Trivex VS. Polycarbonate Lenses | SportRx

Eyeglass Tyler compares the pros and cons of two popular lens materials, Trivex and polycarbonate, to help you figure out which one is right for you.
Featured Frames:
Shop Raen Eames (on Tyler): bit.ly/3ggzYVJ
Shop Oakley Det Cord (1:22): bit.ly/3gaScrw
Shop Maui Jim MJO2512 (3:06): bit.ly/3eerxIH
Shop all glasses and sunglasses: bit.ly/3e8XxOd
More optics questions answered: bit.ly/3e7UtBR
More optics blogs: bit.ly/3ebDRtg
Still have questions? Give us a call or leave a comment below.
SUBSCRIBE: bit.ly/SportRx_...
CONTACT US:
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
FOLLOW US:
Facebook: goo.gl/N9sqfX
Twitter: goo.gl/QSdgKs
Instagram: goo.gl/Vs2jxt
Find the best sports prescription eyewear for your specific needs at SportRx: goo.gl/Z3Ngpr

[@sportrxeyewear]

Still have questions about these materials? Let us know in the comment section below!

[@braskathroughthegames698]

I just got my first pair of trivex lenses, they seem to scratch incredibly easily... I've only wore them indoors and cleaned them exactly as in was told... is it normal for these to pick up scratches so easy?

[@superneovvl36]

What are Phoenix lenses?

[@learysinsight9617]

I just watched another info video on KZbin that said Trivex was thinner?? So is it thicker or thinner? They also said they have a higher index ratio. I'm just looking for TRUTH here..

[@AlgoCurioso4]

What material does your lenses have? The one you’re wearing in this video. I ask because I have one trivex rimless with blue light blocker and one high index 1.67 also with blue light filter and the high index one seems to have some kind of darker tint to it. But the trivex are clear as the water, a bit thick though...

[@alexkolle8928]

He said he try's to incorporate trivex into all of his lenses. Not sure of what he's wearing

[@tylerandersen9410]

I'm wearing Trivex! Unless unavailable with the features I want, I always go with Trivex.

[@felixduprey]

If ABBE is king, why not cr39?

[@corgisaan]

thank you so much! this was so helpful :D

[@sportrxeyewear]

Happy to hear that! Thanks for watching!

[@Middleguy37]

Great video. I have only used poly since I started wearing glasses as a kid. My script is Sphere(SPH) Cylinder(CYL) Axis OD-RIGHT -3.25 -0.50 180 OS-LEFT -3.00 -0.50 90 Do you think I am a good candidate for Trivex? Thanks !

[@skywatcher6064]

How can a consumer know if they get what they pay for , example, I ordered Hi Index, 1.67 lenses, they arrived very thick compared to my prior lenses of the same shape and size with only slight change to the script. I asked the supervisor of the optical shop what she thinks these lenses are constructed of and she answered polycarbonate, then she looked at the lab work order and said they are Hi Index. How can I be sure what the lense material is ?

[@smartsunglassreviews]

Polycarbonate lenses are softer and tend to scratch easier usually.

[@whitegoodman7465]

Cheaper and more profits, only reason the industry went to them and not stayed with glass like the centuries before did..

[@carloegema3780]

Hi I had trivex but I had trouble getting used to like being dizzy and disoriented my prescription is -1.00 and -1.75 it’s like my prescription is way too strong but it’s not and also read that some people took a month to get used to is that a thing? Because I’m going to switch to poly

[@sportrxeyewear]

Hey Carl! Sounds like you may fall into the 'non-adapt' category for trivex lens materials. Some people are able to adjust without issue but if you find yourself struggling to get comfortable with the lenses, switching back to traditional poly may be the right move. Hope this helps!

[@huntma3787]

@@sportrxeyewear why do you imply that poly lessens the dizziness effect vs trivex? What is the property of the material that explains this.

[@felipea1844]

Mr. Optician, thank you for the overview of this material.

[@sportrxeyewear]

Thank you for watching!

[@qbertprime]

If you do a thorough search... Polycarbonate is synonymous with plastic cr-39. It is considered both heavier and lighter than Trivex. I mean please, man. Somebody tell the truth for once. PS Not blaming you for anything... God bless for trying... just wanna buy the right glasses! :) geez.

[@iBeautifulDisaterx3]

R sph -2.00 cyl -0.25 axis 162 L sph -1.75. Cyl -0.25. Axis 29 Is my prescription strong/high?

[@sportrxeyewear]

Hi Tenisha, not terribly! In fact, there is little restriction as far as what frames will support your Rx strength. In other words, you have many options to choose from!

[@shannonpayne904]

I ordered some sunglasses recently (December 2023) with trivex and they said the material is on back order. Is there some kind of shortage or supply chain bs going on with this material across the industry or is this just specific to the company I ordered the lenses from?

[@talflex25]

In my country the common index is 1.6 for rimless and my question is why it isn't 1.61 is it because they mean it's 1.59 the polycarbonate?

[@sportrxeyewear]

It's tough to know for sure. There definitely is such a thing as a mid-index plastic that includes 1.6, but it wouldn't seem like a go-to material for a rimless/semi-rimless design.

[@Cheemycheems]

Is Trivex the same thing as HD Lens?

[@Fincayra15]

I’m trying to figure out whether to get trivex or high-index lenses. I can’t find resources that compare these two. My prescription is -6.50 (R) and -7.00 (L).

[@sportrxeyewear]

With that prescription strength, I would recommend high index 1.67. The Trivex will be notably thicker. We did a video to help a bit here as well: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5rUgmSBYp6oZqs Also, don't forget that our friendly, knowledgeable opticians would love to help you out at 888-831-5817!

[@Fincayra15]

@@sportrxeyewear thank you!!!

[@brandybush6432]

Go with HD

[@panasonicchrome7915]

I wonder what for lins Ray ban sunglasses have? Polycorbonate ore Trivex ore something else?

[@brianagee2790]

Is it thicker or thinner than CR-39? Does Trivex have relatively the same thickness as CR-39 in a low prescription such as -1.5 spheres with -1.25 cylinders?

[@sportrxeyewear]

Trivex is still thinner than CR-39. Try checking out this video where we break down the estimate expected thickness between the different lens materials here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5rUgmSBYp6oZqs&t Don't forget: we have friendly, knowledgeable opticians who would love to help more at 888-831-5817

[@talflex25]

hi thank you for the info. what about the mid-index plastic which has a value of 36-47 so it can be even better than trivex., and what isn't the mid-index plastic actually a poly with a higher index? is it the poly with 1.61 index?

[@sportrxeyewear]

Thanks for your feedback/question! Mid-Index is a bit less 'available' in terms of lens features, so it is less common. It is also not impact resistant like trivex/poly. Poly boasts a 1.59 index of refraction, so it is different from 1.61 and other mid-index & high-index lens materials.

[@joshvice4]

Since you get all of your lenses done in Trivex, how strong is your RX?

[@sportrxeyewear]

Trivex material offers some of the best clarity, but is also one of the thicker lens materials for those with stronger than-average Rxs. Someone with strong Astigmatism, like Tyler, requires a high cylinder strength to correct for this, which can result in thicker lenses especially for wrapped frames like the Oakley Plazma. But in flat 4 base frames, like what you see Tyler wearing in the video, the thickness is reduced since there is less lens volume overall.

[@TheHi-T]

Wore my brand new Trivex. Immediately, I got smashed by a badminton shuttlecock. Left a mark, which I immediately washed off; no scratch. In the past, in the same scenario, the polycarbonate lens left a deep scratch that the lenses had to be replaced. (In badminton, intentional shots to the face, head, & eyes are poor sportsmanship). Optical clarity is better with Trivex. I have a high prescription.

[@tjhilbers]

What is considered "medium" or "strong" prescription?

[@sportrxeyewear]

That can be a bit tough to nail down because there are some variables there. We did our best to tackle that question here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5iVkIeYrpWDitU

[@chrisjpeltz]

With a - 5.75 prescription, would Trivex reduce the fishbowl effect, or would you recommend Polycarbonate in my case?

[@sportrxeyewear]

Hi Chris! If these are to be used for sport then the Trivex would likely be the better option to reduce the chance of experiencing fishbowl effect. But if you're talking about an everyday casual eyeglass or sunglass lens, then you might want to opt for Hi Index lenses for a reduction in lens thickness. Because it's a denser material, the Rx lenses will appear much thinner compared to Poly or Trivex materials.

[@chrisjpeltz]

@@sportrxeyewear These would be sunglasses to be hard solely for motorcycle riding. I would assume Trivex is still the best option then.

[@joshuacanfield93]

How do they compare to Okley lenses please? Thanks

[@sportrxeyewear]

Oakley's Pluonite lens material would be the most similar to polycarbonate. You can expect better optical clarity out of Plutonite, but the same incredible impact-resistance!

[@ndk4]

Hi sir, sorry if its out of topic but.. i am a 37 year old male, looking for a career change to become an optician. Do you think my age will be a problem? Here in australia I see most of optical assistants nowadays are all very young(i assume around early to late 20s). Thanks!

[@MoJustVibing]

Hello just curious what’s the best way to measure seg height

[@sustan4532]

Hi..greetings from Ireland... great vid thanks ...ive got a high prescription with a stigma in my eyes ...are polycarbonate lences safe to wear daily ? ...it’s € 400/ € 500 per frames with glass lences / prescription for glasses in Ireland ...rip off... if the polycarbonate lences were safe I’d get them...just researching how they affect the eyes & how safe they are ? I talked to a company in the states today they said I don’t need to get my polycarbonate lenses tinned Down... so how does it work ? I just send them my prescription ..do i need to get a coating ? is it possible to get a tint on polycarbonate lenses ?...any info would Appreciated .. thanks again Jay...

[@brooklynpratt]

Hi there - just curious. Do your glasses (worn on this video) not have an AR coating? I ask because my real question is are there different levels of an AR coating? or just one. There either is one or there isn't? And if there is does it completely unequivocally eliminate reflection. Sorry for the loaded question. Thank you!

[@ByTorAndMe]

You can tell his glasses have an AR coating because of the greenish tint the reflections have. It depends on what you mean by levels. There are different manufacturers and each have their own proprietary formulas and some work better than others. Some have additional properties that make the coating resistant to water, and oil that make the lenses easier to clean. Some are better at dispersing the reflections of light into different spectrums. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3vbnmNsj992j9U

[@curlyhairdudeify]

They are AR. They have that "green flash" to them.

[@darren85i]

@@curlyhairdudeify Green flash is better than a reflection?!?! Is Green flash a consequence of double aspheric?

[@surendersingal2192]

Thank you sir for explaining Trivex n more.

[@sportrxeyewear]

It's our pleasure! 🤓

[@stevenkilleen8149]

Awesome just order a set of google inserts

[@suleimanshaik]

great info, thanks a million.

[@sportrxeyewear]

We're happy to help! Thank you for watching!

[@colt5189]

What's your view on "digital" lenses? It's an upcharge that I just learned about. Not sure how much improvement it has as I think it's an extra $150 when I checked locally.

[@sportrxeyewear]

Good question! There are a few lens options that we strongly recommend for most people, the digital cut being one of them. This is especially true for wraparound frames where the lens curves around the side of the head. In short, digital surfacing cuts the lens to 1/100th of a diopter vs. 1/4 diopter with standard surfacing. The result is a wider and sharper field of view with reduced lens thickness. Try it out! You can also click on the link to learn more about our digital design 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKPOfnyLmJp7g8U

[@inglando]

what kind of material would Maui Pure and Maui Brilliant be?

[@sportrxeyewear]

Both are made from a mid-index material, similar to Trivex :)

[@brianagee2790]

Hello. My prescription is very low. -.75 and -1.50 for spheres and -1 for both cylinders. Wouldn't I be just better off getting a plastic CR-39 over any of these options given that the thickness is likely to be minor overall? When I go to eyeglass shops they push the polycarbonate on me but its not like I should really have to worry about a golfball hitting my face and shattering the lens into my eyes... And the price increase on the trivex with reduced clarity for me, with my low prescription, is not worth it especially as it would reduce my overall clarity so significantly.

[@sportrxeyewear]

CR-39 definitely has it's merits! The thing to be concerned with is thickness, impact resistance, and UV protection. It sounds like thickness and impact resistance are not an issue for you. Then you just need to make sure to opt for the UV protection whether it be in a coating or a 'dip'; don't skip it. Poly and Trivex are inherently UV resistant, but CR-39 is not. If CR-39 is what you want and you're properly educated on what to expect, then don't worry about the optician is trying to push. If you're interested in a thickness comparison between different materials, we did a cool video you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5rUgmSBYp6oZqs

[@elipage1871]

In my opinion, trivex would be the way to go.

[@elipage1871]

I hate polycarbonate because it’s a lens that has the lowest optical clarity like the video said.

[@euphoricrain775]

@@elipage1871 that’s all bs. My poly carbs uncoated are way more clear than my trivex zeis ar coated lenses. Abe value is bs if you ask me.

[@tomdavis3038]

Trivex every day of the week, and twice on Sunday.

[@sportrxeyewear]

Three times for good measure!

[@tomdavis3038]

@Conway Conway FWIW my experience comes from sunglasses not prescription eye glasses. I actually much prefer glass. But I have Trivex NXT Julbo Cameleon and Falcon photochromic lenses and they have proven to be essentially as clear as glass (pretty darn close) while being much lighter and way more scratch resistant than polycarbonate. I am careful and not abusive and I imagine if you’re hard on stuff they will still scratch.

[@Beef0121do1]

What's the better scratch resistance? You didn't mention

[@sportrxeyewear]

Hey Adam! Trivex and Polycarbonate materials offer about the same amount of scratch resistance, but a scratch-resistance lens coating is definitely recommended!!

[@tylerandersen9410]

It's a tricky thing to answer! It all comes down to the quality of hard coat/scratch coating that is applied in the lab. if you are asking scratch resistance prior to coating, then it would go to Trivex. With that being said, you'll never find a poly/trivex lens with no scratch/hard coat, so it may make a difference to some extent, but it still boils down to the coatings. Thanks for watching and asking!

[@ahawkuafie]

Is polycarbonate lenses UV protective?

[@sportrxeyewear]

They sure are!

[@casscake5607]

So what is considered a strong prescription? I’m curious because now I’m kinda worried the glasses I ordered are going to have super thick lenses since they are trivex lol. Also, how important is PD? I measured mine at 65 and I’m hoping that’s correct. My prescription is OD: -2.25 -3.75 178 OS: -2.00 -3.00 005 Thank you!!

[@sportrxeyewear]

Great questions Cass! You're prescription is definitely on the stronger side but while Trivex is usually a bit thicker than polycarbonate, the lens thickness is dependant largely upon the lens shape and size. Meaning, the more lens volume in relation to prescription strength, the thicker the lens will be. If your glasses won't be used for safety purposes, you may want to opt for a Hi Index lens material that is denser resulting in a much thinner lens overall. Generally speaking, It's best to have a trained optician or Dr. measure your Pupil Distance (PD) to ensure the reading is accurate. This number is especially important to the success of the optics with higher than average Rx strengths as well. Hope this helps some!

[@tylerandersen9410]

That's a tricky prescription! It's a bit stronger than mine, but only in the sphere - my cyl is about the same. I would recommend Trivex for you b/c it will be better for your astigmatism. It will likely be a bit thicker if you're used to poly, but worth it, in my opinion. Check out this vid I did on thickness to get a better idea: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5rUgmSBYp6oZqs Something to note is that the vid was for a prescription with no cyl. Cylinder power means more thickness, but your axis will determine where that additional thickness will be seen. Your axis is ideal for hiding thickness b/c it will put the majority of it in the vertical. The farther you get from the center, the thicker the lens becomes. The top and bottom of the lens are closer to the center than the outside of the lens, so you won't see nearly as much thickness at the edge as you would see if your axis were around 90. So, your lens thickness will likely be pretty close to what I present on the -3 representation. Remember, the frame design/lens size makes a noticeable difference here! Don't forget that you can always reach out to our friendly, knowledgeable opticians at 877-789-3633. They're always happy to help out!

[@dommer256]

The abbe value has little effect for most people. Especially if you have a quality digitally surfaced lens.

[@billbill1362]

Hi

[@sportrxeyewear]

Howdy, Bill Bill!

[@ToniaLenza-bs5cv]

If you want to pay more money

[@williamknopic7915]

Not very clear compared to Trivex. Also not good for rimless and titanium frames.

[@silverback2488]

Funny how this person thinks he knows Trivex so much as what he read from wiki. Numbers in ABBE value looks significant, but in real world, can you tell the difference in clarity? 😅 Weight issue? Are Sunglasses pulling your face down? Are you that weak? How careless can you be to crack a drilled lens? ( by the way, Trivex aren't that resistant to impacts than polycarbonate in a real world. But I don't care)

[@sportrxeyewear]

Hello! Yes, you can tell the difference in clarity especially with stronger Rx strengths and high cylinder corrections. Depending on the strength of the Rx relative to the frame's lens size, one can tell a difference in overall weight, especially when worn all day or a prolonged length of time. Both Poly and Trivex materials meet impact and shatter resistance standards for workplace safety in accordance with OSHA. This is why they are the only 2 options offered for safety frames. Hope this info helps!