As the most affordable lens option, CR-39 or plastic lenses offer lightweight vision correction for patients on a budget. Plastic lenses may not be suitable for everyone, as moderate to high prescriptions will be too thick in this material. Furthermore, we do not recommend Plastic lenses for children or patients who wear rimless styled frames because they are not shatter-resistant.
We recommend polycarbonate lenses for most of our patients due to its durability, shatter-resistance, and built in UV protection. Poly lenses are available for patients with low to moderate prescriptions, but will be too thick for patients with high prescriptions. Almost all polycarbonate lens wearers add anti-reflective coating to their lenses for even better visual correction.
High Index lenses offer fabulous visual clarity and correction and come in two types- 1.67 High Index and 1.74 High Index lenses. Typically prescribed for patients with higher-than-average prescriptions, this lens material is praised for it’s significant thinness and lightness. However, some lens designs are not available in this material, so ask your optician if High Index lenses are right for you.