With safety glasses, you can’t afford to be careless. There is no excuse for not protecting your eyes at all times, no matter what the scenario or the surroundings. If you want to use these glasses for work or play, the same essential fact applies.
If you require a prescription, it becomes more important. Clarity becomes as essential as durability once you’ve achieved that. When working in settings that need close attention to detail, it is important to see everything as well as you would with conventional glasses while also protecting your eyes.
It, therefore, begs the question: what is the ideal material for your prescription safety glasses? How to answer this question depends on the scenario you’re in. There are many advantages to using polycarbonate for safety applications, and it has grown increasingly popular in recent years. Considering these advantages and disadvantages of polycarbonate prescription safety glasses will help you make a more informed decision.
Advantages of Polycarbonate Safety Lenses
Let’s start with the good. There are several reasons to seriously consider this option for your eyeglasses, as you might guess. Typically, these qualities focus on the material itself, which differs from normal plastic in various ways.
Longevity
Any pair of Prescription Safety Goggles must include this feature to function correctly. You have to make sure that it can withstand occasionally harsh situations and remain robust over time. That’s especially true if you don’t want to spend money on a new pair of glasses every few months, as many people do.
Polycarbonate lenses are quite durable. In the beginning, this material was developed for the aerospace industry, and it is still used today for astronaut visors and space shuttle windows. As a result, it is very resistant to the extreme stress of low air pressure. In several safety applications, that endurance is quite valuable.
Thickness
Although polycarbonate lenses are durable, their (lack of) thickness makes them superior to other materials. Injection moulding is used to manufacture this thermoplastic polymer. Here, we won’t delve into the specifics of the method, but the outcome is clear: the glasses you receive are sturdy yet thin.
When it comes to safety applications, this is extremely crucial. This is especially true for those with stronger medication. Thin polycarbonate safety lenses have a distinct advantage in situations like these.
Resistance to impact
Bulletproof glass is made of polycarbonate, which is plastic. You can tell just by looking at how well it can withstand impact by looking at. In some cases, this is more than simply a convenience. It’s a matter of life and death.
Try to visualize a task in which tiny rock pellets are hurled in the direction of your eyes. You want to preserve this delicate part of your face. Glasses made of polycarbonate resist shattering in the face of considerable impact, ensuring your eyes are protected at all times.
Flexibility
The flexibility of polycarbonate lenses is another benefit that adds to their durability and impact resistance. You may bend and stretch them without worrying about them breaking, unlike other materials. Particularly useful in circumstances requiring protective eyewear.
Again, this flexibility is attributable to both the lens material and the manufacturing process. Consequently, these are the perfect option for a wide range of security applications. The glasses you wear should be able to stand up to even unforeseen pressures that might harm your eyes.
UV protection
Polycarbonate lenses may filter dangerous UV rays, so don’t underestimate their power. Generally, these rays aren’t apparent, but they can cause severe harm to your eyesight over time. As a result of this, you may be more exposed to them in certain settings than you would be if you were wearing conventional glasses.
Lenses made of polycarbonate filter 100 percent of UV radiation wavelengths. Whether you’re working in the yard on a hot day or near a bright light source, you can protect your eyes. Once again, polycarbonate lenses are well suited to safety-related applications.
When Choosing Safety Eyewear, take into account the disadvantages
Indeed, polycarbonate lenses aren’t a panacea when it comes to safety eyewear. In addition to their advantages, they have several drawbacks that must be considered. Your eyes will only be protected by a pair of glasses based on an honest assessment of both the benefits and drawbacks.
Less Scratch Resistant
While polycarbonates are durable, flexible, and impact-resistance materials, they are also readily scratched. Part of their durability is also the basis for this drawback. Materials such as polycarbonate and trivex lenses are particularly scratch-prone because of their softness.
The glasses will not break. In some cases, though, these scrapes might impair your eyesight. Use anti-scratch coating on polycarbonate lenses to mitigate this problem. As a result, you’ll have to spend extra on protective eyewear – more on that later.
Weight
Prescription polycarbonate safety lenses are lighter than conventional plastic alternatives since they’re thinner. However, when you compare them to other sophisticated materials for your safety eyewear, it’s a different storey entirely!
This is especially true when comparing polycarbonate to trivex, a competitor of PPG Industries’ technology. With a method more akin to normal plastic and different base material, these lenses are created. Lenses made of polycarbonate are thicker and heavier as a result of this process.
Clear Vision
It’s as sharp, if not crisper, as ordinary plastic. However, when comparing it to trivex lenses, the same isn’t necessarily true. Because of the different manufacturing methods, your centre and peripheral vision will be less clear.
These differences are, of course, quite insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Safety glasses can be useful in a variety of situations. Polycarbonate may not be the best material for you if your job requires a high level of attention to detail or a clear view of your surroundings for optimal safety. However, it will work in the majority of cases.
Costs
Remember that polycarbonate safety lenses might be expensive. Due to its many benefits, this material may be the finest choice for safety glasses available today. That means it’s at the very least on the same level as trivex. These qualities come at a cost that isn’t always insignificant.
Further, polycarbonate lenses can cost up to two times more than ordinary glasses, and trivex lenses can cost three times more than polycarbonate lenses. There is no doubt about it: you get what you pay for, as the advantages above demonstrate. On the other hand, the cost of adding anti-scratch coating may be prohibitive for your company or personal budget.
Finding the proper safety glasses requires an honest and comprehensive examination. If you don’t have it, you run the danger of getting eyewear that doesn’t do its job properly and might potentially harm your eyesight. All advantages and disadvantages and how they relate to your unique circumstances and requirements should be considered in an evaluation.
Alternatively, you may look for a retailer that provides numerous options. If the dealer isn’t attempting to sell you on one option as the greatest for all scenarios, you’ll know. A specific material’s selling motivation is reduced, and vendor trustworthiness is improved as a result.