This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Polycarbonate more protective against high-velocity projectiles, study shows
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Polycarbonate spectacle and safety lenses offer better protection against penetration by projectiles than other common lens materials according to a study. A reevaluation of recommendations on the use of polycarbonate in spectacle and safety lenses should be undertaken by some professional societies, the study authors note.
Paul J. Rychwalski, MD, and colleagues determined the penetration threshold of glass, high-index and polycarbonate spectacle and safety lenses by shooting BBs, pellets and 0.22 caliber projectiles into the lenses.
The penetration thresholds of BBs were 84 m/sec for glass lenses and 107.7 m/sec for high-index lenses. BBs did not penetrate polycarbonate spectacle and safety lenses at any velocity. The polycarbonate lenses were penetrated by 0.22 caliber rimfire projectiles. Center thickness and refractive power were comparable between projectile groups.
Based on their results, the authors said current recommendations by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Pediatrics on the use of polycarbonate in lenses should be reevaluated.
The study is published in the Journal of the AAPOS.