Your lens material can significantly impact your comfort, vision, and style. If you’re new to wearing glasses, finding the perfect lenses doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Whether you’re looking for lightweight durability, crystal-clear clarity, or a balance of both, understanding your options is the first step.
Let’s break down the five primary lens materials and what makes each one unique:
- Plastic Lenses
- Polycarbonate Lenses
- Trivex Lenses
- High Index Lenses
- Glass Lenses
Plastic Lenses
Also known as CR39, plastic lenses offer clarity comparable to glass and are the most affordable option. They are easy to tint but tend to be thicker and heavier than polycarbonate lenses.
Plastic is prone to scratches and breakage and is not suitable for drill-mounted or semi-rimless frames. Additionally, children under 18 cannot be prescribed plastic lenses.
Polycarbonate (Poly) Lenses
Polycarbonate lenses are highly impact-resistant, thinner, lighter, and more durable than plastic. They can be used with drill-mounted or semi-rimless frames, but they come at a higher cost.
Although we apply an anti-scratch coating to polycarbonate lenses, they can still be scratched. Polycarbonate lenses have lower clarity compared to glass and plastic. And while they can be tinted, they do not hold tint well.
Trivex Lenses
Trivex lenses have an enhanced scratch resistance, lighter weight, and better optical clarity compared to polycarbonate.
Trivex has a high tensile strength, so it is the recommended material if you’re not one to take great care of your glasses, or if you’re getting a drill mount or semi-rimless frames. Similarly to polycarbonate, trivex does not tint well.
High Index Lenses
For those with strong prescriptions, high index lenses are ideal. They are the thinnest lenses available, eliminating the “soda bottle” appearance that’s often seen with thicker lenses. While high index lenses are lighter and thinner than plastic, they are heavier than polycarbonate.
Here at Korrect, we also apply anti-scratch and anti-reflective coatings to help mitigate glare.
Due to the extensive manufacturing process, these lenses are typically the most expensive lens material choice.
Glass Lenses
Glass lenses offer the highest clarity and optical quality of any lens material, due to their superior ABBE value. They are naturally scratch-resistant without coatings, but are heavier than other materials.
Glass is not impact-resistant and can chip or shatter if dropped, making it unsuitable for active lifestyles. Additionally, the manufacturing process for glass lenses can take over 30 days.
Schedule An Eye Exam
Have more questions about what lens material makes the most sense for you? Schedule an exam and we’d be more than happy to help: Schedule Eye Exam
