Polycarbonate vs High-Index Lenses: What's the Difference?

2026-02-27

When choosing the right optical lenses, polycarbonate lenses and high-index lenses are two of the most commonly compared options.

In this guide, we'll break down the key differences between polycarbonate and high-index lenses in terms of:

material, thickness, weight, impact resistance, optical performance, and ideal use cases.

1. What Are Polycarbonate Lenses?

Polycarbonate lenses are made from a thermoplastic material originally developed for aerospace applications. Today, Polycarbonate lenses are widely used in eyewear due to their high impact resistance and lightweight properties.

Key Features of Polycarbonate lenses:

Refractive index: 1.59
Extremely impact-resistant (up to 10x stronger than standard plastic lenses)
Lightweight and comfortable
Ideal for safety glasses, sports eyewear, and children's glasses

Because of their durability, polycarbonate lenses are often required for industrial safety standards and protective eyewear.

2. What Are High-Index Lenses?

High-index lenses are designed for people with High prescriptions. They use advanced optical materials that bend light more efficiently. This allows lenses to be thinner and flatter than standard plastic or polycarbonate lenses.

At H&C Optik, our high-index lenses are produced using MR™ series materials: MR-7 and MR-8

MR-7 High-Index Lenses

Refractive index: 1.67
Ultra-thin lens design for strong prescriptions
Strong durability
Good optical clarity with stable Abbe value
Suitable for mid to high prescriptions

MR-8 High-Index Lenses

Refractive index: 1.60
Ultra-thin lens design for strong prescriptions
Reduced edge thickness for improved aesthetics
Ideal for high-end markets
Commonly used in rimless designs

The higher the index, the thinner the lens—making high-index lenses popular in premium optical markets.

3. Polycarbonate vs High-Index: Key Differences

Feature	Polycarbonate Lenses	High-Index Lenses
Refractive Index	1.59	1.67 (MR-7) / 1.60 (MR-8)
Thickness	Medium	Thinner (especially for strong prescriptions)
Impact Resistance	⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐	⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Optical Clarity	Good	Very good
Abbe Value	-30	32–42 (varies by index)
Weight	Very light	Light
Best For	Safety, kids, sports	High prescriptions, fashion eyewear
Cost	Lower	Higher

4. Which Lenses Are Better？

There is no single "better" option - the best choice depends on the wearer's needs:

Choose Polycarbonate Lenses If:

Impact resistance is the top priority
The lenses are for children or sports users
You need safety eyewear
Cost control is important

Choose High-Index Lenses If:

The prescription is strong (−4.00 or higher)
Cosmetic appearance matters
Thinner, more refined lenses are preferred
The eyewear is positioned as fashion-focused

5. Which Lens Is Better for Wholesalers and Optical Brands?

For lens wholesalers and optical distributors, offering both polycarbonate and high-index lenses is the best strategy:

Polycarbonate lenses are ideal for 1) volume orders, 2) safety programs, 3) emerging markets
High-index lenses cater to 1) optical chains, 2) private labels, 3) premium customers

At H&C Optik, we manufacture and supply polycarbonate lenses and high-index lenses (1.61 / 1.67 / 1.74) with consistent quality!

👉 Learn more about our lens manufacturing solutions at
https://www.zjhcoptik.com/

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are polycarbonate lenses thinner than high-index lenses?

No. High-index lenses are generally thinner, especially for strong prescriptions.

Are high-index lenses more expensive? Why?

Yes. Higher refractive index materials and production costs make them more expensive than polycarbonate lenses.

At H&C Optik, our high-index lenses are produced using MR™ series materials, including MR-7 and MR-8, They are widely recognized for their stable optical performance.