Why 1.60 Might Be the Best Lens Material You've Never Given Enough Credit

By Jon J. Trutt

Published: 6/26/2025

When it comes to eyeglass lenses, the material matters more than you might think. It affects everything from clarity and comfort to durability and safety. While there’s no shortage of lens materials on the market, (CR-39, Polycarbonate, Trivex, 1.74, and others) there’s one that often flies under the radar but deserves top billing: 1.60 high-index plastic.

Let’s break down the data and make a case for why 1.60 may just be the best all-around lens material available today.

1.60: The Champion of Tensile Strength

If you're concerned about cracks and breakage (and who isn’t?), tensile strength is key. This metric measures how much force a material can withstand before snapping, and 1.60 comes out on top:

• 1.60 = 80.5 kgf (kilogram-force)

• 1.67 = 67.3

• Trivex = 61.2

• Polycarbonate = as low as 33.4

That means 1.60 is 25% stronger than Trivex and almost double the tensile strength of Poly. This makes it an excellent choice for rimless frames or active lifestyles where durability matters.

Superior Scratch Resistance

When you rank materials by scratch resistance, 1.60 is right near the top. Second only to glass and CR-39 (which aren’t practical for some modern prescriptions). Here's how it compares:

• Most scratch-resistant (top to bottom): Glass > CR-39 > 1.60 > 1.56 (Hivex) > 1.67 > Trivex > 1.70 > 1.74 > Poly

That’s a huge win for long-term clarity, especially for patients who are tough on their glasses.

High Impact Safety—Better Than You’d Think

1.60 has also come a long way in impact resistance. The latest 1.60 MR-8+ formulations are now approved for high-impact safety standards, putting them in the same class as Poly and Trivex. Even the standard MR-8 version of 1.60 just barely misses the safety cutoff; far outperforming glass, CR-39, 1.70, and 1.74, which are all well below the mark.

Lightweight and Thin

Despite being ultra-strong and durable, 1.60 doesn’t weigh you down. In fact, it's only 4% heavier than Trivex in real-world edged lens comparisons, and it’s 10% thinner. When you compare across the board:

• Weight (vs. CR-39 at -4.00):

• Trivex = 30% lighter

• Poly = 29%

• 1.60 = 26%

• Thickness (vs. CR-39 at -4.00):

• Trivex = 12% thinner

• Poly = 21%

• 1.60 = 22%

• 1.67 = 28%

• 1.74 = 32%

That means 1.60 delivers an excellent balance of weight savings and cosmetic thinness; perfect for moderate-to-high prescriptions.

Impressive Optical Clarity

Chromatic aberration can cause blurriness, color fringing, and adaptation issues in lenses with low Abbe values. Here's where 1.60 still holds strong:

• 1.60 Abbe Value = 42

• Trivex = 43

• 1.67 = 32

• Poly = 30

So 1.60 gives you nearly identical clarity to Trivex, and far better than high-index 1.67 or Poly, meaning sharper vision and happier wearers.

Built-In UV Protection—Better Than Most Blue Light Lenses

This one’s a hidden gem: standard clear 1.60 blocks up to 40% of UVA light up to 420nm. That’s 3-4x more protection than most “blue-blocking” anti-reflective coatings, and it’s built right into the lens, no upgrade needed.

Cost-Effective at the Lab Level

Despite all of these performance benefits, 1.60 is often priced on par with Trivex at the wholesale level. So your lab is likely paying the same, if not less, for a material that delivers more in nearly every category.

The Bottom Line

When you factor in strength, scratch resistance, optical clarity, cosmetic appeal, and UV protection, 1.60 delivers an unmatched combination of performance and value. It may not be as hyped as Poly or Trivex, or as exotic as 1.74, but when it comes to real-world wear, 1.60 just works.

If you haven’t been recommending 1.60 lenses, it might be time to reconsider. This unsung hero of the optical world could easily be the best material you’re not using enough.

Want to learn more about lens materials and how they affect your patients? Contact us or reach out to your AccuLab Optical rep for more insights and sample comparisons.

• info@acculab.net or 800-688-3904