When you have to wear glasses, the type of lenses prescribed by an optometrist or eye doctor will have a significant impact on your vision, your appearance, comfort, and your safety when wearing your glasses. However, it can sometimes be a challenge to find the right type of lenses that will work for you. There are several varieties of eyeglass lens materials and designs, each with unique advantages, disadvantages, and costs.
When it comes to eyeglass lenses, the index of refraction (also known as the refractive index) is a measure of how well the material bends light. The effectiveness of a substance is determined by the speed at which light passes through it. A high-refractive index lens will be thinner than one composed of less-refractive materials for the same eyeglass lens power, thus the opposite is true.
The following may assist you in making an informed decision about the type of lenses you should get for your glasses. Astigmatism correcting prescription eyeglass lenses fall under this category. The information will also assist you in your search for the best presbyopia-correcting progressive lenses or other multifocal lenses.
Plastic lenses
Plastic lenses for eyeglasses were initially created in the 1940s. CR-39 plastic lenses were the name given to these low-cost replacements for heavy glass lenses. In comparison to glass lenses, plastic eyeglass lenses weigh roughly half as much as the latter. Their optical quality is superb, and they are a fantastic value for the money. They are also more shock- and scratch-resistant than traditional glass lenses, which may break easily.
High-index plastic lenses
High-index plastic lenses of various kinds have been released throughout the last two decades. Regular plastic lenses are thicker and heavier, but these are much thinner and lighter. They have a higher index of refraction and are available with aspheric lenses.
Glass lenses
It wasn’t until the 20th century that plastic or polycarbonate lenses began to replace glass ones. The optical properties of glass lenses are second to none. However, they weigh a lot and are prone to breaking, resulting in significant eye injuries or even the loss of an eye. As a result of these issues, glass lenses are becoming increasingly rare in eyeglasses.
Polycarbonate lenses
In the 1970s, safety glasses with polycarbonate lenses became popular. Polycarbonate lenses have grown in popularity since that time. They are lighter and more impact resistant than standard plastic eyeglass lenses. Polycarbonate is an excellent lens material for children’s eyeglasses, safety glasses, and athletic eyewear.
Trivex lenses
Trivex, a novel lightweight and impact-resistant lens material for eyeglasses, was launched in 2001. Polycarbonate lenses can be replaced with trivex lenses. They are light and small, and their optical and impact resistance properties differ slightly.
Even if you buy the most expensive designer frames, your eyeglass lenses may cost more than the frames themselves, depending on the type of lenses and lens treatments you choose, as well as the lens-style you want. It is therefore important to know the characteristics and advantages of all eyeglass lenses and treatments in order to obtain the greatest value.
With The Glasses Company, you can be sure that you are getting only the highest-quality lenses and frames. Our 35-year-experienced UK-trained head optician will supervise the production, glazing, and polishing of your spectacles in our sterile and cutting-edge UK lab.