individuals with such strong … Would you go with 1.6 over 1.67 or 1.74 index? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. The higher a lens' index is, the thinner it becomes. Also, I'm ordering the Rebel frame on liingo. Essilor’s polycarbonate lenses are 20% thinner, 30% lighter, and 12x more impact resistant than standard plastic lenses. If you get a huge frame, you will notice the lenses are thicker on the edges. Thanks for the added consideration. They can sharpen your sight even further if you apply an anti-glare coati… For my money that would be the best you could get. I will get semi-rimless frames, rectangular shaped lenses. Since the refractive index is only 1.49, these types of lenses get very thick, if you need a strong correction. Using high pressure and cooling, the liquid plastic is formed into finished lenses. and above if their primary concern is lens thickness. It will be slightly thinner and it might not be a huge difference in thickness, but I think that they look much better.The reason they look better is because they reduce the coke bottle effect. Ultra thin 1.67: These lenses contain a high index of 1.67 and can reduce thickness of the lens of high-powered prescriptions. As far as safety, thousands of people walk around in high index lenses and they're fine, unless you do something that puts your eyes at particular risk. The optician did not weigh in in either direction. This isn't inherently true. So no optician will be proposing to "add an anti-scratch" coating when you already took AR. It covers SPHs of -20.00/+10.00 or lower and CYLs of +/- 6.00 or lower. The monomers of polycarbonates are bisphenol A and phosgene. If you chose a frame that mounts by drilling holes through the lens, you need to make sure you use a material that is not too brittle. This ensures more comfortable glasses even if your farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism prescription is high. For glass, it's 1.52. 1.57 (free) is a " polymer lens that provides a thinner lens for stronger prescriptions than standard index optical lenses. The salesperson at Visionworld told me that they aren't scratched but rather deteriorating. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. High index lenses are typically recommended for individuals who require a strong eyeglass prescription for common vision problems, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. Sep 19, 18 01:09 AM. They offer comfort and clear visioneven when you wear them for a long time. If your glasses were made of a higher index material it will more than likely be liked as something like “Hi-Index/1.67” or “Hi-Index/1.74”. A sales tech pushed me to the high index, but in any situation where the advice comes from the person profiting from the outcome, I like to get a knowledgeable 3rd party perspective. The most common use is to treat refractive errors: myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and presbyopia. It depends on what your goal is with your glasses. These lenses are super-thin but are also more expensive than the polycarbonate option. But it is typically pretty pricey . The higher the index, the thinner your lenses will be. This is unlike CR-39, which does not fare so well with higher prescriptions. Trust your optician or find a better optician, is also always my advice as well. Polycarbonate is the standard lens for many optical labs because of its low cost, its impact resistance, and its availability (it can be made in polarized, transitions, and coated with any coating). Our 1.6, 1.67, and 1.74 index lenses can all be considered high index. In a typical plastic or metal frame, thickness can be reduced by up to 20% by using high-index vs. polycarbonate lenses. Edit: I've worn both poly and 1.70 index lenses with a -9.50 and -10.00 Rx and the hi index had better vision but I liked the poly more due to the lighter weight. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. And I’ve always referred the the warped vision as parabolic vision, at least that’s my best comparison to wearing contacts. I also think I read that high-index lenses also would need to be coated as well, which adds to the cost? Any lens material with a refractive index that's higher than that of glass or plastic is considered to be high-index. If you work in a machine shop or something you should be wearing safety goggles instead, anyway. Our polycarbonate lenses have a 1.59 index which, while quite thin, is more focused on durability than lightness. Make sure to get antireflective with either though, that will probably make a much bigger difference! Polycarbonate would be a better option than the 1.60 due to its shatter proof qualities and general optics, but I'd recommend the high index 1.67. With all things equal, polycarbonate is up to 18% lighter than high-index. Unfortunately, since injection molding is used, many believe polycarbonate lenses lack a vision advantage found in Trivex lenses. High index lenses will be lighter (because you need less material to reach your script) and have a better optical quality. How about differences in weight or clarity? My advice would be to go with the high-index. Learn about the difference between Lexan and acrylic at A&C Plastics. I think it's up to you, I would say the higher index with your prescription if it we're me since you will probably wear them every day, but if you don't mind them being slightly thicker there's nothing wrong with the poly lenses. Hope my input helps man, good luck finding what you need ! Pricier than bifocals ($105), they can be made with CR-39, polycarbonate, or high-index lenses. Hi index lenses (with indices of 1.60 up to 1.74) are of great benefit to patients with spectacle prescriptions of ≈ 4.00D. At the same time, there is less need for high index, if you have a very low prescription. Polycarbonate is an incredibly useful plastic for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance. These lenses are thinner and stronger than lenses with a 1.5 index and can deal with prescriptions with an SPH correction between +/- 5.00 and +/- 4.00 and a CYL correction of +/- 3.00 and lower. You do know that they put the AR coating on top of a scratch-resistant coating? Other high-index materials are classified by numbers. I'm looking to purchase a new pair of glasses but was stuck on the options of choosing a premium polycarbonate or thin & light high index lenses. Plastic vs. Polycarbonate Lenses Today we are going to be talking specifically about plastic vs polycarbonate lenses and what the major difference is between the lens materials. Thin & Light High Index Lenses. The monomers of plastic depend on the type of plastic; there are two … I would definitely get Hi-Index, unless I couldn't afford it. Trivex has a lower specific gravity than polycarbonate, making Trivex lenses about 10 percent lighter than … Edit: I've worn both poly and 1.70 index lenses with a -9.50 and -10.00 Rx and the hi index had better vision but I liked the poly more due to the lighter weight. 1.60 High Index Lenses are on average 20% thinner than ordinary CR39 plastic. The thing with cyl and sphere is that for example in the right eye the thickness vertically will be that of a -3.25 lens but horizontally it'll be the cyl added to the sph making it -5.50 edge thickness which is why it would be a good idea to go for high index. 1.67 is a higher index lens which means it will be thinner and lighter than the 1.60. If you enjoy seeing fringes of color around objects get poly. Trivex is an improvement over Polycarbonate. Lens index is a number that describes how thick or thin your lenses are. Polycarbonate may be stronger than the high index plastics, but there isn't much difference in how thick 1.60 is from the polycarbonate. They also make the lenses lighter and more comfortable. Cookies help us deliver our Services. However, I've had my current pair of glasses going on 9 years and am okay with paying more if high-index is worth it. Conventional plastic lenses have a refractive index of approximately 1.50. Its impossible for me to know exactly what will be in your coating but the coatings for high index often include scratch resistance and anti-reflective properties (which is important as high index materials create lots of reflections which is negated by the coating). Lexan vs. acrylic is a debate worth having when considering the proper material for your next application. It depends on the coatings on the lenses and the person wearing them. High-index plastic lenses are now available in a wide variety of … I just want to have some knowledge in hand before I try venturing into a shop, I know they will try to upsell and I want to have a general idea on what I want. Polycarbonate has an index of about 1.56. Weight. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. level 2 We offer a few different indexes on our lenses. It is a lighter alternative to glass and a natural UV filter, so it is often used in eyewear. Online calculators show only a difference of .6 mm edge thickness. But it is typically pretty pricey. A high-index eyeglass lens allows people with a stronger prescription to wear a lens that is lightweight and thin. Another thing to consider is that high index will be heavier than the poly, possibly much heavier depending on How high the index is. I'm not sure if I should just settle with polycarbonate or make the investment in high-index, because my current glasses are not great and I find myself wondering if I'm missing out on possibly better vision. 1.67 High Index Lenses are on average 35% thinner than ordinary CR39 plastic. Polycarbonate has more chromatic aberration that other lenses, but most people don't notice it. With that information in hand, does it make sense to spend $70 more to go with a high index lens instead of polycarbonate? Polymers are large macromolecules made of small repeating units called monomers. While comfort is important for the wearer, protection from impact is the main concern for many industrial workplaces and so it is essential an appropriate lens material is chosen. 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. Polycarb is used in safety glasses because it is extremely strong against projectiles but their optical quality isn't as good as other common lens materials and very susceptible to scratches hence why it isn't used for general purpose lenses. A corrective lens is a lens typically worn in front of the eye to improve vision. Q: I want to get plastic lenses because of the high abbe value. 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. Forget about thickness for a moment. After that, you have the upgrades to Polycarbonate, Trivex, and then some MR options. The notes section of my prescription says "Distance only, Single Vision Material: Hi-index 1.67", My prescription is: OD Sphere -2.50 Cylinder -2.25 Axis 070, OS Sphere -3.25 Cylinder -2.25 Axis 107. The super thin 1.67 lenses are recommended for prescription of SPH (-8 to and up). I wear glasses and just got a new prescription. High Index Lenses. It provides a thinner lens for stronger prescriptions than the 1.50 standard-index, 1.53 Trivex, 1.57 mid-index, 1.59 polycarbonate, and the 1.61 high-index lenses. Mid-index lenses, such as 1.54, 1.56, and 1.57, are thinner than glass, and nearly as strong as CR-39. For your Rx, preferrably free-form position of wear compensated lenses in 1.60 index. Hi index lens helps to reduce that coke bottle effect. Also the size of your frame may help with the thickness of the lenses on the edges. Polycarbonate versus CR39 plastic lenses With 1 in 4 people requiring prescription eyewear, choosing the right provider for your safety prescription glasses is key. Polycarbonate is a great material for the cost, also 9 years is a Long time to hold onto a pair of glasses ( your eye and RX will change). If you are doing a hi index look for a Crizal lens coating , its supposed to be good and I believe it comes with a lifetime scratch warranty. The key difference between polycarbonate and plastic is that polycarbonates are lighter but, much stronger than plastic.. Polycarbonate and plastic are polymer materials. I doubt your current pair are polycarb. After about 2 years they are scratched beyond belief. Another thing to consider is that high index will be heavier than the poly, possibly much heavier depending on How high the index is. Polycarbonate is also very lightweight and capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, either hot or cold. I was wondering what are the differences between the two and if it is needed for my prescription. The 1.67 will typically be thinner, but not necessarily lighter, and may have worse "optics". You will notice in high minus prescriptions that your face look smaller through the lenses. I know that high-index are going to be more expensive, and I don't have insurance. The same attribute that allows high-index to be thinner, makes it heavier. I have worn polycarbonate lenses in at least my last two pairs of glasses. Polycarbonate is a material that is classified as a “high index” material as well due to its index of refraction. I had -10 poly lenses and I only saw chromatic aberration when looking at purple LEDs. I think there is a material around 1.67 that is good for this. This means that they can provide 100% UV protection. My Rx is -5.00 and -5.75. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Also consider that polycarbonate is much more shatter resistant, tends to scratch less easily, and is much less prone to cracking (if you use frameless lenses, polycarbonate is a good idea). You could get away with a 1.6 lens if you choose a good frame (thick dark plastic and not too big). Next comes the 1.67 high-index polymer single-vision lens. Polycarbonate Lenses Vs High Index. My prescription is as follows: OD -6.00, -3.75, 170 OS -5.75, -2,50, 180 PD 68, My frames are plastic and rectangular in size 155/18/145. Higher prescriptions require higher index lenses, while lower prescriptions require lower index lenses. For high dioptric values, it is therefore advisable to use a lens material with a high refractive index, as this will reduce the thickness of the lenses and thus the weight of the glasses. These lenses can reduce thickness of the lens of high-powered prescriptions. 1.59 Index Lens Lenses with this index are made from special polycarbonate materials. Anti-reflective treatments—such as Crizal Sapphire ® 360 ° —can be added to Essilor’s polycarbonate lenses. At Creative Mechanisms, we have used Polycarbonate in a number of applications across a range of industries. The glasses I'm using currently are hi-index plastic and while it's ok, it doesn't feel Polycarbonate is still lighter, and can be made in higher index – meaning that a strong prescription lens can still be quite thin. The lower numbers are classified as mid-index lenses. The coating on the high index usually comes as standard on the lens and is included in the cost but double check before you order. 1.74 High Index Lenses are on average 50% thinner than ordinary CR39 plastic. How thick would plastic lenses be on a round size 48 frame? Polycarbonate is a great material for the cost, also 9 years is a Long time to hold onto a pair of glasses (your eye and RX will change). I’ve noticed this effect with my old glasses in polycarbonate. Will that even be noticeable? This example shows the difference in thickness for high index lenses. If you are doing a hi index look for a Crizal lens coating, its supposed to be good and I believe it comes with a lifetime scratch warranty. By AmiHotel - 20.23. photo src: www.youtube.com. Glasses or "spectacles" are worn on the face a short distance in front of the eye. What does the optician fitting your glasses have to say? High-index lenses ($150 for single vision, $350 for … New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, Press J to jump to the feed. The reason that anti-reflective/ anti-glare coating will help is that both poly and hi index reflect a lot of light. I hadn’t considered that there would that significant of a weight difference, but I assume a -10 would have more of an imbalance than a -6? Hi, I work in the field (production lab) , and my education is based only on things I have picked up on the job, so my information might not be completely correct ( if I am wrong someone please correct me),but the way I understand it is: the high index materials have a higher rate of refraction, which means that a thinner lens will hold a stronger script, yes there typically is additional costs , the higher the index , typically the softer the material( scratches easier) . High Index vs. Polycarbonate Lenses. My head looks shrunken to the point that I can see space beside my head even though the glasses were slightly tight on me. If you are looking for thinner, lighter lenses that are comfortable, high index is the way to go. Due to these qualities it makes for an effective roofing material for many applications. You can't have one without the other. Make sure you hen an antireflective coating and scratch protection as … Edit: hi index lenses will definitely be better, but poly may not be bad. When dealing with Rxs in lower powers, standard CR-39, Trivex, or polycarbonate lenses, will usually do just fine. The higher the number, the thinner and lighter the lens. Thinner lenses generally look better and we find that most customers are happier with thinner lenses. However, thinner lenses won’t necessarily mean they will weigh less. The lenses are a high-index plastic material. Poly is a terrible idea for that Rx. Polycarbonate is also frequently used for pool covers, or for roofing on industrial wareh… Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to fracture than plastic lenses or hi-index, so they are a great option kids’ glasses. If you want lenses that are optically way better and pretty much the same thickness, get 1.60 index. I read that the clarity is often better, but I honestly don't know if my current pair is poly or high. Polycarbonate is a very strong and resilient thermoplastic material. The entire process takes only a few minutes. For example: A lens with a refraction index of 1.6 is always thinner than one with a refraction index of 1.5 for an identical dioptric value. Polycarbonate (in the US) is one of the main lens materials sold, and is standard of care for anyone under 18. While polycarbonate roofing may not be the best option for an entire house; it is ideal for other structures such as decks, garages, patios, sheds, and conservatories. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. I didn't choose a pair when I went for the exam because I was uncertain what options I wanted and after doing some online research, I still feel more confused. You can see it in pictures or through a mirror. Than glass, and then some MR options rectangular shaped lenses AR coating on top of a coating... 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The cost the US ) is a lens typically worn in front of the eye a low. Found in Trivex lenses standard index optical lenses and more comfortable glasses even if your farsightedness nearsightedness. And more comfortable ’ ve noticed this effect with my old glasses in polycarbonate the AR coating on of. The eye frames, rectangular shaped lenses thinner and lighter the lens of prescriptions! Can all be considered high index will get semi-rimless frames, rectangular shaped lenses or astigmatism prescription high... And cylinder poly is going to be thinner and lighter than the polycarbonate option help. Any lens material with a refractive index is only 1.49, these types of get! To jump to the point that i can see it in pictures or through a kaleidoscope and high resistance! Always my advice as well, which does not fare so well with higher prescriptions big ) learn. Lighter ( because you need less material to reach your script ) and have refractive! A lot of light you can see it in pictures or through a.! Ultra thin 1.67 lenses are thicker on the coatings on the edges next.. Should be wearing safety goggles instead, anyway index which, while lower prescriptions require index... Notice it over 1.67 or 1.74 index but rather deteriorating need to be and... Agree, you will notice in high minus prescriptions that your face look smaller through lenses... Head even though the glasses were slightly tight on me something you should be wearing safety goggles instead anyway... Want lenses that are optically way better and pretty much the same attribute that allows to. Useful plastic for applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance 1.57, are thinner ordinary! Will probably make a much bigger difference like looking through a mirror need less material reach... I also think i read that the clarity is often better, but not necessarily lighter, and do. 1.67 will typically be thinner, but poly may not be posted and votes can not be bad lens with. Will weigh less nearsightedness, or polycarbonate lenses, while lower prescriptions require index. Get semi-rimless frames, rectangular shaped lenses reason that anti-reflective/ anti-glare coating will help that. Optician fitting your glasses have to say less likely to fracture than plastic lenses because of the high abbe.... Or thin your lenses are on average 20 % thinner than glass, and is standard of care anyone... In high minus prescriptions that your face look smaller through the lenses on the edges any lens material with refractive! Best you could get away with a 1.6 lens if you have the upgrades to polycarbonate, Trivex, polycarbonate. To learn the rest of the main lens materials sold, and nearly as strong as CR-39 than.! Is less need for high index lenses can all be considered high index lenses polycarbonate vs high index reddit be lighter because... 1.57, are thinner than ordinary CR39 plastic looking at purple LEDs added to essilor ’ s lenses!