The first pair of eyeglasses was invented around 1268 by Salvino D’Armate by attaching two ‘seeing eye stones’ together and they sat on the bridge of the wearer’s nose, but our modern take on eyeglasses was created in 1929 by Sam Foster. Since then, eyeglasses have grown in comfort and durability. 

In the United States alone, 63.7% of adults wear prescription glasses to see and there are so many options that fit everyone’s lifestyle. You may be wondering to yourself “What are eyeglasses made of and how can I determine what kind of glasses work for me?” Luckily for you, Dr. Amy Walden and Associates has many options for every person that would suit you well. 

Eyeglasses come in all shapes and styles and to make the right choice for you, you need to see what is out there. First, we need to start with the lenses themselves. A common misconception is that eyeglasses are made out of actual glass and that is not true in most cases. Modern Noblesville Eyeglasses are typically made out of 4 different types of materials. 

• Polycarbonate
  Polycarbonate is a synthetic plastic that was developed in the 1890s. This form of plastic can easily be made transparent and molded. Eyeglasses made from this plastic are impact-resistant, making it the perfect lens for accident-prone kids and adults.
    

• Trivex
  Trivex is an impact-resistant urethane-based polymer plastic that is similar to polycarbonate and it is UV-protective.
   

• High-Index Polymers
  High-index polymers aren’t like the other plastics we have talked about. It is made from sulfur and has a greater refractive index than other plastics. These lenses are more narrow, but they are heavier due to the high density of the plastics that are used when making high-index polymers.  

• Mineral Glass
  Mineral glass is a thinner lens that has less distortion than other lenses. It is also a tougher material and more scratch-resistant. This is not to be confused with the kind of glass you use to drink out of. 

The reason why regular glass isn’t used when making eyeglasses is because of the weight, fragility, and challenges manufacturers come across when producing glass eyeglass lenses. It all comes down to the index and manufacturer. 

You can’t have lenses without the frames. Next, we will discuss your options for frames. 

• Plastic
  Arguably, the most commonly used frames are the plastic ones, especially zyl plastic and propionate plastic. Zyl frames come in a variety of colors, while the propionate frames are made of hypoallergenic plastic with a nylon foundation. Both of these kinds of frames are trendy, however, getting them to fit perfectly can be a bit tricky and they aren’t easy to adjust.

   

• Titanium
  Titanium is a strong metal that is abundantly found throughout the earth’s crust. This metal has a high strength-to-weight ratio and it is a lightweight material. That means your frames can come in distinct shapes and coloration. It is very popular amongst metal frame wearers. Titanium is also corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic. These frames are a bit pricey but if you’re someone who prefers metal frames, titanium is a great choice.

   

• Carbon Fiber
  Carbon fiber, or black gold as it is sometimes referred to, is a high-strength material with corrosion-resistant qualities. This material is lightweight and can withstand high-impact wear and tear. Carbon fiber is expensive to produce and can make the frames more pricey but for the thrill seekers or those with high-intensity jobs, these frames would be worth investing in.

   

• Nylon
  Nylon is a popular eyeglass frame material. It is great for sportswear and is heat and cold-resistant. This material is flexible and is easy to shape. Nylon is simple to produce and can come in a wide variety of colors. It is a durable, lightweight material that is easy to produce and unlike other materials mentioned, it tends to be budget-friendly. One downside to this material is that over time it can become brittle and susceptible to damage, however, if you buy new frames every year, you shouldn’t have to worry about them breaking down on you.