At LensFactory, we offer a range of lens options to fit your lifestyle, prescription, and budget. In this post, we’ll break down the differences between common lens materials and help you decide which one is best for you.

Lens Materials Overview

Let’s take a closer look at the most popular prescription lens materials on the market today:

1. Standard Plastic

Best for: Low prescriptions, budget-conscious users

• Lightweight and affordable

• Good optical clarity

• Limited durability and thickness with stronger prescriptions

Worth noting:*Standard plastic is a solid choice if your prescription is mild and you’re looking for the most economical option.

2. Polycarbonate

Best for: Active lifestyles, kids, rimless or semi-rimless frames

• Impact-resistant and lightweight

• Built-in UV protection

• Slightly less optical clarity than CR-39 but more durable

Why it matters:*Polycarbonate lenses are 10x more impact-resistant than standard plastic—perfect for sports, work environments, and everyday wear.

3. Trivex

Best for: Those who want a balance of clarity, durability, and comfort

• Even lighter than polycarbonate

• Excellent impact resistance

• Superior optical clarity

Bonus: Trivex lenses offer better visual clarity and less distortion compared to polycarbonate, while still providing the same rugged durability.

4. High-Index Plastic

Best for: Strong prescriptions, style-conscious users

• Ultra-thin and lightweight

• Reduces lens thickness for stronger prescriptions

• Available with all premium coatings

Why you’ll love it: High-index lenses are the most discreet option. If you hate the “coke bottle” look, these are your best bet for slim, comfortable eyewear.

Which Lens Material Should You Choose?

Here’s a quick guide:

LensFactory’s Expert Tip:

Don’t forget the coatings! Regardless of material, adding anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and blue light coatings can make a huge difference in comfort and performance—especially if you spend time on screens or drive at night.

Why Lens Material Matters

Choosing the right lens material is about more than just prescription strength. It affects:

• How your glasses feel on your face

• How clearly you see throughout the day

• How durable your lenses are*against drops, scratches, or pressure

At LensFactory, we help you match your lens material to your lifestyle—whether you're a student, athlete, professional, or just someone who wants to enjoy clearer, more comfortable vision every day.

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Plastic

Plastic or CR39 is as close to glass in clarity that you can get.  It’s the most cost effective solution, and very easy to tint.  With plastic lenses, you will generally have thicker or heavier lenses than using Polycarbonate (“Poly”).  Plastic is easy to scratch, crack or shatter.   Plastic lenses can’t be used with drill mounted or semi-rimless frames.  Children under the age of 18 cannot be prescribed plastic lenses.

Polycarbonate (Poly) 

Polycarbonate or “poly” for short is very impact resistant.  Poly lenses are thinner, lighter and more durable than plastic lenses.  Unlike plastic, poly lenses are able to be used for drill mounted or semi-rimless frames.  With these additional pro’s in poly’s favor, there is additional cost.  While we put anti-scratch on all of our poly lenses, they can be easily scratched.  Poly does have lower clarity than it’s glass or plastic cousins.  Poly, while it can be tinted, does not take tint very well.

High Index

If you have a high prescription, High Index is the way to go.  We can get the thinnest lens with High-Index lenses.  Ever had that “soda bottle” look? Say goodbye to it with high index lenses.  Many times, people use high index lenses on vanity glasses.  High index lenses are lighter and thinner than plastic, but heavier than poly.  Because it takes a lot of work to make these lenses thinner, High Index lenses are usually the most expensive lenses.  We add anti-scratch and anti-reflective coating to all high index lenses due to the amount of reflection that can occur with high index lenses.

Glass

Glass has the highest clarity and greatest optical quality due to it’s high ABBE value.  With no coatings it is very scratch resistant.  Glass is very heavy.  If you’re not used to it, it may not be for you.  Glass is NOT impact resistant and can chip or shatter when dropped.  This is not a good material if you have an active lifestyle that may put your glasses in danger of being dropped.  Glass also takes a long time to manufacture, sometimes over 30 days.

We know!  That’s a lot of information to take in.  If you'd like to read more about our lens materials, check out this page.  If you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us via phone, email or chat.  Contact Us Now!