Trivex and polycarbonate are both light, strong lens materials, and both are good choices when impact resistance matters: children's glasses, sport, safety eyewear and rimless frames. At Torga, our 1.53 Strong & Lite lens is made from Trivex, and we also offer 1.59 polycarbonate.
What they have in common
- Both are light and highly impact resistant. (Highly impact resistant is not the same as unbreakable.)
- Both absorb UV in the material itself.
- Both suit children, sport, safety eyewear and rimless and semi-rimless frames.
- Like most lightweight lens materials, both can scratch. Every Torga lens has a scratch-resistant hard coat on both surfaces at no extra cost.
A quick comparison
| 1.53 Strong & Lite (Trivex) | 1.59 polycarbonate | |
|---|---|---|
| In a line | Ultra strong and very light, with excellent clarity | Highly impact resistant and thin |
| Good for | Rimless and semi-rimless frames, sport, safety and children | Sport, safety and children |
| Weight, thickness and clarity | Lighter and optically clearer | A little thinner |
| UV | Absorbed in the material | Absorbed in the material |
| Hard coat, front and back | Included at no extra cost | Included at no extra cost |
Which one is right for you?
No one material is right for everyone. Each one trades off thickness, weight, strength and clarity, and the right choice depends on your prescription, your frame and what you will use the glasses for.
- For rimless and semi-rimless frames, sport and children, either is a good starting point. If low weight and clarity matter most, ask about Strong & Lite. If a slightly thinner lens matters most, ask about polycarbonate.
- For wraparound sports frames, there is also the High-Curve lens design, made for the frame's curve.
- Thinner is not always clearer. We will recommend the thinnest lens that is right for your prescription and your frame.
Read about the whole range on our lens technology page, or book an eye test and your optometrist will talk you through the options.