Why is Polycarbonate THE Lens of Choice for Kids?

Polycarbonate is the type of high-index lens. It is thin and lightweight like other high-index lenses, but it has some extra features that make it a very appealing option. It is the standard for safety glasses and for children's glasses due to its impact resistance. In case of an eye injury polycarbonate material will not shatter and will protect the eye. Poly can withstand impact forces much greater than any other lens material. In addition, polycarbonate provides excellent inherent UV protection without having to pay extra for a UV coat application to the lens. It has low specific gravity, which means, ounce for ounce, that poly is lighter than other lens materials. Polycarbonate should be the only material used in rimless or semi-rimless frames, any other material will likely crack in such a frame. Finally, poly's impact resistance allows a laboratory to ground it thinner than any other material. With all these good points, polycarbonate is a very soft material and therefore is more prone to scratches. For this reason, most labs will automatically apply a scratch coating to poly lenses. Polycarbonate is also more difficult to tint, especially in dark shades. Despite some drawbacks, choosing polycarbonate as a lens option is often easy to justify; it is lightweight, thin, has UV protection as an inherent property, is very safe, and typically has a scratch coat automatically applied. It is one of our most used lens materials.

 If you or someone you know has questions about children’s eyewear or eyeglasses, please call Doctor & Associates-203-227-4113, visit Doctor & Associates in Fairfield County,  Google+ or or facebook.com/doctorandassociates to schedule an appointment.

Doctor & Associates offices are located at 129 Kings Highway North, Westport, Connecticut 06880, 195 Danbury Road, Wilton, Connecticut 06897 and 148 East Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851.