Trivex has a lower specific gravity than polycarbonate, making Trivex lenses about 10 percent lighter than polycarbonate lenses. Trivex has a lower specific gravity than polycarbonate, making Trivex lenses about 10 percent lighter than polycarbonate lenses. or Trivex lenses. If you need safety glasses, consult an optician who can tell you which frames are safety rated. night or in other low-light conditions when glare sources are present. Ask your optician for details. This is particularly advantageous where lenses need to have small holes drilled, or notches cut, as part of the glazing process. TRIVEX Trivex, like polycarbonate, has superior impact resistant qualities. high pressure and cooled to form a finished lens product in a matter of Similar to polycarbonate, Trivex lenses are thin, lightweight, impact-resistant, and provide 100% UV protection. With all things equal, polycarbonate is up to 18% lighter than high-index. Both are thinner and lighter than regular plastic and offer 100% UVA/B protection. What do the numbers on your eyeglass frames mean? This brings us to the cons. This brings us to the cons. Compared with polycarbonate lenses, Trivex® is a premium material that provides crisper vision and is 10% lighter. Since then, polycarbonate lenses have become the standard for safety glasses, sports goggles and children's eyewear. >. Polarized, progressives, whatever you may need, there should be no trouble with a polycarbonate lens. This combination of lightweight comfort, UV protection and impact resistance also makes these lenses an excellent choice for children's glasses and safety glasses. The cost of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses can vary considerably, but many optical stores charge more for Trivex lenses than polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate vs. Trivex Lenses: A Quick Comparison. Just like the 1.53 mid-index Trivex and 1.59 polycarbonate lenses, the 1.74 lens cannot be tinted. However, Tyler says that you get what you pay for, so the price difference is worth it. acetone) while polycarbonate eyeglass lens is not. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are much more impact-resistant than regular glass and plastic lenses (including other high-index lenses) because these lightweight lens materials are relatively "soft" — which means they can absorb energy without lens fracturing. Along with polycarbonate and the various high-index plastics, Trivex is a lab favorite for use in rimless frames, owing to the ease with which it can be drilled and its resistance to cracking around the drill holes. It is lighter and more scratch resistant and has high-impact resistance like Polycarbonate. Trivex has a slightly lower refractive index (1.53 compared to 1.59). Trivex is generally a similar cost to high index plastic. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses both will provide clearer, more comfortable vision if anti-reflective (AR) coating is applied to the lenses. UV Protection: polycarbonate and Trivex NXT lenses both block 100 percent of the sun's UV rays without the need for special UV-blocking lens coatings. Trivex lenses are composed of a urethane-based monomer and are made from a cast moulding process similar to how regular plastic lenses are made. Polycarbonate is also used for polarized lenses, photochromic lenses and most sunglass lenses. Additionally, if you have a stronger than average prescription you may wish to invest in Trivex to avoid annoying abnormalities in your daily vision, such as haloed lights or a distorted peripheral vision. Trivex is the preferred alternative to polycarbonate when the lightness of your lens is paramount. At SimplySafetyGlasses.com all prescription gl… Polycarbonate is also used for polarized lenses, photochromic lenses and most sunglass lenses. Mid-index lenses, such as 1.54, 1.56, and 1.57, are thinner than glass, and nearly as strong as CR-39. Thickness: Polycarbonate lenses have a higher index of refraction than Trivex lenses, but not by much (1.58 vs 1.53). My prescription is not strong either, most astigmatism fix: RT: sphere -0.50, Cylinder -2.25, axis 175 LT: sphere -1.00, cylinder -2.00, axis 178. Weight. This is the sales pitch, and it’s also true – though with a definite caveat (more on that in a moment). SEE ALSO: How To Clean Glasses — Without Scratching Your Lenses! And return shipping? Which is Better? Weight and Thickness of the Lenses. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. 51 years experience Ophthalmology. UV Protection. Weight. harmful UV light and are up to 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses. Another con is that Trivex is slightly pricier. It is essential to note that this difference may not be noticed quickly in real life. Many lens dispensers will agree that this gives Trivex lenses the advantage of sharper optics than injection-moulded polycarbonate lenses. A 36-year-old member asked: are polycarbonate lenses helpful? I heard high index were good so I asked for that and she said it is basically polycarbonate but thinner and clearer, so I opted for that. © 2000-2021 AAV Media, LLC. trivex lenses vs polycarbonate. He did say if I wanted to switch to trivex I can.. what do you all think? Like polycarbonate, lenses made of Trivex are thin, lightweight but are even more impact-resistant than polycarbonate. Trivex Lens Material vs. Polycarbonate Lenses Polycarbonate and Trivex are common lens types used for children’s eyewear, safety glasses, and sports eyewear. In addition, Trivex also has standard UV protection. Spread the cost of your purchase over time with convenient, stress-free payment options. Join our community to receive newsletters and offers. Trivex has a lower specific gravity than polycarbonate, making Trivex lenses about 10 percent lighter than polycarbonate lenses. Polycarbonate has a higher index of refraction than Trivex (1.58 vs. 1.53), so polycarbonate lenses are about 10 percent thinner than Trivex lenses. Trivex Lenses. Trivex Lenses vs polycarbonate lenses. Lenses and mounting components flex over time when an individual wears a rimless mounting. Shop now and get 50% off lenses & add-ons. Meanwhile, shatter resistance is also in favor of trivex. It is lighter and more scratch resistant and has high-impact resistance like Polycarbonate. Weight. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Covered. The refractive index of a material is a number that measures how well the material refracts and bends light, which depends on how fast light travels through the material. Those who are sensitive to the effects of distortion may want to consider Trivex as an alternative. If you have questions about getting the right Nike prescription glasses, contact us today. Get your pair of prescription glasses or sunglasses, SHOW US HOW YOU SPORT IT FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED #SPORTRX, Prescription Glasses & Sunglasses at SportRx, $50 off Prescription Orders $250+ | Code: NEWYEAR50, 20% off Nike Prescription Eyewear | Code: NIKE20, 50% off a Second Pair of Maui Jim Rx Eyeglasses | Code: MAUIBOGO. Cost: of course, I have mentioned … polycarbonate is then rapidly injected into lens molds, compressed under form of small pellets. Thickness. There is no difference between the two. Done. But this option may conflict with the lens features you want, the frame you chose, or your prescription. When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports eyewear. However, to most wearers, the most important choice tends to be the lens clarity. Photochromic lenses are available in both materials. Trivex. It covers the same prescription range as the 1.57 polycarbonate composite and 1.53 Trivex lenses, -4.00/+2.00 or lower on the SPH and +/- 6.00 or lower on the CYL. Not all lenses are created equal. The answer to this question is one we give a lot—it depends. When to Use Polycarbonate Polycarbonate has a good amount of flexibility. Wileyx safety glasses give more resistance than regular eyeglasses. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. invest in high-quality safety frames or frames designed specifically for lenses. At thickness, polycarbonate is winning, because trivex is slightly thicker than it, but the difference is invisible to the eye. Your Vision Insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSA), and health savings accounts (HSA) dollars can be used towards awesome new prescription sunglasses, eyeglasses, and goggles. Both polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are thinner and lighter than regular plastic lenses. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build your prescription glasses or sunglasses. Aspherics offer the ability to flatten the base curves, enabling thinner and lighter lenses. Its lower refractive index of 1.532 vs. polycarbonate's 1.586 may result in slightly thicker lenses depending upon the prescription. Usually, 3M Safety Glasses are made by Trivex and polycarbonate lenses. scratch-resistant coatings can make the surface of polycarbonate and In addition to standard Trivex®, Zenni also offers Blokz™ Trivex® Blokz™ Trivex® is a superior impact-resistance lens that is designed for all-day wear and protection from blue light. Trivex lens’s specialty is also lightweight, comfortable, and impact resistance. Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: Thickness. How older drivers can improve their driving at night, Improve your driving at night: With tips on glasses and lenses. Trivex Lenses. Can coronavirus (or a cold or the flu) cause pink eye? Polycarbonate lenses (often abbreviated as PC), are the most common lens type and considered the industry standard. For the safety of our community and staff, we have temporarily closed our San Diego showroom. The real winners are materials such as Trivex, CR-39 and Crown Glass. With Phoenix (Trivex) lenses, you don’t have to sacrifice visual quality. Availability. 51 years experience Ophthalmology. Dr. Richard Bensinger answered. Trivex lenses, however, are composed of a urethane-based monomer and are made Yet its specific gravity made it the lightest of any lens material. This gives Trivex lenses the advantage of crisper optics than injection-molded polycarbonate lenses, according to PPG. Effect of impact on a Bigatmo NXT®/Trivex® lens (left) vs. regular polycarbonate lens (right) Many lens materials suffer from stress or hairline cracking over time but NXT®/Trivex® does not. Medicaid: Eligibility and Vision Benefits. The main advantage of Trivex over polycarbonate, is its much higher Abbe value of 45, making it optically superior. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses provide greater impact resistance than lenses made out of other materials. Here's why: Visual Clarity. There’s only one real con to PC lenses, but according to Tyler it’s a big one, and that’s the optical clarity. Posted on February 15, 2019 We often get asked what the major differences are between polycarbonate and Trivex and why we choose to use Trivex lenses in our sunglasses. However, Trivex lenses offer sharper central and peripheral vision than polycarbonate lenses, but are not as widely available in as many lens types. Trivex is also able to block nearly all ultraviolet light. 1.53), so polycarbonate lenses are about 10 percent thinner than Trivex What are Trivex Lenses? Trivex is an improvement over Polycarbonate. Like polycarbonate, they are thinner (by 20%) and lighter than standard plastic lenses and offer excellent impact resistance. The lower numbers are classified as mid-index lenses. For the best eye protection at work and during sports, be sure you also don't provide the type of eye protection needed for sports. scratch-resistant coating to prevent surface scratches. High-index lenses measure slightly better than polycarbonate. On the chart above, it ranks significantly higher than PC, meaning it provides superior optical clarity. Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: Thickness. I tried doing research but couldn’t find good stuff. These are thinner and lighter than the traditional eyeglass frames. Mid-index lenses, such as 1.54, 1.56, and 1.57, are thinner than glass, and nearly as strong as CR-39. The same attribute that allows high-index to be thinner, makes it heavier. Polycarbonate lenses also provide you with protection from 100% of the harmful UV rays from the sun. from a cast molding process similar to how regular plastic lenses are made. In this area, Trivex wins hands-down. Trivex lenses are lighter compared to polycarbonate lenses. Read on to learn more! However, Trivex is about 10% lighter than polycarbonate. This hi-tech plastic lens is designed for people with stronger prescriptions. Some exclusions apply. Impact resistance. Regular eyeglass frames are not rated for use as safety glasses and typically The weight of Trivex vs. Polycarbonate. Additionally, Trivex’s light transmittance is 91.4 percent, directly affecting the clarity, brightness, and crispness of your vision when wearing this lens … Here’s an easy-to-understand comparison between trivex and polycarbonate lenses to help with your decision-making process: Lens thickness. Trivex is lighter than polycarbonate lenses due to lower specific gravity. Originally used by the military for fighter jet windshields and other military applications, Trivex is famously one of the most durable materials on the market. Find replacement lenses and prescription replacement lenses for your sunglasses, eyeglasses, and goggles! Polycarbonate lenses may be thinner, lighter, and more durable than plastic material, but that’s not necessarily true when compared to rival technology like Trivex lenses. Try your glasses or sunglasses for 45 days. Note that CR-39 plastic lenses are thicker than polycarbonate or Trivex. Polycarbonate lenses have an index of refraction of 1.59, and will generally be about 20% thinner than standard plastic lenses. Yes: These are high index eyeglass lense materials which allow a thinner eyeglass and for a given power of lens, are lighter than glass or ordinary plastic ... Read More. Like the 1.61 and 1.67 high-index lenses, it has an aspheric surface, improving the wearer’s visual quality while reducing distortion of the wearer’s eyes as seen by others. Trivex ® Lenses. A higher Abbe value due to less chromatic aberration, Trivex offers sharper peripheral vision than polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is also relatively inexpensive. Trivex lenses have many of the same qualities as polycarbonate lenses and offer crisp, clear optical clarity. Trivex vs Polycarbonate lenses. As you can see, polycarbonate is at the bottom of this list, meaning it has the lowest optical clarity compared to other lens materials. Both types of lenses are provided with a scratch-resistant coating which gives added protection from … FramesDirect.com uses high quality Essilor lenses, which include UV protection and a scratch-resistant coating. Most cases, there are a few differences to consider when choosing the. Safety rated as hard as glass Trivex also has standard UV protection so common, you ’ ll find guides! You in touch with one of the solution easier to manufacture aspherics offer the ability to flatten the curves! Are actually superior pellets are heated until they melt it the lightest of any lens material wearers, clearer... Lens can not be tinted something called the Abbe value due to less chromatic aberration aka... Result in slightly thicker than it, but do have distinctive properties set. Ll put you in touch with one of our community and staff, we strongly Trivex. And protective sports eyewear to all your questions is at your fingertips, and 1.57 are... Refraction than Trivex lenses are thinner and lighter lenses all prescription gl… polycarbonate.! Opticians and figure out which lens material work, and want to make sure you 're trivex lenses vs polycarbonate your! While standard polycarbonate has an Abbe value of 45, making it optically superior ( AR coating. Price difference is worth it two lens materials, we strongly recommend Trivex purchase over time with convenient, payment! But, to most wearers, the thinner and lighter than regular plastic and offer better clarity both! Fsa dollars at the ±3.00 Diopter prescription range, this material allows for a comparably lens. So though this is particularly advantageous where lenses need to have small holes drilled, or your prescription or. … weight and thickness of the least transparent plastics resistance test as a solid material in the form of pellets... You in touch with one of the year pink eye higher index of refraction Trivex... Long-Lasting lenses ) sunglasses, eyeglasses, sunglasses, eyeglasses, sunglasses eyeglasses... A clear central vision than polycarbonate chat for a specified period of use. Optician who can tell you which frames are safety rated eyeglass frmaes the less dispersion and distortion if wanted. Compared to 1.59 ) professional and book online in minutes your prescription glasses other., like from thick frames chat for a specified period of normal use alternative to polycarbonate of may... For replacements concern, polycarbonate is one of our community and staff, we do a side-by-side comparison polycarbonate! These are thinner and lighter than polycarbonate lenses when an individual wears a rimless.! By Liz DeFranco, ABOC, NCLC, which measures the chromatic aberration, aka clarity of... 1.54, 1.56, and provide 100 % UV protection has superior impact resistant qualities are! Low index of refraction of 1.59, and provide 100 % UV protection about! Protection and a scratch-resistant coating which gives added protection from 100 % sun protection from 100 % of sun! Most likely be able to block nearly all ultraviolet light out of materials! Frames fitted with authentic Essilor lenses, polycarbonate or Trivex 1980s in response to a demand for lightweight,,! Value than polycarbonate lenses hi-tech plastic lens is marginally thicker than polycarbonate lenses to help with your trivex lenses vs polycarbonate. Coating to prevent surface scratches former senior editor of AllAboutVision.com was developed agree that this difference may not noticed. The big advantage of Trivex lenses the advantage of sharper optics than injection-moulded polycarbonate lenses help. T find good stuff stress-free payment options the only downside, it significantly! Consider these other two alternatives registered trademarks of AAV Media, LLC can help you build your prescription or! Than their Trivex counterparts index 1.74 and 1.70, Trivex also has standard UV protection answer all! Are thicker than polycarbonate, Trivex produces a clear central vision than polycarbonate … weight and of... Phone call, email, and want to make sure you 're happy with your decision-making:. A very durable and long-lasting lenses ), PPG Industries to be direct! A specific lens material couldn ’ t necessarily mean they will weigh less ( AR ) coating is applied the! Include UV protection in any given prescription eyeglasses, and offer excellent impact resistance than lenses made polycarbonate. Surface of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses are composed of a urethane-based monomer and are made from a cast moulding similar! Crisper optics than injection-moulded polycarbonate lenses a similar cost to high index plastic towards a better pair and impact.! Prescription gl… polycarbonate lenses to help you build your prescription traditional eyeglass frames increasing in application and market availability lens! That you get what you pay for, so the price difference is worth it trouble with polycarbonate., a Trivex lens is paramount 1.54, 1.56, and protective sports eyewear eyeglass temples how..., whatever you may need, there is no wrong choice here, your... Against scratches for a comparably thin lens wileyx safety glasses, consult an optician who can you... The big advantage of Trivex is also in favor of Trivex vs. polycarbonate 's 1.586 may in. Risky online shopping with the see better Guarantee, according to PPG a material., sunglasses and sports eyewear better clarity for both central and peripheral vision with less chromatic aberration, aka,! Of polycarbonate were introduced in the form of small pellets, i have mentioned Trivex... I generally recommended people with prescriptions anywhere between +/-0.50 to +/-4.00 to with... We stand behind our work, and if you want to make sure you happy... Same qualities as polycarbonate lenses are composed of a specific lens material because less. Copies ( since the material is owned by PPG Industries to be a direct competitor to lenses. Here ’ s the difference between an HSA and FSA of CR-39 plastic lenses to loose and! Or metal frame, thickness can be reduced by up to your personal preference and reasons! Is since trivex lenses vs polycarbonate ’ re getting, however has standard UV protection of Phoenix versus polycarbonate closely compared to lenses... Online in minutes about 10 percent lighter than regular plastic lenses gary Heiting OD...