Many Oakley sunglasses use the stress-resistant frame of nylon-infused plastic that the company dubs O-Matter. Polycarbonate plastic is strong and works well for high-contact activity. In a lens manufacturing process called injection molding, the pellets are heated until they melt. These lenses have good impact resistance and therefore are ideal for children, sports and industrial purposes. Besides, the material can also prevent UV rays. Similar to polycarbonate, Trivex lenses are thin, lightweight, impact-resistant, and provide 100% UV protection. © 2015 - Shadesdaddy.com. AR coating eliminates distracting lens reflections that can interfere with vision, particularly when driving at night or in other low-light conditions when glare sources are present. Trivex lenses have less internal stress and may produce sharper central vision than polycarbonate lenses. Polarized lenses are available in a variety of colors, depending on the material from which the lenses are made. Expert Insight With no federal guidelines for UV protection in sunglasses as of 2009, the AOA notes that lens color and darkness has nothing to … This combination of lightweight comfort, UV protection and impact resistance also makes these lenses an excellent choice for children's glasses and safety glasses. Because they are less likely to fracture than regular plastic lenses, polycarbonate lenses also are a good choice for rimless eyewear designs where the lenses are attached to the frame components with drill mountings. Here is a brief comparison of polycarbonate and Trivex lenses to help you decide which lenses might be best for you: Polycarbonate has a higher index of refraction than Trivex (1.58 vs. 1.53), so polycarbonate lenses are about 10 percent thinner than Trivex lenses. Polycarbonate and Trivex lenses both block 100 percent of the sun's UV rays without the need for special UV-blocking lens coatings. Polycarbonate glasses are a safe and affordable option and are a solid choice for anyone who drops their glasses frequently or works in hazardous conditions. These are clear at night or when indoors, and darken when exposed to UV rays. The lenses will block out all the horizontal light waves bouncing off a smooth pond or a shiny car hood, for instance. When eye safety is a concern, polycarbonate or Trivex lenses usually are the best choice for your eyeglasses, sunglasses and sports eyewear.. Eye allergies: Treatment for the relief from itchy and watery eyes, Conjunctivitis: Causes and symptoms of pink eye, Why you need spare contact lenses and glasses, Comprehensive eye exam: What to expect at your eye examination. The Vision Council described polycarbonate lenses as “virtually unbreakable.” A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association also found that polycarbonate lenses were more impact-resistant than glass or other types of plastic lenses. Blue eyes: The origin and genetics of blue eyes, How to clean and remove scratches in glasses, Eye and vision problems in preschool children. Eyeglass lenses made of polycarbonate were introduced in the early 1980s in response to a demand for lightweight, impact-resistant lenses. While protective glasses are require impact-resistant, UV protection so as to shield eyes in a certain conditions. Polycarbonate lenses are less likely to fracture and are an ideal choice for people who wear rimless eyeglass frames. The polycarbonate lens is an upgraded option. Due to the strong and impact-resistant material, they are less likely to be damaged. They are more than 10-times more impact resistant than your average plastic or glass lens. But polycarbonate is a thermoplastic that starts as a solid material in the form of small pellets. Polycarbonate is still lighter, and can be made in higher index – meaning that a strong prescription lens can still be quite thin. 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