Prominent health and eye-care journals and experts have pointed to the better side of polycarbonate lenses and sunglasses. It has put forward an intense protection and comfort system to numerous sporting athletes and other users. With the rising number of customers, the eyewear industries are already jubilant about the prospects of polycarbonate material and aiming high on its sunglasses.

What is Polycarbonate?

Polycarbonate, a complex organic material, was discovered in 1898 by a German scientist named Alfred Einhorn who was employed at the University of Munich. After it found no buyers and users for 3 decades, it finally became a patented product in 1955-56.

Polycarbonates are also referred to as a group of thermoplastic polymers (with carbonate groups) in their chemical composition. Polycarbonates are widely used in heavy and moderate industries for its engineering applications as it is strong and tough while some grades of polycarbonates have found allies from the optics and eyewear industry.

In the fishing industry, it is used to make giant nets for fishing and shipping vessels. It is also fearful with the fact that large areas of reef and mineral-rich Ocean and sea beds are getting heavily polluted with polycarbonate fishing nets. They pose a grave risk to marine life and mineral-rich reefs.

However, high hopes are placed on Vision Direct, a global eyewear manufacturer and supplier, who had taken bold measures to recycle the underwater nets into durable and beautiful sunglasses. The famous Arise Collective WWF Reefcycle sunglasses collection is rapidly becoming a top-selling trend in the world, which is being made in partnership with WWF Australia (World Wide Fund for Nature).

What are the benefits of polycarbonate lenses and glasses?

Vision Direct is effectively turning into waste polycarbonate gill nets into sunglasses; however, it costs them to do the conversion. From removing or catching underwater nets to melting and re-molding into sunglasses, the process requires a lot of effort, technology, and manpower.

Polycarbonate glasses and lenses have a widespread application in the eyewear industry for their astounding abilities. Some of the crucial benefits of polycarbonate sunglasses are given below –

1. Some of the polycarbonate grades are lightest of all materials.
2. It has high impact-resisting power that gives added protection to the sunglasses.
3. Polycarbonates sunglasses or the lens material has the striking ability to absorb 99.9% UV rays.
4. It also possesses strong resistance to heat and temperature changes. It can be used in both hot and cold areas
5. Sunglass made of polycarbonate is widely available with both tinted and coated lenses.
6. Due to its high demand and availability, sunglasses made of it are quite cheap or affordable.

If you are still perplexed with polycarbonate sunglasses, we have also added another portion to the post below, showing top-selling polycarbonate glasses.

4 Top-Selling Polycarbonate Sunglasses To Buy In 2021

1. Ralph by Ralph Lauren RA5160 501/11: This feminine model is available in 2 colors (brown and black) that deliver cat-eyed frames made of acetate material. Coupled with strong design and UV protection features.
2. Prada PR 08OS 2AU6S1: The Prada model, though expensive, has become a reliable and top-selling sunglasses for both genders in the world. The butterfly-shaped frames offer exotic and posh designs to impress any audience.
3. Ray-Ban RB4171 Erika 865/13: With over 10 colors, Ray-Ban is showing a sensational usage of polycarbonates in their glasses. Made by Luxottica, it has a category-3 UV protection feature with full-rimmed frames to fascinate the wearer.
4. Arise Collective X WWF ReefCycle Polarized Green: Arise Collective and WWF Australia are beating the drums of the highest achievements in their remarkable work against ocean pollution. Made by upcycling lethal fishing gill nets from the northern Great barrier Reef, they feature an ultra-lightweight and comfort-fit system that is impressing both men and women. Coupled with category-3 UV protection and impact-resisting mechanism, these recycled sunglasses are opening up a circular economy in sunglasses.