Material and thickness: the important factors in the impact resistance of spectacle lenses

The identify the population at risk of permanent visual impairment from injuries associated with spectacles, we analysed 446 cases of penetrating ocular injury occurring over a ten year period. Sixteen injuries (3.6%) were due to spectacles; 40% of these were adult male amateur athletes. We used the drop-ball test to determine the important factors in the resistance to impact of 177 used spectacle lenses (29 plastic C39, 40 heat-tempered glass, 108 non-tempered glass). We found that material and thickness were the most important. The plastic lenses were the most impact resistant and non-tempered glass lenses the least, with heat-tempered glass lenses falling between. Plastic lenses of adequate centre thickness mounted in plastic frames are recommended for all children and all adults involved in athletics.