Lens Material for Glasses


Traditionally, eye glass lenses were made of glass but more modern materials use lighter in weight and thinner.  There is a wide range of materials available suiting individual preferences and requirements.  Even if you have a high prescription, you can benefit from modern lighter thinner materials, which are more visually appealing. 

Plastic CR-39

This is the standard material used for glasses.  These lenses are almost twice as light as glass lenses.  They also have very good protection from UV light and therefore protect the eyes very well.  Plastic lenses do not often shatter.  They can also be tinted more easily using a variety of colours.  With an added coating, they can also become scratch-resistant.  CR-39 plastic lenses have a refractive index of 1.498.  Their thickness is similar to that of glass lenses.

High-Index Lenses

High-index materials make lenses for short sight thinner and therefore more appealing.  These lenses are also lighter and flatter so there is no need to wear thick, heavy lenses, which magnify your eyes.  These lenses are shorter and lighter than plastic CR-39 lenses.  A high index material is any lens material that has a refractive index higher than glass, which is 1.523.

Aspheric Lenses

These lenses are ideal for longsighted people and those who have had cataract removal and have not replaced the eye’s lens with an intraocular lens implant.  These lenses are thin and light.  Opticians often recommended them to people with very strong prescriptions.  An aspheric lens has varying degrees of curvature over its surface and its optical properties give you a larger, more usable portion of the lens and a clearer view throughout the lens compared with the normal spherical designs.

Polycarbonate Lenses

This material may be used for high prescriptions and is thinner and lighter than the PLASTIC CR-39 lenses.  It is very impact resistant and therefore ideal if you have small children or are keen on particular sports or any hobby or career where eye protection is required.  This lens, although impact resistant, is more easily scratched. 

Glass Lenses

Glass lenses can still be made.  They are heavier than other materials and people often experience them sliding down their nose.  Shattered glass lenses are quite common as glass lenses are more likely to break than lenses made from other materials.  Glass is a very hard material, which makes glass lenses scratch resistant.  Although glass lenses do have good UV protection, it is not as good compared with plastic lenses.

When choosing a lens material, try to decide what characteristics are most important to you.

<<<previous page
next page>>>

LASER EYE SURGERY

Free Online Quote



Complete this form for information on Laser Eye Surgery in the UK.

Text Size:  A A A