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1.59 Polycarbonate Lenses

Starting from$49

Polycarbonate is the most impact-resistant lens material available. 1.59 index — thinner than CR-39, lighter, and 10x more impact-resistant. Required for safety and children's eyewear.

Polycarbonate (1.59) Overview

Polycarbonate lenses were originally developed for aerospace applications and bulletproof glass. At 1.59 refractive index, they are approximately 20% thinner than CR-39 and dramatically more impact-resistant.

Impact Resistance

Polycarbonate is the material of choice for safety glasses, sports eyewear, and children's glasses. It meets ANSI Z87.1 high-velocity impact standards and can withstand significant impacts that would shatter CR-39 or glass lenses.

UV Protection

Unlike CR-39 which requires a UV coating, polycarbonate inherently blocks 100% of UV-A and UV-B radiation. No additional UV coating is required.

Best For

  • Children's eyewear
  • Sports and active use
  • Safety-related occupations
  • Prescriptions ±2.00 to ±4.00 where moderate thinning is desirable

Limitations

Polycarbonate has higher chromatic aberration than CR-39 or high-index materials, which some wearers notice as slight color fringing in peripheral vision. For very sensitive patients, Trivex or higher-index materials may be preferable.

Common Questions

How do I know which lens index I need?
As a general guide: up to ±2.50 — CR-39 works fine. ±2.50–±4.00 — consider 1.60. ±4.00–±6.00 — 1.67 recommended. Above ±6.00 — 1.74 is ideal.
Does higher index mean better optical quality?
Not necessarily. CR-39 has the lowest chromatic aberration of all plastic materials. Higher index materials have slightly higher chromatic aberration, though most wearers don't notice it.
Are high-index lenses more fragile?
High-index lenses have higher clarity but are slightly more brittle than polycarbonate. For impact-prone situations (sports, children), polycarbonate's toughness outweighs the thinness benefit.

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