Are You Having a Difficult Time Choosing Lenses for Your Glasses?
Today, we are going to learn about glasses and the different types of lenses you can choose depending on your prescription and your refraction.
The Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida, founded and led by board-certified ophthalmologist Dr. James E. Croley III, treats a wide variety of eye conditions and diseases. Call us at (239) 772-2122 or request an appointment online to discuss your eyewear options.
People who have a very large refraction (that is, very nearsighted or very farsighted) have very thick lenses. Now, there are ways to get around that so your lenses don’t have to be so thick. Let’s go over the different types and choices of lenses you have if you have a very strong prescription.
CR-39 vs Polycarbonate Glasses
Most glasses are made of plastic, which in the optical is called CR-39. The CR-39 lens in the image above (the thicker one) is for a pretty high prescription. The other one is the polycarbonate lens for the same prescription. Polycarbonate is an impact-resistant lens and, as you can see, is thinner and lighter. Its edges are more polished, so you don’t get that kind of yellowy, thick look.
With polycarbonate, cosmetically, you’ll get that nice, thinner look of lens. You won’t have the Coke bottles or the real thick edges on the edge of the glasses. Some of what we’d like to call medical benefits are that it is lighter and impact-resistant. We put a lot of people to use them as safety lenses; kids up to the age of 16 should be in them because if they’re outside and they get hit by a kickball or fall off their bikes, their lenses won’t shatter.
Plastic, believe it or not, can still shatter if something were to hit your eye. With the polycarbonate, you would get that almost “spider web” effect, but it would not shatter. If someone has only one eye, you may consider a polycarbonate lens for protection.
Even though polycarbonate is a great lens, there are some disadvantages in that, in some people, it might work differently. Since the lens is denser and thinner, light bends faster. We get rid of the thickness because of the refractive index inside the lens.
The difference is that some people, like those who get motion sickness who can’t tolerate motion and cars, are so used to light being bent a certain way that, on a rare occasion, someone will say, “This doesn’t feel right.” Very few people just can’t get used to that type of refractive index, and we have to switch them back out, but that’s pretty uncommon.
This is not a “for sure” guarantee, but polycarbonate is certainly the way to go if you have a very strong prescription and you want to get lighter and safer lenses and a cosmetically better-looking pair of glasses. May God grant you healthy eyes and great vision.
Get Your Vision Checked Today
At the Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida, our board-certified ophthalmologist, Dr. James E. Croley III, uses state-of-the-art tools and techniques to help patients manage their eye conditions. Our professional team ensures you select the appropriate frames, lenses, or contacts for the perfect fit and appearance.
Dr. Croley is a member of the following professional organizations:
Schedule an appointment online or call our office near you!
CAPE CORAL
- 613 Del Prado Boulevard, 33990
- (239) 772-2122
LEHIGH ACRES
- 1150 Lee Boulevard, 33936
- (239) 368-1020
BONITA SPRINGS
- 4061 Bonita Beach Road, 34134
- (239) 949-1190
