Certified Paraoptometric (CPO) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Study Guide to Ensure Exam Success!

Polycarbonate is preferred for safety eyewear because it is highly shatter-resistant, making it an ideal material for protecting the eyes from impact. In environments where the risk of injury to the eyes is present, using safety eyewear made from polycarbonate significantly reduces the likelihood of injury due to its strength and toughness.

This material has excellent optical clarity, is lightweight, and offers a high level of UV protection, adding to its suitability for use in safety glasses. Its impact resistance means that it can withstand strong forces without breaking, providing a crucial barrier against potential hazards.

Other materials like glass are not typically used for safety eyewear because they can shatter and cause injury. CR-39 plastic, while providing decent optical quality, doesn't offer the same level of impact resistance as polycarbonate. Acrylic, although lightweight, is more prone to scratching and breaking compared to polycarbonate. Therefore, polycarbonate stands out as the optimal choice for safety eyewear.