Polycarbonate Lenses

Polycarbonate lenses are one of the most recommended lens materials by opticians in the U.S., valued for their durability, impact resistance, and built-in UV protection. Polycarbonate lenses are lightweight and shatter-resistant, making them the ideal choice for most mild to moderate prescriptions and always recommended for children's eyewear, sports eyewear, and safety glasses.

At Payne Glasses, we offer polycarbonate lenses at a low everyday starting price of just $10.95, making high-quality protection affordable for everyone.

Polycarbonate lenses are recommended when durability and impact resistance matter most. They are always recommended for children's eyewear, sports eyewear, and safety glasses due to their shatter-resistant design.

They are also a great option for everyday prescription glasses, especially for mild to moderate prescriptions. Additionally, polycarbonate lenses are ideal for rimless and semi-rimless (half rim) frame designs, as they are less prone to cracking from the frame design putting stress on relatively fewer points of contact on the lens.

Polycarbonate lenses are thinner, lighter, and more impact-resistant than Standard 1.50 plastic lenses, making them the recommended or required option for sports eyewear, safety glasses, and children's eyewear.

• Up to 20% thinner for a sleeker look.
• Lighter for all-day comfort.
• More durable with superior impact resistance.
• 100% UV protection built-in.

While Standard 1.50 lenses offer slightly better optical clarity, they are thicker, heavier, and provide only partial UV protection without additional coatings (although all of Payne's lenses include 100% UV protection).

For a stronger, safer, and more comfortable option, polycarbonate lenses are an excellent choice for low to moderate prescriptions.

Polycarbonate lenses have a higher refractive index (1.59) than standard plastic (1.50), making them thinner and lighter. However, they are not classified as high-index lenses. True high-index lenses start at 1.60 and above, offering even thinner options for stronger prescriptions while maintaining excellent optics.

At Payne Glasses, our guided order process ensures you get the best lens material for your prescription and selected frame, making it easy to find the right balance of comfort, durability, and performance.

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Yes! Many sunglasses are available with polarized polycarbonate lenses, combining glare reduction with superior impact resistance. These lenses eliminate direct and reflective glare while offering durable protection.

At Payne Glasses, you can get polarized polycarbonate lenses starting at just $82.95, making best-in-class sun protection more affordable than ever.

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Polycarbonate sunglasses are lightweight, impact-resistant, and provide 100% UV protection, making them an excellent choice for both adults and kids. Their shatter-resistant design ensures durability for active lifestyles, while built-in UV protection helps shield eyes from harmful sun exposure.

For children's glasses, UV protection is especially important—children's eyes are more sensitive to UV damage, and long-term exposure can increase the risk of eye health issues later in life. Polycarbonate sunglasses offer a safe, durable, and protective solution to keep young eyes healthy while they play outdoors.

At Payne Glasses, you can get polarized polycarbonate lenses starting at $82.95, combining glare reduction with superior protection. Since polycarbonate lenses cannot be tinted, polarization is the best option for reducing glare and enhancing visual comfort in bright conditions.

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