What Type of Eyeglass Lenses Should I Buy?

Here’s a breakdown of your options. 

It can be very exciting picking out new frames for your glasses. But did you know that the lenses you choose are even more important? And for more reasons than you might realize! Eyeglass lenses influence many factors, including: appearance, comfort, vision and safety. 

A common mistake people make when buying eyeglasses is not spending enough time considering the choices of eyeglass lens materials. 

Eyeglass Lens Materials - Features, Benefits, and Considerations

If you have worn glasses for any length of time, you may remember when the only lens choice was glass. Glass lenses were scratch resistant, but they were thick, heavy and were not impact-resistant. Lenses today are lighter, thinner, do not scratch or break as easily and come in a variety of options, depending on your specific needs. 

Standard plastic lenses remain the most economical and commonly used material for eyeglass lenses. They are light, less shatterproof (than glass), but scratch a bit more easily. 

Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant and shatter proof and great for active adults and children. Due to their durability, they work well in rimless eyeglass frames. The lenses provide 100% UV protection, to help prevent eye problems such as macular degeneration and cataracts. On the downside, they require scratch-resistant coating, cost more, and may affect peripheral vision clarity. 

Trivex lenses are made from a newer plastic similar to polycarbonate. Trivex are thin, lightweight and much more impact-resistant than regular plastic lenses. Due to the way Trivex lenses are made, they produce crisper images than polycarbonate lenses. The biggest drawback is that they cost more than polycarbonate. 

High-index plastic lenses work very well for people with stronger prescriptions. Vision is corrected with less material and with improved peripheral optics. The lenses are thinner, lighter and more comfortable to wear, but they tend to show reflections and benefit from a scratch resistant coating.

Aspheric lenses have a complex curved surface, which is different from conventional lenses. Aspheric lenses are thinner, lighter, and more flattering than other lenses. They work well for stronger prescriptions (especially farsightedness) because they reduce the magnification of the eye. 

Photochromic lenses have a special chemical coating that causes them to automatically darken when exposed to sunlight, eliminating the need for separate sunglasses in many cases. However, they do not darken properly while driving a car. 

Polarized sunglasses usually provide UV protection and reduce glare reflected off surfaces, making images appear sharper and clearer. They are available for both nonprescription and prescription sunglasses.

Are you ready for a new pair of eyeglasses or lenses? Contact your Vision Source eye professional to schedule a comprehensive eye exam today!