How Are Prescription Eyeglass Lenses Made?

February 10, 2025

In Q1 2024, over 20 million pairs of lenses and over 17 million pairs of frames were sold. Whether you wear reading glasses or contact lenses, understanding how your prescription eyewear is made is important!

Keep reading, and we'll tell you more.

Key Takeaways

Glasses frames are usually made from acetate, titanium, or stainless steel, while glasses lenses are typically made from glass, plastic, or polycarbonate.
Independent designers, like LAPIMA and Caroline Abram, are known for their handcrafted glasses frames. These frames feature premium materials, exquisite details, and fantastic quality.
The process of making glasses usually involves blocking, grinding, polishing, and coating the lenses before they are fit into the frames.

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Who Invented Prescription Glasses?

Salvino D'Armati was credited with inventing the first pair of eyeglasses between 1285 and 1299, though this isn't confirmed. The specific inventor of prescription glasses is unknown, but it is believed that eyeglasses originated well before the 13th century.

As technology improved in Europe during the Renaissance, spectacles became more popular with the average folk. Over the years, they developed into the prescription glasses that we have today.

What Are Glasses Made Out Of?

Glasses frames are usually made from either metal or plastic.

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Plastic frames are typically made from acetate, which is a natural compound derived from plastic cellulose. In some cases, plastic frames may be made from polyamide, nylon, polycarbonate, or carbon.

Metal frames are usually made from titanium, stainless steel, flexon, or beryllium.

How Are Glasses Made?

There are a few different methods for creating prescription eyeglass lenses. Many times, it boils down to the expertise and equipment of the eye clinic and the manufacturers.

When it comes to creating eyeglass frames, the methodology can depend heavily on the brand.

Many luxury eyewear brands, such as Barton Perreira and Native Sons, are known for their handcrafted frames. This attention to detail and level of excellence sets independent designers apart from mass-produced frames. It's also what allows them to infuse each frame with exquisite details and unparalleled artistry.

Bonus: What Are the Best Designer Glasses Brands?

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Glasses lenses are often made with glass, plastic, or polycarbonate. The process of making glasses lenses involves cutting, grinding, polishing, and coating the lenses.

It may look like this:

Preparation: Once the lab technician receives an optical prescription, the lab technician will start with a lens blank. They will then mark the optical center (the exact center where the patient will look through the lens) using a lensometer.
Blocking: The lens blank is then covered with a protective coating to prevent scratches and damage during the rest of this process.
Grinding: A grinding machine will shape the lens blank to the correct shape, changing its optical properties and ensuring it has the correct prescription.
Polishing: Once it's the correct shape, the lens will then be polished, beveled, and sterilized using various tools and specialized equipment.
Coatings: The lens will now receive any necessary coatings or treatments, such as an anti-reflective coating or scratch-resistant coating.
Quality Control: All lenses undergo quality control, including mechanical and visual inspections, to ensure they meet strict guidelines.

The Bottom Line

The next time you put on your new glasses, think about the intricate process they underwent to give you the comfort and clarity you deserve. If you're searching for handcrafted and highly detailed frames, browse our selection of designer eyewear and find the right fit for you!