So Glass or plastic lenses for glasses?

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Wintermute76

Senior member
Jan 8, 2003
364
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Originally posted by: Howard
If you're worried about scratched plastic, get a CVD crystalline diamond coating.

I slight problem in that CVD diamond needs the substrate heated to 1000-1400 K.


 

numark

Golden Member
Sep 17, 2002
1,005
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Originally posted by: AndrewR
Last time I bought glasses you couldn't get the anti-reflective coating on plastic, and I do remember that the AR coating and scratch protection were mutually exclusive. Given the choice, GET THE AR COATING! I refuse to wear glasses without it because it makes an enormous difference.

I'm sure technology has changed, but so has the technology for thin glass lenses. My wife got some over here (Japan) that were very thin given her +8 prescription, and they said that they could actually go thinner than that (more expensive, she doesn't wear them full time).

You can get AR on plastic now, I just got mine replaced a month or two ago and they put it on my plastic lenses. I agree with the AR coating being better, too. This is my first pair with the coating on it, and it makes a big difference. I didn't think it would work as well as it did, but I haven't had an eyestrain headache at all since I've started wearing them, it's some pretty amazing tech.
 

atom

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 1999
4,722
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I used to scratch lenses all the time, so much in fact that I would need to get new lenses about every year. I then got polycarbonate lenses and after 1 1/2 years later there are no major scratches. Polycarbonate lenses + flexon frames = best set of glasses I've ever owned.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
I have -8.00 so I will stick with my plastic. I rarely wear glasses so... it really wouldn't matter that much. Get contacts!
 

lowtech1

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2000
4,644
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Take her to the store & get the wife to try them all. I wear eyes glass full time and find that the weight of small lens & high index plastic is the best.

The other venue that you might want to look into is Lasik. Lasik is has improved dramatically in the last 10 years and is relatively inexpensive compare to eyes glass.

A co worker of mine has his eyes Lasik for 700 USD 2 years ago and his eyes are now funtion perfectly with out eyes glass. As for me, I'll get mine Lasik this summer/fall when I take my vacation.
 

AznMaverick

Platinum Member
Apr 4, 2001
2,776
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Originally posted by: rayray2
Definitely plastic. They both have their advantages/disadvantages, but IMO the plastic ones being lighter makes all the difference in the world.

 

AznMaverick

Platinum Member
Apr 4, 2001
2,776
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i have another question. my vision is -6. and i have high index lenses but they still look thick due to magnification/refraction/(i don't know how to explain it) but the lenses really are a lot more thin. is there any way to get glasses with my prescription to look like 'normal' glass should?
 

Crimzon

Senior member
Nov 6, 2002
873
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I have the new scratch resistant ultra light plastic lenses, anti glare and all that. They're great. I still prefer contacts, but my choice for glasses is plastic. Lighter, thiner makes all the difference. Otherwise you're constantly reminded you have glasses on and the bridge of your nose can hurt.
 

lowtech1

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2000
4,644
1
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Originally posted by: AznMaverick
i have another question. my vision is -6. and i have high index lenses but they still look thick due to magnification/refraction/(i don't know how to explain it) but the lenses really are a lot more thin. is there any way to get glasses with my prescription to look like 'normal' glass should?
My eyes are -4.75/5.5 with a slight astigmatism, which is quite close to your prescription and my extra high index plastic lenses look normal due to the use of small lens frame design.