Demo glasses, also known as demo lenses, are the non-prescription plastic lenses placed in eyeglass frames before they are sold to customers. These lenses serve a temporary purpose in the distribution channel.
Key Characteristics of Demo Glasses:
- Non-Prescription: They do not correct vision and are simply placeholders.
- Plastic Material: Typically made from a type of plastic.
- Temporary: Designed to be replaced with prescription lenses or sunglass lenses.
- Single-Use: Considered a single-use plastic within the distribution process.
- Pre-Consumer Waste: As a result of their single-use nature, they become a form of pre-consumer waste.
Why are Demo Lenses Used?
Demo lenses provide several benefits during the manufacturing, distribution, and retail process of eyeglass frames:
- Structural Integrity: They help maintain the shape and integrity of the frames during shipping and display.
- Display Purposes: They allow customers to see how the frames look when worn, before purchasing.
- Handling Protection: They protect the frames from being warped or damaged during handling by retailers and customers.
The Environmental Impact
The single-use nature of demo lenses has made them a point of discussion regarding sustainability. Since they are discarded once the prescription lenses are fitted, they contribute to plastic waste.
- Pre-Consumer Waste: They are discarded before the end user (customer) receives the product.
- Single-Use Plastics: As referenced, these lenses represent single-use plastics, which contribute to the larger issue of plastic waste.
Summary
Demo glasses are temporary, non-prescription plastic lenses inserted into eyeglass frames to maintain their shape and allow for display until the frames are purchased and fitted with custom lenses.
