Is Trivex better than CR-39?

Trivex® by contrast is a liquid polymer that is simply pumped into a lens mold and cured as opposed to the melting, pressure injection, and cooling of polycarbonate. This construction feature of Trivex® results in a lens that with less internal stress which produces sharper central vision and fewer distortions through the peripheral or outside elements of the lens6. The properties inherent in this lens material ensure it is ideal for power correction between +2.00 to -2.00 , the number where most prescriptions fall within. CR-39 lenses wouldn’t become discolored or cloudy over time and were more lightweight than their predecessor, but are still scratch-prone unless a scratch-resistant coating is applied to the lens. Today, they’re the essential plastic lens type that most eyewear and optometry offices offer, most useful for lighter prescriptions. Other high-index materials are classified by numbers.

High Index lenses give you the ability to give them the thinnest, lightest lenses they will have ever worn. CR-39 plastic is often referred to as standard, regular, or plastic lenses.

Uv Protection

With regards to eye safety, polycarbonate and Trivex eyeglass lenses are only the main solution. They are often put into sunglass lenses to boost contrast and quality of vision. Polarized sunglasses are excellent for those who spend lots of time outdoors or have become sensitive to light. High index is the thinnest eyeglass lens available, in addition to being lightweight.

• Trivex includes a slightly lower refractive index (1.53 compared to 1.59).
• Glass lenses provide excellent optics, the most scratch resistant lens material and blocks UV light.
• High index plastic has similar scratch resistance to Trivex.

For higher power prescriptive corrections CR39 is will yield the thickest edge profile of any popular lens material because of its low index value of just one 1.50. However, for the right Rx, and carefully considered frames, CR39 can be utilized with few compromises because of its low cost and otherwise noteworthy qualities.

Why Won’t My Prescription Work With Wrapped Frames?

However, glass lenses are heavy, thick and dangerous if broken and can’t be found in certain frame styles. Some glass is available with a refractive index as high as 1.8 and 1.9.

It beats out all other lens materials for thinness, lightness, and aesthetics. Trivex is not too much behind, but in higher prescriptions there is no comparison. Glass offers superior optics and is the most scratch-resistant material available. However, glass must be specially treated for impact resistance. Glass can be much heavier in weight and not offered in many designs.

For many, a long time glass lenses where quite typical and popular due to a natural resistance to scratches as well as a lack of any good alternative lens materials. The primary downside to glass lenses is they are, well…glass. Having glass break or shatter so close to the eye from the flying rock or an unexpected tumble can result in a really dangerous and vision threatening situation. With better lens material alternatives available, glass lenses are very rarely found in today’s glasses market. The initial generation of plastic lenses made for glasses were called Columbia Resin #39 or even more commonly known as “CR-39”. This first usage of this plastic was to greatly help create fuel tanks for the B-17 bomber aircraft in World War II. The reduced weight helped raise the range of the bombers.