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Trivex vs. Polycarbonate vs. High-Index Lenses: Which Lens Material Should You Choose?
Short answer: for most prescriptions, Trivex is the best all-round lens material, polycarbonate is the tough budget-friendly option, and high-index is worth it once your prescription passes about ±4.00. As a licensed optician, the lens material is the decision I spend the most time explaining, because it changes how thick, heavy, clear and safe your glasses are far more than most people expect. Here is how the four materials you'll be offered actually compare, and how to choose for your own prescription.
The four lens materials at a glance
| Material | Refractive index | Weight | Optical clarity (Abbe value) | Impact resistance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CR-39 (standard plastic) | 1.50 | Medium | Excellent (≈58) | Fair | Low prescriptions, sunglasses |
| Trivex | 1.53 | Lightest | Very good (≈43–45) | Excellent | Most prescriptions, rimless frames, active wear |
| Polycarbonate | 1.59 | Light | Fair (≈30) | Excellent | Kids, sport, safety, tight budgets |
| High-index | 1.60–1.74 | Light | Fair to good (≈32–42) | Good | Stronger prescriptions (about ±4.00 and up) |
Two numbers in that table do most of the work. The refractive index tells you how strongly the material bends light: the higher it is, the thinner the lens can be for the same prescription. The Abbe value tells you how cleanly the material handles color: the higher it is, the less color fringing you'll notice when you look through the edges of the lens.
Trivex vs. polycarbonate
This is the comparison people search for most, and the two materials really are close. Both are highly impact-resistant, both block 100% of UVA and UVB without an added treatment, and both are light. The differences:
- Clarity: Trivex has a noticeably higher Abbe value (around 43–45 against polycarbonate's 30). In plain terms, Trivex gives crisper vision away from the center of the lens, with less of the faint color fringing some people notice in polycarbonate.
- Weight: Trivex is the lightest of all common lens materials. On a full day's wear, that matters most in larger frames and stronger prescriptions.
- Thickness: polycarbonate's higher index (1.59 against 1.53) makes it slightly thinner at the same power. For mild prescriptions the difference is hard to see.
- Drilled and rimless frames: Trivex resists cracking around drill holes better, which is why it is the usual choice for rimless and semi-rimless mounts.
My take: if you're between the two and your prescription is under about ±4.00, choose Trivex for the better optics and lighter weight. Polycarbonate remains a sound, tough lens and the classic choice for children's glasses and sports eyewear.
What are high-index lenses?
High-index lenses are made from plastics that bend light more strongly than standard materials, so they need less thickness to correct the same prescription. They're sold by index number: 1.60, 1.67 and 1.74, from least to most compressed. A strong minus prescription in standard plastic can leave a lens edge several millimeters thick; the same prescription in 1.67 or 1.74 is dramatically slimmer and lighter, and it reduces the "bug-eye" or "pinhole" look strong lenses can give.
Are high-index lenses worth it?
It depends almost entirely on your prescription strength. As a working guide:
- Up to about ±2.00: usually not worth it. The thickness saving is small, and Trivex or CR-39 will give you equal or better clarity.
- About ±2.00 to ±4.00: optional. Trivex or 1.60 high-index both work; choose on frame style and weight.
- About ±4.00 to ±6.00: worth it. A 1.67 lens makes a visible difference to edge thickness and comfort.
- Above about ±6.00: strongly recommended, and 1.74 is often the right call.
Frame choice matters as much as the material. A smaller, rounder frame keeps a strong lens thinner than a large, wide one, because less of the thick outer edge is left after the lens is cut. If your prescription is strong, it's worth checking how a frame should fit before you fall for a very large shape.
High-index vs. polycarbonate
Polycarbonate (1.59) already sits close to entry-level high-index (1.60) in thickness, so for moderate prescriptions they're similar. The case for true high-index starts at 1.67, where the lens becomes clearly thinner than polycarbonate. High-index lenses reflect more light off their surfaces than standard plastic, so they should always be paired with an anti-reflective coating. Without one, the extra reflections become distracting.
Where does CR-39 fit?
CR-39 is the original optical plastic, and it still has the best optics of the group. It's an excellent, economical choice for low prescriptions and for prescription sunglasses, where tints absorb evenly. Its weaknesses are thickness at higher powers and lower impact resistance than Trivex or polycarbonate.
How to choose: a quick decision guide
- Find your strongest number. Look at the SPH and CYL boxes on your prescription. If you're not sure how to read them, see how to read your eyeglass prescription.
- Mild (up to about ±2.00): Trivex for everyday wear, or CR-39 for sunglasses.
- Moderate (about ±2.00 to ±4.00): Trivex or 1.60 high-index.
- Strong (above about ±4.00): high-index, ideally with a smaller frame.
- Rimless or very active wear: Trivex, whatever the prescription strength allows.
The lens materials Varadero offers
Every Varadero frame can be ordered with prescription lenses: choose Select Lenses on any eyeglasses or sunglasses page. For eyeglasses you can choose polycarbonate, Trivex or high-index. For prescription sunglasses you can choose CR-39, Trivex or high-index, with a solid, gradient or polarized tint. You'll also need your pupillary distance; our free printable PD ruler makes it a two-minute job.
Frequently asked questions
Is Trivex better than polycarbonate?
For most people, yes: Trivex gives clearer vision away from the lens center and is lighter, while matching polycarbonate's impact resistance. Polycarbonate is slightly thinner and is still a strong choice for children's and sports eyewear.
What are the disadvantages of Trivex lenses?
Trivex is slightly thicker than polycarbonate at the same prescription, and it isn't the thinnest option for strong prescriptions, where high-index is the better choice.
Who should wear high-index lenses?
Anyone with a prescription stronger than about ±4.00 will usually see a real benefit in thickness, weight and appearance. Below that, the improvement is small.
What are the downsides of high-index lenses?
They have a lower Abbe value than CR-39 or Trivex, so some people notice slight color fringing at the edges, and they reflect more light, so an anti-reflective coating is essential.
Do all lens materials block UV?
Polycarbonate, Trivex and high-index lenses block 100% of UVA and UVB by nature of the material. CR-39 needs a UV treatment, which quality labs apply as standard.
Which lens material is best for sunglasses?
CR-39 takes tints most evenly and has the best optics, so it is a classic choice for prescription sunglasses. Trivex is the better pick for active use, and high-index for strong prescriptions.
About the author
Jarrett Johnson is a Florida-licensed, ABO- and NCLE-certified optician with over ten years of experience fitting eyewear, and the founder of Varadero, an independent eyewear brand designed in Miami and handcrafted in Italy. This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from your own eye-care provider.
