Polycarbonate lenses are thin thermoplastic glasses made from tints and biological material with built-in UV protection and impact resistance. Due to its durable construction, polycarbonate lenses are often recommended for children’s eyewear are very much suited for safety glasses, and are perfect for sports goggles.
There are numerous advantages of these lenses including UV protection, lightweight, thinness, impact resistance, and versatility with customization. With these benefits come some cons as well like high prices, and susceptibility to scratches and they are not ideal for all prescriptions. Read on to find out more about how these glasses are made and what makes them different from others.
The polycarbonate lens is a lightweight and strong plastic lens, which, according to Glasses.com, is the best option for sports goggles, children’s glasses, and safety glasses. These lenses are manufactured out of thermoplastics which makes them very durable and impact-resistant.
These lenses were originally invented for astronauts in the Apollo Space shuttle mission.
Unlike other types of plastic, polycarbonate lenses are made with injection moulding for a sharp, smooth finish which makes them very versatile lenses that go well in various prescription frames.
Simply, to answer what polycarbonate lenses are, they are mainly greatly impact-resistant lenses which makes them the best choice for glasses when they come into contact with any other objects, for instance, while playing sports.
Other names for Polycarbonate lenses are simply poly. PC is the common abbreviation for polycarbonate and has several trade names like Makrolon, acroPlus, Lexan, and Makroclear.
Polycarbonate lenses are manufactured using thermoplastic injection moulding. TWI Global describes injection moulding as a process where molten material is injected into a mould. In the case of polycarbonate lenses, the material is thermoplastic. The thermoplastic is originally a solid material that should be melted before being injected into the lens moulds. After injection, thermoplastics are compressed under high pressure and cooled so that they form polycarbonate lenses.
Understand the process better with these key steps:
After cooling and coming out of the moulds, several other treatments are done to them to improve their durability and functionality:
Polycarbonate lenses are used in various industries and applications due to their exceptional impact resistance, lightweight nature, and optical clarity. These lenses are popularly found in children’s eyewear, and sports goggles.
TWI Global stated that polycarbonate is used in construction, medical, electronics, aerospace, and automobile industries including safety helmets, car headlamp lenses, bullet-resistant glasses, and CDs and DVDs.
Yes, polycarbonate lenses can be used for making sunglasses. These are some of the benefits that allow for this application:
These are some of the major advantages of Polycarbonate lenses:
According to Vision Center, polycarbonate lenses offer protection from ultraviolet light. This means a protective coating is not required to shield the eyes from UVA and UVB rays emitted from the sun. UV protection is more needed in glasses, as today, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light could lead to certain eye issues like eye cancer and cataracts.
Lightweight and thin polycarbonate lenses are made of thermoplastic, which is a plastic polymer material. Vision Center states that polycarbonate lenses are lighter and thinner than other lenses as they are made for strength and are 30% thinner than conventional glasses or plastic lenses.
Polycarbonate lenses are impact-resistant, meaning they are more durable than other kinds of lenses. These lenses are not entirely shatterproof but are considered 10 times more impact-resistant than other kinds.
This lens is developed in such a way that it is initially made for a space suit material that could cope with low air pressure. Another place where this lens is used is in medical devices, greenhouses, automotive components, and protective gear.
Talking about versatility, polycarbonate lenses can have many add-ons applied to them so that different prescriptions and lifestyles benefit from them. These additives can be scratch-resistant coatings, anti-reflective coatings, polarization, and blue-light filter coatings.
It is also worth mentioning that polycarbonate lenses can be used for multifocal lenses, sometimes known as progressive. This type of lens offers vision correction for three different distances; near, intermediate, and distance.
With many pros, polycarbonate lenses also have some cons. They are:
Polycarbonate lenses are costlier than regular eyes, often costing up as twice as much. Not everyone can afford these lenses.
While we can not deny that polycarbonate glasses are durable against impacts, they are prone to scratches. So if anyone wants an anti-scratching coating, it comes with an extra cost.
Polycarbonate lenses can have lower abbe value compared to various lenses including high-index or Trivex lenses. Such a differential can lead to chromatic aberration and peripheral vision distortion.
These lenses are not suitable for everyone, especially for those with higher power (greater than +/-4) or any extreme astigmatism in which case high-index lenses would be likely preferred.
Polycarbonate lenses can not be easily tinted due to their material properties.
Polycarbonate lenses are incredibly impact-resistant but compared to other materials like Trivex, they are less durable.
Many individuals can and should wear glasses with polycarbonate lenses. For instance, these glasses are child-friendly because of their durability and they can handle the vibrant lifestyle of young and energetic kids.
Also, not to forget that these lenses are used in safety glasses which are worn on job sites where they need to protect the eyes. For instance when using air-powered tools and machinery or during cement mixing, sawing, and grinding.
If older people are likely to drop their glasses more, polycarbonate can be recommended. However, in case of a strong prescription, it is best to use a high index lens as they are thinner and lighter, making the wear more comfortable.
Yes. If people with astigmatism have a mild to moderate prescription, they can use polycarbonate lenses. In case of severe astigmatism, you need to wear a high-index lens because they are thinner and lighter. Also, polycarbonate lenses can bring visual distortions in people with astigmatism.
Yes but only if their prescription is mild to moderate. People with high or strong prescriptions must use a high-index lens as they are far more convenient.
It is quite easy to determine polycarbonate lenses if you can compare them to glass lenses. A video by Doctor Eye Health on YouTube states that to know the difference, first hold a glass lens in one hand and a plastic one in the other.
The glass lens will feel heavier and the polycarbonate lens which is made up of plastic is extremely lightweight. Another way is to gently drop the lenses onto a table, one at a time. The sound of the glass lens is deeper than that of a polycarbonate lens. Still, if you’re unsure, you can always consult your optometrist.
It is hard to figure out the exact duration of polycarbonate lenses as it can vary depending on various factors. There is no doubt these lenses are less likely to break than others due to their durability and impact resistance. That automatically makes them long-lasting.
That being said polycarbonate lenses are more prone to scratching on the surface if it has no scratch-resistant coating. That can make you buy another one quickly.
Polycarbonate lenses offer a robust combination of durability, safety features, and comfort which make them an excellent choice for various applications in optics except for some considerations. In case you want to know more about it or are wondering if you can wear it, contact Vision Concern today.
Ans: There is no price for polycarbonate lenses since their cost differs between distributors. They are generally slightly more expensive than other types due to high impact-resistant technology. Many of the children’s glasses at Vision Concern come with polycarbonate lenses at no extra charge.
Ans: Because polycarbonate lenses are made of similar materials to those of CR-39 lenses, care and handling do not differ. To clean polycarbonate lenses, speck the glass-cleaning solution for glasses on a microfibre cloth and wipe the surface until it is clear of all dirt and debris. Also, avoid allowing scratches to settle on your lenses by keeping them in a spec case when out of use.
Yes, we provide emergency eye care for conditions like eye injuries, sudden vision loss, and infections. If you experience any urgent eye problems, please contact us immediately, and our team will assist you in getting the care you need.
Signs to watch for include blurry vision, floaters, sudden loss of vision, eye pain, redness, or sensitivity to light. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to schedule an eye exam at Vision Concern Eye Clinic as soon as possible for early diagnosis and treatment.
If you’re experiencing blurred vision, headaches, or eye strain, it may be a sign that you need glasses or contact lenses. Our eye exams will help determine whether you need corrective lenses. We’ll also discuss your options based on your lifestyle and preferences, including glasses, contacts, or even refractive surgery like LASIK.
