Find the Right Reading Glasses

Long time ago reading glasses were made only of glass.

And, as far as eyesight is concerned, glass is great. However, it’s heavy, and reading glasses of glass can break.

So, mid-century, along came plastic. Plastic doesn’t break and plastic is lighter. Plastic became popular and fast.

Progress being what it is, we have added a third contender – High Index. They are thinner, more expensive and easily scratched or broken.

Which is best for you?

Reading Glasses – The Pros and Cons of Lens Materials

The basic materials used in reading glasses are: Glass, Plastic, Polycarbonate, High Index Plastic and High Index Glass.

Pros: Great for eyesight, scratch resistant, not too expensive.

Cons: Heavy.

Pros: Cheap, almost as good as glass for eyesight, can be tinted.

Cons: Not as heavy as glass, but still too heavy for higher prescriptions.

Pros: Best for safety glasses, very light and impact resistant.

Cons: Should be used with sport glass frames, need to be coated for scratch resistance.

Pros: Thinnest lenses, best ultraviolet resistance, bend the most light

Cons: Expensive, easily scratched, and shatter on impact.

Pros: Excellent scratch resistance

Cons: Expensive, easily scratched, shatter on impact, heavier than high index plastic.

Pros: Light

Cons: Not scratch resistant, doesn’t block ultraviolet light very well

Pros: Thinner due to design, not material.

Your eye care professional should be able to help educate you and pick out the lenses best for you and your eyeglasses.