Lens materials for prescription safety spectacles

Due to the wide range of applications that lenses have, the materials used need to fulfil a variety of requirements. To stay true to our motto #protectingpeople, we make sure to offer a wide selection of different lens materials. This selection ranges from highly scratch-resistant and chemical-resistant materials to impact-resistant plastics and designs with special filter effects.

ApplicationsRefractive indexuvex UV blue protect

Applications for prescription safety spectacles

The table below provides an overview of our range of lens materials and potential applications, giving a suitability assessment for each one.

5 points = optimal / 0 points = not suitable

  1.59 Polycarbonate 1.53 Trivex 1.50 CR39 1.6 High Index 1.67 High Index 1.52 Hard Glass
EN 166 certification marking 2C-1.2 W 1 FT CE W 1 FT CE W 1 S CE W 1 S CE W 1 S CE W 1 S CE
Applications            
Turning / Milling
Laboratory work
Grinding / Dust work
Acid / Electroplating
Work with chemicals
Painting work

Mechanical strength

Individually manufactured uvex prescription safety spectacles are tested and certified by independent testing institutes at regular intervals in accordance with the applicable eye protection standard. The principal requirement for this standard is mechanical strength. This requirement is broken down into different strength categories:

S – Increased robustness: ball bearing drop test, dropping a steel ball (44 g) onto the lens from a height of 1.30 m
Available lens materials: CR39, HI 1.6, HI 1.67, Hard Glass

F – Impact-resistant, low energy impact: firing a steel ball (0.88 g) at the lens, with an impact speed of 45 m/s (≙ 162 km/h)
Available lens materials: Polycarbonate (PC), TrivexTM

B – Impact-resistant, medium energy impact: firing a steel ball (0.88 g) at the lens, with an impact speed of 120 m/s (≙ 432 km/h)
Available lens materials: PC+

Ball bearing drop test – mechanical strength S

The following lens materials have been tested and certified in accordance with the category S mechanical strength test: CR39, HI 1.6, HI 1.67, Hard Glass

uvex prescription safety spectacles lens material ball bearing drop test mechanical strength S

Ball bearing firing test – mechanical strength F

The following lens materials have been tested and certified in accordance with the category F mechanical strength test: Polycarbonate (PC), TrivexTM

uvex prescription safety spectacles lens material ball bearing firing test mechanical strength F

Refractive index

The higher the refractive index of a lens (e.g. 1.67), the thinner, lighter and more attractive the lens for an equal dioptre.

  •  High Index Plastic (HI) 1.67
  •  High Index Plastic (HI) 1.6
  •  Polycarbonate 1.59
  •  Trivex 1.53
  •  Hard Glass 1.52
  •  CR39 1.50

Direct comparison

CR39 1.5

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material CR39 1.5 for +4,0 diopters

TrivexTM 1.53

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material Trivex 1.53 for +4,0 diopters

Polycarbonate 1.59

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material Polycarbonate 1.59 for +4,0 diopters

High Index 1.6

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material High Index 1.6 for +4,0 diopters

High Index 1.67

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material High Index 1.67 for +4,0 diopters

CR39 1.5

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material CR39 1.5 for -4,0 diopters

TrivexTM 1.53

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material Trivex 1.53 for -4,0 diopters

Polycarbonate 1.59

 prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material Polycarbonate 1.59 for -4,0 diopters

High Index 1.6

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material High Index 1.6 for -4,0 diopters

High Index 1.67

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material High Index 1.67 for -4,0 diopters

CR39 1.5

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material CR39 1.5 for +6,0 diopters

TrivexTM 1.53

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material Trivex 1.53 for +6,0 diopters

Polycarbonate 1.59

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material Polycarbonate 1.59 for +6,0 diopters

High Index 1.6

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material High Index 1.6 for +6,0 diopters

High Index 1.67

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material High Index 1.67 for +6,0 diopters

CR39 1.5

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material CR39 1.5 for -6,0 diopters

TrivexTM 1.53

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material Trivex 1.53 for -6,0 diopters

Polycarbonate 1.59

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material Polycarbonate 1.59 for -6,0 diopters

High Index 1.6

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material High Index 1.6 for -6,0 diopters

High Index 1.67

prescription safety spectacles refractive index lens material High Index 1.67 for -6,0 diopters

uvex UV blue protect

A special absorber has been added to the lens material that completely filters out UV rays and reduces the blue light content.

  • The lenses absorb 100% of UV radiation up to 400 nm, almost completely filter short-wave blue light up to 410 nm and reduce the spectrum from 410 nm to 420 nm by 86%
  • uvex UV blue protect lenses enhance contrast and effectively prevent signs of fatigue and age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • uvex UV blue protect is optionally available for Polycarbonate (PC) and HI 1.67 lenses
  • The mechanical strength of the lenses is guaranteed – clear lenses with UV blue protect are marked 2C-1.2 according to EN 170
prescription safety spectacles with blue filter uvex UV blue protect for protection against UV radiation
available models for uvex prescription safety spectacles

Prescription safety spectacles – available models

When it comes to eye protection, uvex makes no compromises and offers reliable protection in the form of individually adapted safety spectacles. Our diverse collection means you can be sure that uvex will have the perfect prescription safety spectacles for each and every one of your employees.

VIEW THE SAFETY SPECTACLE MODELS HERE

Find a uvex individual personal protective equipment partner near you

Our close-knit network of highly qualified optics, acoustics and orthopaedics experts ensures the availability of first-rate uvex quality of care in your area. You can therefore always rely on short supply routes, perfectly fitted individual personal protective equipment products and optimal protection.

Find a ppe dealer

 

uvex sportstyle RX – prescription sports glasses

uvex sportstyle RX frames are equipped with high-definition (HD) prescription lenses with the latest free-form technology for optimum visual comfort. These lenses made of polycarbonate or Trivex™ guarantee the highest level of protection and maximum performance for a wide range of sports.

uvex sportstyle RX

Individual personal protective equipment training at the uvex academy

Our uvex academy seminars will enable participants to act as a competent representative within the company for individual personal protective equipment right through to fitting.  

More information about the uvex academy

 

 

uvex x-pertblog – the occupational safety blog by experts for experts

Learn more about our products and technologies in our fascinating blog articles. Chat to experts and share your experiences.

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