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Frames can be sent for recycling. Most lenses manufactured in Brazil are not recyclable.

Vision problems can appear at any age, and it's easy to tell when someone is in need of glasses. It is very important to be aware of the signals the body gives. The most common are headaches, red eyes, light sensitivity, difficulty in focusing on objects, effort to see from a distance or up close. In the case of children, in addition to these symptoms, parents should pay attention to their children's grades at school, as low grades can often mean that they are not seeing well and, therefore, have poor performance.

Visiting the ophthalmologist at least once a year is very important, as this way it is possible to diagnose and treat diseases in advance, preventing them from getting worse. Even if your eyesight is perfect or you wear glasses correctly, prescriptions change and eye problems can suddenly appear. The latest world estimates indicate that 285 million people suffer from a visual impairment. Of this total, 39 million are blind. Experts warn that 80% of the most serious cases can be avoided when treated early.

Sunglasses are also important because they protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays, which can cause or accelerate many eye diseases, and from the sun's intense rays (UVB), which can burn the cornea and cause temporary blindness. They also prevent wrinkles around the eyes, among other benefits.

What are they made of?

Now that you know why to wear glasses, let's get down to makeup. Typically, they are made from: acetate, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, nylon, kevlar, carbon and glass fibers, polycarbonate and epoxy resin - all of these materials are some of the polymers used in making the frames and are chosen accordingly with the characteristics you want the final product to have. Most of these polymers are thermoplastic, as they need to be molded frequently when changing lenses.

There are some models on the market with recycled raw materials, such as reused wood and protective plastic made from PET bottle fibers (see more here and here).

eye care

Glasses are fragile pieces and, therefore, require some care. The main ones are:

• Use both hands to put the glasses on and off, so that the frame adjustment is maintained longer;
• Clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth, which usually comes with the glasses and is sold in opticians;
• Do not rest the glasses with the lens facing down on a surface to avoid scratching.

And recycling?

The frames, when made of steel, can be sent for recycling. To do this, contact the manufacturer of your glasses and ask for instructions on how to do this. There are also many institutions that collect the frames, repair them and distribute them to thousands of people who cannot afford to buy their glasses and improve their eyesight.

Lenses, on the other hand, are difficult to recycle, due to the numerous polymers that make them up. Most polymers do not separate manually and mechanical separation is not always effective, which makes the recycling process difficult, which essentially depends on the purity of the materials.

In any case, if contact has been made to dispose of the frame with the manufacturer, ask about the destination of the lenses. And as a last resort, keep your old glasses to use in case there is something unforeseen with the newer ones.