PC Lenses vs. Regular Resin Lenses: Which One is Right for You?
Did you purchase your glasses from a physical store or an online shop? When choosing lenses, do you pay attention to the material of the lenses?
Common lens materials include glass lenses, optical resin lenses, and crystal lenses. Today, we will focus on two popular materials in the optical resin category: CR-39 and PC lenses.
We’ll compare the advantages and disadvantages of these two materials to help you make an informed decision when choosing lenses.
| Feature | PC Lenses (Polycarbonate) | CR-39 Lenses (Regular Resin) |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polycarbonate (a specialized resin) | Columbia Resin #39 (plastic polymer) |
| Weight | Extremely lightweight | Lightweight, but slightly heavier than PC |
| Impact Resistance | Very high (10x more impact-resistant than CR-39) | Moderate (more impact-resistant than glass) |
| Optical Clarity | Lower Abbe value (~30), may cause chromatic aberration (rainbow effect) | Higher Abbe value (~58), offers better clarity |
| Scratch Resistance | Less scratch-resistant, requires hard coating | More scratch-resistant, but still benefits from hard coating |
| UV Protection | Naturally blocks 100% of UV rays | Does not block UV, requires additional coating for UV protection |
| Safety | Highly safe, ideal for sports, children’s glasses, and safety glasses | Safer than glass, but less impact-resistant than PC |
| Best Use Cases | Sports glasses, children's glasses, safety glasses | Daily wear, fashion eyewear, low-risk activities |
| Price | Generally more expensive | More affordable, cost-effective |
In the market, CR-39 lenses are more commonly used than PC (Polycarbonate) lenses, primarily due to their affordability, excellent optical clarity, and widespread availability. They are a popular choice for everyday eyewear and fashion glasses. CR-39 lenses are generally the go-to option for most consumers, especially when cost is a factor.
However, PC lenses have gained popularity in specific markets, such as sports eyewear, children's glasses, and safety glasses, due to their high impact resistance and lightweight nature. They are also preferred for applications requiring additional durability and protection, like industrial environments.
In summary:
- CR-39 lenses dominate in the general consumer market, especially for regular eyeglasses.
- PC lenses are more common in specialized eyewear, such as sports, children's glasses, and safety glasses.
If you’re looking at standard eyewear, CR-39 is more likely to be the choice. But if durability and impact resistance are essential, PC lenses would be more common in that category.