Polycarbonate, Trivex or High-Index: Which Lens Material Should You Choose?

Short answer: Start with the material that fits your prescription and priorities. Lenshaus currently includes polycarbonate with its lenses and lists Trivex, 1.67 high-index and 1.74 high-index as material upgrades. High-index may be worth discussing when a stronger prescription makes lens thickness a concern. Trivex is another lightweight option, while polycarbonate is a practical starting point for many pairs. Your prescription, frame and lens design affect the finished result.

What does lens material change?

Material is the clear substance used to make a lens. It can affect thickness, weight, impact resistance and how the lens looks at the edge. It is a separate choice from your lens design, such as single vision or progressive, and from treatments such as anti-reflective coating. If you are comparing surface treatments too, see our anti-reflective coating guide.

Polycarbonate: the included starting point

Polycarbonate is lightweight and impact resistant. It is the included material in the current Lenshaus catalog. It is a sensible place to start before deciding whether a different material offers a benefit that matters to you.

Trivex: a lightweight alternative

Trivex is also lightweight and impact resistant. Optical reference material describes it as having less color dispersion than polycarbonate. Lenshaus lists it as an upgrade and notes that it is generally thicker than polycarbonate. If edge thickness is your main concern, ask how Trivex would work with your prescription and frame rather than assuming it will look the same on every pair.

1.67 high-index: consider it for a stronger prescription

A higher refractive index can allow a lens to be made thinner for a given prescription. Lenshaus lists a 1.67 high-index upgrade for stronger prescriptions. Lenshaus also lists a 1.74 high-index upgrade, our thinnest option, and you can find it under More Material Options in the lens builder. The visible difference depends on more than material: prescription strength, frame size and shape, and lens design all matter. A high-index upgrade is therefore a question to evaluate for your own pair, not a promise of a particular edge thickness.

How should you choose?

• Start with your prescription and frame. A stronger prescription or a larger frame can make lens thickness more noticeable.
• Name your priority. Are you most concerned with thickness, weight or a particular material property?
• Check the actual combination. Material availability can depend on the prescription, frame and other lens selections.

Review the current Lenshaus lens options, then compare available combinations in the lens builder. If you are unsure which material fits your prescription or frame, talk with the Lenshaus optical team before ordering.