Polycarbonate lenses are a popular choice for eyewear, defined by their durability and thin profile compared to standard plastic lenses. This thermoplastic polymer is significantly lighter and more impact-resistant than conventional lens materials, making it ideal for children’s eyewear and safety glasses. Understanding the price requires looking beyond the base material cost to include prescription complexity and various optional treatments.
Base Cost and Average Range
The base cost for a pair of polycarbonate lenses varies significantly depending on the retailer and prescription type. For single-vision lenses purchased online or from a high-volume retailer, the price often starts between $50 and $100. This price typically includes the lens material, basic shaping, and sometimes a complimentary scratch-resistant coating, which is necessary because polycarbonate is naturally a softer material that scratches easily.
When purchasing from a private optometrist or full-service optical shop, the base price for single-vision polycarbonate lenses is higher, typically between $100 and $200. This higher price reflects overhead costs, professional fitting services, and the use of premium lens laboratories. Polycarbonate material inherently includes 100% ultraviolet light protection and high impact resistance.
For those needing multifocal correction, the cost of polycarbonate progressive lenses is substantially higher due to the complex digital surfacing technology required. Basic polycarbonate progressive lenses generally start at around $175 to $250, even from budget providers. Mid-range polycarbonate progressive options, which include wider viewing corridors and smoother transitions, can push the base lens price into the $250 to $500 range.
Factors That Increase the Final Price
The final price is frequently driven up by various coatings and complex lens designs. The most common add-on is an anti-reflective (AR) coating, which minimizes glare and reflections to improve visual clarity and reduce eye strain. A standard AR treatment typically adds $25 to $100, while premium AR coatings with layers for easier cleaning can cost upward of $150.
Another significant cost factor is the inclusion of blue light filtering technology, which is often integrated into the AR coating to mitigate exposure from digital screens; this feature can easily add $50 to $150 to the total. Photochromic treatments, commonly known by the brand name Transitions, cause the lenses to darken when exposed to ultraviolet light, effectively acting as sunglasses outdoors. Adding this light-adaptive technology to polycarbonate lenses generally costs between $100 and $200 or more, depending on the specific brand and performance level.
Beyond coatings, the complexity of the prescription itself impacts the price. While single-vision lenses are the most affordable, a high prescription with significant cylinder correction (astigmatism) requires specialized manufacturing, increasing the cost. The jump from single-vision to progressive lenses is the most expensive factor, due to the complexity of the lens design and the need for personalized measurements.
Comparing Polycarbonate Pricing to Other Materials
Polycarbonate lenses occupy a middle ground in lens material pricing, positioning them as a cost-effective upgrade over the least expensive options. They are generally more expensive than standard CR-39 plastic lenses, which are the most basic option, often starting as low as $50 for the material. The higher cost is justified by a higher refractive index of 1.59, which results in a thinner and lighter lens profile compared to CR-39 plastic.
Conversely, polycarbonate lenses are typically more affordable than high-index plastic materials, such as those with a refractive index of 1.67 or 1.74. High-index lenses are designed for individuals with stronger prescriptions to achieve the thinnest profile, making them the most expensive choice, often starting at $200 for the material alone. Polycarbonate represents a balance of enhanced durability, acceptable thinness for moderate prescriptions, and a price significantly less than premium high-index options.