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Eyeglasses: glass or polycarbonate?

spurgemasturspurgemastur Member Posts: 5,655 ✭✭
edited June 2008 in General Discussion
Those of you who wear eyeglasses: do you use glass or polycarbonate lenses? Pros and cons of each?

I wear polycarbonates. That was relatively new technology when I first wore glasses and I took them for the weight savings (at the time, VERY BIG glasses were in style).

But I am so sick of scratched lenses. These are (mostly) little circular scratches from me grinding the grit into the lens when I clean it on my shirt. Don't tell me to use running water to wash my glasses: even if I didn't spend so much time outdoors in dusty environments where that is not feasible, I would not do it; I just am not that meticulous. I'm not willing to carry a little bottle of cleaner and a lint-free cloth, either. And yes, I always pay the $40 for the worthless scratch-protective coating on the lenses.

Do glass lenses resist scratches better? Given that smaller glasses are now more fashionable, is the weight savings in polycarbonate significant?
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Comments

  • MercuryMercury Member Posts: 7,842 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Yes, polycarbonate lenses are MUCH lighter!

    Glass is good, but heavy, even in small frames.

    Don't waste your money on the scratch resistant "coating". I did a comparison last year, bought one of each.........scratched just the same.

    I recently thought about going back to glass, because I too spend a lot of time in dusty environments outside. ACK.......too heavy! I used to get the glass lenses, but I don't think I could go back.

    Merc (has worn glasses for about 30 years)
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  • BHAVINBHAVIN Member Posts: 3,490 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wear glass because I scratch up the plastic to bad. Like you my shirt is my cleaning tool. I tried plastic with the coating and scratched the coating. If you decide to go with glass be careful of the frames you buy. I bought to light of frames and they are always sliding down. My prescription is pretty light and the glass does make them much heavier than the plastic. I wish they made MAN plastic then it would be fine. I am going to try contacts next time I need to change. My eyes may finally be bad enough where they actually make a prescription in contacts for me. Sure doesn't seem right hoping your eyes get worse![V]
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  • arraflipperarraflipper Member Posts: 1,256 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am ready to go back to glass,I try to be careful but they seem to scratch easier with every new pair I buy. Yes the coating is a waste of money, as far as I am concerned. I really only need glasses for close up work, and buy the magnifiers, but you can't wear them for work. I bought two pairs of good plastic glasses and the ones I wear most of the time are so bad that I polished them with rubbing compound to be able to use them a while longer. I have to wear them when I do work inside at a factory, so guess I need to break down and get some new ones.

    Good to know I am not the only one in this mess.

    Jim
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  • HandLoadHandLoad Member Posts: 15,998 ✭
    edited November -1
    Lasik is the answer.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    I use regular plastic. Not the high impact ultralight material- it gives me headaches. The optometrist doesn't believe me but I see the lines in the lens where the panels were fused.

    Mine are 2 years old and only slightly scratched. I clean using a very soft cloth, not my shirt. A shirt might do ok but it would have to be soft of course.

    I've had glass. I scratched those too. Just not as much. If I didn't need such thick lenses I might stay with glass.
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  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,245 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    I switched back to glass for the exact same reason, however I do lots of welding and grinding and I found out that sparks stick in glass 10 times more than they do plastic so my glass ones ended up a mess too. I had a rifle recoil once and it broke a glass lense. That wouldn't have happened to a plastic one. The lens was old and sparked up so it might not have broken if it had been in good shape.

    I went back to plastic on this last set. I hate glasses.
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Polycarbonate for me, in all 4 pair, I am a little more careful with them I guess, I rarely clean on my shirt, or other grit filled abrasive cloth.
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,461 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    the scratch proofing my doctor uses is guaranteed for 1 year, I usually go back just before the year is up to get them replaced for free, while it may not make them scratch proof is is like getting a new set for $35.
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  • D1D1 Member Posts: 11,412
    edited November -1
    Impact resitance and light weight get my vote. Polycarb. i try to take care of them since they cost so much and they don't get scratched real easy.
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  • moonshinemoonshine Member Posts: 8,471
    edited November -1
    quote:Lasik is the answer.

    Not always my father in law had lasik and they blinded him in one eye.
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  • tr foxtr fox Member Posts: 13,856
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by moonshine
    quote:Lasik is the answer.

    Not always my father in law had lasik and they blinded him in one eye.


    You might help save some GB.com member's eyesight if you can provide more details.
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  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    while my vision is 20/10, and i do not need them, i forked out for a pair of photo-gray safety sunglasses, w/removable side shields for shooting, i chose glass for more scratch resistant
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    My recreational glasses are polycarbonate Rx photo grey with the scratch resistant coating. Frames are Wiley X. I'm very hard on almost everything and I am VERY impressed with these. They are almost two years old and not a single scratch on them.

    My work glasses are glass but my Rx is not to bad so they are still relatively thin and not very heavy.
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  • oldnbaldoldnbald Member Posts: 3,578
    edited November -1
    Used to wear glass lenses. Changed to poly several sets of glasses ago and wouldn't go back for anything. Mainly the weight problem. Have not had much problem with scratching. I use an old T shirt or a cloth diaper for cleaning my glasses.
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  • TfloggerTflogger Member Posts: 3,399 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For work glasses, glass. I've scratched hell out of every plastic lens in the world.
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  • 1911a1-fan1911a1-fan Member Posts: 51,193 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by elkoholic
    My recreational glasses are polycarbonate Rx photo grey with the scratch resistant coating. Frames are Wiley X. I'm very hard on almost everything and I am VERY impressed with these. They are almost two years old and not a single scratch on them.

    My work glasses are glass but my Rx is not to bad so they are still relatively thin and not very heavy.



    where did you get those, whats the price range?
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  • non mortuusnon mortuus Member Posts: 649 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Get new lens cut once a year, then you can scratch them up all you want?
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
    quote:Originally posted by elkoholic
    My recreational glasses are polycarbonate Rx photo grey with the scratch resistant coating. Frames are Wiley X. I'm very hard on almost everything and I am VERY impressed with these. They are almost two years old and not a single scratch on them.

    My work glasses are glass but my Rx is not to bad so they are still relatively thin and not very heavy.



    where did you get those, whats the price range?


    Link to the catalogs...
    http://www.wileyx.com/catalogs/index.aspx

    Link to order sheet...
    ftp://files155.cyberlynk.net/order_forms/WX_Rx_Form.pdf

    frames-$80
    Rx scratch coat LA (light adjusting)-$230

    Here they are in action on a sunny day.
    img7220vh9.jpg

    And a not so sunny day.
    img6929qe1.jpg

    I can't find a pic in the snow but they get even darker in the snow.
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  • slingerslinger Member Posts: 1,466 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lasik is the answer.

    Not always my father in law had lasik and they blinded him in one eye.
    [/quote]

    You might help save some GB.com member's eyesight if you can provide more details.
    [/quote]
    I worked next to an ethical Dr. who was quoted as saying he'd never cut on a healthy eye no matter what you tried to pay him.
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