A+ Vision Starts with A+ Lenses

It’s back-to-school season again and the preparations and shopping, both in-person and online, have already started. Parents are often worried about making sure their children have a comfortable backpack, shoes, and clothes for the school year, but few think about their children’s vision. However, scheduling an eye exam is one of the best ways parents can help their child be set up for success in the classroom. 

Once the child is in our practice, we know the kids are going to be wiggling in the exam chair, asking if they can “get the blue frames again.” It’s all too familiar for any optometrist or optician.

Somewhere between the measurements, frame selections, and insurance conversations, we’re almost guaranteed to hear the phrase, “these lenses are polycarbonate, right?”

That one question has probably been said millions of times in optical practices across the country. Although it’s easy to nod along and move forward, we should ask ourselves, “Are we offering the best visual solution for our patients?” Polycarbonate may be the most popular lens material in the U.S., but it’s no longer the best overall option–especially for children. Our job is to provide optimal clarity and comfort for every patient’s lifestyle, including children. And recommending the lens material that is right for them and their active lifestyles is a crucial part of that.

Polycarbonate no longer gets an A+

Polycarbonate earned its place decades ago. It’s strong, lightweight, and impact-resistant. It’s always been looked at as the obvious choice for kids, sports glasses, and safety eyewear. But technology has moved on. Lens materials evolved, and polycarbonate stayed right where it was.

On top of all the benefits polycarbonate has to offer, HOYA Phoenix® lenses made with PPG Trivex lens material offer superior clarity as well. And yet, most practices still recommend polycarbonate out of habit, even though it’s not the best option. As a result, many patients, especially children, are walking out with lenses that fall short in clarity, comfort, and durability.

Every optical professional has seen it. The parent who comes back asking why the lenses already have scratches, even with the “good” lens material. Or the broken rimless frame where the lens has a stress crack right at the drill point. As opticians, we often blame it on wear and tear, or an active lifestyle. But often, the material choice is the primary reason for the problem.

Why HOYA Phoenix® Makes Sense for Kids

The Trivex material used in HOYA Phoenix® lenses was originally developed by PPG for military applications – its use is “transparent armor” for helicopter windshields – think about that!  It’s lightweight and impact resistant like polycarbonate, as well as optically superior. The high level of stress in a polycarbonate lens can lead to uncomfortable or subpar clarity in patients’ vision. In fact, the difference is visible–literally.

Children spend their days shifting focus between whiteboards, books, and screens inside, as well as focusing outside for recess, free time, or sports. According to doctors at UCLA, 80% of classroom learning is visual.¹ So, providing clear vision is a must for children. We measure lens clarity through Abbe value, which measures chromatic aberration. The higher the Abbe value, the clearer the lens. While polycarbonate has an Abbe value around 30, HOYA Phoenix® lenses score significantly higher at 45. This delivers noticeably sharper and more comfortable vision.

Children require more than just clear vision, they also need safe vision. Every lens material has a different level of safety. Although plastic lenses offer the highest clarity (aside from glass) with an Abbe value of 58, it is far too brittle of a material to be recommended for children. Therefore, most parents believe polycarbonate lenses are the better option. However, in the real world, where impacts can occur, such as during sports, recess, or playing with friends, HOYA Phoenix® lenses maintain protective and optical performance longer than polycarbonate.² 

Then there’s the weight. Parents often ask for the “lightest lens” and assume it’s polycarbonate. However, when measuring the specific gravity, or density, of each material, HOYA Phoenix® is lighter than polycarbonate. This helps to maximize comfort, so children don’t feel tempted to take them off.

The Trivex material used in HOYA Phoenix® lenses is also more chemically stable than polycarbonate, making it a safer option for cleaning and everyday handling. When it comes to durability–especially for active kids–it has the highest tensile strength, which helps it resist cracking at drill points, hold up against accidental bending, and handle rough days at recess like a champ.

A Conversation Worth Having

When you talk to parents about lens options, you are recommending features and benefits, as well as giving them peace of mind through a personalized vision solution. You’re helping them make choices that protect their child’s vision, reduce frustration, and avoid unnecessary visits back to your office for scratched, cracked, or uncomfortable lenses.

These conversations don’t have to be long or technical. The next time a parent says, “These will be polycarbonate, right?” you can respond with something like:

“Polycarbonate is the old standard. Now we have something better that offers the same level of protection with the added benefits of sharper vision and more durability. It’s what I’d choose for my own kids.”

Or you could explain:

“Polycarbonate was our go-to lens material for years, mostly because of its impact resistance. Our new standard is a material that is just as protective, provides clearer vision, and is even lighter than polycarbonate.”

As opticians, it’s our job to help parents understand the value of better vision, especially during such a critical time in their child’s development. Kids are reading more, learning faster, and spending more time on screens than ever before. If there’s a better lens material to support that, why wouldn’t we offer it?

HOYA Phoenix® lenses are made with one of the most popular materials among HOYA customers and it should be your first recommendation. The more we talk about it with parents or patients, the more we shift the industry toward a standard that truly reflects what’s best for their needs.

Let’s kick off this back-to-school season by doing what we know is best for patients. Leave the old poly habit behind, offer HOYA Phoenix lenses and provide optimal clarity for your patients. Because for the kids walking out of your practice, seeing clearly is the foundation for everything they’re about to learn.

And that’s something worth changing lens materials for.