1. The improved vision and eye health benefits of glass lenses
Buying new prescription lenses is more difficult but aside from choosing a style that you like and that enhances your wardrobe and fashion choices, you should also make sure that the material used to make the eyeglass lenses is exactly what you need to maximize effectiveness.
The total quantity of lens materials available can make making that choice appear difficult. A wide variety of technical terms further complicates the decision. It’s almost as if eyeglass companies want to sell you the most profitable glasses rather than the best options for the customer.
- Scratch Resistance
Because of the nature of the material, glass lenses are much more scratch resistant than their plastic parts. This is an important consideration when purchasing your next pair of glasses, especially if you work or spend time in environments that could result in scratched lenses.
Scratching your glasses is easier than you think. Simply being in a dusty environment, or using the wrong lens cleaning cloth, can result in small but prolonged scratches on plastic prescription lenses. With a glass lens, this will not be an issue.
One thing to keep in mind at this point is that plastic glasses can also be treated with a scratch-resistant coating. This, however, is an extra step that will cost money. Glass eyeglass lenses are scratch resistant, making them a more natural fit for anyone looking to maintain clear vision over time.
- Longer Durability
Most lenses have traditionally been made of glass for a reason. Plastic has grown in popularity in recent years, and it has many advantages to consider. Glass lenses will always cover the other option in terms of durability.
Simply put, glass lenses typically outlast their plastic counterparts. This is due in large part to factors such as the previously mentioned scratch resistance, but also to the nature of the material itself. They are likely to be exposed to breaking, but if you avoid exposing them to drops or pressure, you will get more value from your initial investment if you choose glass.
- Clarity over Time
Plastic replacement lens users experience a common problem over time: their once-clear lenses develop a thin, hazy coating, making it difficult to see clearly. UV exposure can quicken this problem, but even without prolonged exposure, the clarity of glasses will decrease by 20% on average over the course of 36 months.
These problems are carried on by aging and discoloration. Genuine glass lenses will not have this problem. Instead, as long as it is cleaned on a regular basis, the glass will retain its current state, so you will never have to worry about a lack of clarity. Even if you don’t plan on buying a new pair for the next few years, you can be confident that the same pair you buy now will work just as well in five years.
- Less Necessary Maintenance
Glass lenses require less general maintenance and cleaning. You won’t have to worry about potential scratches, films, or other issues that are all too often prescription lens users.
Make no mistake: you still need to clean your glass lenses. However, cleaning is much easier and less frequent than with some of the other materials available for most frames. As a result, you can wear your glasses with greater ease while still getting the most out of them.
2. The durability and scratch resistance of glass lenses
Glass is also the most resistant to tough solvents and solutions such as acetone and paints thinner. Glass’s weight is the most significant obstacle to its durability and clarity. Glass is the heaviest of all lens materials and must be chemically or heat treated to meet FDA impact resistance standards. It’s important to note that as technology advances, plastic and polymer lens coatings become more durable.
Anyone can benefit from scratch-resistant glass, but some people require it more than others. If you live an active lifestyle, such as participating in sports or outdoor activities on a regular basis, you will need eyeglasses that can withstand physical contact and exposure to the weather.
Scratch-resistant replacement lenses are essential if you leave your glasses lying around unprotected or if you don’t use the case that came with them.
Scratch-resistant glass lenses are especially beneficial for the elderly, who are more likely to overlook proper eyeglass care. They might not use the proper cleaning supplies. They also frequently drop their glasses.
3. The potential impact on style and fashion.
- Photochromic lenses-
Photochromic lenses have come a long way from their origins which caused the lens to darken in sunlight. They were extremely temperature sensitive, darkening less when it was hot and more when it was cold. Previous photochromic lens technologies, by definition, took longer in cold temperatures to return to clear and did not darken as much in hot temperatures. Over time, old photochromic lens technology wore out, resulting in decreased overall performance and lenses with a permanent yellowish cast.
- Photo fusion lenses-
As the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation decreases, so does its energy. As a result, UV radiation below 380 nanometres (nm) has a greater ability to disrupt cellular function than visible light. Bright sunlight and glare are known to cause eye discomfort, squinting, decreased acuity, and eyestrain in the short term. Longer exposure times can delay and slow the dark adaptation process, affecting night vision, and excessive glare can completely impair visual function.
Photo keratitis, also known as corneal sunburn, can occur after a brief period of intense UV exposure, such as reflected sunlight from sand, water, ice, and snow. Long-term exposure to UV radiation increases the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Photo fusion lenses offer excellent protection against UVA (315 nm to 380 nm) and UVB (280 nm to 315 nm) radiation up to 400 nm.
4. The options for tinting and coatings
- Anti-reflective (AR) coating
Anti-reflective coating (AR coating) is a multi-layer microscopically thin coating that eliminates reflections from the front and back surfaces of eyeglass lenses.
AR coating almost completely hides your replacement lenses, allowing people to focus on your eyes rather than distracting reflections from your glasses.
- Scratch-resistant coating
Because scratch-resistant coatings are not always required, inform your optician that you want a hard coating on your eyeglass lenses for added durability. Inquire about the warranty on scratch-resistant coated versus uncoated eyeglass lenses.
When not in use, store your glasses in a cushioned case and clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth and the cleaning solution recommended by your optician.
- Anti-fog coating
Nothing complicates a cold climate more than having your eyeglasses fog up when you come in from outside. This is also risky because it reduces your ability to see until the fog clears. Fogged lenses are especially dangerous for officers and other first responders.
- Ultraviolet (UV) treatment
Another useful lens treatment is an invisible dye that blocks ultraviolet (UV) light. UV-protective treatments for eyeglass lenses work similarly to sunscreen in protecting your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
Regular plastic eyeglass lenses block most UV light, but adding a UV-blocking dye increases UV protection to 100% for added safety. Other lens materials, such as polycarbonate and most high-index plastics, have UV protection built-in and do not require an additional lens treatment. Photochromic lenses also completely block UV rays from the sun, eliminating the need for additional UV lens treatment.