Plastic vs Polycarbonate Lenses: Which is Best for You?

If you wear glasses, you may own a pair and be wondering which lens material you should opt for: plastic or polycarbonate? You may be wondering about the differences between the two, as both are very popular and common lens materials. In this guide, we'll take a close look at both lenses, listing their pros and cons, as well as the best uses for each. Hopefully, this will help you make an informed decision.

What Are Plastic (CR-39) Lenses?

CR-39, or plastic lenses, have been the most popular glasses lenses since the 1940s. They are made of plastic resin mixed with allyl diglycol carbonate, which makes them lightweight. They are inexpensive and thus are the common choice for many eyewear users.

Pros and Cons of Plastic Lenses

Plastic lenses offer the following benefits:

• Optical clarity: provides crystal clear vision with no distortion.
• Cost: is inexpensive, therefore remaining within the budget of most people.
• Durability: fairly durable, though not as strong as other materials.

Plastic lenses also have drawbacks:

• Thickness: quite thicker than other materials. If you have a stronger prescription, your glasses may look aesthetically unappealing.
• Impact resistance: less impact-resistant and can break.
• UV protection: Features no built-in UV protection.

What Are Polycarbonate Lenses?

Polycarbonate lenses were introduced in the 1970s for use in safety glasses. As thermoplastic materials, polycarbonate lenses are highly impact resistant; this makes them exceptionally suitable for active people and young children. They also feature UV protection, which supports eye health.

Pros and Cons of Polycarbonate Lenses

Polycarbonate lenses have several advantages.

• Weight: They are considerably lightweight, about 25% lighter than traditional plastic.
• Thinness: Are quite thin,
• Impact resistance: Highly impact-resistant and don’t shatter easily
• UV protection: Features built-in UV protection.

Disadvantages of polycarbonate lenses are:

• Visual clarity: offers slightly less clarity, may cause visual distortion
• Wear and tear: prone to scratches without coatings.
• Cost: They are more expensive than plastic.

Plastic vs Polycarbonate Lenses: Key Differences

Based on the table above on polycarbonate vs. plastic lenses, plastic lenses offer excellent visual clarity and scratch resistance. They are also cheaper but are moderately impact resistant and don’t feature UV protection. Polycarbonate lenses are thinner, highly impact-resistant, lighter, and generally more expensive, but need a scratch-resistant coating. Polycarbonate’s thin profile makes it ideal for strong prescriptions and comfortable for people who wear glasses for a long time.

When to Choose Plastic Lenses

You may choose plastic lenses:

• If you have a lower prescription, plastic is thicker and would not suit people with a strong prescription, since they would then need thicker glasses.
• If you are on a budget, then plastic is the cheapest option of all. Best indoors since it can easily break or shatter when struck.
• If you want a clear vision, plastic is the best.

Example: If you need glasses for reading and don’t need impact resistance, CR-39 is a cost-effective choice.

When to Choose Polycarbonate Lenses

You may choose polycarbonate lenses:

• For kids, as they tend to break their glasses. Polycarbonate doesn’t break that easily.
• The same goes for athletes or individuals who are into sports. They need durable glasses.
• Polycarbonate is durable, and it is considered to be an appropriate material for making safety glasses for people who will be working in a laboratory or industrial environment.
• Polycarbonate is thinner and therefore suitable for persons with moderate to strong prescriptions.

Example: Polycarbonate is great for kids and athletes due to its durability.

Cost Comparison: Plastic vs Polycarbonate

Plastic lenses are the most affordable option. They are at least 20-30% less expensive than polycarbonate lenses. But they don’t feature UV protection and related features. So while polycarbonate lenses may cost you more initially, with added features like UV protection, the extra cost can well be justified.

You must note that the prices vary based on coatings. For instance, if you consider anti-glare, blue-light filtering, or anti-reflective options, the cost would definitely increase, and vice versa.

Conclusion

When deciding on the type of glass lenses to select, a few variables can be compared between plastic glasses and polycarbonate glasses. While polycarbonate lenses are stronger in terms of durability and spectroscopic safety, plastic lenses are stronger in terms of visual clarity and cost. You have the freedom to decide! Ready to pick your lenses? Visit ZEELOOL or consult your optometrist to find the perfect fit.