Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate lenses are the most impact-resistant lenses available and are recommended by Heartland Optical because of their versatility. Polycarbonate lenses are lightweight, durable, and safe. They help absorb harmful UV light and come equipped with scratch coating on both sides of the lens. Polycarbonate was developed in the 1970s for aerospace applications, and is currently used for the helmet visors of astronauts and for space shuttle windshields. Eyeglass lenses made of polycarbonate were introduced in the early 1980s in response to a demand for lightweight, impact-resistant lenses.

Glass

The oldest of lens materials. Glass lenses are becoming obsolete in the lens marketplace today because of the advances in the materials listed above. Glass is heavy but very scratch resistant. For patients that strongly believe in glass we have it available.

Trivex

The newest material in the optical world. Trivex provides the impact resistance of polycarbonate with the clarity of glass. They are lightweight, durable, safe, but are thicker than polycarbonate or hi-index.