When were polycarbonate lenses invented?

Glass is really a heavier material than plastic, therefore, glass sunglasses may become uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. If someone is sensitive to pressure or really wants to wear their sunglasses for an extended time frame, polycarbonate lenses are recommended.

They don’t shatter and impact quickly, making them perfect for people who often move around or drop their glasses. Today I’m likely to share a detailed piece on Polyabonate vs plastic lenses. Other high-index lenses certainly are a great option if your eye prescription demands an electrical of +/- 4.0 diopters or greater. But they come at a higher price than polycarbonate lenses. With regards to prescriptions with very high powers, polycarbonate lenses have their limits. People with especially strong prescriptions or severe astigmatism may experience some visual distortions when looking through polycarbonate lenses.
They shouldn’t pinch their ears or nose, or weigh down their face. Check the spots where they touch their face every so often to make sure their skin isn’t irritated. That means they could be thinner and flatter to help you use a much larger portion of the surface. Flatter peripheral curves also reduce distortions that occur when looking from the center of the lens, making vision crisper.

Linked To Eye Health

GroupCharacteristicsExample of LensCommentsIContains no silicone or fluorineCellulose Acetate ButyrateMore flexible, less brittle in comparison to PMMA. Was considered for special cases where 3 and 9 o’clock staining was a problem. Not used currently.IIContains silicone Silicone AcrylateSilicone improves the Dk, but its inherent hydrophobicity may result in lipid and protein deposits. Available in a variety of low to medium Dk and has good scratch resistance.
Technically, polycarbonate lenses are a type of high-index lens themselves. But there are lenses with an even higher refractive index than polycarbonate, and therefore they are able to correct vision at higher prescriptions while maintaining a thinner profile. Polycarbonate lenses were introduced as an improved alternative to other plastic lenses, and they’ve held onto that distinction. They weigh less, they’re thinner, and they’re more impact-resistant than the other styles of plastic lenses that came before them. Lightweight and thinner than glass lenses, polycarbonate is convenient to wear for long periods of time. While glass was the only real choice in the first days of vision correction, it poses a few problems.

Early glasses were tricky to find and usually only afforded by the absolute wealthiest people, not to mention the refractive power of the early lenses were pretty limited. Over the centuries, glass became less expensive and accessible, thanks to huge improvements in understanding optics, refractive measurements, and glass manufacturing processes. This

Eyeglass Lens Replacements

There is absolutely no one kind of eyeglass lens that’s right for everyone. The eyeglass lens type and eyeglass lens material that’s best for you will depend on several factors, including your vision correction needs and lifestyle. The impact resistance makes polycarbonate lenses perfect for physical exercise, and the lightweight makes them comfortable to wear for long periods without feeling worn off. That’s not it; what impresses me the most is that polycarbonate can inherently protect the wearer against UV rays without the additional coating. Polycarbonate was developed in the 1970s for aerospace applications. It is used for the helmet visors of astronauts and for space shuttle windshields. Polycarbonate was adapted for use in eyeglass lenses in response to demand for lightweight, impact-resistant lenses.
Prescription lenses bend light to improve vision; polycarbonate lenses could be far thinner than glass or conventional plastic, causeing this to be material perfect for heavy prescriptions. This flexibility does mean they want a scratch-resistant coating to prevent surface scratches. Today’s modern scratch-resistant coatings can make the surface of polycarbonate lenses nearly as hard as glass. Polycarbonate lenses are thinner and lighter weight than standard lenses. Polycarbonate is a moldable, durable, inexpensive type of plastic that is used in a wide selection of consumer products. Frequently used to make eyeglass lenses, compact disks , house wares, drinking glasses, water and baby bottles together with numerous industrial products.

• Incorrect eyeglasses can do harm to your eyes, so lenses ought to be prescribed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist and created by a skilled optician.
• Trivex may be the preferred material for most eye doctors within their own lenses.
• Glasses, sunglasses, and contacts—we’ve got your eyes covered.
• Photochromatic lenses won’t change behind the windshield of a car—the windshield prevents almost all of the UV light from reaching the lens.
• Clearer, stronger, and lighter than its predecessors, Trivex was adapted for eyewear used in 2002.

That’s all I wish to say about Polycarbonate vs plastic lenses. Having a delayed one-on-one conversation with your optician will solve many questions in mind. Plastic was introduced as an eyeglass material back 1947, and since that time, there has been no looking for plastic as it has become a mainstream material for making eyeglasses. However, the popularity of plastic lenses is diminishing. Still, there are some situations where plastic lenses are always used.
So, I’d say that for a child, these glasses are ideal. Specifically for strong prescriptions like my daughter’s since it eliminates the “coke bottle” look. I purchased traditional glass lenses in mine 5 years back and they still don’t possess a scratch. Therefore, in case a person works in an environment requiring safety glasses, polycarb is actually the only method to go.

Since she’s so young and her prescription will change each year, I don’t discover the scratching to be that big of a con. I’d like my glasses to be as tough as they can be — I can’t afford to get new lenses very often, and I believe the scratch resistance will be worth the extra profit the long run.