What are PolyCarbonate Lenses, and Why Do They Matter?

Posted Sep 30, 2024 | Tips, Tricks & Tech

There’s nothing worse than scratching your glasses. It’s a problem that’s plagued glasses-wearers since the 13th century. So, how do we keep these accessories that we have to wear on our faces all the time from breaking? Or, more importantly, how do we stop those thin bits of material in front of our eyes—which we call lenses—from getting scratched, bent, or shattered?

Luckily, the science behind our eyewear has improved dramatically since they were first invented, but that doesn’t mean that glasses-wearers don’t still have to think about how to protect their precious lenses.

Which brings us to today’s subject: polycarbonate lenses. If you’ve ever shopped at Eyeconic®, you’ve likely run into this very scientific-sounding word more than a few times. But what exactly are polycarbonate lenses? And why is Eyeconic so excited to include them as the standard lense in all our glasses?

A brief history of polycarbonate lenses:

The polymer known as polycarbonate was first synthesized by the German chemist Alfred Einhorn in 1898. The material, which was notable for its transparency as well as its durability, was quickly utilized throughout the manufacturing world—from car windows to DVDs, and even cockpit glass for aircrafts¹. It didn’t take long for folks to also start using it for eyewear. Soon polycarbonate lenses were introduced to the world.

What are the benefits of polycarbonate lenses?

Durable: One of the defining features of polycarbonate is its toughness. That means that polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof and scratch-resistent, making them perfect for those who don’t want to worry about their eyewear getting hurt while they’re out and about.

Lightweight: Unlike other traditional lens materials like glass, polycarbonate is very light despite it’s strength. That means more comfortable glasses, especially if you’re wearing your eyewear for long periods of time.

UV Protection: Being able to see is great, but your glasses should be able to protect your eyes from the sun’s rays, too. Thankfully, polycarbonate lenses provide 100% UV protection, which means they’re great to wear indoors and out.

Who should wear polycarbonate lenses?

Polycarbonate lenses are great for most people—which is why Eyeconic includes them as the standard lense for all of our glasses. But some groups stand to benefit from the material’s particular qualities even more than others:

Kids: Given the hardiness of polycarbonate lenses, they’re an excellent option for young kids, who are more liable than most to drop their glasses. Plus, because they’re lightweight, young ones are less likely to get uncomfortable and take them off.

People with active lifestyles: Thanks to their durability and comfort, polycarbonate lenses are a great choice for people that like outdoor activities like running, biking, and hiking.

People with a prescription of +/- 6.00 or less: Since polycarbonate lenses don’t add any thickness when correcting vision, they minimize distortions for high prescriptions.However, those with a higher prescription should look into high index frames.