If your child needs corrective lenses, you might worry about what happens if… or maybe when their glasses break. Or, you might have already replaced a few pairs due to breakage. It happens.
The reality is that glasses are small, kids’ glasses are smaller, and kids can be a little rough on them. If your child plays sports or is very active, there may be even more opportunities for their glasses to get damaged.
They scored a goal… and a new pair of glasses!
Fortunately, there are materials that reduce the risk of broken glasses, including impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. In this article, I’ll explain what polycarbonate is. I’ll also share some of my top picks for children’s eyewear that can be paired with these lenses.
At a Glance
- Polycarbonate lenses are highly impact-resistant, lightweight, and provide built-in UV protection. This makes them a popular choice for children’s glasses.
- If polycarbonate isn’t right for your child, one of the top alternatives is Trivex.
- EZContacts offers a large range of children’s frames that can often be paired with polycarbonate lenses. This includes options from a wide variety of brands, such as Ray-Ban, Vogue, and Chloe.
What Is Impact-Resistant Polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a material that was specifically designed to resist shattering or breaking due to impact. It’s found in a wide variety of items, and it’s often used in eyeglasses. This is especially true for children’s eyewear.
Polycarbonate lenses have proven to be among the most impact-resistant options for glasses. If they’re dropped on the floor or hit with something hard, they’re much less likely to chip, crack, or break.
At the same time, polycarbonate lenses are very thin and lightweight. Many people choose them because they’re more comfortable. They can even accommodate strong prescriptions without adding bulk.
Finally, polycarbonate lenses come with built-in UV protection, which is great if your child spends a lot of time outside.
What Are the Alternatives to Polycarbonate Lenses?
The closest alternative is Trivex, another highly impact-resistant material for eyeglass lenses. Like polycarbonate, it holds up well to drops and other impacts, and it is much less likely to shatter than glass.
So what’s the difference? Trivex is a little lighter than polycarbonate, but slightly thicker, so it may not be a good choice if your child has a strong prescription or complains about bulky glasses.
On the positive side, Trivex generally offers better optical clarity, and people who use Trivex lenses report less color distortion. However, polycarbonate lenses still have very good optical clarity, and many kids won’t notice a significant difference.
Other lens materials include standard plastic, high-index plastic, and glass. These materials generally don’t offer the same level of impact resistance as polycarbonate or Trivex.
For kids, especially those with active lifestyles, polycarbonate or Trivex are often preferred because of their combination of impact resistance and lightweight construction.
Where Can I Get Kids’ Glasses with Polycarbonate Lenses?
On EZContacts, we have lots of options for children’s eyewear, and many frames can be paired with polycarbonate lenses. Let’s look at how to find your lenses.
First, find a pair of frames your child loves. I’ll show you some popular options in the next section. Or, you can browse children’s eyewear by clicking on the Eyeglasses page and choosing “Kids” from the filter.
Once you find the right frame, enter your child’s prescription info. Then, click on the Lens Material section. You’ll see a list that looks like this:
Note: If the Impact Resistant Polycarbonate option is grayed out, it may not be available for that particular frame or with your child’s prescription.
Top Picks for Children’s Glasses with Polycarbonate Lenses
Here are some of our favorite frames that come with the option of adding impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses:
Versace VK3008U (CHILDREN’S)
If you’re raising a fashion-forward kid, they may like these stylish frames from Versace. I love the Lilac shade seen here, but they also come in Black and Crystal (clear). The frame is rectangular, with a low profile and the Versace symbol stamped on the temples.
Reviewer Leante W. loved these frames and found the included case to be very durable as well.
Stunning frames
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Beautifully crafted frames! The case was stunning and extremely durable for kids! The item was shipped along with Versace lens cloth and EZ contacts lens spray :-). Extremely satisfied with the purchase and quality of product received.”
Nike 5019 (CHILDREN’S)
Nike is a great brand for sporty kids. These frames feature large, bottom-heavy square lenses available in polycarbonate. The temples are slim, and they come in several fun colors, including Deep Royal Blue, Malachite, and True Berry.
Alexandra B. gave these frames a top score because her daughter loves them:
Amazing service & product!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Never have an issue, my daughter loves them & will be ordering a lot more!”
Oakley Youth OY8010 CARTWHEEL 0OY8010 (CHILDREN’S)
If you like Oakley glasses or sunglasses, you’ll be glad to know your child can wear these frames, too! This is another design with square lenses and several color choices, including Polished Purple and Pink Fade.
Versace VK3005U (CHILDREN’S)
Cat-eye glasses can be a fun look for kids, and I love the geometric design of this frame. The tortoiseshell color, Light Havana, is a great classic choice, but the pink and orange options are nice if your child loves bright colors.
A reviewer known as Laybugs was happy with how well this frame worked for her daughter.
Love her glasses
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I purchased these glasses about two weeks ago The fit is perfect for my daughter the style is great the lenses and prescriptions Are also very well Done Another pro that I will say is that the shipping was super fast and accurate This is maybe my Six pair of glasses I purchased From The vendor and Customer service is great.”
Chloé CC0005O (CHILDREN’S)
This style is a slightly different take on the geometric look, with hexagonal lenses and slim temples. Chloé makes funky, offbeat looks for kids who want to stand out or set their own trends at school.
Lilly Pulitzer Kacie (CHILDREN’S)
Lilly Pulitzer makes kids’ frames, including this cute floral-inspired look. The round lenses and chunky temples create a fun style for school or just playing.
Versace VK3007U (CHILDREN’S)
I love the retro, colorblock look of these Versace frames, but if blue and red aren’t your child’s favorite colors, there are two other options. The simple, round lenses and comfortable tapered temples are also ideal for kids.
Ray-Ban Junior RY1530 (CHILDREN’S)
Ray-Ban is another designer brand with big popularity among adults, and kids often want to emulate the grown-ups in their lives. If your child wants Ray-Ban frames like yours, they might enjoy these simple rectangular frames.
Several reviewers noted that their kids loved the look or comfort of these frames. Siyona Z. wrote:
Sturdy yet stylish
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Thanks. My daughter loves these glasses. They are the right fit and she loves the color“
FAQs
Can kids play sports while wearing polycarbonate glasses?
Polycarbonate is commonly used for protective sports eyewear because of its impact resistance. However, regular prescription glasses aren’t a substitute for sport-specific protective eyewear. For higher-risk sports, kids should use appropriate protective eyewear designed for the activity.
How do I help my child feel more confident about wearing glasses?
Kids can be uncomfortable about glasses for a number of reasons. Sometimes, they think glasses look nerdy or uncool. Or, they just don’t feel like themselves in glasses.
It can really help if your child finds a pair of glasses they love the look of. Ideally, something that makes them feel stylish or that matches their personality. For some kids, the best way to find that pair is trying on glasses in a store. I know what you’re thinking: But my budget!
The good news is that you can note the style number and size of the glasses your child likes and look for them online. You may find them available at a much better price.
Check out all the children’s glasses available on EZContacts!
