Polymeric Materials for Ophthalmic Lenses: A Systematic Review on Structure, Properties, Manufacturing and Sustainability
4 affiliations
- 1Research and Innovation Area, Certottica S.c.r.l., Italian Institute of Certification of Optical Products, 32013 Longarone, Italy
- 2Dipartimento di Scienze Molecolari e Nanosistemi, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia, Italy
- 3Crossing S.r.l., Viale della Repubblica 193/b, 31100 Treviso, Italy
- 4Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Reattività Chimiche e La Catalisi (CIRCC), Via C. Ulpiani 27, 70126 Bari, Italy
Abstract
Polymeric materials have largely replaced mineral glass in ophthalmic lenses owing to their low density, impact resistance, optical performance, and manufacturing versatility. Despite their widespread use, the available literature remains fragmented, with individual studies primarily addressing specific polymer families, optical performance, manufacturing technologies, or surface coatings rather than providing an integrated overview of ophthalmic lens materials. This systematic review critically examines the relationships between chemical structure and molecular architecture of ophthalmic lens polymers and their optical, mechanical, thermal, and processing properties. The literature published between 2000 and 2026 was searched in Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and 91 documents were included. Properties of poly(diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate)) (CR-39®), polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(urethane-urea) (Trivex®), and high-refractive-index poly(thiourethane) systems are reported, with particular attention to refractive index, chromatic dispersion, impact resistance, durability, processability, and coating compatibility. Surface-engineering approaches, digital manufacturing, market developments, and environmental challenges associated with production waste and end-of-life management are also evaluated. The analysis identifies persistent trade-offs between optical performance, mechanical durability, manufacturing requirements, and recyclability, highlighting the need for high-index, low-dispersion polymers, durable or repairable coating systems, and viable recovery routes for crosslinked ophthalmic materials and lens-processing waste. Emerging opportunities for material recycling, recovery, and circular economy implementation are also critically evaluated. By integrating polymer chemistry, surface engineering, manufacturing, and sustainability within a single review, this work provides a comprehensive reference for researchers and industry professionals involved in the development of next-generation ophthalmic materials.
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BibTeX
@article{calvi2026polymeric,
title = {{Polymeric Materials for Ophthalmic Lenses: A Systematic Review on Structure, Properties, Manufacturing and Sustainability}},
author = {Marco Calvi and Elisa Baldini and Matteo Maria Minotto and Davide Moro and Valeria Gagliardi and Domenico Santandrea and Valentina Beghetto},
journal = {Molecules},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/molecules31203680},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3680},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Polymeric Materials for Ophthalmic Lenses: A Systematic Review on Structure, Properties, Manufacturing and Sustainability
AU - Marco Calvi
AU - Elisa Baldini
AU - Matteo Maria Minotto
AU - Davide Moro
AU - Valeria Gagliardi
AU - Domenico Santandrea
AU - Valentina Beghetto
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Molecules
DO - 10.3390/molecules31203680
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/20/3680
AB - Polymeric materials have largely replaced mineral glass in ophthalmic lenses owing to their low density, impact resistance, optical performance, and manufacturing versatility. Despite their widespread use, the available literature remains fragmented, with individual studies primarily addressing specific polymer families, optical performance, manufacturing technologies, or surface coatings rather than providing an integrated overview of ophthalmic lens materials. This systematic review critically examines the relationships between chemical structure and molecular architecture of ophthalmic lens polymers and their optical, mechanical, thermal, and processing properties. The literature published between 2000 and 2026 was searched in Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and PubMed, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and 91 documents were included. Properties of poly(diethylene glycol bis(allyl carbonate)) (CR-39®), polycarbonate, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(urethane-urea) (Trivex®), and high-refractive-index poly(thiourethane) systems are reported, with particular attention to refractive index, chromatic dispersion, impact resistance, durability, processability, and coating compatibility. Surface-engineering approaches, digital manufacturing, market developments, and environmental challenges associated with production waste and end-of-life management are also evaluated. The analysis identifies persistent trade-offs between optical performance, mechanical durability, manufacturing requirements, and recyclability, highlighting the need for high-index, low-dispersion polymers, durable or repairable coating systems, and viable recovery routes for crosslinked ophthalmic materials and lens-processing waste. Emerging opportunities for material recycling, recovery, and circular economy implementation are also critically evaluated. By integrating polymer chemistry, surface engineering, manufacturing, and sustainability within a single review, this work provides a comprehensive reference for researchers and industry professionals involved in the development of next-generation ophthalmic materials.
SN - 1420-3049
ER -