Eyeglass lenses work to improve your vision by changing the direction in which light reaches your eyes. This process results in your eyes being able to better focus on objects. Most modern glasses are made from glass, polyurethane or polycarbonate materials. However, acrylic glasses are still preferred in certain situations. If you experience difficulty with your current eyeglasses prescription, visit your optometrist.
Cost
Acrylic glasses cost less than those made from other materials. This can be a benefit to you if price is a factor, or if you need a back-up pair of glasses in case of emergency. An inventor at MIT has discovered a way to produce acrylic glasses at a very low price. This innovation may be able to make eyeglasses accessible to people in underdeveloped areas that cannot currently afford glasses made from other materials.
UV Light
Ultraviolet rays from the sun can be damaging to your eyes. Sunglasses with UV absorption provide protection from the rays to varying degrees. Acrylic glasses always provide at least some absorption, and can be made fully absorbent. Check the manufacturer’s labeling to determine the percentage of radiation that the lenses will absorb.
Adaptability
Acrylic material can also be used to produce eyeglass frames. Different tints and colors can be added to the frames to accommodate your style preferences. Swimming masks and goggles can be made from acrylic as well. If you want your goggles to have a prescription acrylic lens, ask your optometrist for a referral to a reputable company that will fill this need.
Maintenance
To keep your acrylic lenses in the best possible shape, clean them regularly with gentle soap on days when you wear them. To lessen fogging issues, ask the retailer to add an antifog coating to your glasses. When not wearing your glasses, store them in a protective case to prevent dirt build-up, scratching and breakage.
Precautions
Acrylic lenses tend to become discolored, scratch and break more easily than lenses crafted from other materials. The clarity of the lenses made from acrylic materials is low. If you need a strong prescription, acrylic lenses may not be suitable, as they cannot be used for high levels of light refraction.
References
Writer Bio
Susan Presley has worked in health care journalism since 2007, and has been published in the American Journal of Nursing and other academic periodicals. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Truman State University and a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.