subject: Lens Materials and Refractive Index [print this page] Lens Materials and Refractive Index Lens Materials and Refractive Index
In short, the higher the index of the material the thinner and lighter the lens will be in a given prescription.Standard 1.5 index plastic - Conventional plastic lens. Light and durable,and can be supplied withall treatments and comes with anti scratch coating as standard.
Thin 1.59 index polycarbonate - Polycarbonate is as thin as our thin 1.6 index plastic lens and 12% lighter as standard. When combined with rimless titanium frames you will have the lightest combination available in rimless frames (featherweight). The construction of polycarbonate material also makes it extremely strong which is why it is used in rimless eyewear as the lens does not have arim to give it strength.
Polycarbonate is also shock resistant, over12times more so than standard 1.5 indexplastic lenses. Because of its strength and shock resistance polycarbonate is also used for safety spectacles.
Thin 1.6 index plastic - Up to 20% thinner than standard 1.5 index plastic and up to 25% lighter and when combined with full UVA and UVB ultraviolet light absorption it also acts as a protector for the eye from the suns harmful rays.
Super thin 1.67 index plastic - On average 15% thinner than the 1.6 index plastic and on average 15% lighter. This lens can be supplied with all treatments such as UVA and UVB protection as well as anti scratch and anti reflective coatings.
Ultra thin 1.76 index plastic - The thinnest and lightest lens material available. On average 10% thinner than super thin 1.67 index plastic and on average 10% lighter.
The ultimate material choice for higher prescriptions. This lens can also be supplied with all treatments.
