Which statement about polycarbonate lenses and UV protection is true?

Which statement about polycarbonate lenses and UV protection is true?

• A. They require an added UV coating to block UV light.
• B. They provide no UV protection unless coated.
• C. They inherently block UV light and do not require a separate UV coating.
• D. They reflect UV light but do not block it.

Answer: (C)

Polycarbonate lenses inherently block UV light because the material itself absorbs ultraviolet radiation, providing protection from UVA and UVB up to about 400 nm. This built‑in UV protection means a separate UV coating isn’t needed for standard UV protection. Some lenses may have additional coatings for scratch resistance or glare reduction, but these do not replace the UV-blocking property of the polycarbonate. The idea that UV protection would require a coating, or that it only reflects UV without blocking it, doesn’t fit how polycarbonate behaves.

Polycarbonate lenses inherently block UV light because the material itself absorbs ultraviolet radiation, providing protection from UVA and UVB up to about 400 nm. This built‑in UV protection means a separate UV coating isn’t needed for standard UV protection. Some lenses may have additional coatings for scratch resistance or glare reduction, but these do not replace the UV-blocking property of the polycarbonate. The idea that UV protection would require a coating, or that it only reflects UV without blocking it, doesn’t fit how polycarbonate behaves.