By Lory Hockett, Optical Assistant
Plastic verses High Index lenses
When glasses were first being made Glass and Plastic materials were the only options. That isn’t the case anymore. You have more choices now than ever before.
Primarily plastic is the standard lens material. The main reason plastic became so popular was the fact it is less than half the weight of glass. A few more reasons that glass lenses are at the way side, is that plastic has better ultraviolet protection, tints easier, and less chance of shattering if hit hard. So overall much safer.
Since plastic could essentially still shatter, they came out with a lens called Polycarbonate. We fit almost all kids into this lens primarily for the safety factor. It’s shatter resistant. But a lot of adults choose to wear this lens because of the safety factor but also because it is slightly thinner and lighter in weight than that of even plastic. Another reason this lens is so popular is that is used in safety eyewear as well as rec specs for sporting needs.
Even though Polycarbonate lenses look as though everyone should wear them, there are reasons that people aren’t. Main reason is that of the prescription. Some prescriptions will see better out of plastic material, therefore, they came out with what’s called High index material.
High Index material is thinner and lighter material with better optics than that of polycarbonate. These lenses range from 1.54 to 1.74 of index of refraction. Which means material with a higher refractive index can bend light more efficiently and allow for better vision. These high index lenses are used based on script and frame size. Anyone of our professional opticians at any of our 4 locations can help determine which is the best fit for you as the individual.
Contact Iowa EyeCare by calling 319-377-2222 or contact us online.
Tags: eyeglasses, glasses