MATERIALS

1.5 CR39

The most commonly used lens material is economical and durable as well as offering the best Abbe value of all the lens indices. We always recommend, where practical, to dispense the CR39 material. Although the optical corrective properties of the 1.5 is superior to other indices, for high plus or minus prescriptions the lens can become very thick.

High Index 1.55 (NK55)

The most affordable of the higher Index lenses and very tough compared to CR39. As this material is around 15% thinner and 20% lighter than the 1.5 it offers an economical option for those patients who require thinner lenses. The NK55 has an Abbe value of 42 making it a good choice for prescriptions between -2.50 and +2.50 dioptres.

High Index 1.60 (Korean Monomer)

This material is up to 30% thinner than an equivalent lens produced in a 1.5 index. We recommend this lens for use in spherical powers lower than -3.00 or higher than +3.00.

High Index 1.61 (MR8)

Compared to the standard 1.60, Japanese series MR8 material is easier to drill and absorbs tints more effectively. We recommend this material for rimless glazing and it is covered by our rimless guarantee.

High Index 1.67 (MR10)

MR10 is at the forefront of modern lens technology, it is lightweight and a further 15% thinner than a 1.60 index. The benefits of this lens are most apparent for spherical powers lower than -5.00 or higher than +5.00. We recommend this material for rimless glazing and it is covered by our rimless guarantee.

High Index 1.74 (MR174)

This lens is the thinnest of the hard resin material and has all of the advantages of the 1.67. It is also an amazing 50% slimmer than a standard CR39 plastic lens. If you want your lenses light and thin this should be your first choice especially when your prescription is greater than +/- 7.00 DS. We do not recommend this index for rimless glazing.

Polycarbonate 1.59

Polycarbonate lenses are virtually unbreakable and are lighter and thinner than CR39. Most safety and children's glasses are made with polycarbonate lenses however this material provides the lowest Abbe value of any material. This material cannot be tinted. We recommend this material for rimless glazing and it is covered by our rimless guarantee.

Trivex 1.53

This is a High Index lens with impact resistant properties on a par with polycarbonate. It was designed specifically for drill mount frames but in today’s optical world has a far more diverse usage. The lenses have super high durability and are the perfect choice for high powered rimless glasses. As the Trivex material is so incredibly strong and has a high Abbe value it is being used by more opticians for paediatric lenses as well as for safety glasses. Trivex can be tinted up to 85% absorption. We recommend this material for rimless glazing and it is covered by our rimless guarantee.

RX Ethereal Polarised

1.50 Polarised

The 1.50 CR39 Polarised is available in both 75% and 85% absorption with a choice of three colours. Polarised lenses are manufactured with a grey, green or brown film embedded in the lens. This film cuts glare by re-directing the light passing through it. To confirm if two lenses are polarised, hold one lens over the other and rotate. If at certain points no light shines through they are.

1.60 Polarised

The 1.60 is made using the MR8 series material from Japan and is available in grey and brown at 85% absorption. This material is up to 30% thinner than an equivalent lens produced in 1.50. We recommend this material for rimless glazing and it is covered by our rimless guarantee.

1.67 Polarised

Japan series MR10 material accommodates a further 15% reduction in thickness than its 1.60 counterparts. The benefits of this lens are most apparent for spherical powers lower than -5.00 or higher than +5.00. We recommend this material for rimless glazing and it is covered by our rimless guarantee.

RX Ethereal Photochromic

Our 1.55 photochromic lens offers exceptional value and performance as the transformation from clear to dark is very smooth and almost unnoticeable. In tests as the temperature increased the RX Ethereal Photochromic gets darker and darker but the cooling down period is rapid. In addition to the performance benefit, this lens can also be tinted up to 25% absorption. Our customers have noticed the advantages so when in range dispense this innovative lens material in place of any other photochromic brand.

Transitions VI

Transitions are the most popular photochromic lenses in the market today. The photochromic technology is produced in nearly every material. This includes Trivex, polycarbonate, as well as standard and high index materials.

Transitions XTRActive

Normal photochromic’s are activated by ultra violet light. Unlike Transitions VI, XTRActive lenses were specially designed with visible light-activated photochromic properties. With use of their special embedded technology, XTRActive lenses darken behind a windscreen of a car to provide some comfort whilst driving. Transitions XTRActive lenses achieve up to 50% transmission behind a windshield at 27°C. In temperatures in excess of 35°C XTRActive darkens to 80% absorption but in the clear state they have a residual tint of 17% LAF.