What materials are the lenses made of?
We are increasingly used to using glasses – sunglasses as well as prescription glasses – to protect our eyes from atmospheric agents, UV rays and in general we use them so as not to strain our eyes more than necessary during various routine activities. These accessories, often real jewels of technology or high fashion, we take for granted without questioning the material with which the glasses lenses are produced. It is precisely to the latter that we entrust the delicate task of shielding us every day and in any season. Understanding the characteristics of each lens material will be interesting, also because it will clearly emerge that certain types of glasses are more suitable for sports and which are more suitable for purely daily use, for example.
Here’s what lenses are made of: shopping tips
When buying a new pair of glasses, special attention must be paid to the material with which the lenses were made. The reason is simple: it is precisely from this element that the resistance of the lenses themselves can be determined, as well as their visual properties. Generally, it can be said that the most common materials with which spectacle lenses are produced are:
- glass,
- polycarbonate,
- Plastic
The most expensive of all are glass lenses, as they guarantee the highest quality. However, it must be said that they cannot be used in the normal routine of every day, as they are constantly exposed to the risk of bumps and breakages. They could chip and become irreparably damaged.
The case of polycarbonate lenses is different, whose main strength is undoubtedly their extreme lightness. Compared to glass, the visual properties of polycarbonate eyeglass lenses are inferior even though – on the other hand – they are extremely more resistant (even compared to plastic lenses). The protection of the eyes from the action of UV rays is also total.
As for plastic lenses, these have an important economic advantage on their side: they are the least expensive. In addition, they are very thin and are lighter than glass lenses. From a technical and visual performance point of view, plastic lenses ensure good quality – even in the case of a strong prescription – and an important resistance to scratches and impacts.
We have also mentioned acrylic as a lens material for glasses: on the one hand it is an economical solution, but on the other hand there is a low visual performance. In addition, the level of wear is very high.
The best glasses lenses according to the tasks at hand
It is possible to say that plastic lenses are the most suitable to be used in the daily routine. Better without a doubt than glass ones as far as shocks are concerned. In addition, the fact that they are cheap has helped their increasingly widespread diffusion and their use in the construction of eyewear. As far as sports are concerned, the most suitable material is polycarbonate: plastic is in fact very light and shock-proof, very resistant. Finally, as regards the choice of glasses with glass lenses, they ensure sharpness and scratch resistance. A limit? The frames do not allow customization.
