Lens Clarity - Abbe Value - Crystal Clear vs. Opaque & Blurry

Lens Clarity - Abbe Value - Crystal Clear vs. Opaque & Blurry

There is a great deal of confusion when it comes to sunglasses and glasses lenses. 

Many people do not fully comprehend the benefits of a high qualty lens.

Abbe Values are used to represent clarity, how much light is distorted by the lenses. The lower the number, the greater the dispersion of light and the more opaque the lenses will be. Higher numbers represent clearer lenses.

Peeq reversible sunglasses contain a derivative of nylon lenses, effectively the highest quality glasses lens on the planet.

 

Plastic Lenses: Abbe Value 35-40

On the low end, plastic lenses are the most common sunglasses lens. They are extremely cheap to produce, but of course have quite low Abbe Values (less than 40). These lenses are usually slightly more clear than polycarbonate lenses, but tend to be lower quality.

These lenses will be found in the lowest end glasses.

 

Polycarbonate Lenses: Abbe Value 30

In the upper-middle of the spectrum you have sports glasses which often utilize some form of polycarbonate (a thermoplastic polymer), which are indeed highly durable (found in bulletproof glass), but they are even less clear than plastic lenses at an Abbe Value of 30-35.

These lenses will be found in brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Nike, and Blenders.

 

Glass Lenses: Abbe Value 58

On the high-end of the spectrum, luxury brands tend to implement a crown glass. In order to offer the crystal clearest lenses, many luxury sunglass brands utilize some sort of glass. Very clear, yes, but not shatter-proof, and therefore not fit for sports or versatile active-wear.

These lenses will be found in brands such as Gucci, Prada, Persol, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Moncler, and Cartier.

 

Nylon / Polyamide / Trivex Lenses: Abbe Value 52

At the intersection of Clarity and Durability. These lenses are both crystal clear and shatter-proof.

These lenses will be found in the highest-end versatile sunglasses such as Maui Jims, highest-end Oakleys, or Peeqs.

 

Bottom Line: Peeq sunglasses contain the ultimate lenses