Safety lenses
Impact-resistant lenses
Polycarbonate and Trivex — popular for kids, sports, and rimless frames. Lower risk of dangerous shards than many standard lenses, with light, comfortable wear.
Strong impact resistance
Special optical plastics that are less likely to shatter dangerously than glass or basic CR-39 when dropped or bumped.
Light & comfortable
Low density — easier to wear all day; great for kids and active lifestyles.
UV blocking
Often built-in high UV protection — helpful for outdoor use.
What are impact-resistant lenses?
These are special optical plastics engineered to withstand impacts and produce fewer sharp shards than glass or many standard CR-39 lenses. The most common are Polycarbonate (often ~1.59) and Trivex (~1.53): light, strong UV block — often recommended for kids, sports, and drill-mount / rimless frames.
Read more: Impact-resistant lenses article · Polycarbonate or Trivex for sports?
Polycarbonate
From aerospace roots — injection-molded lenses. Tough, widely used for safety and sports kids’ glasses. ~1.59 index keeps lenses relatively thin; lower Abbe than Trivex — consider if you’re sensitive to chromatic aberration.
Trivex
Urethane material, often cast — often clearer optics and higher Abbe than polycarbonate. Very light and tough; great for clarity and all-day comfort. For drill mounts, still protect drill holes under extreme impacts.
Polycarbonate vs Trivex — quick compare
Reference specs — final choice depends on Rx, frame, and use case.
| Criterion | Polycarbonate | Trivex |
|---|---|---|
| Refractive index | 1.59 | 1.53 |
| Abbe value | 31 | 45 |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.2 | 1.11 |
| UV protection | High (material-dependent) | High (material-dependent) |
| Impact / safety | Strong; common for safety and sports eyewear. | Strong; often clearer than poly; mind drill holes under extreme hits. |
Why choose impact-resistant lenses?
- Much better impact performance than many standard plastics — lowers risk of eye injury from small accidents.
- Noticeably lighter than traditional plastic at the same power — easier all-day wear.
- Ideal for drill mounts, rimless, or nylon groove frames where lenses are exposed.
- Anti-scratch coatings can extend life (product-dependent).
No lens is indestructible — still care for your glasses and choose a stable fit. Follow workplace PPE rules for hazardous jobs.
Who should use them?
Best when drop or ball-strike risk is high — especially for kids and court / field sports.
- Active kids and students — drops and PE class.
- Cyclists, basketball, pickleball… extra eye safety near fast balls.
- Outdoor labor, workshops, warehouses — flying debris risk.
- Rimless or semi-rimless wearers — large exposed edges.
Suggested impact-resistant lenses
Products flagged impact-resistant in our system — order with your Rx in store.
Poly, Trivex, or another index?
Bring your Rx or message us — we advise by power, frame, and environment.