Lenses can make a big difference in how happy you are with your eyeglasses, but choosing the right lens material can be a difficult process of balancing style, weight, and cost without sacrificing practicality and comfort. Here is everything that you need to know about the features and benefits of different lens materials.
Standard plastic lenses— Standard plastic lenses are well known for their comfort and durability. They are a popular choice for eyeglasses because they are affordable and safe. A scratch-resistant coating is easy to apply.
Mid-Index plastic lenses— Mid-index plastic lenses are slimmer than standard plastic, which means that for stronger prescriptions that typically require thicker (and more expensive) lenses, they can remain thinner (and less expensive).
High-index plastic lenses— High-index plastic lenses are perfect for stronger prescriptions because they are the thinnest and lightest of all of the plastic materials. However, they are also more expensive than standard and mid-index plastic lenses.
Polycarbonate lenses— Polycarbonate lenses are more durable than other plastic materials and don’t need to be very thick for most prescriptions. Polycarbonate is the perfect material for children’s eyeglasses, because they are almost completely unbreakable.
High-definition (HD) lenses — High-definition lenses are customized for each prescription using digital technology. The resulting glasses are usually superior to other materials because the lenses offer a better field of vision and highly individualized vision correction.
Composite lenses— Composite lenses are made of polycarbonate, Trivex, and other materials. The material is durable, blocks out UVA and UVB rays from the sun, and is virtually weightless. If you wear glasses 24/7, these might be for you.
When it comes to materials for eyeglasses, you’ve got lots of options! Talk to your optometrist about the best lenses for your lifestyle. Book your appointment with your Valley Eyecare Center eye doctor. Call us at 602-955-2700 or schedule online today.
