Ballistic Impact Testing of Scratched and Unscratched Ophthalmic Lenses

Impact performance by the ballistic technique was determined for 720 test ophthalmic lenses including non‐treated, beat‐treated and chemical‐treated glass lenses and plastic lenses. Half of the lenses were abraded on the front surface. Plastic lenses had the greatest impact resistance, while non‐treated glass lenses had the least. Chemical‐treated and heat‐tempered glass lenses offer similar impact protection. All four types lost impact strength after being scratched on the front surface.